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Mazatlan: The Pearl of the Pacific

One of Mexico's True Unspoiled Beauties

With 12 miles of clean sandy beaches, a warm weather that averages temperatures of 80 degrees for 270 days out of the year, friendly people, amazing cuisine and the charm of a city with over 500 years of history, Mazatlan sure has a way of providing visitors and residents alike with a unique and exciting lifestyle.

How to get to Mazatlan?

The most important airlines have flights to Mazatlan from almost all the cities in the United States and Canada. Some of them are non-stop flights so you won't have any problem booking a flight from home to Mazatlan.

From U.S.A	From Canada
Aeroméxico US Airways American Airlines Delta Continental Alaska Airlines	Air Canada West Jet Sky Service Aeroméxico Alaska Airlines Delta Continental US Airways United Ailines American Airlines

Some of these airlines have incredible online promotions, so before making your reservations make sure to check if any special promotions apply to make sure you have the best rates.

Transportation in Mazatlan

Once you arrive to the airport and get your luggage, next to the exit you will find the taxi booth where you can get tickets for a private taxi or a shuttle bus. The Taxi is a good option, it can take up to 4 people and will charge only 30 or 35 dollars per trip and will go straight to your Hotel, the shuttle is less expensive and will make a few stops before arriving to your Hotel, it is a good option if there is only one or two persons in your party.

In Mazatlan city buses provide good services and get to any area where you want to go, they run non-stop from 6:00 A.M to 10:00 P.M everyday every 10 minutes.

Sábalo Centro : It is a big green bus with air conditioning, fare is 9 pesos (80 cents USD) it runs across the City from La Puntilla (in old town) to Cerritos point (new Mazatlan). This is the bus to take if you want to go to downtown, Cathedral, Historic Center, Central Market, Theater, Light house, Golden Zone, and along the seaside boulevard.

Cerritos Juarez : This is the bus that most workers take and the heavy hours are before 8:00 A.M and 6:00 P.M the rest of the day it is normal traffic. You will take this bus if you want to go to MEGA (grocery store) or SAM'S CLUB or Shopping mall GRAN PLAZA. Fare is 6 pesos.

Sábalo Cocos : This is also a big green bus with air conditioning and fare is also 8 pesos, this bus goes from downtown to golden zone and back but goes into town, you will take this bus to go to Soriana and Wal-Mart (grocery stores).

Taxis : Air conditioned cars and Pulmonías that are open taxis, they will take you anywhere just make sure to ask how much before using their service, their fares are very reasonable compared with United States and Canada.

Groceries and Shopping

The grocery stores in Mazatlan are very similar to the ones in Canada and the United States, but most of the products are Mexican brands though they have American brands too and English speaking people. MEGA and Soriana are very close to the hotel area and you will find almost everything: fresh fruit and vegetables, canned products and freshly baked bread, clothes, shoes and sandals, sunscreen and beauty supplies. They take pesos, U.S dollars and credit cards. Outside the stores there are always taxis to get back to your hotel. They are open from 7:00 A.M to 10:00 P.M all week.
Fabricas de Francia is a very nice department store where you can find nice clothing and shoes, one is located next to Cathedral and one more in Gran Plaza shopping mall. For souvenirs, art and crafts, jewelry stores and tipical Mexican clothes there is Golden Zone.

Restaurants

There is something very special about Mexican food, everybody loves it around the world. The restaurants in Mazatlan are excellent and there are all kinds: Mexican Traditional and Mexican Gourmet, International, Italian, Spanish, Cantonese, Indian, Japanese, Sea Food, Etc. The secret to have good cuisine is very simple: fresh products and love to eat and cook. Prices are incredible reasonable and the service is outstanding.
Recommended Restaurants:

• The Sea Farer (Marina Costa Bonita) (Fusion)
• Costa Marinera (sea food)
• Casa Loma (International)
• Pancho's (Mexican)
• Las Lupitas (Mexican Gourmet)
• Panamá (Mexican home made and bakery)
• El Parador Español (Spanish)
• Villa Italia (Italian)
• A La Mar (sea food)
• Vittore (Itlian)
• Sushi Salads (Japanese)
• La Muralla China (Cantonese)
• Pedro and Lola's (Mexican and International)
• Domitila's (Mexican)
• chayito's (Mexican traditional)

Cafés and Pastries

• Los Alcatraces
• Sole Mare
• Rico's
• Starbucks

Sport Bars

• Doug out
• Munchkins
• Purple Onion (and Karaoke)
• The Saloon
• Last Drop
• Gus Gus

Most of these places take pesos, dollars and credit cards and most of them have live music entertainment. I'm keeping a few so you can explore a little and surprise yourself by finding out your own favorites. All established restaurants have purified water and ice and they disinfect fruits and vegetables so it is safe to eat out.

Banks and Money exchange

Most of the stores and restaurants take dollars, but will be easier for you if you exchange dollars into pesos so you don't get confused with the change back because you will only receive pesos even if you pay in dollars. Try to exchange your money or traveler checks at the bank since they have the best rates. In golden zone there are several banks like Banamex, Bancomer and HSBC. They are open from Monday thru Saturday from 9:00 A.M to 2:00 P.M. Also there are ATM machines outside the banks and some grocery stores as well. Try not to have too much pesos left but in case you have some you can exchange them back at the airport.

Tours and Activities

There are very few places that will combine the best of everything: History, Culture, Tradition, Food, People, Night life, Ecological resources and affordability, and one of them is Mazatlan. It is one of the best tourist destinations in Mexico because of its variety of activities for all types of preferences such as Golf, fishing, hunting, water sports, boating, surfing, shopping, entertainment and shows.
In Sinaloa you can still see the beautiful contrast of tradition and modern, of History and promising future. A good example is all the colonial little towns that remain as time didn't go thru, giving us the real taste of the countryside. Close to Mazatlan there are a lot of these towns that you can visit. My recommendation is to take a guided CITY TOUR first, that way you will get familiar with the area and then you can go back to the places that you like the most and spend more time there or take a closer look.
There are several companies to do bus or private tours to the Colonial little towns close to Mazatlan. Don't miss Copala colonial tour, Las misiones, El Quelite, Cosalá, or El Rosario. To take these tours wear comfortable clothes and waking shoes. Teacapán and La Tovara is also a must but you can also wear bating suits and please don't forget the sunscreen. The stone Island tour is fun, it includes transportation, food and beverages and two water activities in the price. For snorkeling the best area is bird Island, to get there you can take a boat or a wave runner from the golden zone beaches and it is in front of Mazatlan shores.

Medical Care

With the high cost of medical care in the United States, Mexico's health care system is becoming more and more attractive to Americans. Medical tourism is becoming a worldwide phenomenon, and Mexico is the most popular destination for American seeking medical care for several reasons:

1. Proximity
2. Excellent quality
3. Cost

Excellent services and facilities within a short distance for a fraction of the cost of American medical care make a lot of sense for Americans. In Mazatlan one of the best options for medical services is Atlantic Health International Hospital SHARP.
With US board certified physicians in a resort setting provides high quality services such as: Dental Care, Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Weight loss Surgery, Knee and Hip Surgery, Physical Therapy, Radiology and Laboratory Services; the Costa Bonita Community owners have a VIP membership with SHARP hospital, and owners also get special rates and extra benefits.