Photo courtesy of Mazatlan Tourism Board
Set on Mexico's Pacific Coast in the state of Sinaloa, Mazatlan is Mexico's only colonial city on the beach, with a downtown filled with impeccably restored 19th-century buildings. Essentially, the city is comprised of three distinct zones, including the Historic District, or Centro Historico, with its restored 19th-century plazas, churches, cafes and neighborhoods. The Golden Zone, or Zona Dorada, was created in the 1960s and serves as the site of a collection of hotels, shops, bars and restaurants and beaches. Many of the newer major resorts can be found in Nuevo Mazatlan, along with a marina and two golf courses.
Carnival
Arguably Mazatlan's most important tourism event of the year is its annual Carnival, the third largest in the world after those held in Rio and New Orleans. The event, which draws hundreds of thousands of travelers to the destination each February, features parades, fireworks, art shows, concerts and street entertainment.
Some of Mazatlan's Carnival traditions include crowning a Carnival king and queen; the building of monigotes, 20-foot-tall papier-mâché statures, which are showcased on the city's 13-mile malecon, or boardwalk; and the burning of a gargantuan puppet in a ritual called Bad Moon Burning designed to eradicate negative energy.
Notable festival activities include Muestra Gastronomica, a food festival of traditional Sinaloan dishes; and Floral Games, the largest of the Carnival concerts, which features a focus on culture and literature.
Historic District
Spanning 180 blocks, and including 500 buildings that have been designated historic landmarks, Mazatlan's Historic District is more vibrant than ever, thanks to a massive renovation that has revitalized its 19th century buildings and landmarks. The district, which serves as the cultural hub of the city, is brimming with boutiques, museums, jazz clubs, galleries and cafes.
A worthy example of the district's renovation is the Angela Peralta Theater, which takes its name from the 19th-century opera star and offers a variety of theatrical performances, operas and concerts.
Other beneficiaries of the district's renovation include the Municipal Palace, which serves as Mazatlan's city hall, and the multi-spired Catedral Basilica de la Inmaculada, the only Roman Catholic Church with a Star of David in each of its 28 windows.
The heart of the district is the majestic Plaza Machado, surrounded by mansions and beautifully restored civic buildings.
The Malecon
Mazatlan's restored malecon extends 13 miles, and is believed to be the longest such structure of its kind in the world. Most notably, it serves as an ideal venue for viewing the sunset over the Pacific or simply people watching. Walks along the malecon provide a great way to take in ocean vistas, as well as views of the city's neighborhoods, landmarks and monuments. While strolling, travelers can make their way to the beach to watch the tides roll in or enjoy fresh seafood served under palapas. Very recently, the government invested an addition $5 million to add 600 palm trees and new lighting, greatly enhanced the malecon's nighttime aesthetics.
Twelve Miles of Wide, Sandy Beach
Mazatlan boasts one of the longest stretches of beach -12 miles - in all of Mexico, which each beach area featuring its own distinct selling points. Playa Olas Altas, or high waves, lives up to its name, making it very popular with surfers. Travelers looking for local color may want to try Playa Norte, which is popular with residents, featuring a range of palapa seafood restaurants. Playa Sa´balo and Las Gaviotas in the Golden Zone are great choices for beach lovers in search of activity, with their seafood cafes, vendors, and considerable watersports activities. Travelers looking for something a little more sedate may to give Playa Los Cerritos, one of Mazatlan's least crowded and beautiful beaches, a whirl.
Bird, Deer and Goat Islands
From the beaches of the Golden Zone, it's possible to spot Goat, Deer and Bird Islands, which, as part of the Islands of Mazatlan Ecological Preserve, are protected from development. As close as they are to mainland Mazatlan, they offer visitors day trips that are worlds away. A range of operators offer day trips to the islands for activities including hiking, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.
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