Making the most of Mazatlan
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships berth among cargo vessels and containers in the commercial port. A free tram takes passengers to the cruise terminal, where taxis, craft vendors and a small number of shops are available.
Old Mazatlan is one mile away, around a 15- to 20-minute walk.
For Old Mazatlan and the Golden Zone, a taxi or the open-air golf-cart-style Pulmonia is usually the best choice. Old Mazatlan is one mile from the pier and the Golden Zone is four miles away. Consider agreeing an all-day rate with a taxi driver for both stops and arranged pick-up times, as this can be less expensive than a separate cab in each direction; taxis beyond the gate are often cheaper.
Carry a printable map.
On Mexico’s Gold Coast, Mazatlan is the Mexican resort nearest the United States and has long attracted visitors seeking a relaxed Pacific Coast pace. Known as the “Pearl of the Pacific,” it ranges from full-service all-inclusive resorts to intimate villas, hotels and private residences for short- or long-term rental. It is a high-quality holiday destination without the constant pressure to go, see and do found in many places, welcoming tourists while remaining a full, rich city in its own right…
Beer enthusiasts can tour Pacifico, one of Mexico’s largest breweries, with chances to taste brews that never make it north of the border. Traditional amusements and diversions are all here, including some of the Pacific coast’s finest sport fishing, whether you want deep-water big game or the challenge of shallow-water predators. Mazatlan is also a strong family destination: visit Stone Island for horseback riding, boogie boarding and snorkelling, go whale or dolphin watching, and do not forget the Aquarium, with hundreds of species of marine life and stunning…
At Divers Point, about a 10-minute walk or quick taxi ride from Old Mazatlan, watch the daring, high-flying divers; they generally perform once a crowd has assembled.
Nearby places
Copala gives the impression of stepping back in time. Once virtually a ghost town, this charming foothill village has gradually been restored and revived by tourism. Its striking church dates from 1740. The former mining town is 40 miles from Mazatlán and makes a worthwhile visit for a taste of earlier life, some exploration and a gourmet lunch in a Mexican restaurant. Copala is an easy 40 minute journey from Mazatlán on the main highway to Durango. There are…
A short distance from the Durango highway, Mexico 40, colonial Concordia is a detour on the Copala tour route. Furniture makers sell their work from small stands on the approach, and the town also has plentiful locally made pottery in a pre-Columbian style. Its old-fashioned square stands before the church and is a fine family-photo spot. The church is more than 350 years old, making it Sinaloa’s oldest. Mangoes from the area are sold all along the road and are delicious. If you are on a tour you will…
El Rosario lies about 50 miles south of Mazatlán and is known for its church altar, said to be worth more than a million dollars. The altar alone justifies the drive. Local mining once made El Rosario the wealthiest town in Northwest Mexico, and it was home to Mexican singer Lola Beltrán. A small museum honours her, although it opens only sporadically. Pottery, furniture and leather goods, all made locally, are possible shopping finds.
Food and shopping
In Mazatlan Old Town, the Jose Mapino Suarez Mercado is an excellent place to shop. It fills an entire city block in a large building divided into small stalls selling almost every imaginable item.
The Golden Zone combines shopping, flashy hotels, people-watching and beach time on sunny, palm-lined sands. Rodolfo T. Loaiza is the main thoroughfare; ask a taxi driver to leave you at Hotel Playa Mazatlan, which is close to the heart of the action. There is also a small souvenir market in the cruise terminal.
Money
Mexico’s currency is the peso (MXN). Its symbol is the same as the US dollar sign, which can cause confusion: tourist-area dollar prices are marked “US$” or use an S with a double stroke. There are about 17 peso to 1US$.
US dollars are commonly accepted in the far north and in tourist areas elsewhere.
Credit cards are less widely accepted than in Europe or the USA, and some businesses add around 5% to these transactions.
Staying connected
The International Communications Center is at the pier, offering Internet access for $4/hour.
Opening Hours and
Mon-Sun 1000/1100-2000/2200 in big towns and cities; Mon-Fri 0900-1400/1600 across the rest of the country.