Combine Beach Life and Rich Culture In Unforgettable Mazatlán

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Mazatlán

Planning a vacation often means having to choose between beach-focused fun or a more culturally rich experience. But there’s a destination in Mexico that offers both. Mazatlán is Mexico’s second largest coastal city, situated at the foot of the Sierra Madre mountains in the state of Sinaloa and Mexico’s only beach destination with a historic centre. In addition to numerous beautiful stretches of sand and natural attractions, Mazatlán is in a unique position to offer an enticing blend of history and culture.

Getting in the zone in Mazatlán

The city is divided into three distinct zones: the Golden Zone (Zona Dorada) in the north, where most hotels and restaurants are located; Old Mazatlán (Centro Histórico), the historically-rich downtown area; and New Mazatlán (Nuevo Mazatlán), home to many of the newer major resorts as well as two marinas.

Getting around is easily done on foot, especially in the historical centre. You can also rent a bicycle or take an open-air pulmonia, a golf-cart-like vehicle unique to the area. The official word for Mazatlán locals is Mazatlecos, and you’re sure to encounter more than a few during your visit, happy to share stories and offer insight on where to spend your time in the city. In the meantime, read on for some of the best ways to experience Mazatlán.

Mazatlán Centro Histórico

Exploring Mazatlán’s Centro Histórico

Unlike the Golden Zone where you’ll find the majority of beachfront resorts, Mazatlán’s historic centre offers a more local experience. The area spans 180 blocks and underwent a massive renovation several years ago to revitalize the many 19th century buildings and historic landmarks.

Start your exploration at Plaza Machado, a leafy public square surrounded by colourful colonial-era buildings and open-air cafes. In the evening the square really comes to life, with musicians serenading passersby and diners enjoying drinks overlooking the square.

You’ll also want to stop by Angela Peralta Theater, a restored 19th century theatre named after the famed Mexican opera singer Angela Peralta. The renowned performance space stages a variety of performances, but you can also tour the theatre to learn more about its history.

In addition to the many art galleries, museums and beautiful buildings in the historic centre, another must-see is the Catedral Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepción, with its Gothic arches and 28 stunning stained glass windows.

Mazatlán street art

Art everywhere

There is a thriving art scene in Mazatlán, beginning with the many galleries located within the historic centre. You can get a sense of all of them during the city’s public art walk, hosted from 4 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of the month between November and April, and twice a month in December through March. This allows you to meet the artists, whose mediums range from painting and sculpture, to printmaking, mosaics and stained glass.

Another way to explore Mazatlán’s art scene is with a stop at Museo de Arte Mazatlán, which houses an impressive collection of contemporary Mexican art. It’s also well worth keeping your eyes peeled in the historic centre, where you’re likely to come across swaths of colourful street art just waiting to be posted on Instagram or TikTok.

Day tripping from Mazatlán

Depending on how long you’re staying in Mazatlán, there are many options for day trips. El Quelite is only 30 minutes north of Mazatlán. Here you’ll find cobblestone streets, colonial architecture and a pretty central square. Homes here, with their red-tiled roofs and vibrant porch gardens, date back to the 19th century.

Located about an hour from Mazatlán is Concordia, home to many artisan workshops turning out handcrafted furniture, pottery and jewellery. This is also one of the best places to sample raspado, a popular snow-cone-like treat flavoured with fruit juice.

Excellent accommodations

Your options for where to rest your head in Mazatlán range from beachfront resorts to intimate boutique properties closer to the historic centre. If you’re looking to stay near the beach, El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel in Mazatlán’s Zona Dorada is a great choice. For a different experience, book a room at Casa Lucila right in the historic centre. The boutique property, housed in a historic building, was once a jazz club and restaurant visited by the likes of John Wayne and Ernest Hemingway.

Island life off the coast of Mazatlán

Easily accessible from Mazatlán’s Golden Zone are Goat, Deer and Bird islands. They’re protected from development and offer the chance to experience some eco-focused fun. A range of tour operators offer day trips to the islands for activities including hiking, swimming, snorkelling and kayaking. Of the islands, Deer Island (Isla de Venados) is the most visited but does have some secluded beaches. Bird Island (Isla de Pajaros) is known for the array of bird species found there, making it a great spot for birdwatching. Goat Island (Isla de Chivos) is the least visited, but transportation can be arranged.

Eating local

It’s not hard to eat like a local in Mazatlán. Foodies will want to make a beeline for Pino Suarez Municipal Market (also known as the central Market) in the historic district. It’s filled with hundreds of stalls selling local fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, fish, meat, spices and much more. The best part about the market is that it’s just as popular with locals as it is with visitors. When you get hungry (which you will from gazing at all that food), make your way to the restaurants on the market’s upper floor and snack on traditional Mexican dishes.

Mazatlán is also home to a wide variety of street food vendors serving a range of delicious dishes out of tiny carts. These carts are loved by locals, ex-pats and visitors alike looking for a simple, tasty and pocket-friendly meal on the go. Options include everything from ceviche and burritos, to fish-on-a-stick (grilled white fish on a skewer), tamales, tacos and more.

For inspiration on travel to Mazatlan head to gomazatlán.com. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation that offers more than just the chance to sit on the sand, put Mazatlán on your must-visit list.

How to get there

WestJet offers direct flights to Mazatlán from Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna and Vancouver with connecting flights across Canada. Sunwing offers direct flights from Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Calgary and Vancouver.

Recipe: Aguachile de Camarón

Recipe by Alison Kent

Aguachile Mazatlán seafood dish

Makes 6 appetizer-sized servings

This recipe is a little bit aguachile, a little bit ceviche. Seek out the freshest shrimp possible. Here, the lime juice essentially “cooks” the shrimp–a characteristic of ceviche–but if you’d rather, you can replace raw with lightly poached shrimp instead. Either way, serve in a bowl to capture all the liquid–a component of aguachile–and garnish with cubed avocado, if you’d like. Serve with plenty of tostadas or tortilla chips.

Ingredients

•1 lb. (454 g) sashimi-grade shrimp (21/25), peeled and deveined
•1 tsp (5 mL) coarse sea salt
•2/3 cup (150 mL) fresh lime juice, divided
•1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
•2 serrano chilies, chopped
•1 jalapeño pepper, chopped
•1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped cilantro leaves
•Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
•1-1/2 cups (375 mL) diced English cucumber
•1/2 cup (125 mL) thinly sliced red onion
•1/4 cup (60 mL) diced radishes

Directions

•Split shrimp in half lengthwise. Toss in coarse salt and 1/4 cup (60 mL) lime juice; spread shrimp out in a glass or other non-metallic casserole dish. Cover and let stand for 20 minutes.
•Meanwhile, in a blender, add remaining lime juice, 1/4 cup (60mL) water, olive oil, serrano chilies, jalapeño and cilantro. Blend until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
•Pour chili-lime mixture over shrimp, tossing to coat. Toss again with cucumber, onion and radish. Serve in bowls garnished with more cilantro leaves.