What should i do in mazatlan

And if you work up an appetite while downtown…. Panama serves up a huge variety of both regional and national dishes and also have great desserts, shakes, and bakery items. The place was so good that one evening we were there for dinner and the next morning we were there for breakfast.

Hikers, view-seekers and ocean lovers alike will love visiting this lighthouse. The lighthouse still serves its purpose, but most visitors are more interested in the view. Beware of cloudy days though, as they will detract from the panoramic views. Sunset makes for an excellent visit, although be warned that you will probably have lots of company, and might have to walk back down in the dark. The first, Playa las Gaviotas has a very touristy feel to it since it is up in the so-called Golden Zone near the resorts — loud music plays everywhere, vendors walk along the beach offering wares of every imaginable sort and crowds should always be expected here.

For some people this atmosphere means fun. They enjoy the ongoing party, the abundance of watersports and the groups of people having a great time. If you like surfing, however, the waves at Playa Olas Altas will make it a great beach to visit. Throughout Mazatlan, you will see flags posted along the beach that warns you about the dangers of swimming due to riptides or strong currents, so avoid swimming where you see the red flags.

Yet because of the geography and topography of the area, it might as well be — trying to get there by car or bus will take you hours. Instead, you should make the trip by boat. This beach will be less populated than Playa las Gaviotas and better for swimming than Playa Olas Altas, so you can enjoy sunning yourself and splashing in the water. You can also try your hand at fishing the waters or even horseback riding on the island.

The restaurants here range from fancy dining to small shacks so you can find something that fits your budget pretty easily. Book the Mazatlan tequila day trip now.

While this beautiful Mexican resort town has tons of expensive attractions, not everything is outside of your budget. Enjoy soaking in the sun, learning about the culture or just exploring the area. Traveling to Mazatlan on your next trip? Book the perfect room on Booking. I hope this helped you plan your travels in Mexico! I know it can be a struggle to find accurate and on the ground information when traveling to a new place like Mexico, which is why I started writing so extensively about it!

If you have any questions about Mexico, budget travel, or anything else shoot me an email at ryan desktodirtbag.

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. The quarter had fallen on hard times by the s but has been spruced up since the s, and its painted Neoclassical houses have been restored to its 19th-century glory.

Named for its financier, the Filipino pearl-diving entrepreneur Juan Nepomuceno Machado, Plaza Machado was plotted on swampy ground in Take a few minutes to admire the houses fronting the square, painted in earthy tones, and consider the diverse characters that have visited this spot over the last years.

According to legend, she gave one last aria from her balcony before succumbing to yellow fever. On this palm-lined route there are quirky works of public art, street food vendors, beaches and an abundance of bars, clubs and restaurants. This was replaced by a true lighthouse in , still manned today after several modifications and with a range of 30 nautical miles. The lighthouse is metres above sea level and you have to power up more than steps to get there.

The south-facing main facade has a portico-cum-arcade with elongated multi-foil arches, stones arranged in an eye-catching diagonal pattern and sculpted images of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in niches. Erm, yes. That Sinaloa. But more on that later. If you had really, really strong binoculars you could look across the water from Mazatlan and see Los Cabos in the distance.

It's basically right at the point where the Pacific Ocean becomes the Sea of Cortez. And not by Mexicans. Pacifico is actually German, founded by a family of immigrants in the midth century. Even if you know nothing about Mexico, chances are you know the name Sinaloa. Sinaloa is the state home to one of the most notorious cartels in Mexico, and while El Chapo is in prison the cartel still very much exists.

I cannot stress this enough, so let me repeat: You will be safe in Mazatlan. While other cities in the state, like the capital Culiacan, may be a little more precarious, Mazatlan remains an oasis of safety and one of the friendliest places around. Still, keep a smart head on your shoulders. Mazatlan is considered to be northern Mexico, which means it has a much milder climate than states in the jungly south.

Plus it's got prime coastal real estate, meaning gorgeous breezes year-round. This is when you're going to enjoy ideal temperatures in the 80s, no rain, and, more importantly, no holiday tourists.

That said, there really isn't a wrong time to visit Mazatlan. The summers are hot and rainy, and the winters tend to be a bit more expensive because of holiday travelers. Regardless of season, what you're in for is year-round beautiful weather and prices that are noticeably lower than other Mexican beach cities, like, say, Tulum or Cabo San Lucas. It is a city that loves to celebrate, with parades, costumes, colors, and, of course, a non-stop flow of Pacifico.

Each year two big parades run down the entirety of the Malecon; the baseball stadium puts on epic shows; and there is a massive outdoor party on Olas Altas, one of the main outdoor areas near downtown along the coast. The other best time to visit Mazatlan would be at the end of October for Dia de Los Muertos, when the city comes alive with painted faces, brightly decorated altars, a parade, and, you guessed it, more Pacifico. Sand here is a lot more, well, sand-colored.

Start with Playa Sabalo, which is a great relaxation beach at the northern end of the Golden Zone. You'll also find Playa Gaviotas and Playa Camaron. These are also along the Golden Zone, but the energy is completely different from Playa Sabalo. Gaviotas and Camaron are where you're going to go if you want a quintessential Mexican beach party, with beach bars, live music, and energy that keeps going after sunset. One of the best-kept secrets of Mazatlan is Stone Island. First, it's not really an island, but you do need to take a boat to get there.

It's a beach area to the south of the Port of Mazatlan, and it feels like it's another world away. The wide, sweeping beach extends for miles, backed by hilly jungle and a sweeping view unencumbered by development. There are a few small hotels here, and many outdoor restaurants perfect for a cold beer, a fish taco, or a shrimp cocktail.

Maybe you want to take a food tour or a cooking class -- Tomatl is a great one, created by a local Mazatleca, who has tours devoted to street food, or one specifically centered around tacos, mezcal, and beer. Meander the tiny streets lined with colorful buildings, dip in and out of the churches, stop at a panaderia and pick up a delicious cake or cookie.

Life slows way, way down in these outer villages, and they definitely offer the best glimpses of the way things used to be. Coming in from the airport you're going to pass Marina Mazatlan, which is a fairly new area that has newer condos, a golf course, and the big box stores like Walmart and Sam's Club.

Keep moving. Next you'll come into the Golden Zone, or the Zona Dorada, which is the main "tourist" area you'll find in the city. The main drag is Avenida Camaron Sabalo, along which you'll find the majority of the major hotels, restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops. If you want to label a section of Mazatlan as the tourist section, this would definitely be it. That said, this is still a pocket of the city where Mazatlecos Mazatlan locals are willing to visit for a good meal or a fun night out.

Prices are considerably cheaper here, especially when compared to other tourist zones in the country again, looking at you Tulum and Cabo. So if you stick around here, you're doing okay. But still, I encourage you to keep moving. After the Golden Zone, you're going to come face-to-face with the beginning of Mazatlan's iconic Malecon.