Hell Becoming Paradise: Islas Marias, Mexico’s Prison Island episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 3, 2026 · 17 MIN

Hell Becoming Paradise: Islas Marias, Mexico’s Prison Island

from Keep Going: An Unexpected Travel Podcast

In 2019 the last prison island in the Americas closed down. Islas Marías was home to some of Mexico’s most feared criminals, and political prisoners, but was shuttered following reports of terrible conditions. In 2022 Mexico’s navy began allowing tourists to visit the archipelago, showing visitors cells, parrots, graveyards, beaches, and explaining the islands’ dark past. I took a long ferry ride for a weekend on Islas Marías.Watch full video episodes on YouTube. Writing, recording, narration: Jamie FullertonSound editing: Samira TazariMusic: Olguita AcuñaPodcast artwork: Nini Giunàshvili You can buy Islas Marías weekend tours from the islands’ official website, Visitaislasmarias.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 3, 2026

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Hell Becoming Paradise: Islas Marias, Mexico’s Prison Island

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