Tourist Attractions

Cerro de Vigia
The view from this hill is excellent. Cerro de Vigia vantage is close to the city and allows great views. The approach is steep, however, so whether you hike it or take a taxi namely depends on your fitness level.

El Faro- the lighthouse
El Faro is the world's second highest lighthouse--after Gibraltar. You can climb to it for a magnificent view of Mazatlan and the Pacific Ocean.

Old Mazatlan
The district of Old Mazatlan offers visitors the opportunity to see Mexican life as it existed long before high-rise hotels dotted the coastline. Old Mazatlan is configured in the manner of a Spanish colonial town--numerous small squares, old buildings with inner courtyards, and narrow streets. There are also many historical buildings that date back to the late 19th century, especially in the area of the Plazuela Machado. There is a cathedral built in 1890, which is worth viewing as well.

Historic Attractions

Mazatlan Cathedral
Calles Juarez and 21 de Marzo
Built in 1890, the Mazatlan's cathedral, with its golden spires and ornate gilded altar, is Old Mazatlan's preeminent landmark.

Arts, Culture, and Science

Acuario Mazatlan
Avenida de Los Deportes 111
+52 69 81-78-15
Mazatlan's aquarium has tanks of sharks, eels, lobsters, sea horses, and plenty of colorful fish. Admission costs about US$5. It is open daily from 9:30am to 6:30pm.

El Teatro Angela Peralta
On the Plazuela Machada
One of Mazatlan's finest buildings, this theater was built in 1865. Neglected for many years, it finally reopened in 1992 after a restoration project that took five years to complete. It is open for viewing daily from 9am to 6pm.

Museo Arquelogico
Sixto Osuna 76
+52 69 85-35-02
Mazatlan's archaeology museum exhibits a small but interesting collection of the cultural treasures and artifacts from the Sinaloa region. Admission costs about US$1 everyday except Sunday, when there is no charge for admission. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 1pm and from 4pm to 7pm.

Parks and Beaches

Olas Altas
Olas Altas was the town's first tourist beach back in the 1950s. Today it attracts locals and budget travelers staying in the old part of town, as well as quite a few surfers. It's a westward-facing beach--most of Mazatlan's beaches face south--so it has better waves.

Playa Gaviotas
In front of Hotel Sabalos and Hotel Playa Mazatlan
Playa Gaviotas is where the action is. Set right at the beginning of the Zona Dorada, this is the most popular beach in town. Hundreds of vacationers lay out in lounge chairs, drinking fresh cocktails, reading books, and checking out the talent on the beach or by the pool. For the more active types there are volleyball courts, jet skis, and parasailing. You can also catch a boat to Playa Isla de Los Venados from this beach.

Playa Isla de Los Venados
Deer Island
Playa Isla de Los Venados is clean and quiet, and a nice point of departure for hiking around Deer Island.

Playa Los Cerritos
Playa Los Cerritos is a long clean stretch of relatively unpopulated beach. There are no hotels, bars, or restaurants.

Playa Norte
Playa Norte is the longest stretch of beach in Mazatlan. There are rocks embedded in the shore just at the water's edge, which make swimming dangerous--if not impossible. Because of this--and because the major resorts lie further north--the beach is only lightly populated and it lacks bar music, jet skis, parasailers, and beach vendors. There are, however, a few spots that serve cold drinks.

Playa Sabalo
As the beach continues northward through the Zona Dorada, the name changes, but the ambiance stays mostly the same. This is, after all, the major tourist area, and at each major resort there is a new zone of activity. In between there are pockets of tranquility. You can't get a cocktail served to you on this beach, but you can get away from the dance music that plays at many of the other beaches.