Mazatlan Mexico Things To Do & Attractions
Overlooking Olas Altas Bay, in the foothills of the Sierra Madres mountains, Mazatlan is captivating vacation destination on Mexico's Gold Coast. From palm-lined beaches to the historic charm of Old Mazatlan, the "Pearl of the Pacific" will free your spirit. Relax on magnificent sand beaches, walk along El Malecón, the longest waterfront boardwalk in Mexico, and explore Stone Island. Enjoy fishing, boating, swimming and surfing in the azure waters of the Pacific or go diving and snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters around Deer Island. Surf blue waves, kayak the bay, and play spectacular holes at Mazatlan golf clubs. With so many fun things to do and see in Mazatlan, you'll have the adventure of a lifetime!
The Perfect 3 Day Weekend
Day 1
- 4:00 pm- Check-in and take in the breath taking views of the area and settle into your room
- 5:30 pm- Relax in the infinity pool and order drink at the swim up bar
- 8:00 pm- Enjoy a Mexican Fiesta Theme Night
- 10:00 pm- We sipped our espresso by a well-lighted pool, the palms gently blowing above
Day 2
- 8:00 am- wake up early and indulge at The Bistro's breakfast
- 9:00 am- After breakfast, head out to the Emerald Bay Driving Range
- 11:00 am- Go rent some jet skis and cruise around
- Later in the afternoon, head down to the Plaza Machado for the day to tour, shop and dine!
- 8:00 pm- After experiencing the wonderful culture of Mazatlan, head back to the hotel to change and meet at Kelly's Bar for a few drinks
- 10:30 pm- Head out to downtown Mazatlan to experience Mexico's nightlife
Day 3
- Wake up late and enjoy a much deserved breakfast in bed with your room service
- 11:00 am- Grab your boots and go on a wonderful trail ride and explore the untouched land
- 2:30 pm- Back at the hotel to cooled and lay by the pool under a large palm with piña coladas
- 4:00 pm- Book a Mazatlan City Tour with the concierge
- 6:00 pm-Make a reservation at La Cordeliere for later and head the bar while waiting
- Later in the evening head back to your room and take an opportunity stand out on the balcony and see the stars, hear the ocean and feel the warm Mazatlan breeze
Mazatlan Things To Do & Activities
Fishing.
Mexico's top sport fishing destination, Mazatlan is the billfish capital of the world. Enjoy a deep sea fishing adventure where the Pacific Ocean collides with the Sea of Cortes. Hook big blue and black marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo, and grouper aboard one of Mazatlan sport fishing fleets, charter boats, and tours from three marinas, including La Marina Mazatlan, the largest marina in Latin America. Go fishing for sea bass and snapper aboard the pangas along the coastline. For freshwater bass fishing, head to Lake El Salto in the hills of Sierra Madres - one hour north of Mazatlan.
Golf.
With four spectacular golf courses, Mazatlan is a golfer's paradise. One of the top courses in the world, El Cid Golf & Country Club features the championship 18-hole El Cid Mazatlan and Lee Treviño designed 9-hole Marina El Cid. Winding through a biological reserve, El Cid Mazatlan is a beautiful course with lakes, wildlife and views of the marina. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Estrella del Mar on Stone Island is one of Mexico's most loved golf courses. Edging the Pacific Ocean and pristine beach, this 18-hole waterfront course boasts palm-lined fairways, manicured greens, and tricky bunkers. Club Campestre Golf and Country Club also offers an enjoyable 9-hole course.
Water Sports.
Mazatlan offers boating adventures and endless water sports on the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy boating, sailing, yachting, kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, catamaraning, and Hobie Cat rides into the vast ocean and to offshore islands. Fishing and boating enthusiasts can rent sailboats, yachts, catamarans and trimarans at Marina del Cerro del Crestón and Marina del Cid. Enjoy snorkeling and scuba diving with tropical fish in the calm, crystalline waters around the Three Islands - Deer, Bird, and Wolf Islands - declared an ecological reserve. Take off on a jet ski from beach and cruise along the coastline and around the Lighthouse on Creston Island. Parasail over the Three Islands or enjoy windsurfing in the calm bay. Surf and boogie board at Los Pinos and Norte beaches or Bruja Beach, north of Mazatlan.
Mazatlan Shopping.
With its historic charm and waterfront promenade, El Malecon, Mazatlan is an exciting shopping destination. Browse the street vendors that sell silver, tequila, pottery, arts & crafts, ceramics, hand-made souvenirs, and wooden sculptures. Walk through La Zona Dorado with craft, jewelry and clothing stores and art galleries. Bargain at the open-air bazaar, Los Tiangis, on Sunday mornings. With its colonial heritage, Mercado del Centro in Old Mazatlan is an open-air market with fresh seafood and produce stalls under colorful umbrellas, and shops with arts and crafts, jewelry, clothing and leather. Discover Old Mazatlan's many shops and galleries, including NidArt Galería, a 14th- century house that exhibits modern art and handicrafts by Mexican artists. Check out Mazatlan Arts and Crafts Center for Mexican handcrafts, Gallery Michael with Tlaquepaque crafts and silver and Sea Shell City for seashells and souvenirs. Located on the waterfront, La Gran Plaza features department stores, specialty shops and a supermarket.
Mazatlan City Tours.
Take an exciting journey through Mazatlan and explore a diversity of historic, cultural and adventure destinations, including historic landmarks, colonial buildings, museums, and markets. The Mazatlan City Tour guides you to famous attractions, including the Majestic Cathedral, Central Market, Dolphin Monument, Mermaid and Cupid Monument, Cave of the Devil, Lighthouse on Creston Island, City University, Old Mazatlan, Angela Peralta Theater, the famous cliff divers on Olas Altas Avenue, and Lookout Hill, where you savor amazing views of Mazatlan. Enjoy shopping, sightseeing and exploring Mexican antiquity on this exciting city tour!
Mazatlan Attractions
Old Mazatlan.
The heart of downtown, Old Mazatlan is a charming historic district with colorful colonial-style architecture, plazas, courtyards, churches, monuments, museums, art galleries, cafes and markets. Take a walking tour through narrow streets and discover the charm of plazas lined with 19th-century architecture and historic landmarks, including Machado Plaza, Plaza de la Revolucion, Hidalgo Square, Mazatlan Art Museum, The Cathedral, Archeological Museum, and the majestic Angela Peralta Theater, the oldest theater in Mazatlan. Enjoy shopping at El Mercado and Canobbio Arcade - a symbol of the architecture of old Mazatlan - and see early Mexican pottery at the National Institute of Anthropology and History. Visit charming cafés and shops that surround Plaza Machado and explore the colonial section with 19th-century estates and homes.
Stone Island.
A beautiful peninsula on the south tip of Mazatlan, Stone Island is a magnificent escape from the crowds. A short boat or catamaran ride across Navigation Channel, Stone Island features sparkling palm-lined beach, gentle ocean waves and palapa restaurants. The natural landscape on the Pacific Ocean creates a relaxed oasis for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling and exploring. Enjoy seafood and margaritas under the shade of palapas, or walk to beachside shops. Meet the local farmers who cultivate the coconut grove along the beach. Visit Plazuela en Memoria de J. Jesus Moreno, a small park with a ferris wheel and carnival rides. Take a banana boat or catamaran into the ocean and view Pacifico Brewery and the sea lions on Turtle Rock.
El Quelite.
Take a day trip to the rural town of El Quelite, 20 miles northeast of Mazatlan. Framed by the Pacific Ocean, Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains and El Quelite River, this beautiful Colonial village is a journey back in time with historic architecture and an agricultural lifestyle of its Spanish colonial past. Stroll along cobbled streets with colonial architecture, painted buildings, and colorful flowers. Discover elegant colonial houses blanketed by bougainvilleas, cattle ranches and fruit orchards. Feel the history of El Quelite in the historic 19th-century church, traditional country homes. Enjoy the aromas of bakeries, tortilla shops, cafés and cantinas that serve local cuisine. Walk in the countryside, go horseback riding, climb picturesque hills, and relax in flowering courtyards.
Mazatlan's Three Islands.
Located off the Mazatlan shore, the Three Islands - Deer Island, Bird Island and Wolf Island, are beautiful destinations for fun and adventure. These pristine off-shore islands offer tranquil sand beaches and azure ocean waters for scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, boating, kayaking and canoeing. Hop on a panga (small boat) or catamaran from one of Mazatlan's marinas and experience the peaceful landscape with a variety of birds and unique botanical paintings. Take a boat to the peaceful beach on Deer Island and snorkel and scuba dive in the crystal clear waters with a diversity of tropical fish.
Mazatlan Beaches.
Edging the Pacific Ocean, Mazatlan offers gorgeous sand beaches for soaking up the Mexican sun, relaxing with a drink and a variety of sand and sea sports. With gentle sandy slopes and calm waves, the area between the Zona Dorada and the three islands offers sparkling sands for lounging and adventure. With magnificent views of the three islands, Sábalo Beach is an excellent spot for swimming, surfing, playing in the waves, working on your tan or boating over to Venados Island. Located near the center of Mazatlan, Olas Altas Beach is beautiful at sunset and offers great surfing waves in the open sea. Surrounded by small hills, Cerritos Beach is a coarse sand beach caressed by warm, beige-colored water. A few miles from downtown, Los Pinos Beach is a peaceful destination for relaxing and warm waters for aquatic sports like surfing and swimming. One of the longest beaches in Mexico, Norte Beach is sublime sandy strand for sunning, swimming, surfing and enjoying fresh seafood at one of the palm hut restaurants that face the vast blue ocean.
