A long-running palapa and cabaña operation on the beach at Maruata, the turtle-nesting village on the Costa Nahua. Ceviche is made with whatever the boats bring in, alongside simple Mexican plates and cold beer.
Palapas de Quirino García is a long-running palapa and cabaña operation on the beach at Maruata, the turtle-nesting village on Michoacán's remote Costa Nahua. Ceviche del día is made with whatever the boats bring in that morning, changing daily rather than following a fixed recipe, and the kitchen also serves pescado frito entero, a whole fried fish, and camarones a la diabla for those wanting spicier shrimp. The setting is rustic and remote, with palapa and cabaña structures on the sand and a slower pace shaped by Maruata's identity as a turtle-nesting site rather than a developed beach resort. Cold beer is the main drink on offer; there is no wine list or cocktail programme at this kind of coastal outpost. Prices are accessible, 120-320 MXN per person. Reservations are not needed for most of the year, though Semana Santa and Christmas bring a surge of domestic travellers to Maruata's beaches, and advance planning becomes worthwhile during those specific weeks.
Signature dishes
- Ceviche del día — 150 MXN ($9 USD)
- Pescado frito entero — 260 MXN ($15 USD)
- Camarones a la diabla — 230 MXN ($14 USD)
Good to know
- Known for
- Ceviche made from the day's catch at Maruata
- Hours
- Daily 8AM-9PM
- Reservations
- Not required except Semana Santa and Christmas
Location
Playa Maruata, Mpio. Aquila, 60960 Maruata, Michoacán
18.2680, -103.3504 View on map
Highlights
- Ceviche made fresh daily from whatever the boats bring in
- Located on the beach at Maruata, a Pacific turtle-nesting village
- Pescado frito entero, a whole fried fish
- Rustic palapa and cabaña structures directly on the sand
- A remote, undeveloped stretch of Michoacán's Costa Nahua
Tips for visiting
- Ask what the ceviche del día contains, since it changes based on the day's catch
- Book ahead only for Semana Santa and Christmas, the coast's busiest weeks
- Bring cash, as is standard at small coastal establishments
- Combine a meal with time watching for sea turtles on Maruata's beach
Accessibility
Seating is in open-sided palapas directly on the beach; the sand setting is not step-free and may be difficult for wheelchair users.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Maruata a notable stop on this coast?
It is known as a turtle-nesting village on Michoacán's Costa Nahua, giving the area a quieter, more ecological character than developed beach resorts.
Is a reservation needed?
Not usually, except during Semana Santa and Christmas, when the coast gets significantly busier.
What is the ceviche made from?
Whatever fish or shellfish the local boats bring in that day, so the exact ingredients vary.