El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán | MazatlanVisit.com 

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El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán

El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

The El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico is one of the highest(2nd highest?) lighthouses in the world.  It is located on a hill at the entrance to the Port of Mazatlán.

You can visit the lighthouse during the day by taking a 745m hike up a gravel and 336 paved stairs path.

In addition to the beautiful old lighthouse at the top of the hill are the best views of the city of Mazatlán and far out into the Pacific Ocean.  New in 2018 is a glass-bottomed lookout that extends out from the hill!

Be sure to check out our videos and photos below!

El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

2024-05-17 Update: The path up to the lighthouse will be closed for safety reasons if the temperature goes over 40 degrees between 11am and 4pm.  Also, there will be paramedics on site.

The path up the hill to the lighthouse is moderately steep.  It starts off with a gradual gravel path, then switches into 336 moderately steep paved stairs.  We recommend this hike only for healthy individuals of moderate or better physical abilities.  It is NOT wheelchair accessible.

Be sure to bring good walking shoes and water to drink on the way up.

They made a lot of changes in 2021.  There is now a ticket booth/store where you can buy tickets to go out on the glass bottom lookout (2021 price: MX$20 (approx. US$1).  There are also pay washrooms at the bottom so bring some peso coins.  It is free to just hike up, but you need the ticket to go out on the glass bottom lookout.  There is a small vendor across the street that sells water and snacks.  Additionally, the big green Sabalo Centro buses now go to the very bottom of the El Faro so there is no need to get out and walk the road.  The sewage plant is currently being decommissioned and the smell at the bottom wasn't an issue the last time we were there.

The path to the lighthouse is normally open from 5am to 8pm daily(last entry 6:45pm?), but occasionally hours will be adjusted, e.g. due to covid and/or if it is too hot out.  The glass-bottomed lookout will be open from 7:30am-7pm and costs MX$20 (in 2021) to go out on it.

It has been reported that people are looking at adding a funicular train so that tourists can be taken up to the top of the lighthouse without having to walk up.  This would open up the top to people who are unable to make the strenuous walk up.

El Faro Lighthouse sign in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

Faro de Mazatlan
It was built between the years of 1890 and 1892, under the supervision of the ING. Natividad Gonzalez, it's story was remote since 1828 when it began to be used as a reference point to guide the ships to the port since at that time lacked light.
It is located on the creston hilltop at a height of 157 meters above the middle high tide and is considered the tallest natural lighthouse in the world, its location is 23 degrees 10.5 'north latitude, and 106 degrees 26.5' of west longitude.
Today, the light beam of the lighthouse is 1,000 watts, its angle of illumination is 270 degrees at 170 degrees, and can be captured by ships at a distance of 30 nautical miles, or 55 kilometers.

2018 Improvements to the El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán

new El Faro Lighthouse sign in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

In 2018, numerous improvements were made to the the El Faro Lighthouse.  A new 'Faro Mazatlan' sign was built at the bottom of El Faro next to the entrance.  It is good for taking photos.  Plastic webbing was added to about half the gravel path to provide stability..although it is disintegrating fast!  Finally and most significantly, a glass bottom lookout attraction was added to the top of El Faro.

The original plans also had a zip-line from the top of the El Faro to Paseo Claussen.  This would have been an extreme zip line!  However, due to safety issues, the zip line plans were scrapped.

Glass-Bottomed Lookout at the El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán

new glass bottom lookout at El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

In the fall of 2018, a new glass-bottomed lookout was built on top of El Faro.  You have to take your shoes off and wear socks or the provided feet protectors to go out on the lookout.  It offers a breath-taking view if you are not too scared!  There is a small fee to go out on it(see below).

As of June 2019, the Glass-bottomed lookout will be open from 7:30am-7:30pm daily.

Photos of Glass-Bottomed lookout at the El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán

new glass bottom lookout at El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
new glass bottom lookout at El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
new glass bottom lookout at El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

How much does it cost to visit the El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán?

Hiking up El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

There is no cost to visit the El Faro lighthouse.  However, there is a small cost to go out on the glass-bottomed lookout(see below).

How much does it cost to go out on the glass-bottomed lookout at the El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán?

new glass bottom lookout sign at El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

The sign says:

Remember to show your bracelet to have access to the lookout, if you did not acquire it you can give your maintenance fee of MX$5 pesos to the attendant.
The line is very long and you do not want to wait? Use the express line MX$20 pesos
All proceeds will be allocated to the recovery, maintenance and conservation of the lighthouse.
We appreciate your cooperation

When is the glass-bottomed lookout at the El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán open?

new glass bottom lookout sign at El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

The sign says:

Hours: As of June 2019, the glass-bottomed lookout is open from 7:30am-7:30pm.
Please wait for directions from the caretakers of the glass lookout.
To enter the viewpoint you must do so in socks or using the protectors that will be provided.
Remember that access is not allowed barefoot or using any type of shoes, tennis or flip flops.
The viewing hours are from Monday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The time of stay in the viewpoint is 3 minutes

How long does it take to hike to the top of the El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán?

Hiking up El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

If you are in really good shape you can hike from the bottom to the top of El Faro in about 25 minutes.  If you take your time it can take up to about an hour.  Some people don't make all the way to very top.  Remember to bring a water bottle!

What is the address of El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán?

bottom of El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

The El Faro Lighthouse is located on Captain. Joel Montes Camarena.  Don't worry, you can't miss it.  The lighthouse is on the large hill at the entrance to the port of Mazatlan.  Every taxi driver knows where it is!

When is the best time to visit the El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán?

The best time to visit El Faro is during the morning hours because it can get very hot in the afternoon.

How to get to El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán by bus?

Catch the Sabalo Centro (big green bus) any where along it's route and it will take you near to the road that leads to El Faro.  This bus route goes down Camaron Sabalo, then cuts through downtown, then along the edge of the port.  Get off at the very last stop which is very near the road that leads to El Faro.  You will be able to see El Faro from the bus.  It is about a quarter mile down the road to the entrance to El Faro.

El Faro Lighthouse Videos

El Faro Lighthouse Photos

El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico
El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico

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