Mazatlán Basics

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 city. 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.

Travel Advisory

The U. S. Department of State has issued this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the security situation in Mexico.

"Since 2006, the Mexican government has engaged in an extensive effort to combat transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). The TCOs, meanwhile, have been engaged in a vicious struggle to control drug trafficking routes and other criminal activity...

"There is no evidence that U.S. tourists have been targeted by criminal elements due to their citizenship. Nonetheless, while in Mexico you should be aware of your surroundings at all times and exercise particular caution in unfamiliar areas...

"In the last year, the city of Mazatlan has experienced a level of violence, primarily confrontations between TCOs, not seen before. In 2010 there were over 300 narcotics-related murders within the city, compared to fewer than 100 in 2009. You are encouraged to visit Mazatlan during daylight hours and limit the time you spend outside tourist centers. Exercise caution during late night and early morning hours when most violent crimes occur."

Currency

Currency

The Peso is Mexico's official currency, and uses the "$" sign to denote the peso amount. Each peso is made up of 100 centavos. Bills come in demoninations of $20, $50, $100, $200, $500 and $1000 pesos. Coinage comes in denominations of 50 centavos, and $1, $2, $5 and $10 pesos.

Just be aware that larger notes (e.g., $500 Peso notes) are often difficult to change.

The current US Dollar/Mexican Peso exchange rate is as follows:

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

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.

Cellular Phone & Data Services

Travelers with American cell phones should be aware that their carriers will add a variety of international roaming charges when their phones are used in Mexico. You can also buy a "Mexico plan" from your carrier; check with your carrier for the precise details.

	Cell service: Verizon's CDMA service in the Mazatlán area is provided by local partner Iusacell. Data services: Through partner Iusacell, Verizon offers EVDO coverage in the greater Mazatlán area. See details on Verizon's cell and data services pricing and coverage maps.
	Cell service: AT&T's GSM service in the Mazatlán area is provided by Telcel and Telefonica. Data services: AT&T offers 3G service in the Mazatlán area through its partners Telcel and Telefonica. See details on AT&T's cell and data services coverage maps.
	Cell service: Sprint's CDMA service in the Mazatlán area is provided by partner Iusacell, and with partners Telcel and Telefonica when using a quad-band GSM phone. Data services: Through Iusacel, Sprint offers EVDO coverage in the Mazatlán area. Sprint also offers 3G coverage in Mazatlán when using a UMTS-capable device with an active SIM card and global plan. See details on Sprint's cell and data services coverage maps.
	Cell service: T-Mobile's GSM service is available in the Mazatlán area through its partners Telefonica and Iusacell. Data services: T-Mobile offers 2G service in the Mazatlán area through its partners Telefonica and Iusacell. See details on T-Mobile's cell and data services coverage maps.

Kindle Connectivity

Local Holidays & Festivals

Cruise Port Schedules

Due to drug gang-related violence, Mazatlán has shrunk and become a boutique port on Mexican Riviera cruises; as recently as 2010, it was the third most popular port for ships making 7- and 10-day cruises from Los Angeles and San Diego to the Mexican Riviera, after Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.

As a general rule, ships arrive at the city's cruise ship pier between 6:00 am and 8:00 am, and depart between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

In 2013, Mazatlán is slated to host just 20,000 passengers sailing on 9 ships, down 67% and 65%, respectively, from 2012. For further information, see our Mazatlán Cruise Ship Schedule - 2013.

Cruise Lines Making Port

The following cruise lines will make port in Mazatlán in 2013:

	Princess Cruises		Holland America
	NCL		Costa Cruises