As Mexico commemorates 700 years since the founding of Tenochtitlán and prepares for Independence Day celebrations, the state of Nayarit is stepping into the spotlight to highlight its unique place in the country’s origins. Long before Father Miguel Hidalgo launched the independence movement in 1810, and centuries before Hernán Cortés encountered the Aztec Empire, Nayarit was already shaping Mexico’s cultural and historical foundations.
Along the Pacific coast lies Mexcaltitán, a small island town believed by many historians to be the legendary Aztlán — the mythical homeland of the Mexica people. According to codices such as the Boturini, the Mexica began their migration from Aztlán in 1116, guided by the deity Huitzilopochtli. Their journey culminated in the founding of Tenochtitlán in 1325, but the story begins in what is now modern-day Nayarit.
Mexcaltitán’s unique design, built on islets with crisscrossing canals, mirrors the structure of ancient Tenochtitlán. Archaeological findings, including a stone carving of a heron consuming a snake, further link the island to Mexico’s national origin story. Today, Mexcaltitán is recognized as one of Mexico’s Pueblos Mágicos, offering visitors both historical insight and a glimpse into the roots of Mexican identity.
Nayarit’s influence does not end in myth. During the War of Independence, local priest José María Mercado led a successful campaign in 1810 to capture Tepic, the capital, and later seized the port of San Blas. Though royalist forces eventually retook the region, Mercado’s actions underscored the state’s early and determined support for independence.
Following the Mexican Revolution, Nayarit was formally declared a federal state in 1917. Today, it thrives as both an agricultural hub — producing tobacco, sugarcane, and tropical fruits — and a tourist destination, known for its 181 miles of coastline, world-class surfing, and pristine island reserves such as the Marietas.
Cultural continuity also defines Nayarit. The Cora and Huichol peoples, descendants of the region’s earliest civilizations, continue to preserve sacred traditions and a profound connection to the land, ensuring that indigenous voices remain central to the state’s identity.
As the nation honors its independence and reflects on its ancient past, Nayarit invites Mexicans and international visitors alike to explore the land where the Mexica migration began. On the island of Mexcaltitán, where herons still glide across the waters, the mythic roots of Mexico remain alive — embodied in the enduring national symbol of an eagle, a snake, and a cactus.