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Mazatlán Basics

Mazatlán is a pleasant, busy commercial port city located in Mexico's State of Sinaloa. The city, with a population of about 400,000 people, sweeps northward for 15 miles from the El Faro lighthouse, the highest in the Western Hemisphere.

Mazatlán's economy is based on fishing, industrial activities and tourism. In addition to foreign visitors, the city is a mecca for domestic tourists. The city's shrimping fleet harvest is the largest in Mexico.

Located just south of the Tropic of Cancer, Mazatlán enjoys a tropical climate. During the Dry Season, November through May, the city's average daytime temperature is in the mid-70s F, while summer temperatures (the Rainy Season, from June through October) rise into the mid- to high-80s F.

First Impressions

As your ship approaches the port, Mazatlán seems to stretch for miles north from the port and the Old City. The resort area of the Zona Dorada, or Golden Zone, about 5 miles from the port and home to dozens of high-rise beachfront hotels, stretches a further 9 miles north. As you'll notice from the number of naval vessels, Mazatlán is also a Mexican naval base.

Your ship will dock at the commercial port, and you will be taken to the Cruise Terminal via tram. The Cruise Terminal has a frenetic atmosphere, with shops stocked with local souvenirs, liquor stores and hovering timeshare salesmen offering free taxi rides or activities in exchange for attending a timeshare pitch.

While at first glance Mazatlán appears to be like so many other Mexican cities, the city's "Old Mexico" charms will grow on you as you explore the town and surrounding areas. The locals are friendly and helpful, the seafood is fresh and delicious, and the weather is warm and inviting, making Mazatlán an enjoyable place to visit with a truly Mexican flavor.

Old Town Mazatlán is an easy 20 to 25 minute, one mile walk from the Cruise Terminal. Taxis, which are abundant, will take about 5 minutes to the center of the cityi. If you're planning to go to the Zona Dorada, it's a 20 minute ride.

Time Zone

Mazatlán is on Mountain Time, seven hours earlier than Greenwich Mean Time during standard time, or six hours during daylight savings time. In Mexico, daylight savings time begins on the first Sunday of April, and ends on the last Sunday of October.

Language

Spanish is universally spoken in Mazatlán; all of the shopkeepers catering to tourists also speak English.

Currency

The Peso is Mexico's official currency, and uses the "$" sign to denote the peso amount. As of August 30, 2010, the exchange rate is roughly 13.00 Pesos per US dollar.Just be aware: larger notes (e.g., $500 Peso notes) are often difficult to change.

Banks and ATMs

Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the downtown area of Mazatlán, as well as in the Golden Zone. ATM machines in the city can be found at the following locations:

HSBC Mexico: Angel Flores 415, in Old Mazatlán.
BBVA Bancomer: Ave. Camaron Sabalo 333, in the Golden Zone; and at 21 De Marzo at Benito Juarez, and Olas Atlas 67, both in Old Mazatlán.
Banamex: Ave. Benito Juarez, at the Angel Flores Center, in Old Mazatlán.
Santander Serfin: Angel Flores at 5 De Mayo, in Old Mazatlán, and at Camaron Sabalo 400 in the Golden Zone. People with Bank of America accounts aren't charged a fee when using Santander.

See our Mazatlán ATM map for the locations of the above ATMs.

Using US Dollars in Mazatlán

As US dollars are widely accepted in Mazatlán, you don't have to change your dollars into pesos. If you're using dollars alone, make sure to bring smaller denominations to pay for incidentals and taxi rides.

Weather

Located just below the Tropic of Cancer, Mazatlán enjoys a tropical climate, but with cooler temperatures than other tropical Mexican ports. Evening Pacific breezes refresh the city, making it comfortable, whether outside or in.

From late fall through late spring, the daytime temperatures average in the mid-70s F, with evening temps in the mid-60s F. Summer daytime temperatures jump to the mid-80s F. July through September is the rainy season, with storms bringing between 6 to 9 inches of rain each month.

It's humid in Mazatlán, ranging from the low- to high-80% level throughout the year.

Fall brings the hurricane season, lasting from September through mid-November.

Mazatlán Average Temperatures
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High - F	73	73	74	77	81	85	86	87	86	85	80	75
Avg High - C	23	23	23	25	27	29	30	31	30	29	27	24
Avg Low - F	63	62	63	66	71	77	78	78	78	76	70	65
Avg Low - C	17	17	17	19	22	25	26	26	26	24	21	18

Mazatlán Average Precipitation
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg, Inches	0.5	0.2	0.1	0.0	0.0	1.3	7.4	9.0	9.8	2.3	0.7	0.6
Avg, mm	13	6	3	1	1	32	188	229	249	58	17	15

Mazatlan Weather Forecast, Mexico

Keeping In Touch

Internet Cafes

Internet Cafes in Old Mazatlán and surrounding areas are plentiful, and aren't hard to find. You'll also find internet cafes in many of the hotels in the Golden Zone. Rates at a cafe run from $10 to $20 pesos per hour. The following establishments provide internet access:

Cruise Terminal: There is an internet cafe in the cruise terminal building.
Web@ccess, Ave. Camaron Sabalo # 610 Suite 12, right across the street from the Costa de Oro Hotel in the Golden Zone. Open daily, year round, from 8:30 am to 10:30 pm.
Super Cocina D'Paulina, at Venus 45 just off Sixto Osuna, is both a restaurant (with cheap but good grub) and several computers, located in the Centro Historico. Open daily (except Sunday) from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Cyber Cafe, Ave. Camaron Sabalo # 204, Suite 9, next door to Dominos Pizza, in the Golden Zone. Open daily, year round, from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm. They have 10 stations and provide free coffee and soda.

See our Mazatlán Internet Cafe Map for the locations of the above internet access points.

Finding US Newspapers

English language books, magazines and US newspapers can be found in Mazatlán during the high season and beyond at the following venues:

You can find US books, magazines and newspapers at Books S.A., located in La Gran Plaza, a shopping mall at the southern end of the Golden Zone.
You can also find books and magazines at Restaurant VIPs bookstore, across Camaron Sabalo from the Cinemas Gaviotas y Albatroses.
The USA Today, the Los Angeles Times and other papers can be found at Kioskito Tin Marin, across Camaron Sabalo from the Dairy Queen.

Kindle Connectivity

In Mazatlán, you can download your Kindle newspaper and magazine subscriptions, as well as books and selected blogs, through Telcel's 3-G coverage in the city.

Local Holidays & Festivals

The following local festivals, holidays and events are scheduled to take place in Mazatlán in 2010:

Ano Nuevo (New Year's Day), January 1. National holiday celebrated with dances and fiestas.
Dia de los Santos Reyes (Day of the Three Kings), January 6. A national holiday when children receive their Christmas gifts as well as shoes full of candy.
Mazatlán Bird Festival. The event for 2010 has been cancelled, with the festival now scheduled to take place in 2001. When in operation, the festival features tours to local birdwatching sites, conferences, workshops and exhibits dedicated to avid birdwatchers.
Dia de la Constitucion (Constitution Day), February 1. Public holiday commemorating the signing of the Mexican Constitution of 1917. The day is usually marked by festivals and street celebrations.
Carnaval (Mardis Gras), February 11 to 16. Mazatlán's Carnaval is one of the biggest in the world, attracting hundreds of thousands of celebrants every year. Throughout the city, you'll find venues featuring music, food, costume parades, fireworks, art exhibits and more.
Birthday of Benito Juarez, March 15. A public holiday celebrating the birthday of Benito Juarez, who rose from humble origins to occupy the Presidency of the Republic in the second half of the 19th century.
Semana Santa (Easter Week), March 31 to April 4. You can witness re-enactments of the Bible story, the burning of Judases and a fiesta atmosphere.
Primero de Mayo (Labor Day), May 1. A national holiday.
Cinco de Mayo, May 5. A national Mexican holiday commemorating the Battle of Puebla in 1862, when the Mexican army defeated a French force twice its size, just south of Mexico City.
Independence Day, September 16. Look for the delivery of the "El Grito de Dolores," the offical grunt that marks the day.
Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day), October 12. Dia de la Raza is how Mexico celebrates Columbus Day.
Mazatlán Cultural Festival, mid-October through mid-December. This is a three month long gala comprising a diverse array of concerts, arts and cultural events.
Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), November 1 to 2. Celebrants build private altars to honor the deceased, using sugar skulls, flowers and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed.
Revolution Day, November 22. A national holiday celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910.
Fiesta de la Inmaculada (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), December 8. Marks the beginning of the Christmas celebration season.
Dia de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe (Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe), December 12. Commemorates the Virgin of Guadalupe, Mexico's patron saint.
Navidad (Christmas Day), December 25. A public and religious holiday celebrating the birth of Christ.