Tours and Vacation in Mazatlan, Mexico

♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA

Mexico has a lot to offer tourists: from popular resorts that are wonderful for snorkeling, diving, and swimming, to unique nature sites and ancient cultures—such as visiting the Mayan pyramids—to colorful markets and of course plenty of music, tequila, and atmosphere.

 

 

Destinations like Cancun or Cozumel on the Caribbean side of Mexico are very popular and known to many, but the Pacific side of Mexico, in the west of the country bordering the Pacific Ocean, also has much to offer the tourist at very attractive prices. recommended destinations for a holiday in Western Mexico are Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, or Acapulco. I chose a different destination, less known but very popular among Canadians (who even buy vacation apartments there for rent), which is Mazatlan. It is a tropical resort town located on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, with warm and pleasant seawater suitable for those looking for beautiful beaches for swimming and snorkeling but also surfing, sports, and active recreation such as parasailing, "bananas," jet skis, etc., and lovely resorts at attractive prices.

 

Mazatlan is a tourist coastal city known for its historical center and its long "Malecon" coastal promenade, considered one of the longest in the world at 8.5 km, offering impressive views of the ocean, cliffs, many statues, and historical monuments.

 

 

 

The city is full of ups and downs and the most popular way to tour it is in a small open-air electric vehicle called a Pulmonia. It is recommended to take a tour of about two hours in such a carriage that stops at all the impressive observation points and "must-see destinations" like the cliff from which locals jump into the sea between rocks.

 

The church in the city center and the adjacent park, cannons on a hilltop with an impressive view and a sign with the city name, and more. At the port entrance, there are dozens of carriages waiting for cruise ship passengers and a tour can be coordinated with one of them. It is recommended to start the tour at the port and finish after about two hours at a beach in the hotel area along the coast called the Golden Zone. The beaches are long with showers, lounge chairs, and umbrellas.

 

 

 

You can book such a tour in advance on a reliable site: Mazatlan: City Tour in a Traditional "Pulmonia" Open-Air Car

 

 

Another recommended option (must be booked in advance): a two-hour Segway tour: Old Town Mazatlan Segway Tour If you prefer to spend more time at a beautiful beach, it is recommended to sail to Stone Island (Isla de las Piedras), which can be reached by small boats from several points on the promenade or from one of the beaches. The rocky island has a beautiful beach, a restaurant, and plenty of active recreation options such as horseback riding, kayaking, snorkeling, "bananas," and more. A recommended tour to the island Stone Island Beach Getaway lasts 6 hours and includes a round-trip boat ride to the island, two active recreation activities, lunch, and open bar drinks.

 

Booking guided tours in Mazatlan from GetYourGuide.com:

 

Hotels in Mazatlan

 

The most dominant resort chain in the city is "El Cid" El Cid which has four resorts in Mazatlan (and additional resorts in Cozumel and the Riviera Maya). All resorts have lovely pools, sports facilities, beaches, quality restaurants, and rooms in a variety of sizes and levels, from standard double rooms to suites and 2-3 bedroom apartments with a tidy and equipped kitchen, which are particularly suitable for family vacations.

The hotels range from three to five-star deluxe levels. The most pampering and modern hotel is the "Marina Beach" El Cid Marina Beach which has spacious family suites, most of which overlook the sea and well-maintained pools. The most recommended beach belongs to this hotel. It is reached by a free, few-minute boat ride from the hotel's marina to the quiet and well-equipped beach.

 

The great advantage of the El Cid chain is that guests of any of the hotels can spend time without extra charge at the facilities of all the hotels (pools, beaches, various activities).

One can stay on a breakfast-only basis, but it is highly recommended to choose the "All Inclusive" option which, in addition to free use of facilities, also includes meals at a selection of restaurants including Argentinian, Italian, Asian, and even dinners with a show.

There's nothing like eating a rich breakfast in one of the restaurants overlooking the sea and nearby islands, lunch at a Mexican buffet by the pool, and dinner at a high-level luxury restaurant. The price also includes soft and even alcoholic drinks, tequila flows like water... at every bar and restaurant you can enjoy margaritas, pina coladas, and a variety of drinks without extra charge.

  A free shuttle service for hotel guests operates between the chain's hotels. The service is courteous and pleasant, and the sympathy for Israel and Israelis is evident. Mazatlan offers, in addition to pools, beaches, and good food, also a nice aquarium, the "Malecon" seaside promenade in the city center, a picturesque lighthouse, and a selection of tours to the nearby environment such as: catamaran or kayak sailing to the nearby islands. The most popular are "Goat Island" and "Stone Island," deep-sea fishing trips, visiting a tequila production plant, "canopy"—ziplines between treetops, ATV tours, visiting a turtle sanctuary, and more.

 

Events and festivals take place in the city, such as a carnival in February or art festivals and fairs, a cultural festival, and more.

Mazatlan can be reached by direct flights from the USA from Texas and Phoenix, Arizona, and of course from Mexico City. Another recommended way to get here is on a pampering cruise departing from the USA.

A visit to Mazatlan can be integrated as part of a longer trip in Mexico or as a pampering conclusion to a trip in the USA.

 

Back to top