Las Varas: Landscape and Patron Saint Festival

Las Varas lies in the heart of the Sierra de Vallejo, surrounded by fields of beans and tobacco, as well as orchards. The landscape gives the town an agricultural character. Las Varas is also at a crossroads, with several roads leading to different beaches along the Riviera Nayarit. If you’re looking for a hotel in Las Varas, these features help put the destination into context: they combine a rural setting with road links to a range of beaches. When choosing accommodation, check that its location suits your travel plans.

The main square is another part of the town’s character: it has benches where you can sit and enjoy an ice cream. This local landmark adds to the impressions created by the fields, orchards, and road connections. Las Varas can therefore be understood not only through its roads to the beaches but also through its own town center.

Patron Saint Festival and Events

The parish in Las Varas is dedicated to Santa María de Guadalupe, and its patron saint feast is celebrated on February 12. This date gives the local festival calendar a clear religious connection. If you’re planning your trip around this occasion, check the dates and program for the relevant year.

The 2025 patron saint celebrations featured live music and dancing with Banda Zarape, Tecnolokos Band, Banda Caballeros, and Grupo 7. The 2025 Expo Feria Agrícola Ganadera Las Varas honored the work of the people who cultivate the land and raise livestock. Religious celebrations and agriculture thus feature as distinct event themes. February 12 is the recurring patron saint feast date; the performances and Expo Feria mentioned here are specific to 2025. If you’re traveling for a festival, it’s worth checking the program for your chosen year.

Planning Excursions

Santuario Playa Platanitos is located near Las Varas. Traveling there in your own or a rental vehicle is recommended; there are no direct public buses to the protected area. Check this transport information again before setting out.

Compostela as a Separate Travel Destination

The wider destination of Compostela offers additional cultural attractions. The municipal seat is home to the colonial-era parish church of Santiago Apóstol. Nine murals from the Rutas Mágicas de Color project are located in the streets of Compostela and depict local culture, history, and traditions; individual murals may change. In Compostela, visitors can also learn about the traditional process of leatherworking. The architecture, public art, and crafts each offer a different perspective.

The Ruta Tabaco y Café in Compostela is an experience focused on coffee and tobacco. It includes a guided tour of coffee plantations with a tasting, a guided walk through the historic center, and a hands-on cigar-making workshop. Check current departure times and workshop availability before your trip. The Mercado Municipal in Compostela offers dishes including pescado zarandeado, ceviche, shrimp broth, and pollo al Ixtlán. These dishes add a culinary dimension to the wider destination’s cultural attractions.

Discover more destinations: Santa María Del Oro, Jala, Bucerias, Higuera Blanca, Ixtlán Del Río, Valle Dorado, Agua Escondida, Cuastecomate.

For the broader travel overview: Nayarit.