Mazatlan – Mexico

The cruise port in Mazatlan is the same port that commercial ships berth at. It tends to be a very busy cargo port, so much so that a free tram will take cruise passengers through the shipping containers to the cruise terminal.

At the terminal there will be various vendors and shops, along with a pharmacy. There may also be timeshare vendors who will want to give you a free ride to look at their properties, so be aware that these free rides have a purpose.

Pacifico Brewing is right across the street, so you will find tables set up under the trees and beer available for purchase. There is also a quieter crafts market set up across the street from the terminal.

There are no ATMs in the terminals; you will need to go to one of the banks in town.

As is the case in many ports, you will find the familiar. Walmart, Sam’s Club and Home Depot are present in the city. If you want something to take home that represents Mexico, look for Mexican blankets with their bright colors. Masks and pottery are also items that are a traditional craft introduced to Mexico by Spanish artisans during the colonial period. Nothing says Mexico like Tequila and mezcal, and glassware to serve it in is a popular souvenir to bring home. For women, cotton fabric blouses called huipil have unique embroidery in the form of flowers or other intricate patterns. Taxco silver jewelry is another favorite item to take home. Make sure you see the 925 stamp on whatever piece you choose.

Gran Plaza Mazatlan

This mall has about everything. There are clothing stores, a food court, cinema, bowling alley and gym.

Grandarva Bazar

This bazaar has unique items like masks, textiles and wooden carvings.

AD Jewelry

The jewelry here is handmade by Mexican artisans. They use natural stones and 925 silver. The piece comes with a lifetime guarantee, although I am not sure how you would use that guarantee once you are home. They have pieces in gold, too, and also have diamonds and engagement rings.

Mazatlan Central Market/Mercado Pino Suarez

If you want to take home some spices, this is the place to get some. The building is a former aircraft hangar built in 1899. They have fresh fish, meat, cheeses, fruits and vegetables along with spices and baked goods. The market fills a city block. You can also purchase a meal there and there are always food carts and juice stands outside on the surrounding street.

Liverpool

This upscale is the largest operator of mid-to-high department stores in Mexico. The store has over 60,000 square feet on two floors with clothing, furniture, electronics, cosmetics, perfumes, jewelry and beauty supplies.

Sea Shell City Museum

Both a museum and gift shop, this family owned business has a stunning collection of sea shells.

Menus in Mazatlan are heavily influenced by seafood. Specialties include ceviche, zarandeado fish and aguachile. Along with smoked marlin and tuna, bearded tamales that are made with shrimp, tacos, fish crackers and grilled roasted chicken are dishes offered at most restaurants. Mazatlan also has a wide variety of beers, with the best known being Pacifico, which has its own factory in the harbor. Horchata, barley, coconut horchata and wines, not to mention tequila, are drinks you will find at most venues in Mazatlan.

Restaurante Los Panchos

With a beachfront location, Panchos has traditional Mexican fare but offers American dishes too. They have oven smoked pork shank,a great variety of seafood and steak items. Every meal comes with a small appetizer and the end of the meal brings a shot of Kahlua and cream, and both are on the house.

Restaurant Molokay

In business since 1954, Molokai is located on the sandy stretch at Stone Island. Technically not an island, it is a peninsula that is located just off the south end of the coast of Old Mazatlan, it can be reached by land from the east. It can also be accessed by a five-minute ferry ride across the channel. Its location on the beach gives diners the opportunity to dine inside or out. The seafood is some of the freshest in Mazatlan. Shrimp, fresh fish, prawns and chicken dishes are a few of the items on the menu. They have beer and margaritas along with free WiFi and good service.

Los Arcos Restaurant

With a few locations around Mexico, Los Arcos specializes in dishes “from the sea to your table”. From the menu, choose cool or hot items. The cool menu has red aguachile, stuffed avocado, snook callus, shrimp ceviche, crab ceviche, and tuna sashimi.

From the hot menu, they offer grilled salmon, fish, octopus and oysters. Or you could have the mongolian octopus, fish greaves, culichi shrimp, squid cracklings or any number of varieties of steaks. Their beverage and dessert menu is as extensive as their food items.

Topolo

Fresh corn and bean salsa is made at your table. Reviewers like this open air restaurant with its unique decorations for the excellent food, no matter what you choose. Bacon wrapped shrimp and pork shank and a wide variety of seafood dishes. A tequila called Agatha, watermelon margaritas, flaming strawberries and amigas coconut ice cream were also suggested by reviewers.

Angelinas México

Angelinas has Mexican food with an Italian and Latin flare. Starters include fried eggplant, steak ceviche, tomato & avocado tower, potato wedges or ahi tuna wonton tostada. They also offer alfredo, pesto fettuccine and Mediterranean pasta. Entrees range from steak, burgers, pork shank, chicken piccata, shrimp tacos, salmon with capers, grilled octopus, and fish al pastor. They also have good old-fashioned pizza with classic toppings like pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, goat cheese or even praline pecans.

Beaches

Playa Sabalo

This beach begins at the north end of the Golden Zone, and is considered one of the best beaches in Mazatlan. This area is sheltered from the ocean and the water tends to be calmer, making it good for swimming and watersports. You can purchase a sailing excursion, water ski, parasail or take a ride on a banana boat at this location.  It is also close to resorts, restaurants and shops.

Beaches off Stone Island

The beaches located here are ones that the locals prefer as it is not as crowded. Often offered as a shore tour, this area is a five-minute ferry ride away. There are several oceanfront restaurants in the area, too.

Check out the video from a visitor to the beaches on Stone Island:

Walk the Malecon

One of the longest malecon in the world at 13 miles, this seawall has a very wide sidewalk and bicycle lane that fronts the ocean. Along the malecon there are monuments and statues to see, the Fisherman’s Monument among them. The cliff divers also dive next to the malecon at El Clavadista.

Watch the Cliff Divers

Even though they are called cliff divers, the divers will leap from a platform that is about 50 feet above the water. Divers need to time their jump so that they hit the waves to ensure it is deep enough when they hit the water. They dive seven days a week, and while this is free, donations are appreciated.

Cultura Mazatlán Angela Peralta Theater

Take a tour of the theater in the historic Old Mazatlan. Fully restored, it is one of Mazatlan’s cultural treasures and played an important part in the revitalization of the historic district.

Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Absolutely magnificent on the inside and out, the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is the main religious building in the city of Mazatlan. Built  in Baroque-Revival style it is home of the Catholic Diocese of Mazatlan. Many reviewers said it was a must-see.