Description
Known as The Pearl of the Pacific, the port city of Mazatlan serves as one of the main destinations for cruise ships and beach resorts in Mexico. It has an extensive artistic Malecón or boardwalk adorned with sculptures, a marina, and a historic center designated as a National Historic Heritage in 2001.
State: Sinaloa
Coordinates:
23°14’29”N 106°24’35”W
Altitude: 1 meters above sea level
Area:
km²
Time Zone: Pacific Time UTC-7
Population: 438,434 inhabitants (INEGI, 2010)
Area Code: 669
The most attractive feature of Mazatlan is its Malecón or boardwalk of more than 14 kilometers adorned with bronze sculptures, framed by the Pacific Ocean, and an avenue in which there are several shops and hotels. It’s an ideal location for walking, running, biking, or rollerblading and is frequented daily, day and night, by many locals and tourists alike.
Another distinctive architectural landmark of the city of Mazatlan is located on top of Cerro del Creston. This is the Mazatlan lighthouse built in 1821. It was the first port of the high seas in the Mexican Pacific, since then the port has received ships from around the world.
Another exciting attraction that you cannot miss is the daily spectacle of cliff divers of the Florieta Sánchez Taboada on Paseo Claussen.
The Port of Mazatlán offers perfect hotel facilities, restaurants, and entertainment, and is also the anchor of various international cruises.
The exquisite cuisine of Mazatlan is distinguished by the seafood and traditional Sinaloa dishes of ceviche, fish, aguachile, smoked marlin and tuna, a pork dish of chilorio, Sinaloa style grilled chicken, shrimp tamales, and fish machaca are some of the delights that Mazatlan offers visitors. Among the classic drinks are fresh coconut drinks, the sometimes fermented drink of tejuino, soft drink tonicol, as well as the beer Pacifico which is made in Mazatlan.
Getting there
Mazatlan is bordered to the north by the municipality of San Ignacio and the state of Durango, to the south by Rosario and the Pacific Ocean, to the west by Concordia, and to the east by the Pacific Ocean.
The General Rafael Buelna International Airport serves Mazatlan.
By land you can reach the city by taking the highway Carretera Federal No. 15 Cuilicán-Tepic-Guadalajara. Another route is the Carretera Federal No. 40 coming from Durango.
There is also the possibility of arriving by bus.
By sea there is ferry service from La Paz, Baja California.
Distances from Mazatlan to other destinations in Mexico
- Culiacan, Sinaloa: 218 km.
- Durango, Durango: 315 km.
- Tepic, Nayarit: 281 km.
- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco: 447 km.
- Guadalajara, Jalisco: 488 km.
- Zacatecas, Zacatecas: 606 km.
- León de los Aldama, Guanajuato: 705 km.
- Morelia, Michoacán: 771 km.
- San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi: 814 km.
- Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro: 832 km.
- Monterrey, Nuevo Leon: 897 km.
- Mexico City, Federal District: 1023 km.
- Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla: 1149 km.
Climate
Mazatlan is characterized by a rainy semi-humid tropical climate with an annual average temperature of 26 ° C.
Rain occurs in the summer evenings, starting in July and extending until mid September, but the rain usually lasts only a few hours.
What to pack
Beachwear, tank tops, sandals, shoes, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, swimsuit, and insect repellent.
At night pack a light sweater and clothes for dinners and outings.
Activities and Tourist Attractions in Mazatlan
Visit the three islands located across the Bay: Isla de Pájaros, Isla de Venados, and la Isla de Lobos.
The beaches: Playa Olas Altas, Playa Norte, Playa Sábado, Playa Cerritos, Playa Delfín, Playa Isla de la Piedra. Watch the show of the divers of the Glorieta Sanchez Taboada on Paseo Claussen.
Mazatlan "Malecon" boardwalk and its sculptures: Monument to the Continuidad de la Vida, El Venadito Sculpture, Monument to the Pescador, Monument to the Mujer Mazatleca, Monument to the Escudo de Sinaloa y de Mazatlán, Sculpture to the Reina de los Mares.
Historical Center, Cathedral Basilica of Inmaculada Concepción, Temple of San Jose, Los Portales de Canobbio, Archaeological Museum of Mazatlan, Plaza Machado, Teatro Angela Peralta, Mansion of Redo, Melches House, House of Retes, Corvera Building, Bank of London and Mexico Building, Haas House.
Feasts and Festivals in Mazatlan
February: Carnival of Mazatlan (one of the most renowned in Mexico)
April: Seafood Fair.
April-May: International Motorcycle Week.
April: Pacific International Triathlon.
April-May: Jose Limon Dance Festival.
May: Book Fair and the Mazatlan Arts.
September 15 and 16: Mexico's Independence Day.
From October to December: Mazatlan Cultural Festival.
Oct. 31, November 1 and 2: Day of the Dead Celebration.
November: Pacific International Marathon.
December 12: Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe.