Mazatlan, the “Pearl of the Pacific”, has drawn people to its shores since pre-Columbian times thanks to its gorgeous beaches. Add an architecturally outstanding old town, the festive, hotel-lined Golden Zone, and top-notch shopping, dining, and nightlife, and it's no wonder that this is a heavily trafficked cruise stop.
Mazatlan's exceptional beaches are its claim to fame, and not just the touristy stretches of sand in town where you can surf, tan, or see the cliff divers. More adventurous travelers will find other, less crowded beaches accessible by taxi. It’s also worth taking a guided walking tour of the historic city center, where you can learn more about the destination while visiting points of interest like Plazuela Machado and the Moorish-style basilica. Passengers looking for a bit of retail therapy can head to Mercado Pino Suarez for a selection of Mexican handicrafts or the Gold Zone for designer items.
The enormous port is roughly 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) from Old Mazatlan, the historic old town. You can walk there along the scenic seaside malecón (paved oceanfront walk), one of the longest in the world; or even continue another 4 miles (7 kilometers) to the hotel-lined Zona Dorada, or Gold Zone. Inexpensive taxis wait at the port.
The official language is Spanish, though most people in the tourist areas speak some English. The currency is the Mexican peso, available at several ATMs around Mazatlan, but most vendors will happily accept payment in US dollars.
