‘No jacket, no tie, no attitude,’ might well be the motto for unpretentious Mazatlan’s terrific beach, bar and culture scene. Sometimes, when planning your holidays, you have to make a decision: sun and sand or culture and history? Mazatlan has the distinction of offering the best of both worlds.
Call it the Golden and the Olden: in the newer Zona Dorado (Golden Zone), developed in the 1960s, visitors will find most of the major hotels, shops, bars and restaurants scattered along the idyllic beaches; meanwhile, in Old Mazatlan or the Centro Historico (Historic Centre), life carries on as it did before tourists arrived in the markets, cafés, churches and shady plazas throughout the traditional neighbourhoods. It’s a great place to mingle with Mazatlecos (locals).
It’s no wonder that Mazatlan, known as “Pearl of the Pacific,” has become a favourite destination for Canadian snowbirds.
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Double Your Pleasure at Pueblo Bonito Resorts
There are two four-star, all-inclusive Pueblo Bonito resorts in Mazatlan: Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan in the Golden area and Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay about 15 minutes’ drive north in the area called New Mazatlan. Guests enjoy privileges at both resorts and there’s a free shuttle. Pueblo Bonito sits on a golden beach and offers several dining options, both a la carte and buffet. It’s close to the Malecon and historic centre of town. Puebla Bonito Emerald Bay combines a serendipitous blend of secluded beach, swaying palms, pools, grand gardens, a swim-up bar and more delicious dining choices.
Explore the Depths
Mazatlan’s newest attraction, the Gran Aquario, opened in May 2023 next to Central Park, features 27 habitats showcasing the biodiversity of the Sea of Cortez. Mexican architect, Tatiana Bilbao, has created an edifice that looks like it was found underwater, complete with tattooed messages on the interior walls that resemble fossils. Lots of educational programs promote a message that armed with knowledge and appreciation of reptiles, birds and sea creatures, people will strive to protect our oceans. Particularly interesting is the behind-the-scenes Calypso tour offering visitors to meet marine biologists and feed sharks and rays. Adult admission is approximately $30. (www.granacuario.com)
Gran Aquario. Aah, the Spa!
The Armonia Spa at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay has introduced several new organic treatments. Their Antioxidant Ritual starts with a gentle exfoliation using coffee beans, cocoa, and almond oil to activate antioxidants in the body and stimulate circulation. A nourishing soufflé artisan chocolate mask and a relaxing cocoa shea butter massage will leave you relaxed and ready to enjoy Mazatlan’s myriad experiences. Book your treatment in advance and allow plenty of time to relax in the pools, steam rooms and sauna.
Casa 46
Overlooking Plazuela Machado, Casa 46 is a restaurant/museum serving exquisite fusion in a setting that showcases and documents different stages and eras of Mazatlan. I recommend the roasted tomato soup and duck carnitas enchiladas. The wine list is extensive with many vintages from Mexico.
Go Theatrical
Located on Plaza Machado, the Angela Peralta opera house, named for a legendary diva, was built in 1874. The theater with its original Italian Romantic architectural design is considered one of the finest in Mexico hosting a variety of dramatic, dance and musical performances.
Angelo’s
Got a craving for Italian? Head to Angelo’s restaurant for impeccable service and delicious classics such as osso bucco, shrimp stuffed squid, seafood linguine and salmon carpaccio. Main courses are served under silver domes, Old World style.
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Banda, Bull, and Beer
In late 19th century, Mazatlan benefited from the strong influence of immigrants – Bavarians among many others who brought their music and instruments here. Traditionally banda music is performed with a tuba, tambora drum and woodwind instruments. Imagine a cross between Mexican mariachi and German oompah and think of the fun.
At Tora Bravo you can dance and ride a mechanical bull (but not at the same time). Folks swear that Pacifico beer, created here by three German entrepreneurs in 1900, tastes better in Mazatlan.
Play Ball
Mazatlecos tend to love baseball even more than soccer. The Venados de Mazatlan play at the Teodoro Mariscal Stadium. The season runs from October to December with playoffs in January.
Panoramic Views
Occupying the top of Cerro del Vigía 75 metres above sea level, this landmark edifice was initially built in 1873 as a military observation post. Due to its strategic location and commanding view of the landscape, it served as an observation post to protect the city from the incursion of enemy vessels, including pirate ships. Take the vintage funicular to the museum, then explore the bird sanctuary and cactus garden. The Skybar is a romantic place for cocktails at sunset.
Stroll the Malecon
Mazatlan’s boardwalk, or Malecon, extends for almost seven kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest. Along the way are whimsical sculptures that portray bits of Mazatlan’s fascinating history. For example, there’s a beer-brewing vat (a tribute to the town’s Pacifico brewery). Mazatlan-born movie star Pedro Infante, heartthrob of the 1940s, is immortalized straddling his motorcycle. A magnificent sculpture incorporating a leaping marlin, fisherman and a curvy nude woman symbolizes the importance of the fishing industry here. At the foot of Sanchez Taboada, look out for the daredevil cliff-divers.
Catch Pulmonia
When it’s time to hit the sack and your feet are too tired to walk back to your hotel, catch a pulmonia. Mazatlan’s iconic open-air taxis (photo below), basically golf carts powered by Volkswagen engines, first rolled out on the streets in 1965 as an alternative to the traditional taxi. The story goes that the rival cab drivers, jealous of the popularity of the new-fangled competition, warned passengers that they would catch pneumonia. And the name stuck.
Day Trip to El Quelite
Travel back in time to the colonial-era town of El Quelite, located 40 minutes north of Mazatlan. The colourful town is renowned for El Meson de Los Laureanos. Set within a lovingly restored home with colourful, eclectic décor typical of the region, this family-run eatery is known for typical Sinaloan meat dishes such as the slowly simmered beef barbacoa, pork carnitas and gramma’s quail.
Something Fishy?
Mazatlan boasts Mexico’s largest Pacific port and shrimp fleet, so the crustaceans don’t come any sweeter or fresher. Try them breaded in coconut, marinated ceviche-style in lime juice, smothered in garlic and butter, flambéed in tequila, spiked with a Diablo sauce or just plain steamed. Bring your appetite to La Puntilla in the docks area. Start with raw shrimp, octopus and scallops marinated in lime and chili sauce. You must also try the house specialty—red snapper Zarandeado. The entire fish is butterflied and grilled with onions, peppers and tomatoes.
Isla de la Piedra (Stone Island)
Take a catamaran excursion past El Faro, one of the world’s tallest natural lighthouses built in 1879, to Stone Island, actually a peninsula about nine kilometers from the south end of town. On the way you’ll cruise by sea lions basking on the rocky island outcroppings. Stone Island is an ecological oasis boasting one of Mazatlan’s best beaches, mangrove groves full of marine birds, coconut and mango trees. It’s the ideal place to chill out in a hammock, go horseback riding or kayaking. Midway along the beach, tuck into coconut shrimp at Lety’s seafood shack.
Party Hearty at Carnival
Mazatlan’s Mardi Gras, one of the planet’s greatest bashes, sees as many as 400,000 costumed revellers thronging the streets and beaches. The merrymaking starts the week preceding Ash Wednesday (Feb. 8-13, 2024). Each evening Mazatlan hosts one of the world’s biggest street parties complete with concerts, sound and light shows, clowns, and all sorts of street food. You can party ‘til dawn then grab a siesta before the next night.