The Historic De Cima Tunnel
The legendary De Cima Tunnel is one of the most unique, nostalgic architectural anomalies hidden right beneath the bustling traffic of the Malecón seawall.
To answer the basic questions about this curious spot: What is it? It is a subterranean concrete pedestrian passage running directly beneath Avenida del Mar, connecting the historic Hotel De Cima directly to the beachfront. Why was it built? It was constructed in the 1960s to allow hotel guests to bypass the busy coastal boulevard, letting families, children, and swimmers walk safely from the hotel lobby to the sand without having to dodge speeding oceanfront traffic.
The tunnel is highly celebrated for its charming, mid-century retro aesthetics, decorated along both walls with beautiful, colorful glass-tile mosaics of sea life (featuring tropical fish, seahorses, and marine plants). When open, it is entirely free to enter and takes about 10 to 15 minutes to fully explore and photograph.
The Hidden Subterranean Tunnels of the Malecón
Many travelers are completely unaware that the De Cima passage is not the only secret tunnel passing beneath the boardwalk! In total, there are five subterranean tunnels designed during the mid-to-late 20th century along the coastal boulevard:
- Hotel De Cima Tunnel: The most famous and historically artistic passage, featuring the iconic marine mosaics.
- Hotel Hacienda Tunnel: A basic, highly utilitarian concrete pedestrian passage located further south down the beach. It is largely unadorned and operates with minimal maintenance.
- Condominium Passages: Three private, highly secure tunnels built exclusively for residents of the Coral Island Hotel, Las Gavias, and the La Torre Bosanova condominium towers.
Tunnel Location & Visitor Details
Exact Address & Access
Avenida del Mar #48, Colonia Centro, 82000 Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico.
The tunnel is located directly in front of the Hotel De Cima, positioned along the central Malecón stretch between the Historic Downtown (Centro Histórico) and Fisherman's Monument. You can easily reach the spot via any "Sábalo Centro" municipal bus or a quick Pulmonía taxi ride.
Visiting Logistics
When operating, the tunnel is open during daylight hours and is completely free for both hotel guests and the general public to access.
The best time to photograph the interior mosaics is during the bright midday hours when the sun aligns with the open oceanfront entrance stairs, illuminating the colorful sea life tilework.
De Cima Tunnel Historical Photo Gallery
