2025 Guide to Mazatlán, Mexico

This is a 2025 guide for visitors to and residents of Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.

Mazatlán is located in the Mexican state of Sinaloa on the west coast of Mexico on the Pacific Ocean.  Mazatlán is known as the 'Pearl of the Pacific'!

Mazatlán is both a colonial city and a beach resort tourist town with tens of miles of fabulous Beaches and fantastic weather especially during the winter months!

Mazatlán is a popular year-round tourist destination for Mexican travellers.  From the beginning of November to the end of April, tens of thousands of tourists and snowbirds come from the United States and Canada.

Mazatlán was founded on May 14, 1531 by 25 Castilians sent by Don Nuño de Guzmán, after founding Culiacán.  So, Mazatlán is 491 years old in 2022!

Olas Altas (old town) in Mazatlán

Golden Zone in Mazatlán

Mazatlán is a medium-sized city with a large port which accomodates Mexico's largest shrimp fleet and many visits by cruise ships.  This is a benefit to tourist because it keeps prices lower than other Mexican resorts because it is not just a tourist town.  Also, because there are so many residents there are more Activities and Attractions than many other Mexican resorts so you won't be bored...unless you try to be!

Mazatlán is also known for it's culture, fabulous restaurants, and vibrant nightlife!  There are nightclubs for the younger set and many bars/restaurants along the beach front.  There is also live music and dancing nightly.  Check out our 2025 Live Music Calendar.  Also check out our 2025 Mazatlán Events Calendar to see what's happening in Mazatlán.

Joe's Oyster Bar in Mazatlán

So, Mazatlán is the best of all worlds by allowing you to have the vacation that you want...anything from a lazy lay at the pool all-day at an all-inclusive resort to shopping to eating well to a full on partying...Mazatlán has it all!

We have been travelling to Mazatlán for almost 30 years for extended vacation and will attempt to tell you everything that you need to know to visit or reside in Mazatlán.

Check out all our Mazatlán pages (Attractions, Activities, Accommodations, Food and Drink, Entertainment, Shopping, Only in Mazatlán, Areas of Town, Events , Services, How Tos, and General) below to make your trip to Mazatlán better!

Enjoying a sunset on the beach in Mazatlán

Punto Valentno in Mazatlán

Mazatlán Attractions

There are so many attractions to see in Mazatlán.  Mazatlán has one of the longest seawalls, called the Malecon, in the world right along the bay!  There is also the El Faro lighthouse which is the second highest lighthouse in the world.  The Mazatlán Aquario is one of the best aquariums in latin america.   More info about attractions...

Mazatlán Activities

There are so many things to do in Mazatlán.  Some of the activities that you might do are go to the beach, swim in the ocean, golf, fishing, tennis, hiking, biking, tours, eating, drinking, shopping, and many other activities. More info about activities...

Mazatlán Accomodations

Since Mazatlán has the largest city of any beach resort, there are many different accomodations.  You can stay in hotel, motels, condos, rooms in houses, trailer parks and there is even a hostel. More info about accomodations...

Mazatlán Food and Drink

Since Mazatlán is a large town, there are many restaurants and bars where you can indulge in food and drink.  Mazatlán is known as the shrimp capital of Mexico so you can normally find shrimp on most menus!  There are all types of food and drink available in Mazatlán. More info about food and drink...

Mazatlán Entertainment

There is lots of entertainment in Mazatlán.  Every night in Mazatlán you can find local bands playing in open-air restaurants that you can dance to.  There are a bunch of large indoor and outdoor Nightclubs that you can dance and drink until really late.  There are weekly all you can drink parties, and even movies in english is you want! More info about entertainment in Mazatlán...

Mazatlán Shopping

One of the favorite activities of visitors to mazatlan is shopping.  Mexico has always been famous for it's silver jewelry, but you will find all types of shopping in Mazatlán from beach vendors, to traditional mexican markets, to fancy malls, mazatlan has it all! More info about shopping in Mazatlán...

Only in Mazatlán

There are so many cool things that you will experience and see only in Mazatlán!  From the open air pulmonia taxis to the shrimp ladies, to the beach vendors and local characters, these only in Mazatlán things make Mazatlán what it is! More info about Only in Mazatlán things...

Mazatlán Areas of Town

Mazatlán is a large town and as such has many different areas of town.  The area of town that you stay in will make a huge difference in your stay.  Mazatlán is most famous for being a beach resort with tens of miles of beach.  The main beach and party area is called the Golden Zone where there are many beachfront hotels that are mainly frequented by Canadians and Americans.  The malecon strip is the older, less expensive, more mexican area where the hotels are across the street from the beach.  The old town in mazatlan has many many old buildings and is more an artsy, cultural scene!  To the north are many beach front and marina condos which offer a more quiet experience. More info about the areas of town of Mazatlán...

Mazatlán Events

Mazatlán is a fun town.  There are so many annual and special events that make Mazatlán what it is.  Mazatlán has one of the largest Carnivals (i.e. Mardi Gras) in the world!  Other events include Semana Santa, International Motorcycle week, International triathlon and marathon, among other events.  The Day of the Dead parade is becoming one of the year's favorite events.  We have information about all the major events in Mazatlán! More info about events...

Mazatlán Services

When you are in Mazatlán, you may need to make use of some of the local services such as doctors, dentists, real estate agents, property management companies, laundry, seamstresses, lawyers, florists, etc.  We tell you how to make use of these services and where you can find them. More info about Services...

Mazatlán How To

We have How To information for the things that you may need to know for your visit to Mazatlán, such as how to use a taxi, how to take the local buses, how to use pay phones, etc. More how to info...

There hasn't been anything announced so far this year!

December 14, 2024: The Zip Line, called Tyrolean, from El Faro Lighthouse to the Observatory opened on this date.  It will go from 140 metres to 60 metres over a 1,265 metre long cable with speeds of up to 100km per hour!

October 25, 2024: The Cathedral has new lighting donated by Grupo Petroil.  This lighting highlights the architectural beauty of the Cathedral.

September 2024: The Casa Marino building (on the malecon near Los Pinos) has been renovated and turned into a museum.  They have a bunch of rooms with exhibits.  Also, the fort behind the museum has a few rooms with exhibits.  The museum's exhibits are in Spanish only so bring your cell phone to translate (or use Google Lens).

This fall there have been lots of protests related to free beach access.  Some private condos/hotels have blocked beach access with walls.  People have gone in and torn down the walls.  This is ongoing, but only occasionally causes traffic delays.

The whale museum, Munba, opened up at the Observatory 1873.

This spring there was lots of disputes between the beach Banda bands and the condo owners/hotels regarding the music.  Some hotels were trying to restrict the playing of Banda music on the beach  There are now more condos right on the beach and not all the owners enjoy hearing Banda music so they also have been trying to restrict the music also.  There were peaceful protests from the Banda community.  Mazatlán has always been alive and therefore somewhat loud!  It is what has made Mazatlán what it is.  However, with all the development more people are living close to the beach and are looking for more quiet.

February 17, 2024: A 12 metre high deer scultpture has been donated by a local businessman and will be put in the Marina Mazatlan area the the roundabout at the intersection of Atlantico and Carlos Canseco.

January 14, 2024: It has just been announced that the Mazatlán International Motorcycle Week will happen May 2-4, 2024 due to the solar eclipse!

January 13, 2024: The first of the giant Monigotes (i.e. Puppets) for Carnival have started going up around town.  This is a sign that Carnival is coming soon!  Check out our Carnival page and 2024 Mazatlán Events Calendar for the latest Carnival events!

January 12, 2024: The Mayor announced that there will be public works done on Stone Island.  There are plans for a boardwalk, park, market, water treatment plant, and road/lighting improvements.

January 10, 2024: The big entertainment acts for Carnival have been announced AND Tickets have gone on sale!  Check out our Carnival page and 2024 Mazatlán Events Calendar for the latest Carnival events!

You will notice that now there are a bunch of Pulmonia taxi that have been decorated with really bright, colorful LED lights with themes of super heros or video games.

October 14, 2023: People all over have their telescopes out to watch the eclipse.  Next year in April is the total solar eclipse!

October 14, 2023: Work has started on the old Casa De Marino to turn it into a cultural centre.  Bulldozers are working there now!

September 21, 2023: The Fiesta Inn and One Hotels were officially opened in the 3-Island (Tres Isla) Centre.  They have a total of 282 hotel rooms.

Smoking was banned almost anywhere in Mexico.  However, we have heard that there may be an exemption for outdoor restaurants and clubs because the smoking ban is impacting tourism.

There are some new hotels that will/have opened in Mazatlán in 2023: Fiesta Inn, Hotel One, and Courtyard by Marriot with more under construction and planned.  Mazatlán is booming!

September, 2023: Six of the U-Turn spaces on the Avenida del Mar have been permanently closed.  Previously, they had put planters in them to prevent U-turns.  This was done to increase traffic flow and reduce accidents.

June 11, 2023: The mayor just announced that at least 8 beach accesses will be fixed up and washrooms will be installed.

June 2023: A landscape architect has been hired to do some improvements to Central Park such as adding more trees.

May 24, 2023: The director of the port says that they are awaiting one last permit before being able to build the zip line from El Faro Lighthouse to the Observatory 1873.  They expect to have it soon and will start construction within a few weeks.  If all goes well, the zip line may be operational by August 2023!

May 16, 2023: The bullfighting ring is being demolished to make way for the new World Trade Centre complex.

May 16, 2023: Work has not yet started on the new cruise ship terminal, but reports are that construction may start in 2024.

There is a new mayor in town and he is making his mark.  He has cancelled the plans to make the Plaza de Banda near El Faro Lighthouse.  He has ripped out the giant speed bumps on the main road through the Golden Zone(Avenida Camaron Sabalo).  He has changed the rules at Central Park so you can bring in food and bring in your pets.  We expect much more to come.

There is lots going on with the Cultura Mazatlan organization which runs all the Carnival, Day of the Dead, and other cultural activities.  They fired the top guy for overspending the budget and there may be money missing!