 ACTIVITIES
Water Sports
In Mazatlán, the water is warm and pleasant most of the year
which is excellent to indulge in water sports. Almost every hotel features
a water sport center where you can rent diving, snorkeling, jet ski, water
ski equipment and Hobby Cat sailboats. Mazatlán is also famous
because of its good waves for surfing. Surf can usually be found year
around at places like Cerritos Beach, Chile Beach, Pinos, Camaron Beach and
Playa Olas Altas. Every year an international surfing competition
is carried out at the north of the city at Bruja Beach. Windsurfing
enthusiasts also enjoy Mazatlan's ample ocean breezes and warm temperatures.
The channels between the islands offer excellent conditions. The beaches
of the north offer good conditions for the advanced. Kayakers will
find many opportunities throughout Mazatlan's beaches and it's various islands,
such as Isla de la Piedra. You'll also find an easier kayaking
experience, but possibly more enjoyable flora and fauna-wise in the estuaries of
El Caimanero and Agua Grande to the south. In addition,
Mazatlan is one of the best place in the world for sportive fishing as the area
abounds with marlin, sailfish, swordfish, tuna, and billfish. There is
experienced crew who specialized in the practice art to assist the customer.
Shopping
From open air mercados downtown to boutiques or shopping malls, Mazatlan has
it all together when it comes to shopping, with eclectic range of products and
amiable price. The Zona Dorada is the primary shopping area of
Mazatlan for general commodities as well as souvenirs and arts & crafts, but
some of the interesting finds may be discovered in the Centro Historico
as well. Though the region is not particularly known for handicraft
tradition, shops have ample selection of items from all of Mexico. Centro
de Artesanias offers a complete array of fine handicrafts with more than 20
shops where visitors can see artisans at work with lots of bartering and
activity. The Sea Shell City is a market profused with dazzling
variety of shell-covered ornaments and accessories. The traditional market
in Mazatlan can be found at Ocampo & Juarez which are open every
Sunday. Centro Comercial El Mercado is one of the premier
shopping venues with fine silver, leather goods, pottery, clothing, fresh food
stalls under colorful umbrellas, and some of the best vanilla in Mexico. La
Gran Plaza is a large shopping mall 3 blocks from the waterfront on Avenida
de los Deportes with a large supermarket, department stores, and other specialty
shops. Heading out for a short drive to the nearby town, you'll also
encounter find handmade crafts in Concordia with its wooden furniture and
La Noria which produces leather items and handmade saddles. The
browsing of the goods and watching of the market atmosphere in itself is one of
the ways to enjoy Mazatlan experience.
Nightlife
Mazatlan's relatively low crime rate makes it a safe place for daytime
recreation as well as nocturnal party. Joe's Oyster Bar tops the
list as it offers a clean seaside cantina with a happy hour where 2 can happily
enjoy beer for the price of 1. It's also a nice thatched-roof, open-air
disco with a casual atmosphere. Close to Joe's is Gringo Lingo which
offers a more upbeat atmosphere. For a wild fun, Bora Bora definitely
calls out to partygoers as this huge - 2,000-capacity bar - offers elevated
dance cages, two dance areas, and a wide bar profused with various kinds of
liquor. Valentino's is a posh disco and nightclub perched on a high
outcropping overlooking the Pacific where entertainment gadgetry of high-tech
light show and green laser beams can be found. The arguably Mazatlan's
most flamboyant nightclub and disco is El Caracol with its four stories
of lights, laser beams, music and video screens. A quieter evening can be
directed toward Bar La Terraza or Mikonos which feature piano and
live music with great dishes. Lion's Salsa and Zafari has
tropical decor and live music whereas La Guitarra provides live music and
dancing. Senor Frogs is not a particularly wild party spot for
international visitors in Mazatlan as its freequent customers are locals.
But if you'd like to mingle with the locals and see the real Mexican-style
nightlife, this is certainly the place to go.
FESTIVALS
Carnaval
The week before Lent (usually in Feb) is Mazatlan's famous Carnaval, or
Mardi Gras. People come from all over the country and abroad for this
aureate celebration, topped in size and revelry only by those in Rio de Janeiro
and New Orleans. Highlights of the event include parades, carnival rides
and games, special shows, the Carnaval queen competition, concerts, and scores
of food and beverage vendors. The crowd increases each day until the last
night, Shrove Tuesday, when musicians, dancers and people pack the malecon, and
the party ends the following day which is Ash Wednesday.
Sinaloa Cultural Festival
Held throughout the month of October and into November, this festival
highlights art, dance, and theater including shows at the Teatro Angel Peralta.
An amazing opportunity to observe and appreciate the culture of Mazatlan.
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