Living in Mazatlan

Day Trips

Cerro de Vigia: At the top of this hill you’ll find a weather station and a rusted cannon. From this hill you can see the Pacific, the harbor and both sides of Mazatlan.

Acuario Mazatlan: At this aquarium you will find an aviary, bird and sea-lion shows, tanks of sharks, lobsters, eels, sea horses, and fresh and salt water fish.

Instituto Nacional de Antropologia y Historia: This archaeological museum has a small collection of regional artifacts and displays of pottery left behind by the Totorames Indians.

Mazatlan Catedral: Built in 1890 this church has murals of angels, a gilded altar, and blue-and-gold spires.

Museo de Arte de Mazatlan: Work from local, regional and national artists are on display. Painting classes are also offered.

Parque Acuatico Mazaguas: This water park has wading pools, water slides and a wave pool.

Plaza Republica: This city square, located in the center of downtown, has a gazebo that looks like a 50s diner on the bottom and a wrought-iron bandstand on top. Locals and tourists can enjoy burgers, shakes and hotdogs from the diner, while listening to musicians play from the bandstand.

Shopping

Throughout the city, various street vendors will be displaying their wares. Don't forget to visit the central market! Souvenirs are abundant: T-shirts, hats, small wooden sculptures, keychains and oversized Mexican sombreros are all very popular. Feel free to bargain a little bit about the price - it's expected.

A fun place to go are the open-air used goods bazaars, "Los Tiangis." Located in Juarez, they are open every Sunday morning very early. You can buy pretty much anything you want here.

Most medicines are available here from any pharmacy without a prescription at a very good price. Mexico can be a good place to stock up on items like ibuprofen, retin-A and other such items. Be sure to exercise caution when self-medicating however.

Liquor is generally cheaper here, and you can find some brands that aren't available in the states. You can only take back up to a liter duty-free to the US or Canada.

Mazatlán shopping runs the gamut from precious stones to seashells - with plenty of T-shirts in between! Most stores are open Monday through Saturday from 9 or 10am to 6 or 8pm. Very few close for lunch, and many stores are open on Sunday afternoon.

La Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) is the best area for shopping. For a huge selection of handcrafts from all over Mexico, visit the Mazatlán Arts and Crafts Center (tel./913-5022), at calle Gaviotas and Loaiza, open from 9am to 6pm, but note it's a cash-only place. The nearby Sea Shell City (tel./913-1301; AE, MC, V) is exactly what the name implies - more shell-covered decorative items than you ever dreamed could exist, from the tacky to the sublime. Open daily 9am to 8pm, it's located between Las Garzas and Avenida del Mar on Avenida Playa Gaviotas.

Madonna Jewelry offers a big selection of classy Mexican handcrafts such as Mayolica ceramics, Talavera art, Huichol Indian art, blown glass, Christmas items and all kind of art made by Mexican artisans, including the popular Mexican fire opals. Located in the Heart of the Golden Zone, Michael Gallery has an excellent selection of Tlaquepaque crafts and fine silver jewelry. It is near the Dairy Queen at Avenida Las Garzas 18, just off Avenida Camarón Sábalo. Open daily 10am to 6pm, no credit cards.

Sports and Exercise

Sportfishing: Local fishermen practice "catch and release," so expect to do the same. Fishing charters tend to be a little less expensive then anywhere else in Mexico. Rates can range from US$30 per hour for a panga to US$400 per day for a 36-ft cruiser with a maximum of four passengers. Prices may or may not include drinks, tackle and gear, and licenses. From October to January it’s recommended that you make reservations a month in advance.

Golf: The 27-hole course at El Cid, designed by Lee Trevino, is reserved for hotel patrons and their guests, and for members of the club. A John Jacobs Golf School, the only one in Mexico, is also located at this course.

A championship 18-hole course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, is open to the public. The newest course in Mazatlan is located at the Estrella del Mar Golf Club. This 18-hole course was also designed by Robert Trent Jones and includes a pro PGA on staff. There is also a bar, restaurant, and a club here.

Eco Tours: Kayaking, bird watching, mountain biking, sailing tours, equipment rental and snorkeling are offered by the Mazatlan Sports Center.

Clubs and Associations

For expatriates often the most important starting references upon arriving in a foreign country are expatriate clubs and associations. Some of the most important are the American Society along with the DAR, the International Friendship Club, and Rotary International. American Society acts as a large umbrella organization harboring smaller clubs and associations that are based on particular fields of interest. To contact The American Society please click here.

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