About three miles (5 km) south of Matanchén [1], a sign marks a side road to a cocodrilario (crocodile farm). At the end of the two-mile track (trucks okay, car negotiable with caution when dry), you’ll arrive at “El Tanque,” a spring-fed pond, home of the Ejido de la Palma crocodile farm.
About 50 toothy crocs, large and small, snooze in the sun within several enclosures. Half the fun is the adjacent spring-fed freshwater lagoon, so crystal clear you can see half a dozen big fish wriggling beneath the surface.
Nearby, ancient trees swathed in vines and orchids tower overhead, butterflies flutter past, and turtles sun themselves on mossy logs. Bring a picnic lunch, binoculars, bird book, insect repellent, and bathing suit.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/puerto-vallarta/the-nayarit-coast/the-road-san-blas/playas-matanchen-and-las-islitas