Mazatlan

Joe’s. Oyster Bar

Offering easy access on foot or by car, this bar is located on the edge of the beach belonging to the Los Sábalos hotel and offers a relaxed party atmosphere where the majority of people prefer to drink beer while dancing to pop music on the beach, sandals in hand. At the now legendary Joe’s it is impossible not to share in the collective joy and for that reason casual dress and a casual attitude are the order of the day, or night.

Playa Gaviotas 100, Zona Dorada, Mazatlán.

Valentino’s and the Fiesta Land Complex

This is the official choice of Springbreakers and you will easily recognize it because it is huge, white and looks like a castle. Since it is built up high it offers an excellent view. Here you won’t find just a simple DJ but a DJ who has visual effects synchronized with his mixes as well as lighting effects and dry ice. At Valentino’s you will hear music from all popular genres.

Camarón Avenue Sábalo s/n, Zona Dorada

Cherry

You will find Cherry, the largest and most fashionable club in all of Mazatlán, on the seafront. One of its floors is dedicated to a discotheque, another to the Lounge concept and there is also a terrace. There is a DJ for each floor so you can choose the music genre you prefer, whether rock, hip-hop or techno. On certain nights there are live performances by groups playing either Banda Sinaloense or Grupera.

Del Mar Avenue 1223, Mazatlán. 990 1199 y 982 7516

Angelos

Angelos specializes in Italian food and many dishes are prepared with shrimp and a wide variety of fresh seafood. It offers live piano music and is best visited at night since its luxurious atmosphere requires formal dress and perhaps you won’t be suitably attired on those afternoons at the beach.

Camarón Sábalo 2121, Interior Pueblo Bonito, Golden Zone, Mazatlán. Phone: 989 8900

Pedro y Lola

This restaurant is in the historic center next to the Plazuela Machado and is a favorite for fine cuts of meat and Mexican food. Although the dishes on offer include the favorite of movie idol Pedro Infante, known as “Relleno”, what you will mostly find at Pedro y Lola is a fusion of Sinaloan flavors with elements of international cuisine which can be accompanied with a bottle of wine from the extensive selection.

Constitución Avenue at Carnaval. Phone: 982 2589.

La Mona

A definitely younger option for enjoying the historic center of Mazatlán, here you can enjoy thin crust pizzas baked using a wood fire and it is also a cantina. We recommend you ask for La Mona which includes shrimp, ham, pineapple and coconut and includes a glass of red wine. The atmosphere here is excellent when games involving local teams are being played.

Niños Héroes 1508, between Constitución and Mariano Escobedo. Phone: 981 5610

El Cid Marina Hotel de Playa

Part of the Cid Resorts group, this hotel offers suites on the beach designed in the Mediterranean style. The hotel also has man-made caves and a yacht club and offers sports fishing, sailing and a 27 hole golf course. Ask for the hotel’s ‘all-inclusive’ plans.

Camarón Sábalo Ave, Apartado Postal 813, Mazatlán. Phone: 913-3333. www.elcid.com

Hotel Playa Mazatlan

Featuring rustic-colonial architecture, this hotel faces the three islands and the beach has gentle waves. It also accentuates this encounter with nature with the addition of gardens, fountains and waterfalls. The attention to detail is clearly evident, for example, when you walk beneath the arches of bougainvilleas or discover that your kids have as many entertainment options as you do. Take advantage of the scaling wall, the zip-lining, gymnasium and Spa and don’t forget the excellent restaurants, one of which offers live music.

Playa Gaviotas Ave 202, Zona Dorada, Mazatlán. Phone: 716 9567. www.playamazatlan.com.mx

Emerald Bay

One of the most luxurious resorts available, the Emerald Bay covers an area of 20 acres in Nuevo Mazatlán. Each room is a suite with kitchen and ocean view. The owners have also made an effort to offer variety with four bars and three restaurants, an open air Jacuzzi, a beauty salon with Spa, a delicatessen and small supermarket as well as floodlit tennis courts.

Ernesto Coppel Compañía Ave. Nuevo Mazatlán. www.pueblobonitoemeraldbay.com

The Beach

Mazatlán occupies 20 kilometers of coastline and consequently offers some excellent beaches, including Cerritos, located in the hotel zone and which is more appropriate for sun bathing than swimming due to the large rocks; el Sábalo, which has it all (a range of wave types depending on the zone, a parachute service, snorkeling, horse riding, etc.); Camarón, which is recommended for water sports; Norte, where the sea is deep and the waves neither too strong nor too gentle; Olas Altas, which has a strong current as the name would suggest; Gaviotas and los Pinos, which offer low intensity waves at the shore line but much stronger waves the further out you go.

Malecon

This 20 km long sea wall is the second longest in Latin America. It is divided into nine different sections and is adorned with a series of monuments, such as the one dedicated to Lola Beltrán, a native of Sinaloa and icon of Ranchera music. The Malecón offers an excellent option for those wanting to exercise, take advantage of the large number of businesses and restaurants on offer or simply see the majestic lighthouse.

Islands

The three islands off the coast of Mazatlán are ecological reserves that are home to an impressive range of flora and fauna. You can take a launch or sailboat to two of the islands and the transport service is regular. Isla Chivos, however, does not have a safe beach for landing so it is recommended you visit Isla Venados where you can see birds and marine species, go snorkeling, swim or rent a kayak.

Mazatlan Carnival

This carnival has been held in February for over 100 years. As in other parts of the world for a period of almost a week the streets of the city become the site of a huge party and celebrations are accompanied by Tambora music. The costumes and floats that parade along the Malecón together with the food on offer, the cultural activities and musical groups make the Mazatlán Carnival one of the most anticipated events of the year.

www.carnavalmazatlan.com

Baseball

Mazatlan’s baseball team is Los Venados who play in Mexico’s Pacific League, of which they have been champions twice. Their stadium is the Teodoro Mariscal which has hosted many finals series and Caribbean Series and seats 14,000 people. A visit to a game, if it is the baseball season of course, is highly recommended as you will share in the passion of Mazatlán locals for ‘beis’ since they have earned the title of the best fans in Mexico.

Museo Arqueologico de Mazatlan

The museum of archeology belongs to the National Institute of Anthropology and History and was inaugurated at the end of the 19th century in a building in the neoclassical style. It offers an account of  pre-Hispanic life in the region (when it was known as Aztatlán) which flourished in the Early Postclassical and Late Postclassical periods dating from the year 300 to 1500.

Osuna 76, Centro, Mazatlán. Phone: 981 1455