It is easy to see why Mazatlan, Mexico, has come to be known as the “Pearl of the Pacific.” Like a pearl, this quaint yet modern city in the state of Sinaloa has a special beauty and charm. A visit to this sunny seaside resort creates memories that will last a lifetime.

Lying just south of the Tropic of Cancer, Mazatlan is Mexico's second largest coastal city (after Acapulco), with nearly 600,000 residents. The city has an intriguing blend of the old and the new, offering visitors a range of styles from retro-modern to elegant traditional to beach-shack funky.

The northern end of Mazatlan, the touristy Zona Dorada (Golden Zone), is where most vacationers come to shop, to sightsee, to eat and to spend time on the beautiful beaches. This area is home to Mazatlan’s modern beach hotels, upscale restaurants and most of the local night life. You can walk from your hotel to many attractions. Or catch a ride in the town's signature transport, the overgrown golf carts known as pulmonías (“pneumonias”) for their open sides and breezy rides. Perfect for sightseeing, these zippy taxis will take you wherever you want to go in the city very reasonably.

To the south, in Old Mazatlan, life goes on old-Mexico style in the markets, churches and shady plazas scattered throughout the traditional neighborhoods. The downtown area (El Centro) is here, along with the city’s port facility, the largest between Los Angeles and the Panama Canal. The port is home to more than 500 commercial shrimp boats, the biggest fleet in Latin America, and a large commercial fishing fleet as well. Many of the oldest buildings in this historic zone have been restored, and on a casual walk through downtown, you’ll discover the real charm and history of this almost 500-year-old city. Enjoy the sidewalk cafes, the shops, the cafés and mingle with friendly locals who are proud of their lovely community.

Connecting the Golden Zone and Old Mazatlan is the Avenue Del Mar, or Malecón, a scenic street lined with monuments, open-air bistros and bars. This avenue runs alongside the city’s wide, sugar-sand beaches and clamors with activity day and night. Strolling vendors hawk their wares (everything from fresh, cold drinks, clothing and jewelry to baskets and henna tattoos), parasails float upward, and sun-bathers of all ages frolic in the sapphire-blue Pacific. You can buy souvenirs here, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner, watch local cliff divers or visit with local fishermen who come each morning to sell their catch.


The variety of things to do in Mazatlan is incredible. The clear, clean waters of the Pacific and 15 miles of local beaches are centers for most activities. Go surfing, ride a waverunner or banana boat, take a dolphin or whale-watching tour, cruise to the islands or just kick back with a margarita or pina colada and soak up the sun.

If you tire of water sports, there’s plenty more to do. Go to a bull fight or baseball game. Visit Mexico’s largest aquarium. Play some golf or tennis, or take a tour of nearby towns.

Many people plan their trip to coincide with Carnival in late February or early March, one of the world’s greatest parties and an unforgettable experience. And if you’re part of the party crowd, you’ll certainly want to take in the other night life, too. The city has many nightclubs and discos that open late and stay open until the wee hours of the morning. Partying not only is encouraged, it’s expected.

There are plenty of places to shop in Mazatlan as well, from upscale boutiques offering jewelry and clothing to open-air stores featuring local wares such as art, leather clothing, sea shells and more. Drop in a modern shopping mall, or visit the Mercado Central in the middle of downtown where you’ll find a surprising diversity of local merchandise.

The food here is to die for. There are restaurants of almost every description and cuisine, from fast-food joints serving pizza and hamburgers to five-star dining establishments offering great steaks, prime rib, Italian food, Oriental food and other pleasant surprises. Of course, being a seaside town with a huge fleet of shrimp and fishing boats, Mazatlan has numerous establishments that specialize in fresh seafood dishes you’ll surely want to try. And the local Mexican cuisine is delicious, filling and inexpensive.

Of course, we can’t leave out the primary fun activity that has been attracting visitors to Mazatlan for decades: fishing! The incredible sportfishing here has long been known to big-game fishermen worldwide. Three species of marlins—black, blue and striped—swim the sapphire-blue offshore waters, and sailfish up to 100 pounds and more are exceptionally abundant. That’s why Mazatlan often is called “The Sailfish Capital of the World.” The billfishing fan also can target swordfish, and there are plenty of other offshore fighters such as dorado, wahoo and yellowfin tuna. A boat ride of 15 miles or less will typically have you tangling with huge saltwater sportfish of many varieties.

Prefer some light-tackle, inshore action? Mazatlan has that, too. The fishing fan can enjoy exciting action for more than a dozen different species of hard-hitting saltwater gamefish, including roosterfish, groupers, red snappers, amberjacks, black snook, jack crevalle, Pacific permit and many more.

Whether you bring the whole family or just want to escape with your spouse or significant other for some “away time,” the Pearl of the Pacific is an ideal destination for fun-in-the-sun entertainment. Great fishing, great food, great accommodations, great attractions: Mazatlan has it all.