Tips for travel to Mazatlan

Our Mazatlan travel tips section is designed to provide you with valuable information on the destinations we serve. You can access weather reports, convert currency, browse through destination guides, research passport and visa information and much more.

Introduction

Dining & Entertainment

Entry Requirements

Money & Emergency

Weather

Map

Fun Things To Do

Health & Safety Links

Flight Overview

Introduction

Mazatlán, a city with a population of nearly 500,000, is the largest port between Los Angeles and the Panama Canal. Elegant reminders of its history, 27km (17 miles) of sandy beaches, and a geographically diverse environment are all added attractions in Mazatlán's efforts to become a premier beach resort.
Once known as a spring break haven and a place to party, Mazatlán is now attracting more families, mature travelers, and other tourists with an eye for value. It enjoys strong repeat business and positive word of mouth, as it continues to offer exceptional vacation values.

What To Do

The Aquarium & Botanical Gardens
The Acuario Mazatlán has over 45 fresh and salt water tanks with sharks, lobsters, eels, seahorses, and over 250 exotic species from around the world. Interesting sea museum, a trained seal show and an auditorium with film about sea life make this a perfect family outing.

Look from the Top
The land structure of the southern region of the city is watched over by three peaks. From the peaks you can see spectacular views of Mazatlan.

El Cerro de la Nevería, "ice box hill" first served as an observation point for the Spaniards. In the 1800's imported ice from San Francisco was stored in tunnels to protect seafood harvests. During the Mexican Revolution, the hill was bombed from a biplane, making it only the second city in the world to be bombed from the air.

Cerro del Vigía is another towering peak with fantastic views and an excellent seafood restaurant. The hill is topped by the Pérgola de Vigia, a look-out tower with cannons once used by the Spanish to guard the harbor.

Cerro del Crestón is the southernmost hill at land's end offering marvelous views of the harbor, the Pacific and Old Mazatlan. The light-house (El Faro) is the world's second highest at 505 feet.

Explore Downtown and Olas Altas
The old section of the city has many restored 19th century buildings. Start at the Plaza Revolución, the city's main square, surrounded by palms trees and colonial-style buildings. In the center is one of Mexico's most bizarre gazebos: it looks like a 50's diner on the inside with a wrought iron bandstand on top.

Facing the square is Mazatlan's beautiful Cathedral, Basílica del la Inmaculada Concepción. Begun in 1875 and completed in 1890, this Moorish-style church has twin blue and gold spires and a gilded, ornate triple altar. The city's oldest church is Capilla de San José which found four blocks east of Plazuela Zaragoza.

A few short blocks to the south is the Plaza Machado, the city's historic center and the site of Mazatlan's annual carnival celebration. Several civic building and former mansions surrounding the Plaza have been restored.

The Teatro Angela Peralta, the crown jewel of historic architecture, is the oldest theater in Mazatlan (built in 1860) and has recently been restored to its European-style grandeur. There's also an Archeological Museum at Ave. Sixto Osuna #76 with hundreds of pre-Columbian relics as well as a great deal of information about Mazatlan's history.

Just west of downtown is Olas Altas, the original home to Mazatlan's visitor industry. Though the resorts left years ago, take a peak at the old Hotel Belmar, once Mazatlan's premier place to stay. Just to the north is an old Spanish fort, Fuerte Carranza, from which Mazatlan defended itself from French invaders in the 1860's. Nearby is "El Mirador", a lookout point where divers plunge into the sea, similiar to Acapulco's famed divers.

The "Charros", Mexico's tough cowboys and rodeo showmen are, above all, horsemen, heirs to a centuries-old equestrian tradition. You will be dazzled by their skill as they perform many of the main demonstrations of the Charreria, including the "Pass of Death", where they move from one horse to another at full gallop without the aid of saddle or bridle.

Stroll the Malecón
Mazatlan's palm-lined waterfront promenade connects the Zona Dorada and Old Mazatlan. It is one of Mexico's longest and prettiest walkways. It makes for wonderful morning or evening strolls. Towards downtown the Fisherman's Monument features a fisherman and a seductive mermaid. This monument is a symbol of the port and a tribute to the brave fishermen, past and present.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

Dining

Mazatlán boasts one of the largest shrimp fleets in the world, so it's no surprise that shrimp and seafood are the specialties. Most restaurants are very casual and moderately priced, offering good value.

Copa de Leche -This shaded sidewalk cafe on the waterfront at Playa Olas Altas feels the way Mazatlán must have in the 1930s, and the food is consistently as good as the ocean view. The menu includes pechugas en nogada (chicken breast in pecan-and-pomegranate sauce); shrimp in tamarind sauce; traditional alambre barbecue (beef cooked with onion, peppers, mushrooms, ham, and bacon); wonderful seafood soup loaded with squid, shrimp, and chunks of fish; and great shrimp with chipotle sauce. Inside, the decor is updated Mexican, the bar is an old wooden boat, and the dining tables are covered with linen cloths.

El Shrimp Bucket - El Shrimp Bucket is among the most popular restaurants in town. The specialty is Mazatlán's famous shrimp, in the air-conditioned dining room or under umbrellas in the center courtyard. For wining, dining, and dancing, this is a great place for a rousing time.

Papagayo Restaurant - Nestled on the beach, diners at Papagayo enjoy the natural beauty of the sea, with a choice of beach or open-air patio seating, and a view across the water to Las Tres Islas, the three imposing islands just offshore. The food is consistent and elegantly presented, with an extensive menu of international fare; favorites are shrimp CocoLoco, and tournedos Rossini in wild mushroom sauce.

Entertainment

Mazatlán is known for its vibrant Mexican fiestas and equally colorful local bar scene, where dancing on bars, and atop tables can be a nightly event. Traditional mariachi groups, tambora bands, and live romantic music create a festive mood in many restaurants and hotel bars.

Valentino's & the Fiestaland - The popularity of the Valentino's club has resulted in its expansion to a whole array of nocturnal options. The centerpiece remains Valentino's, dramatically perched on a rocky outcropping overlooking the sea, in an all-white, Moorish-looking building, and features a good high-tech light show complete with green laser beams. For a break from the pulsating dance floor, there are pool tables in another room, and some (relatively) quiet areas for talking.

Money

Banks & ATMs
Banks in Mexico are rapidly expanding and improving services. They tend to be open weekdays from 9am until 5pm, and often for at least a half day on Saturday. In larger resorts and cities, they can generally accommodate the exchange of dollars (which used to stop at noon) anytime during business hours. During times when the currency is in flux, a particular bank may not exchange dollars, so check before standing in line. Some, but not all, banks charge a service fee of about 1% to exchange traveler's checks. However, you can pay for most purchases directly with traveler's checks at the establishment's stated exchange rate. Don't even bother with personal checks drawn on a U.S. bank -- the bank will wait for your check to clear, which can take weeks, before giving you your money.

Travelers to Mexico can easily withdraw money from ATMs (automated teller machine) in most major cities and resort areas. In most resorts in Mexico, the use of ATMs is perfectly safe -- just use the same precautions you would at any ATM. Universal bank cards (such as the Cirrus and PLUS systems) can be used. This is a convenient way to withdraw money and avoid carrying too much with you at any time. The exchange rate is generally more favorable than that at a casas de cambio. Most machines offer Spanish/English menus and dispense pesos, but some offer the option of withdrawing dollars. The Cirrus (tel. 800/424-7787) and PLUS (tel. 800/843-7587) networks span the globe; look at the back of your bank card to see which network you're on, then call or check online for ATM locations at your destination. Be sure you know your personal identification number (PIN) before you leave home and be sure to find out your daily withdrawal limit before you depart. Also keep in mind that many banks impose a fee every time a card is used at a different bank's ATM, and that fee can be higher for international transactions (up to $5 or more) than for domestic ones (where they're rarely more than $1.50). On top of this, the bank from which you withdraw cash may charge its own fee.

Traveler's Checks
Traveler's checks are something of an anachronism from the days before the ATM made cash accessible at any time. Traveler's checks used to be the only sound alternative to traveling with dangerously large amounts of cash. They were as reliable as currency, but, unlike cash, could be replaced if lost or stolen.

You can get traveler's checks at almost any bank. You can also get American Express traveler's checks over the phone by calling tel. 800/221-7282.

Visa offers traveler's checks at Citibank locations nationwide, as well as at several other banks. Call tel. 800/732-1322 for information. AAA members can obtain Visa checks without a fee at most AAA offices or by calling tel. 866/339-3378. MasterCard also offers traveler's checks. Call tel. 800/223-9920 for a location near you.

If you choose to carry traveler's checks, be sure to keep a record of their serial numbers separate from your checks in the event that they are stolen or lost. You'll get a refund faster if you know the numbers.

Credit Cards
Credit cards are a safe way to carry money: They also provide a convenient record of all your expenses, and they generally offer relatively good exchange rates. You can also withdraw cash advances from your credit cards at banks or ATMs, provided you know your PIN. If you've forgotten yours, or didn't even know you had one, call the number on the back of your credit card and ask the bank to send it to you. It usually takes 5 to 7 business days, though some banks will provide the number over the phone if you tell them your mother's maiden name or some other personal information.

Charges will be made in pesos, then converted into dollars by the bank issuing the credit card. Generally you receive the favorable bank rate when paying by credit card. However, be aware that some establishments in Mexico add a 5% to 7% surcharge when you pay with a credit card. This is especially true when using American Express. Many times, advertised discounts will not apply if you pay with a credit card.

Dear Visa: I'm Off to Mazatlan! -- Some credit card companies recommend that you notify them of any impending trip abroad so that they don't become suspicious and block your charges when the card is used numerous times in a foreign destination. Even if you don't call your credit card company in advance, you can always call the toll-free emergency number if a charge is refused -- a good reason to carry the phone number with you. But perhaps the most important lesson is to carry more than one card on your trip; if one card doesn't work for any number of reasons, you'll have a backup.

Emergency

Mazatlán Emergency Phone Contacts

Emergency Assistance: 066

Police (they can contact ambulance for you): 983-45-10

Tourist Safety (Medical, Legal, Travel Advice-toll free): 01-800-90392

Fire Department: 981-27-69

Red Cross: 981-36-90

American Express: 913-06-00

U.S. Consulate Contact: 916-58-89
(After hours emergency-Hermosillo): 62/17-23-75

Canadian Consulate Contact: 913-73-20

(For other countries, best to try the Mazatlán Tourist Office for contacts.)

Mazatlán Tourist Office: 916-51-60 to 65

Fun Things To Do in Mazatlan

Attractions & Activities

Mazatlan Attractions

Mazatlán may be best known for its wide, sandy beaches and sporting activities, but visitors who neglect to sample the city's cultural events and attractions are missing out on a multidimensional destination.

Mazatlán's Carnaval: A Weeklong Party--The week before Lent is Mazatlán's famous Carnaval, or Mardi Gras. People come from all over the country and abroad for this flamboyant celebration, topped in size and revelry only by those in Río de Janeiro and New Orleans. Highlights of the event include parades, special shows, the coronation of the Carnaval queen, outdoor concerts, more than 150 food and beverage vendors, all-night parties, and extravaganzas all over town. Every night during Carnaval week, all along the Olas Altas oceanfront drive in the southern part of town, the streets fill with music from roving mariachi groups, local traditional bandas sinaloenses (sporting lots of brass instruments), and electrified bands under tarpaulin shades. The crowd increases each day until the last night, Shrove Tuesday, when musicians, dancers, and people out for a good time pack the malecón. The following day, Ash Wednesday, the party is over. People receive crosses of ashes on their foreheads at church, and Lent begins.

Architectural Highlights--Two blocks south of the central plaza stands the lovely Teatro Angela Peralta, a national historic monument. Built between 1869 and 1874, it most recently underwent renovation in 1998. The 841-seat Italian-style theater has three levels of balconies, two facades, and, in true tropical style, a lobby with no roof. The theater was named for one of the world's great divas, who, along with the director and 30 members of the opera, died in Mazatlán of cholera in an 1863 epidemic.

The Plaza Principal, also called Plaza Revolución, is the heart of the city, filled with vendors, shoeshine stands, and people of all ages out for a stroll. At its center is a Victorian-style, wrought-iron bandstand with a diner-type restaurant underneath. Be sure to take in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, built in the 1800s, with its unusual yellow-tiled twin steeples and partially tiled facade.

Mazatlan Activities

Beaches & Surfing

At the western edge of downtown is rocky, pebbly Playa Olas Altas, a lovely stretch of pounding surf, but not suitable for swimming. Around a rocky promontory north of Olas Altas is Playa Norte, which offers several kilometers of good sand beach.
Mazatlán is one of only a few resorts in Mexico where surfing is common on central town beaches. The waves are best at Los Pinos, north of the fort -- known in surfing circles as "the Cannon" -- and at Playa Los Gaviotas and Playa Los Sabalos. Waves are most notable and consistent from May to September. Other notable surf breaks are found at Olas Altos, Cerritos, Isla de la Piedra, and El Camaron, at Playa Norte.

Deep Sea-Fishing

Mazatlán claims to be the billfish and shrimp capital of the world, and whether or not it's a valid claim, deep-sea fishing in Mazatlán is generally less expensive than in other parts of Mexico. If you request it, your captain will practice "catch and release." Locals suggest making fishing reservations for October through January at least a month in advance; at the very least, do it the minute you arrive in town.