Mazatlan is a popular resort town on Mexico’s Pacific coast with beaches, resort hotels, delicious cuisine, perfect weather, and friendly and welcoming locals.
This resort town is well-known for being the birthplace of Banda Sinaloense, a popular music style in Mexico.
To ensure you have a good vacation, here are the best and most fun things to do in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Things To Do In Mazatlan, Mexico
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1. Explore The Beaches
The sea is everywhere in Mazatlan, from the breathtaking views at Posada Freeman to one of the world’s longest Malecon.
As a result, golden-sand beaches can be found throughout the city which you can explore to have a fun day by the sea.
Zona Dorada beaches are breathtaking with light waves ideal for fun activities like swimming and surfing.
Olas Altas is a small beach in the city’s south with excellent waves for boogie boarding and is lined with small bars.
Playa Marlin and Monos beaches are beautiful and provide excellent opportunities for exercise such as an outdoor gym, and a walking and biking path.
2. Experience The NightLife
Mazatlan’s nightlife is truly spectacular and only available on weekends when you can explore the huge beachfront clubs and high-end discos.
You should stop at Joe’s Oyster Bar, a popular club located directly on the beach in Zona Dorada, that guarantees a good time.
Prive in Marina Mazatlan is a high-end nightlife destination while at Nothing in the South: Overall, you’ll have fun dancing all night.
3. Go Surfing
Some of the best surf spots can be found in Mazatlan and you can find consistent waves almost every day of the year.
You can purchase a surfboard to start surfing, but if you want to learn, you should visit Playa Bruja Valentino’s or Mazatlan Surf School.
4. Watch The Sunsets
During your vacation, you should try to book a hotel room or an Airbnb apartment with a beautiful view of Mazatlan.
The sunsets in Mazatlan are breathtaking and you’ll love watching them and taking memorable pictures.
You can be strolling on the beach or relaxing on a balcony with your loved one amazed by the view of the sunset.
5. Exercise Along El Malecon
The Malecon in Mazatlan has one of the longest beachfront promenades in all of Latin America with beautiful views of the sea and plenty of opportunities to exercise.
The Malecon has a great walking and jogging path, an outdoor gym, and a nice bike lane.
You have to go early in the morning or at night because the sun is so hot during the day that it’s nearly impossible to get a good workout.
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6. Go On A Tour Of Deer Island
During your vacation in Mazatlan, you can go on a tour of Isla de Venados, commonly called Deer Island.
A ride over, an hour or two of relaxation on the island, and a ride back should cost between $300 and $500 in Mexican pesos.
This tour will provide lots of fun, mostly riding on the little catamarans and it’s so easy to do during your stay.
7. Cruise In A Pneumonia
One of the best things you should do in Mazatlan is to cruise along the Malecon in a Pulmonia while chilling with your friends.
Pneumonia, a Mazatlan classic, is a special open-air taxi designed for cruising along Mazatlan’s oceanfront Malecon.
These golf-cart-like taxis frequently have impressive sound systems, so you must cruise in a Pneumonia at least a few times.
8. Watch Cliff Divers At El Clavadista
The daring cliff divers at El Clavadista are one of the most beautiful sights to see when visiting Mazatlan.
The Cliff is 14 meters high and is visited by daring individuals who believe it is appropriate to view the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean from such a great height.
Cliff diving has been a tradition at Rodolfo Sanchez Taboada Glorieta since 1960 and many cliff divers start their jumps at noon and usually finish before nightfall or midnight.
9. Watch Movies At Angela Peralta Theater
Angela Peralta Theater was built in 1874 and underwent extensive renovations in the 1980s to continue serving as a venue for numerous performances.
The Angela Peralta Theater was named after a famous Mexican opera singer who died as a result of a yellow fever outbreak in Mazatlan.
You can watch movies or attend any of the theater’s live performances, and marvel at the breathtaking architecture of this theater.
10. Explore Centro Historico
The Centro Historico or Old Town is a popular attraction that features several iconic buildings and was built in the 1920s and 1930s.
At Centro Historico, you’ll have fun riding in golf carts, which are now used as public transportation.
Aside from the incredible architecture, you’ll see a variety of attractions, as well as shops selling souvenirs and street food stalls.
11. Explore Plaza Machado
Plaza Machado, takes pride in its historical background, which you’ll love learning about, as its construction dates back to 1837.
You’ll have fun exploring lots of restaurants, beautiful shops, and a handful of incredible art galleries.
12. Visit El Faro
The Cera to Creston is a massive rock that is used for navigation as well as the construction of an ancient beacon.
The primitive beacon was converted to a lighthouse in 1879, and it still stands today despite undergoing additional renovations and having a 30-mile nautical range.
El Faro, the lighthouse is a must-see, and the breathtaking views from Cerro Crestón make visiting here amazing.
Although you’ll have to climb over 350 steps to reach the lighthouse, which is located at an elevation of 160 meters, you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Centro Histórico.
13. Visit The Turtle Sanctuary at El Verde Camacho
Turtles are amazing creatures, and many people from all over the world are working to protect these wonderful sea creatures.
You can learn about this preservation effort during your vacation by visiting the El Verde Camacho.
You can tour the sea turtle sanctuary and learn more about sea turtles and the efforts made to preserve this fantastic animal.
14. Visit Baluarte Bridge
The Baluarte Bridge, which spans about 3,700 feet over the Baluarte River, is 1,322 feet above sea level, breaking the record for the world’s seventh-highest bridge and the tallest in America.
This thrilling journey takes you from the coast to the countryside and up into the Sierra Madre Mountains.
The Incredible Baluarte bridge also takes you through the El Sinaloense, one of nine smart tunnels.
15. Explore Cacaxtla Plateau Wildlife Reserve
The Cacaxtla Plateau Wildlife Reserve is located about 40 kilometers north of Mazatlan and is one of Northern Mexico’s ancient longlines of culture.
You’ll see Las Labradas, which are hundreds of glyphs carved on volcanic rocks nestled on the beach that are unique to the Americas.
These stones have a long history dating back between 2000 BC and 300 AD, displaying plants, animals, humans, and geometric shapes.
A guide is available that tells the true story of the sculpted works and the lives of the people who carved them.
16. Visit Acuario Mazatlán
Acuario Mazatlan, the aquarium here is home to over 250 different types of fish housed in numerous tanks.
Aside from the aquarium, you can also visit the marine museum, the house animals on display, and the aviary.
You can come along with your kids to have a great time with the entire family by making unforgettable memories.
17. Visit Museo Arqueológico de Mazatlán
If you want to learn more about Mazatlan’s pre-Hispanic history, you should visit the Museo Arqueológico de Mazatlán.
The Museo Arqueológico de Mazatlán is divided into individual rooms, each with exhibits that teach visitors about Mazatlan’s evolution over time.
You can expect to find about 200 artifacts that will help you understand how this region was before colonization.
You’ll also see archaeological sites that depict life before Spanish colonization.
18. Visit Mazatlan Cathedral
The Mazatlan Cathedral, which features shining yellow spires and structures made of Italian marble, is a place of worship for the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.
Because of its magnificent architectural pattern and style, the cathedral is a popular tourist destination in Mazatlan.
If you want to learn more about this magnificent structure and the city’s rich history, make sure to hire a guide who will walk you through the entire cathedral.
19. Stay At Hotel Playa Mazatlan
After a long day of exploring the city, you can stay at the Hotel Playa in Mazatlan to enjoy an incredible lodging experience.
The hotel experience includes traditions practiced in Temazcal for centuries and you would have a relaxed experience during your vacation.
20. Visit Mazagua Water Park
Mazagua Water Park is a fun water park that also has a variety of water slides for your family and kids.
There is also a wave pool on-site, a volleyball court, a play area, as well as an artificial reservoir for relaxation.
21. Attend the Carnival
If you’re visiting Mazatlan, make sure to go during the Carnival period, which takes place from February to March.
During this festival, you’ll experience the bustling lifestyle of Malecon, the surrounding areas, and vendor stalls.
You’ll see live performances by incredible bands, as well as other types of music formalities, to liven up the atmosphere.
As the carnival comes to an end, there will be spectacular fireworks and a grand parade.
22. Visit Immaculate Conception Cathedral
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral is a lovely structure with Neoclassical, Neo-Baroque, and Neo-Gothic elements.
The Immaculate Conception Cathedral features sculptural images of Matthew, Luke, John, and Mark.
There are 28 stained glass windows, each with a star of David to honor the prominent local Jewish family who contributed to the cathedral’s construction.
23. Tour The Isla de la Piedra
Water taxis are available from the Mazatlan port board across the channel to Isla de la Piedra, also known as Stone Island.
Stone Island is more of a peninsula than an island with a long coarse sandy beach about 200 meters from the dock.
The majority of the restaurants here are full-service, and there are also regular palapas, also known as palm huts, here.
You should go on a tour of the mangroves in the channel and the caves previously used by pirates.
FAQ
What is Mazatlan Mexico known for?
Mazatlan Mexico is known for its beautiful beaches and warm, sunny weather, Mazatlán is a great holiday destination as well as an important port in the Pacific.
Is Mazatlan Mexico worth visiting?
Mazatlan offers many top-quality resorts and hotels as a top tourist destination in Mexico, and also in the year 2021, the city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa was named the country’s largest tourist destination.
What is the best month to go to Mazatlan?
The best month to visit Mazatlan is during the month of October or November.
What to know before going to Mazatlan?
Things you must know before visiting Mazatlan:
Stay in Mazatlan. Traveling out of town can be dangerous.
Be aware of your surroundings and avoid arguments.
Do not take medicine, buy medicine, or sell medicine.
Don’t make a target.
Stay in the tourist areas and know where you are going.
What is the coldest month in Mazatlan Mexico?
January is considered the coldest month in Mazatlan.
Is the ocean water warm in Mazatlan?
The average annual coastal water temperature in Mazatlan is 79°F depending on the season: winter 73°F, spring 74°F, summer 85°F, and autumn 84°F. The lowest water temperature (it is 68°F) in Mazatlan occurs in March, and the highest (88°F) in August.
Can you swim at the beach in Mazatlan?
Mazatlan beach is clean and healthy to swim in, it also has a perfect package of beaches.
Does Mazatlan have a boardwalk?
7 miles of the continuous paved promenade (Malecon) alongside the lake. It is one of the most unique and well-used social meeting places in Mazatlan.
Do you need a car in Mazatlan?
Yes, you need a car to go around Mazatlan, you either use a car or book a bus to make your tour more fun and easy.
What is the nicest beach in Mazatlán?
Golden Zone.
Playa Olas Altas.
Playa Cerritos.
Playa Las Gaviotas.
Playa Sabalo.
Stone Island.
Playa Camaron.
Playa Brujas.
Visit Mazatlan, Mexico
If you enjoy the beach, Mazatlan may be one of your favorite cities in Mexico, with its natural beauty and charm.
You’ll love exploring the historical Del Malecón, the Aquatic Park Mazagua, the Playa Las Brujas, and the Mazatlán Cathedral during your stay.
You should plan to visit Mazatlan for a fun vacation with your loved ones and you can consult this guide for the best and most fun things to do in Mazatlan, Mexico.
