Couples and Singles
Laid-back charm, exceptional seafood, great nightlife, romantic sunrises and sunsets

Active Families
Affordable comfort and many activities

Value Traveler
Excellent destination for those looking for upscale at a value price

Transfers
Roundtrip transfers between the airport and hotels are included with Worry-Free Vacations packages. There are also taxis that run between the airport and hotel zone; the trip is 12 miles.

Taxi
It’s easy to find a taxi in Mazatlán, as they are plentiful. Be sure to agree on the price before you get in.

Pulmonias
These open-air, and often uniquely decorated, taxis are a fun way to get around Mazatlán, even from the hotel zone to downtown. They are less expensive than taxis. Make sure to barter with the driver and agree on a price before getting in.

Two-Wheeled Vehicle
You can also rent mopeds, motorcycles, and bikes from several of the hotels and businesses along the waterfront. While fun, they aren’t very practical in the traffic.

Bus
The bus is inexpensive and has two routes — one between the hotel zone and downtown along the waterfront — which is the one that is most practical for tourists — and one that travels through neighborhoods and stops at shopping centers.

Seafood, namely shrimp, is the mainstay of Mazatlán restaurants, but you can also find delicious steaks, Italian pastas, or just a great place for a burger and a cerveza (beer). Here are some places to try out.

• Bahia Mariscos
  Offer up an extensive seafood menu at reasonable prices in a historic townhouse. Ask the owner for a tour. Downtown.
• Copa de Leche
  Waterfront restaurant where the food is as good as the view with inventive Mexican cuisine. Downtown.
• Hacienda de la Flor
  The most authentic Mexican dining experience in Mazatlán is easy to find — just follow the enticing aromas. Their mole sauce is made up of 35 spices and takes two days to make!
• Jungle Juice
  A comfortable patio and upstairs bar at this juice and smoothie joint has evolved into a full-fledged bar and grill. Enjoy great grilled meats and lobsters, as well as super breakfasts. Zona Dorada.
• Pura Vida
  Dine on absolutely delicious breakfast items, superbly made vegetarian dishes, and unique fruit juice concoctions.
• Señor Pepper’s
  An elegant, yet comfortable place, known for serving the best steaks in town. If only stopping by for a drink, you’ll get a free appetizer in the bar. Zona Dorada.
• El Shrimp Bucket
  The original Anderson restaurant (owners of Señor Frogs) and a longtime favorite. If you like shrimp, you’ll love this waterside restaurant with a festive atmosphere. Downtown.
• Terraza Playa
  A great place for a relaxing beachfront breakfast, no matter when you rise, as breakfast is served all day. The dinners are also outstanding. Zona Dorada.

The main area for nightlife is along the hotel zone and Fiesta Land, a large Moorish structure that juts out at the south end of the hotel zone and which can be seen from just about anywhere along the beach. Inside are several bars, clubs, restaurants, and the Valentino disco.

From open-air mercados to boutiques or shopping malls, the assortment is varied and the price is right. On the street behind the hotels, and also between the hotels, is shop upon shop selling clothing, t-shirts, sterling silver, leather goods, pottery, and other Mexican souvenirs. For an interesting shopping experience, go to the Mercado Central in downtown. This one square block has just about everything one could imagine and then some. Another great place is La Gran Plaza, a large shopping mall three blocks from the waterfront and open from 10 am - 9 pm.

Carnival
Late February/Early March. Mazatlán’s main event each year and it’s been happening since 1898. It is one of the largest and most traditional carnivals in the world. The week of celebrations culminates with a huge parade. Make sure to make your reservations far in advance if visiting during this event.

Semana Santa
Week proceeding Easter. One of the largest festivals in the Mazatlán yearly calendar is the Easter celebration, Semana Santa. People come from all over Mexico and descend on the beaches of Mazatlán.

Day of the Dead
November 1 and 2. This holiday is celebrated in memory of lost loved ones with the building of altars and feasting.

Golf
Customize your vacation with discounted greens fees and gain access to hotel-affiliated golf courses with a stay at select hotels.

El Cid Golf & Country Club
Fair but challenging golf course where water comes into play on several holes. Features 27 holes of golf. Designed by Larry Hughes and Lee Trevino.

Unlimited golf is included at this course when the Elite All-Inclusive plan is purchased at the following hotels::

• El Cid Marina Beach Hotel
• El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel

Sportfishing
Mazatlán is one of the best places along the Mexican Pacific to fish for marlin and sailfish and it is generally less expensive to fish here than in other resort areas. Other popular catches are dorado, wahoo, grouper, and tuna; some restaurants will even prepare your catch of the day for you. If fishing for billfish, it is highly recommended that you practice catch and release. Fishing boats can be chartered from the fishing marina in the old harbor or from the El Cid Marina.

Snorkeling and diving
Snorkeling and diving are not extremely popular but can be done in the calm waters around the three islands out from shore — Bird, Deer, and Wolf Islands. They were declared an ecological reserve in 1991, so all the marine life is protected.

Spectator Sports
Mazatlán has a bullring about a mile from the Golden Zone that has bullfights from December - early April. Make sure to ask to sit on the shady (la sombra) side.

Cliff divers, much like the daring young men of Acapulco, take the plunge off the rocks at El Mirador. Dive times are sporadic but seem to coincide with the arrival of tourist buses. Donations are collected after the divers’ performance.

A Lot is New
Mazatlán’s 20-block downtown area has been restored to its colonial elegance and the six-mile oceanfront walkway between downtown and the Golden Zone has been revitalized.

Teatro Angela Peralta
The Teatro Ángela Peralta was built in 1860, and reopened in 1992 after a five-year restoration project. Cultural events of all kinds are presented here, and the opulent interior is open for viewing most days. The theatre is surrounded by tree-lined streets, historic buildings, restaurants, bars, and sidewalk cafes.

Panoramic Views
Get your exercise and be immediately rewarded with stunning views of Mazatlán and its harbor. Embark on a 30-35 minute hike to the top of a rocky promontory and tour the El Faro Lighthouse. You’ll be able to view the various Golden Zone islands and see the Mazatlán shrimp fleet. The lighthouse keeper may sell you a soda, but bring some water to stay cool and hydrated.

Acuario Mazatlán
This aquarium is the largest in Mexico and boasts more than 200 varieties of fish and sea life. The shark and crocodile tanks are especially impressive and the gardens and playgrounds are great for the kids.

Carnival
A week-long party topped only in size and revelry by Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans. Highlights of the event include parades, special shows, the coronation of the Carnival queen, outdoor concerts, more than 150 food and beverage vendors, all-night parties, and extravaganzas all over town.

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