- Spend time in Centro Historico. The daytime vibe and the night-time vibe are two different animals. Experience both! During the day, explore the museums, shops, and art galleries. On Friday or Saturday night, go out to dinner when the energy is high and Plaza Machado comes to life with music and vendors.
- Walk or take a bike ride on the Malecon. I loved walking on the Malecon years ago, even before the recent major improvements. But now this ocean boardwalk has new lights, walkways, a bike path, and even wireless access, making the Malecon an awesome way to take in the heart of Mazatlán. My favorite walk is from the Golden Zone to Centro Historico. It’s a 4.5-mile hike, but there are benches for sitting and places for eating, drinking and listening to music. Along the way, you can also take breaks to check out the cool monuments that tell you stories about Mazatlan.
- Go to Mazatlán’s Mercado Jose Maria Pino Suarez. No walking tour of Centro Historico is complete without taking in the colors of a market located there since 1900. Fresh fruits and vegetables abound, as do fresh seafood, chicken, beef and pork. Various sections include cheese vendors, herb and spice shops and the usual array of Mazatlán souvenir carts, selling items like T-shirts and hats. There’s even an upper level featuring several small restaurants, which offer you a perch for observing the street scene below.
- Hike the El Faro Lighthouse. Mazetlecos are proud to say it’s the highest lighthouse in the Americas and one of the highest operating lighthouses in the world. Although the facts are debatable, the views and photo ops are worth the trip. The El Faro Lighthouse is only 500 feet above high tide, so it’s a nice way to walk off breakfast. It was recently renovated as part of the overall upgrade of Mazatlán.
- Take a Day Trip to El Quelite. It’s only a 40-minute ride from Mazatlán
and it is worth every minute. The first thing you’ll notice is its cleanliness; the residents take great pride in their town. Plan on soaking up the authentic ambiance of El Meson de Los Laureanos by ordering a Mexican meal you’ll count among the highlights of your trip to Mazatlán. Then stroll through the colorful streets, browse the art galleries and shops, and visit the 19th century Catholic church. El Quelite is one of the few villages in the state of Sinaloa to still play the ball game of Ulama, which dates back to the second millennium BCE.
- Take in a Performance at the Angela Peralta Theatre. When it comes to cultural treasures, Mazatlán’s Teatro Peralta is at the top of the list. Located in the middle of Plaza Machado, the revitalized theater has served as the focal point of the renaissance of Centro Historico. The theater attracts a full schedule of outstanding international artists, dance troupes and theater productions. It also hosts a Chamber Music Festival, an International Jazz Festival and much more. A performance at the Teatro Peralta is mandatory viewing during your visit to Mazatlán!
- Check out the Cliff Divers of Mazatlán. Another virtue of walking along the Malecon is the opportunity to see the cliff divers of Mazatlán, a longstanding tradition dating back to the mid-1900s. Since there is no schedule, you’ll need some luck, although your best bet is between midday and late afternoon. And if you think luck in timing is important for you, understand that the divers are jumping from a 50-foot platform into relatively shallow water, so luck in timing their dives with the incoming waves is crucial. To reward these risky stunts, plan on tipping the divers! The Mazatlecos call the spot El Clavadista. If you need help finding it, it’s located just north of Olas Altas beach.
- Go to a Venados Game. For an entertaining and inexpensive night out, go to Estadio Teodoro Mariscal for a Mazatlán Venados baseball game. This is Mexican Pacific League baseball at its best and most competitive. The Venados won the 2016 Caribbean World Series, and many bigtime major leaguers emerged from this league. The stadium recently underwent an exciting renovation, which features new amenities and opened in time for the 2018-19 Season.
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