Among the vast number of bays on the Pacific coast of Mexico, there is one whose beauty is unparalleled: Mazatlan, a resort that welcomes tourists to an unequalled warm and friendly environment, to the sound of band music. The party in Mazatlan never ends and its streets, restaurants, discos and attractions are as varied as the tones of suntans.
In the northwest of the state of Sinaloa, Mazatlan is a place to relax, have fun, love and make new friends in a warm climate; an ideal paradise for honeymooning couples. You may explore this beauty spot on the Pacific coast as far as your dreams will let you.
This region has a long and varied history and has been the point of departure for Mexican trade and exports. It is the fishing and agricultural center of Mexico as it produces the majority of the country’s vegetables and seafood, recognized all over the world for their size, flavor and quality.
If you are traveling on business or looking for adventure or pleasure, Mazatlan has many attractions such as the lighthouse on the island of Cerro Creston, the Plazuela Machado and the Deer Monument. For history buffs, there is the Cerro de la Neveria, the Olas Altas (High Waves) Beach, Seagull Beach, Witches Beach and Stone Island and for nature lovers there are various eco- tourism attractions and water sports.
Of course we must mention the sensational carnival, held just before Easter Week, and the Fiesta Land district where there are various restaurants and bars that will surprise you with their hygiene and quality.
Make sure that you visit this exotic port, witness the incessant coming and going of boats and travelers, discover dramatic scenery, dance to the sound of the drum and taste fine wine and cold beer in international-quality restaurants. We invite you to come to Mazatlan, whether by air, land or sea because we are sure that it will be one of the best experiences of your life.
Description
The name Mazatlan comes from the Nahuatl word mazatl that means stag and deer place. It is in the south of Sinaloa and borders to the north with the municipality of San Ignacio and the state of Durango, to east with the municipality of Concordia, to the south with the municipality of Rosario and to the west with the Pacific Ocean.
The first inhabitants of the region were indigenous tribes who came in search of deer and fish for food.
Don Nuño Beltran de Guzman and his company arrived in the region on May 14, 1531 in search of the convergence of cultures, the criteria of New Spain. As happened in every conquest, it was not long before the indigenous communities became unhappy with the situation and the clash between the two cultures came to a head in battle, with the Englishmen Francis Drake and Thomas Cavendish prevailing.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the multi-ethnic influence in the region turned Mazatlan into a rough port from where gold coins and other valuable items extracted from Rosario and Mazatlan were sent to Spain. These events established the territory as a strategic trade center, however, other activities, apart from trade, began to increase, as was the case with agriculture, farming and fishing. Both mestizos and foreigners discovered new opportunities to develop these activities using the outstanding fertile conditions of the area. Nowadays, Sinaloa is Mexico?s main producer of vegetables and sea food.
The official language is Spanish but English is spoken in many establishments, particularly in those frequented by tourists.
Location from the Airport
There are three major airports that connect Sinaloa to the rest of Mexico and the world; they are in Los Mochis: the Valle de El Fuerte Airport, Culiacan: the Bachihualato Federal Airport and in Mazatlan: the Rafael Buelna
International Airport
All have the necessary infrastructure and facilities including taxis, money exchange bureaus and car hire agencies, that will ensure a warm and trouble-free welcome to Sinaloa.
Time Zone
This port paradise is on Pacific time, in other words -07:00 GMT, however, the local government has implemented daylight-saving time that begins on May 6 and finishes on September 30. This is meant to save electricity consumption that, in turn, benefits the population. The rest of the year, Mazatlan is on normal Pacific time.
Currency
The currency is the Mexican peso.
Weather
As Mazatlan is at sea level, the climate is very hot and humid, particularly in the summer. During this season, there is heavy rainfall and stifling heat. There are many cloudy days in September and October but it is still hot. During the winter, temperatures drop to 18° but it still remains very humid. Spring is the best time to go but if you want to get a good tan, we recommend that you go sunbathing between eight and ten in the morning and between four and six in the afternoon so you can get a great tan without getting sun burnt.