This town is known as ‘the Pearl of the Pacific’ for good reason. Once you discover Mazatlán it is never far from your mind. Every year tens of thousands of tourists descend onto the sandy beaches and populate the bars and restaurants of one of Mexico’s oldest and prettiest resorts. Here are just some of the highlights of this beautiful town that make people want to come back again and again.
Something For Everyone
Variety is the spice of life and Mazatlán has a little bit of something for everyone. Whatever type of vacation you are looking for, you can find it in this town. There is everything a tourist would expect from a destination on the coast of an ocean, like sandy beaches and some great places to eat and drink. There are sports too, and places to go to keep the kids entertained.
The town is light on casinos and gaming, but you can bring that with you if that is what you are after. There are online slot games in your pocket thanks to Jackpot and its excellent offering of online games and slot machine reviews. You can play on the beach, or if you have a few spare minutes in your hotel or villa. No matter what you are looking for, Mazatlán has you covered.
Life Is A Beach
The beaches of Mazatlán are one of its biggest draws for tourists from across the world. The clean sands and clear waters make it the perfect place to set yourself up for a day of tanning in the sunshine and dipping in and out of the sea. Many of the tourist hotspots and the top-tier accommodation is within a few minutes walk of the beaches, which helps to attract many of the visitors the town sees every year.
Surfing is another big reason for a vay-cay in Mazatlán. Playa Bruja, also known as Witch Beach, is one of the top beaches in Mazatlán for surfers. The waves fill the shoreline and grow to some huge heights throughout the year, which is why so many surfers keep coming back to the town for more. The surfers create a spectator sport too, with hundreds of non-surfing tourists filling up the beach to watch the action.
Feasts Fit For Kings
The local cuisine in Mazatlán is unique compared to the rest of Mexico. You can still find all of your national favorites but in this seaside town, you can get your lips around some of the best seafood in Central America. Mazatlán is known as the shrimp capital of Mexico, and you can sample these small sea creatures prepared in numerous different ways. It feels like each restaurant has its own take on a shrimp cocktail.
It is not all seafood, so if you do not enjoy dining out on the fruits of the ocean do not worry; there is plenty more on offer. The heat and spice of the average Mexican meal feel a little toned down in Mazatlán, and this is probably a reflection of the near continuous tourist population. Not everyone can handle the heat. If you are a tourist in town looking for an authentic taste of Mazatlán, try out a bowl of Pozole in a Playa de Carmen restaurant. This soupy stew is one of the best meals in all of Mexico.
A Reel Good Time
The feast on a fish, first you have to catch one. Sports fishing brings thousands of tourists to Mazatlán every year. Just off the coast, you can reel in some of the biggest and best fish in the world. Sports fishing and deep sea fishing are excellent all year round and provide much better value than some of the spots elsewhere in Mexico. Once a big-game fisher finds Mazatlán, they will keep coming back every year for more.
All the big boys are waiting in the water. Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, and the ultimate sports fish, Marlin, all have a home in the Pacific waters off the coast of Mazatlán. The summer months are the best for fishing, as more Marlin return to feed in the warm Mexican waters. Blue and Black Marlin can be found when the waters start to warm from April and May, and the Mako Shark also returns if you want to reel in one of the ocean’s most lethal predators.
History, Culture, Art
The old downtown of Mazatlán is one of its biggest attractions. This historic and picturesque part of the town was established in the 16th Century by the first conquistadors. They were searching for a port to help send all of the riches they took from the land back to the Spanish Empire. The old cathedral, all the beautifully appointed plazas, the Museum of Archaeology, and the Angela Peralta Theater all stand out for their architectural attractiveness.
The Cathedral Basilica of Mazatlán is the jewel of the town’s cultural crown. This building was completed in 1899 and continues to wow its visitors with its exquisitely appointed vaulted ceilings. From the outside, it is a good-looking building too. The two towers and octagonal dome make it one of the most unique cathedrals in the world. Every culture vulture tourist will spend many hours walking around and inside this beautiful building nestled in the heart of the old town.
Promenades And Boardwalks
For a more traditional tourist, Mazatlán has lots to offer. Though a modern-style boardwalk complete with up-to-date amenities, The Malecon gives visitors a traditional seaside vacation experience. You can simply take a long and relaxing walk along the Malecon to enjoy all the sights, sounds, and smells, of the bustling resort. To enjoy some people watching and lots of local activity, stopping for a break at the beach of Olas Altas should be top of the list.
Not only do you get a view of daily Mazatlán life here, but there are also some places of interest to keep you busy. The Coat of Arms of the State of Sinaloa is a monument that every visitor should be taking a picture of to memorialize their visit. There are also the Mazatleca Woman and the Continuity of Life monuments to keep your camera busy. This town is Instagram-ready.
Living La Vida Loca
There is something on offer for thrill seekers in Mazatlán too. Every resident and visitor will know the influence that local cartel activities can have on the town. This can make life interesting, and often unfairly puts Mazatlán on the list of dangerous places to visit. The truth is much more complicated. Many tourists report that they actually feel very safe in the town, and are happy to return for another trip.
The debate on the safety of the town is always in full flow among locals and tourists alike. The US State Department advises against visiting the Sinaloa area, but the Canadian and Australian governments have a more nuanced position. Though the North of the state can be a cause for concern due to cartel conflicts, the town of Mazatlán is in the South and generally considered safe to visit if you stick close to the area. You can find trouble if you go and look for it, without a doubt, but most tourists enjoy a trouble-free trip to the town.
The town of Mazatlán is a wonderful vacation destination and a great place to live. The town thrives on the continuous tourist trade that often includes repeat visitors. People keep coming back for a relaxing mix of food, drink, fishing, and surfing. Once you have spent a day or two in Mazatlán, you begin to understand why so many people make it their number one vacation destination.
