The Best Mazatlan Travel Guide – Mazatlán is a well-established tourist destination that still maintains its Mexican traditions and atmosphere. The vibe is laid back and tranquil, but there’s no lack of fun thanks to the host of water sports and wildlife watching activities available. Mazatlán represents the expansive golden beaches, affordable accommodations, and beckoning bars and restaurants that appeals to travelers.
The world-class golf scene, luxury-yacht harbor, and myriad water sports activities are largely accessible to even those with a tight budget. Take a short boat ride to Deer Island, where you can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Check out the cliff divers near the old lighthouse, and watch the sunset over the long golden beaches. Grab a surfboard and paddle out to the small, consistent waves. Deep-sea fishing for marlin and sailfish is among the best in Mexico. Hiking, bird-watching, and quiet beach walks here will lift your soul. To learn more about all the beautiful beaches of the Mexican Riviera, visit here, or visit us on Pinterest. Now view our Mazatlan Travel Guide to help plan your next Mexican Riviera vacation!
Matzatlan Weather – When to Visit
The high season for Mazatlan, is from November through April, with the busiest week being Easter week, or Semana Santa. This is not the time to go to Mazatlan if you want a quiet trip and don’t like crowds. During July Mazatlan fills up with lots of families. From May through October Mazatlan is very hot (well in the 90s). December, January, and February can be cool at night. The best months to visit Mazatlan are November and March with the temperatures being perfect (low to mid 80s) and you’ll miss a lot of the crowds.
Best Mazatlan Beaches
Playa las Gaviotas
Playa las GaviotasThis is the most popular and one of the best beaches in Mazatlan. Playa las Gaviotas is in the “Golden Zone” famous for its waterfront hotels. The waters here are calm, making it perfect for swimming. At low tide, you can walk out into the water for quite a distance. Sunsets are amazing here and it does get lively at this beach.
Playa Sabalo
Playa SabaloPlaya Sabalo is great for parasailing, windsurfing and swimming. There is also the famous Valentino’s disco close by. This beach is in the Golden Zone or Zona Dorada. Swimming along this beach is one of the safest as it is protected from the nearby islands. There are plenty of vendors here selling a variety of souvenirs.
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Playa Bruja
Playa BrujaPlaya Bruja is the best beach in Mazatlan for surfing, and is not as busy of a beach since it is a surfers beach and a little ways out of town. Some vendors are available to rent boards from, but be prepared for serious surfing. Waves at Playa Bruja can reach heights of 8 – 10 feet. Swimming is not recommended at this beach, but is great for relaxing and getting away from the crowds. There are open air restaurants that offer great seafood.
Playa Los Cerritos
Playa Los CerritosThis beach is for individuals looking to relax. With a good stretch of beach, you will be able to enjoy a nice romantic stroll and enjoy the sunset. Not recommended for swimming as you may find strong waves and undertows. If you are not into surfing you can enjoy watching those who do.
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Playa Norte
Playa NortePlaya Norte is a long white, sandy beach. It is the longest stretch of beach in Mazatlan. This beach has a beautiful seaside promenade called The Malecon which overlooks the beach. There are smaller swells for beginning and intermediate surfers. If you would like to fish you can also do it here by casting off the rocks. The waves here can be forceful, but there is not much of a drop off so it is fairly safe. Swimming at this beach is best in the southern part.
Best Mazatlan Restaurants
El Presidio $31 – 60
This is a sophisticated upscale Mexican and international restaurant. The chef brings a worldly fusion complexity to all of the dishes including the mole and duck burrito, Mexican fried noodles topped with grilled zarandeado shrimp, roast chicken with chipotle and vanilla glaze, or black angus ribeye steam with habanero and lime butter. Simply a great place to relax under the stars. Telephone: 669-149-5054 Web: El Presidio.
Pancho’s $11 – 30
Pancho’s offers an extensive menu of Mexican food and a substantial wine list made up of mostly Mexican, Chilean and Spanish wines. There are many seafood specialties including Camarones Pancho — a delicious tast treat where fresh jumbo shrimp are wrapped in bacon and fried, topped with cheddar cheese, and drizzled with a mouth watering shrimp sauce. Pancho’s is famous for their Pescado Zarandeado — red snapper combined with tomatoes, green peppers, and onions. Telephone: 669-914-0911 Web: Pancho’s.
Topolo Mexican Restaurant & Wine Bar $11 – 30
This is one of the most elegant restaurants in Mazatlán with excellent food and wine. Topolo restaurant and bar is about the beauty of a garden setting and the delicious flavors of old and contemporary Mexico. This is one of the more highly recommended restaurants in Mazatlán. Telephone: 669-136-0660 Web: Topolo Mexican Restaurant & Wine Bar.
Angelo’s $31 – 60
Angelo’s serves fine Northern Italian and international cuisine in a graceful setting. Angelo’s is one of Mazatlán’s best Italian restaurants featuring homemade pastas, shrimp dishes including superb scampi, and a large selection of imported wines. The atmosphere is romantic, with candlelight, flowers, and live piano music. Telephone: 669-989-8900 Web: Angelo’s.
Casa Loma $31 – 60
Enjoy a sophisticated meal like roast duck a l’Orange or the Mazatlán favorite of poached fish blanca rosa in the lovely Casa Loma dining room or outdoors by the bubbling patio fountain. They offer an atmosphere of relaxed elegance with European style dining. Telephone: 669-913-5398 Web: Casa Loma.
Best Mazatlan Nightlife
Sky Room Bar
This is a top rated ocean view bar. It is located on the rooftop of the historic Posada Freeman Best Western. It offers breathtaking 360 panoramic views of Mazatlán. For some reason, it is rarely crowded. A truly serene bar to have a drink and watch the sunset. Telephone: 669-985-6060 Web: Sky Room Bar.
Edgar’s Bar
Edgar’s Bar mostly attracks business people and some tourists. Mid-afternoon they serve a Botana (appetizer) free. Some days it is a meat stew with rice and refried beans and tacos. Some days it is marlin stew, a Mexican version of meatball soup, a shrimp soup, or maybe a Mexican salad with seafood. It is one of the more traditional Mazatlán Bar/Cantinas. Telephone: 669-982-7218 Web: Edgar’s Bar.
The Last Drop
This is a popular sports bar in Mazatlán. They have lots of televisions, pool tables, and serve a nice range of delicious bar food including excellent pizza, Mexican BBQ, ribs and seafood. Constantly rated among the best sports bars in Mazatlán. Telephone: 669-121-0410 Web: The Last Drop
Habanero’s Wine Bar
Habanero’s will take you on a sensual journey with an evening of intimate romantic lighting. They offer a top rated selection of wine from Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Italy, Spain, France, and the U.S. They carry Casa Madero, which comes from the oldest winery in Mexico. They also have a large selection of premium Mexican tequilas, popular and exotic Mexican Cervezas, and a good selection of find spirits. Telephone: 669-136-0660 Web: Habanero’s Wine Bar.
Puerto Viejo
This popular bar is located right on the Malecon at Olas Altas Beach. Enjoy the ocean view while sitting in the outdoor seating. This is one of the most recommended bars among resident gringos who gather for the sunset and happy hour. They offer a delicious bargain menu of daily specials. Telephone: 669-982-8226 Web: Puerto Viejo.
Top 10 Mazatlán Hotels
Hi there Leahrae
Mexico, my favorite central American country.
I have been to Mazatlan about 33 years ago. I don’t remember too many details anymore but I think, looking at the pics, it grew bigger.
I would like to go again and see these Petroglyphs at Las Labradas
great post, I enjoyed it again
Great Stefan, I am glad you enjoyed “revisiting” Mazatlán. I am sure that it has grown in 33 years for sure. The petroglyphs at Las Labradas are definitely something worth seeing. I hope you can make it back soon! Thanks for visiting.
This article is so helpful! My husband and I are currently trying to decide on a good place to vacation next summer and this article has honestly helped us more than a lot of other google searches. I liked how you included hotel and restaurant information as well. I’ll be sure to keep checking back for more info.
Thank you Sarah and I am glad this will help you in your vacation planning. You will honestly love Mazatlán and all it has to offer. Please let me know if I can help you in any other way. Thanks for reading the Mazatlán Travel Guide!
Hey Leahrae,
I haven’t been to Mexico yet but man does Mazatlan make me want to go!! I appreciate you breaking down some of the amenities of the area, especially doing so by price!! That is extremely helpful!! Great post. Hopefully someday soon my wife and I can experience a place like Mazatlan.
Yes Shawn, you will have to experience Mazatlán and the Mexican Riviera. It is a beautiful area with so much culture, great food, great beaches, and lots of outdoor activities to keep you busy. Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com.
Wow, beautiful shoreline and I like that it is pretty affordable. You have dazzled me again with a gorgeous place to put on my wish list. I love the areas you pick out. Thank you for all this wonderful information. You are making it very hard for me to choose a vacation destination!
Hi Ronnie, Glad I am making it tough on you 🙂 Just need to take a lot of mini vacations maybe. Yes, Mazatlán is pretty affordable and a great way to enjoy a beach vacation on top of it. Glad you enjoyed!
I had no idea these islands had petroglyphs! Very cool, and cool to think about our ancestors living somewhere tropical. I also had no idea that Mexico was so strict about passports and wouldn’t accept them if the pages were torn. I need to take better care of mine pronto!
The petroglyphs are cool, and they are right there for anyone to see. Amazing that they have lasted this long for sure. I know that there are other countries are also strict with the passport pages. I guess, it would be hard to stamp on a torn page, LOL. Thanks for visiting the Mazatlán Travel Guide.
Thanks for the tips on getting around in the open air golf cart type taxis. Every time I visit a foreign country I wonder what is a reasonable rate and if I need to tip or not. My first visit to India ended up with me paying an arm and a leg (in local terms) to get from A to B only to find out later I had been charged quadruple the normal rate! Glad to know the general prices and to negotiate before getting in, that is always key to avoiding arguments!
I agree Craig. There are certain places, Mexico being one, where it is always good to make sure you have agreed ahead of time. Otherwise, as you say, you could get charged an arm and a leg. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com.
Wow what an awesome review! I forgot all about Mazatlan, with all the hubbub about Cuba and the Caribbean. I have not heard anyone speak of the petroglyphs before, which would be the first thing that I would want to see there!
My child is 20 years old…which resort do you think would have enough activity to keep her interested?
Thank you so much Irma! Mazatlán is a wonderful beach destination. There are three hotels that would be great, simply because they have great facilities and are close to the beach or have a private beach. These would be the El Cid Marina Beach Hotel, Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay, or the Hotel Playa Mazatlán. These are great hotels that would keep your daughter interested and having fun. Thanks for reading !
You’ve inspired me to check out Mazatlan! I’ve always wanted to go to Cancun as it’s one of the more well known destinations in Mexico. But after reading this, I’ll have to add this one to my list for sure. The Petroglyphs especially caught my interest! Thank you for sharing a great article.
Hi Ann,
Yes, there are so many great things to see and do in Mazatlán. What is nice is that it is more of the authentic Mexican type destination. I prefer this over the more touristy and crowded areas like Cancun. I believe you will find it interesting, fun, and relaxing. Thanks for reading!
Hi Leahrae,
Thank you for the beautiful review on Mazatlan. I’ve been to the Mexican Riviera but not the west coast yet. I definitely need to visit here lol. It looks beautiful! A great list of activities too. It’s always nice to get off a resort and view the area.
Cheers,
Suzanne
Thanks for reading Suzanne! I am glad you enjoyed. Yes, I like to stay at a resort, but I also like to venture out and see the area. Mazatlán is very authentic and worth venturing out in. Thanks for visiting BeachTravelDestinations.com
Hi, yet again another amazing guide on Mexico! Mazatlan was not on my list but with the cliff divers, petroglyphs and Deer Island I think I’ll have to add it to my list 🙂
I love Mexico and you do an incredible job explaining the area, attractions, lodging and restaurants.
Thank you so much Shannon, and I am glad you enjoyed reading the Mazatlán Travel Guide. Please come back when you are ready to plan 🙂
Hi Leahrae, another wonderful review of a beautiful place, you always make me want to go on holiday! I really need to start venturing out as I always stay in Europe. Mazatlan seems like an absolute dream, all those gorgeous beaches and water sports. I know if I ever went I would have to challenge myself to do that 13 mile walk along the promenade. And I have never heard of Petroglyphs before, how amazing they are still there after all this time for anybody to find.
Hi Stefanie,
Yes, you do need to get out of Europe! There are so many amazing places to see for sure, Mazatlán being one of them. Well the whole Mexican Riviera is pretty awesome really. The petroglyphs are a site to see for sure. I agree, that I can’t believe they are still there after all these years. Thank you for taking the time to comment Stefanie.
My Dad regularly travels to Puerto Vallarta on a regular basis and it is right next to Mazatlan. I am sure he will love your thorough, in depth article. I know that he has been meaning to head over to Mazatlán and stay, so your information will be great for him! I will refer it to him. Thank you for sharing.
Oh wow, yes he needs to go to Mazatlán and stay, just to experience Mazatlán! I think they are both unique in their own ways, and Mazatlán is definitely worth a visit for him! Thanks for reading BeachTravelDestinations.com
Sorry, a couple of questions. Hit send to quickly on my last comments. I did want to ask about packages. Do you know what hotels are close to the Cliff Divers? Is there any package deals for hotel and air to make Mazatlán even more economical? If you open a travel business, I will be your first customer. I am ready to head to Mazatlán. If I can get a great package deal, that will make the planning come a little more quickly 🙂
Thank you and look forward to hearing back from you!
There are so many hotels on the Malecon, as this is where the Cliff Divers are. I am going to send you an email to get a few more specifics. I can certainly put a package deal together for you. You will be surprised how affordable Mazatlán really is. I look forward to putting together a package for you!
Leahrae, I get totally lost in your articles. They take me back to the Island and I can almost smell the salt in the air. The cliff divers are awesome and if I wouldn’t kill myself trying it I would definitely be up there getting ready to soar. The details you have on the various local restaurants and places to visit are amazing. It’s almost like you checked the food, service and mileage yourself this morning.
Thank you for my mini vacation. Great article and I look forward to your next destination.
I am so glad you enjoy the articles Deborah 🙂 Thank you for taking the time to leave me comments and for visiting the Mazatlán Travel Guide. Yes, I can almost smell the salt in the air when I am putting the article together LOL. See you at the next beach!
Wow, what a fantastic destination, I want to go there now. I will certainly be adding Mazatlán to my bucket list. Thanks again for the great information, I bookmarked your website a while back and visit regularly to check out what new beach destinations you have added.
Thank you Caz! I am glad you enjoyed reading the Mazatlán Travel Guide. Thank you for taking the time to leave comments. I hope you enjoy “vacationing” on my site. Please come back when you are ready to start planning your next beach destination.