Old Mazatlan . . . History, Beauty & Majesty
The soul of downtown, Old Mazatlan is a charming historic district lined with colorful colonial-style architecture, plazas, courtyards, churches, monuments, museums, art galleries, cafes and markets. Take a walking tour through Old Mazatlan and discover the charm of narrow streets and squares lined with 19th-century architecture and historic landmarks, including Machado Plaza, Mazatlan Art Museum, The Cathedral, and Archeological Museum, displaying Mazatlan's pre-Hispanic roots. Explore through El Mercado, Machado Park, and the majestic Angela Peralta Theater, the oldest theater in Mazatlan. Stop at outdoor cafés, shops and restaurants. Framing Machado Plaza, Canobbio Arcade is a 19th-centurey estate that is a symbol of the architecture of old Mazatlan. See colorful homes with beautiful ironwork in the Old Mazatlan's quaint colonial section.
Old Mazatlan Beach Resort.
Located just 9 miles from Old Mazatlan, Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort & Spa is a magnificent beach resort overlooking the Pacific Ocean and pristine sand beach. Celebrating the culture and beauty of Old Mazatlan, this luxurious oceanfront resort is a sanctuary for the soul with gorgeous villas facing the sea, a luxury spa, world-class dining, colorful gardens, and pathways that lead to the ocean. Swim in sparkling pools, lounge on the private beach, dive and kayak in the blue ocean, and experience the spirit of Mazatlan. Check out our Mazatlan tour options here!
Old Mazatlan Attractions
Mercado Central.
The vibrant Mercado Central is an indoor/outdoor marketplace with one square block of colorful stalls selling clothing, arts and crafts, jewelry, produce, and meats. A popular shopping spot for locals, the market is a fun place to bargain with vendors. Surrounding the Old Mazatlan market, the cobbled streets are lined with shops and cafés.
Archeological Museum.
Located in the Mazatlan Historical District, this museum houses over 180 relics and pieces that preserve Mazatlan's pre-Hispanic roots. The museum is an educational center that pays tribute to Mazatlán's heritage, including the epochs of the Cahitas, Totorames, Tahues, Xiximes, Acaxes and Tepehuanes tribes, and through the colonization period to contemporary times. The museum's façade and interior combines Gothic with Neoclassical and Baroque architecture.
Plaza de la Revolucion.
Located in the heart of Old Mazatlan, Plaza de la Revolucion is a small landscaped park with a gazebo in the center. The plaza is surrounded by merchant stalls offering handicrafts, food, clothes, soaps, jewelry, and leather goods. Relax on a bench in front of the two large fountains.
Catedral de la Purisma Concepcion.
Facing the Plaza de la Revolucion is Mazatlan's beautiful Catedral de la Purisma Concepcion (Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception). Built in 1899 in neo-Gothic and neo-classical styles, this Moorish-style church has twin blue and gold spires and ogival arches. The interior is decorated in an eclectic style with an ornate neo-Gothic triple altar.
Plaza Machado.
Named for Juan Nepomuceno Machado, this small park in Old Mazatlan surround a gazebo. The plaza's beautiful plants and flowers set off the surrounding colonial buildings which are now home to many flavorful cafes.
Teatro Angela Peralta.
A beautiful building in the center of Mazatlan, the majestic Angela Peralta Theater is the oldest theater in Mazatlan and home of the cultural festivals of Sinaloa. Named in honor of the legendary diva, the famous European-style theater, completed in 1890 and restored to its 19th-century neoclassical style, presents opera, symphony and folk dance performances.
Canobbio Arcade.
An essential symbol of the landscape architecture of Old Mazatlan, Canobbio Arcade is a 19th-century estate that frames Machado Plaza and forms part of the block owned by the Italian Luis Canobbio.
National Institute of Anthropology and History.
See early Mexican pottery, sports equipment, figurines, and arrowheads at National Institute of Anthropology and History. View fascinating human remains, including three skulls which illustrate the flattened foreheads that were fashionable centuries ago. Stroll through a small courtyard in the back to a metal sculpture garden.
Ben Franklin Library at Hidalgo Square.
Named for the father of Mexican independence, Miguel Hidalgo, Hidalgo Square was the original site of Mazatlan's market. Located in the small plaza, Ben Franklin Library houses an extensive collection of Spanish texts and study tables as well as a children's area.
