The City of Mazatlan Travel Guide
The City of Mazatlan a.k.a. (The Pearl of the Pacific) has a split personality. At the northern end is The Golden Zone (Zona Dorada), where the hotels rise high and the pace is energetic with the hustle and bustle of commerce. The streets are filled with tour buses shuttling cruise-ship passengers to dozens of local eateries, craft and jewelry shops. At the southern end of Mazatlan past the boardwalk (El Malecón) is Old Mazatlan (Centro). The city’s historic center, which hosts some of Mazatlan’s most beloved sites, you can rest assured that you’ll spend plenty of time here. Old Mazatlan is a gorgeous and low-key area of colorful postcolonial buildings, some still idyllic piles of chipped stucco—where you’ll find hip restaurants, art galleries, and shops, and a totally different scene from the touristy Golden Zone (Zona Dorada). Mazatlan’s beaches are golden and wide. There are countless of beach and ocean related activities to partake in like whale watching, parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, snorkeling, surf spots and surf lessons, and several nearby islands provide alternatives to the crowded beaches in town. Overall, the City of Mazatlan is a good choice for a quick getaway: it’s cheaper than Puerto Vallarta since Mazatlan has a higher percentage of domestic tourists than foreign ones, so it’s fairly reasonable. Mazatlan’s party scene and nightlife are also very vibrant, for those who want to socialize, mingle and dance the night away. Unlike many resort towns, the City of Mazatlan has numerous sights to explore beyond its beautiful beaches.
Brief History
Mazatlan is a Nahuatl word meaning “place of deer”. Mazatlan was founded in 1531 by an army of Spaniards and indigenous settlers. By the mid-19th century a large group of immigrants had arrived from Germany. These new citizens developed Mazatlan into a thriving commercial seaport, importing equipment for the nearby gold and silver mines. Mazatlan served as the capital of Sinaloa from 1859 to 1873. The German settlers also influenced the local music “Banda“, which is an alteration of Bavarian folk music. The settlers also established the Pacifico Brewery on March 14, 1900.
Mazatlan Travel Resources
• Visitor and Tour Info
• Mazatlan Bus Contacts
• Medical Assistance
• Places to Eat in Mazatlan
• Things to do in Mazatlan
• Mazatlan Emergency Services Directory
• Calling to or from Mexico (Mexico Phone Guide)
• Travel Insurance for Mexico
Visitor and Tour Info
Mazatlan Secretary of Tourism
Phone: 669-981-8883 or 669-981–8889
Email: adelaida.leon@sinaloa.gob.mx
Address: Av. del Mar 882, Fracc. Tellería, Mazatlán, Sinaloa. C. P. 82017
Web: turismo.sinaloa.gob.mx
Mazatlan Bus Contacts
Estrella Blanca
Phone: 01-800-507–5500 (toll-free in Mexico)
Web: estrellablanca.com.mx
Transportes del Pacifico
Phone: 01-800-001–1827 (toll-free in Mexico)
Web: tap.com.mx
Primera Plus
Phone: 01-800-375-7587 (toll-free in Mexico)
Web: primeraplus.com.mx
Transportes Del Norte
Phone: 01-800-890-9090 (toll-free in Mexico)
Web: gruposenda.com
Tufesa
Phone: 01-800-737-8883 (toll-free in Mexico)
Web: tufesa.com.mx
Medical Assistance
Red Cross
Address: Calle Gral. I Zaragoza 1801, Centro Histórico, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, 82000.
Phone: 669-985-1451
Phone (Emergency): 669-981-3690
Balboa Hospital & Walk-In Clinic
Address: Av. Camarón Sábalo 4480, at Plaza Balboa, Zona Dorada, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, 82110
Phone: 669-916–5533
Phone (Emergency): 669-916-7933
Phone (Emergency): 669-191-3195
Web: hospitalbalboa.com
Sharp Hospital
Address: Av. Rafael Buelna at Dr. Jesus Kumate, Las Cruces, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, 82110
Phone: 669-986-5676
Phone (Emergency): 669-986–7911
Web: hospitalsharp.com
See more emergency contacts at: Mazatlan Emergency Services Directory
