Introduction
Set at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains on a peninsula that extends into the Pacific Ocean, Mazatlan is one of the Mexican Riviera’s premier resort areas.
Although Mazatlan is one of Mexico’s most popular vacation destinations, it has another identity as the largest port in Mexico, with a bustling economy independent of the tourism industry.
It's famous for sport fishing, with thousands of sailfish and marlin tagged and released each year, and is home to Latin America's largest fleet of commercial shrimp vessels.
Mazatlan discovered it had a beach out front and became a resort almost as an afterthought.
Population: 324,700
Country: Mexico
Time Zone: GMT/UTC -6
Telephone Area Code: 669
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Getting There & Around
Mazatlán International Airport is 20km (12mi) southeast of the city. Several airlines schedule flights to and from this airport, including Aero California, Aeroméxico, America West and Mexicana.
Ferries run between Mazatlan and the port of Pichilingue, 23km (14mi) from La Paz. The ferry terminal is at the southern end of town.
Mazatlan has regular taxis, often called 'eco-taxis', which are usually painted red-and-white or green-and-white. There is also a special type of taxi called a pulmonía (‘pneumonia’), a small open-air vehicle similar to a golf cart. Pulmonías can be slightly cheaper, depending on your bargaining skills.
Local buses travel from the market in the center to the beach, the Zona Dorada and El Faro. Colectivo vans and a bus operate from the airport to town, but, oddly, not from town to the airport.
Attractions
Beaches & Zona Dorada : Mazatlan has 16km (10mi) of sandy beaches stretching north from Old Mazatlán to beyond the Zona Dorada.
Fancy hotels face the fine beaches of Playa Las Gaviotas and Playa Sábalo, which extends north of the Zona Dorada, to the extensive Marina Mazatlán.
Isla de la Piedra : The wide, sandy beach here is lined with coconut groves and open-sided, palm-thatched palapas restaurants, some of which have music and dancing on Sunday afternoons and holidays. Good surf breaks and some very cheap accommodations make it popular with surfers.
Isla de Venados : Otherwise known as Deer Island, it has been designated a natural reserve for protection of native flora and fauna; interesting petroglyphs have also been found on the island. Secluded beaches on the island are wonderful for a day trip, and the clear waters offer great snorkelling.
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