Parks Manager

National parks near Las Varas, Nayarit

Islas Marietas National Park is the closest national park to Las Varas, Nayarit — 70.9 km (44.1 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 1 hr 28 min behind the wheel.

Islas Marietas and Isla Isabel make a full day trip — leave early. Volcán Nevado de Colima, Sierra de Órganos, Lago de Camécuaro, and Barranca del Cupatitzio are better with a night booked nearby.

Las Varas has a population of about 14,419.

National parks near Las Varas

Parks ranked by distance from Las Varas
ParkStraight-line distanceEstimated driveRealistic trip
Islas Marietas National Park70.9 km (44.1 mi)1 hr 28 minDoable as a day trip
Isla Isabel National Park107 km (66.6 mi)2 hr 2 minDoable as a day trip
Volcán Nevado de Colima National Park244 km (151 mi)4 hr 2 minBest as a weekend
Sierra de Órganos National Park322 km (200 mi)5 hr 11 minBest as a weekend
Lago de Camécuaro National Park336 km (209 mi)5 hr 24 minBest as a weekend
Barranca del Cupatitzio National Park372 km (231 mi)5 hr 55 minBest as a weekend
Rayón National Park412 km (256 mi)6 hr 31 minWorth a longer road trip
Insurgente José María Morelos National Park414 km (257 mi)6 hr 33 minWorth a longer road trip
Gogorrón National Park448 km (278 mi)7 hr 2 minWorth a longer road trip
El Potosí National Park474 km (294 mi)7 hr 25 minWorth a longer road trip

When to make this trip

Islas Marietas National Park is generally best December through April, the drier and less humid stretch, with May and November as the quieter shoulder either side.

June to November is the wet and hurricane season — heavy rain, high humidity, and occasional storm closures.

Heat and humidity are constant. Plan activity for early morning and carry more water than feels necessary.

Month-by-month detail for Islas Marietas National Park

Seeing more than one

Several parks near Las Varas are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.

Distances between parks near Las Varas
PairApartEstimated drive
Islas Marietas → Isla Isabel131 km (81.6 mi)2 hr 23 min
Volcán Nevado de Colima → Lago de Camécuaro153 km (95.4 mi)2 hr 42 min
Islas Marietas → Volcán Nevado de Colima244 km (152 mi)4 hr 2 min
Isla Isabel → Sierra de Órganos306 km (190 mi)4 hr 57 min

Planning a trip from Las Varas

Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.

Read the Islas Marietas National Park guide

Other towns in Compostela

Common questions

What is the closest national park to Las Varas?

Islas Marietas National Park. It is about 70.9 km (44.1 mi) from Las Varas, roughly 1 hr 28 min of driving.

Can I do a national park day trip from Las Varas?

Yes — Islas Marietas National Park and Isla Isabel National Park are within about a three-hour drive.

How many national parks are near Las Varas?

10 parks are within reach of Las Varas, 2 of them close enough for a day trip.

When is the best time to visit the parks near Las Varas?

For Islas Marietas National Park, the closest one, generally December through April, the drier and less humid stretch. Either side of that, May and November stays quieter.