Just a few kilometers south of the Tropic of Cancer, Mazatlan is a breezy, pleasant place for a holiday. And it's absolutely full of tourists in a holiday frame of mind. We're finding it an interesting and entertaining place to hang out for a while. Because of the tourists, there are lots of services, stores and restaurants, but Mazatlan is much more than that; it is also a prosperous city with a working seaport and a thriving cultural centre. In addition, the weather is lovely—not hot and dusty but soft and soothing, with a breeze off the ocean.
When I first came here 34 years ago, the tourist zone was along the Malecon called Olas Altas (for the high waves on the beach). Even then the hotels were older, some dating from the forties and fifties. This area has fallen out of favour because of the rough waves and so many of the hotels here are a bit crumbly around the edges. There are great bargains to be had here though and it is still a bustling area. Now the major tourist area is the Zona Dorada a bit to the north along a safer and more gentle beach. And more hotels, condos and houses are being built beyond that.
Today after taking the dogs for their morning jaunt along the beach, Harry and I took the bus into the old part of Mazatlan. In recent years, this “old town” has come alive with colonial buildings, an incredibly beautiful restored theatre, a traditional plaza with bandstand, elegant restaurants as well as art galleries and coffee shops. Just beyond that is the malecon with its aging restaurants and funky feel. This is a really cool place to explore.
We're going to have visitors for a few days as well. Our friends Linette and Mark are flying down from Victoria to join us for a while. It's going to be a lot of fun discovering even more of Mazatlan's charms with them.
4 comments:
Hi, friends. Welcome to Mazatlan, my hometown. I live here so I can recommend something new for you and your friends. Try the so called "magic towns" of "El Quelite", about 30 minutes north of Mazatlan on the Mexico 15 highway. Or you can try "La Noria". Take same highway until you find a little town called "El Habal". There you turn right to La Noria. It's about 15 minutes of driving. Ask por information before you go in case you're not familiar with these sites. Don't take the pay freeway. It doesn't have a detour to get to these towns. There's also "Copala", on the mountains. You go south to "Villa Union". Without leaving the highway go across the town until you find the signs pointing to "Durango". Taking this road gets you across "Concordia", and old spanish founded town and then to "Copala". Have fun.
Hey thanks bloglogger, we'll try some of these places. I have a question about the road to Durango. Is is very steep and difficult? We were thinking after spending time here that we'd go to Durango and then to Zacatecas.
Thanks
I'm glad my info was useful for you. Indeed, there are some steep sections on this road. The steepest are from "Copala" to "El Taxte" and from "Santa Lucia" to "El Palmito". After this last town the road levels and gets straighter on to Durango. The trip takes about 6 hours due to the twisted design of the highway that does not allow to go any faster than 40 kilometers (about 25 miles) an hour. The sights are breathtaking so it is a good thing to drive so slow: You can admire the landscape easier.As part of the North American Community effort, a modern freeway is just about to be opened during the first months of 2010. You'll be able to travel to Durango in just ¡2 hours!
i can't wait to "break in" this freeway.
Good to see you all enjoying your trip - Mazatlan was one of my favourite places.
I hope the good times continue.
Cheers.
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