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Welcome to Mazatlan!
In the shining tradition
of Mexico, Mazatlan does its part to inspire revelry.
Mazatlan is part
of the Pacific Coast's "Big Three," which also includes Puerto
Vallarta and Acapulco. While the latter two are considered more romantic
(and thus a bit more expensive), Mazatlan is more casual – extremely
so, some might argue – and attracts people seeking PubClub-style
activities as opposed to private adventures.
During Spring Break, the mere mention of Mazatlan should bring shivers
to the snippet all prime times, it attracts a young, energetic single
crowd. It is also a very popular weekend getaway for Mexicans, especially
in late April.
Mazatlan offers a wide range of daytime activities, from snorkeling
to sport fishing to surfing. But most people prefer to lounge on the
beach or by their hotel pool, then head to Joe's Oyster Bar for the
2-for-1 beer specials in the late afternoon. Indeed, Mazatlan's near-perfect
climate and warm and friendly people make it an ideal long weekend getaway
for people who live in Western North America.
Pre Party
Arrival and Accommodations
Mazatlan's Rafael Buelna International Airport (69/82-23-99) is serviced
by five airlines, Aeroméxico, AeroCalifornia, America West, Mexicana
and Alaska. Flights originate primarily from the Western United States
(such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Denver).
The airport is modest in service and appearance, but is efficient enough
and taxis are readily available. The ride to town is about 40 minutes.
This being Mexico, though, it's acceptable to pop open a drink, sit
back and enjoy the ride. Autotransportes Aeropuerto (69/82-70-08) provides
shuttles using Volkswagen vans. The cost is roughly $20 USD.
Most tourist hotels are located side-by-side all along the beach in
the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) area, about 3 km (2 miles) north of downtown
(El Centro; most visitors have no need to go to the latter). There is
one main road in Mazatlan, locally called "the Strip," though
it's nothing like the Strip in Las Vegas. Package deals, booked in advance
of travel, offer the best value but it is possible to obtain a room
upon arrival just about any time of year. During Spring Break times,
though, last-minute accommodations will likely not be as close to the
party as one would prefer.
Getting Around Town
The coolest rides
in Mazatlan are the open-air mini-Volkswagen taxis.
Mazatlan itself is pretty spread out, but the primary tourist area
is located in a fairly small area. It can be walked, one end to the
other, in about 45 minutes. This can be done either down the Strip or
along the beach (we prefer the latter).
Taxis cruise regularly and stop at all the hotels. But why just ride
when you can go in style? Converted, convertible Volkswagens are the
coolest way to get you to and from the bars. The drivers are friendly,
talkative and even stop with you at the taco stands. Known as pulmonías,
the fare, for up to three passengers, starts at about $1 and increases
according to the length of the trip.
The People
Locals in Mazatlan are among the friendliest travelers will ever encounter.
Bar and restaurant workers are polite and helpful and one doesn't have
to count their change back from the taxi drivers. The roadside taco
stands, of which there are many on "the Strip" is a great
way to meet and mingle with locals.
Visitors are largely from the United States and Western Canada. A lot
of Mexicans also come to Mazatlan; it's a quick, easy and inexpensive
weekend jaunt from Mexico City and other non-coastal places.
The Party Scene
Outdoor settings
and casual dress give Mazatlan an energetic party flavor.
There are few rules and the tequila flows like lava. This is pretty
much the case anywhere in Mexico, and especially so in Mazatlan.
Dress codes are casual, though for the dance clubs it's advisable for
guys to wear a collared shirt with the shorts and sandals.
Clubs are quiet until midnight and are open until 4 a.m. The drinking
age is 18, though inspection of age identification is spotty at best.
Weekends are the most crowded. Sunday evenings and early weekdays can
be slow.
PubClubbing
– Nightlife in Mazatlan
Going full-tilt in Mexico is as easy as showing up at the
bar.
Mazatlan provides the best of the PubClubbing world: a beachside bar
with a great view of the sunset and a rollicking nightclub that offers
a world-class party scene.
It would be easy to settle into this routine, and anyone who did so
would be quite happy with Mazatlan's nightlife. Joe's Oyster Bar is
the place for late afternoons and pre-clubbing, and Bora Bora is the
wild and uninhibited dance club for which Mexico is so famous for having
in every major destination. Changes of cantina-style pace are found
at Jungle Juice and Gringo Lingo. Senor Frogs is a Mexican landmark,
though in Mazatlan it takes a backseat to Bora Bora.
The undisputed ruler of Mazatlan's bar scene is Bora Bora. Located
at the north end of the beach, it is a 2,000-capacity bar, mostly open-air
dance club, the-reason-we-came-to-Mazatlan-to-begin-with place.
It has elevated dance cages, two dance areas and, for those who really
like to cut loose, a wide bar that often has patrons starting party
trains on top of the it. There's also a "rest area" with picnic
tables at practically water's edge, making for an ideal spot to soak
up the drinks under a star-filled night.
When people get
wild in Mazatlan, they do it at Bora Bora.
Like other dance clubs – some of which are located next door
in what basically amounts to a Mexican drinking plaza – Bora
Bora charges a $5 cover. For $20, it provides free drinks from 8-midnight.
This takes a little advance planning as the only food on the premises
is a semi-greasy pizza stand (well, how good does one expect pizza to
taste in Mexico?). During Spring Break, though, it's the only call.
Otherwise, don't bother to show up before midnight.
Adjacent to Bora Bora is a three-level dance club, Valentino's,
which has a high-tech light show, but the real action is next door.
Mazatlan is different from many other Mexican towns in that Senor
Frogs is not the wild party spot. The one in Mazatlan definitely
gets crowded, but it's the domain of visiting Mexicans and is not usually
filled with tourists from other countries. It's also where the locals
go to dance. So if it's mingling with local countrymen (and women),
this is the place to do it. Getting there requires a cab ride outside
of town, making it somewhat isolated from the rest of the party scene.
[Tourists Beware at Senior Frogs? See A Reader's Comments Below.]
Senior Frogs has
its moments, but it is not the "must go" place in town.
Before the clubs come the pubs, and Mazatlan has one of the best beachside
bars in Mexico. Joe's Oyster Bar is a sand-side clean cantina
with a thatched roof and seaside seating overlooking the gently rolling
Pacific. It's the kind of casual place where an innocent "let's
go have a beer" decision in the afternoon can turn into a wild
all-night adventure.
As its name implies, it also serves oysters (as well as other shellfish)
but it's specialty is its dual Happy Hour. Joe's has 2-for-1 beer specials
(served in ice buckets to keep them chilled) every day, including weekends,
from 4-7 and again from 8-midnight.
Days end and nights
begin at Joe's Oyster Bar.
By day, it epitomizes the casual, laid-back style of Mazatlan. By night,
buoyed by deejay playing dance and modern tunes, its wooden deck transforms
into a lively dance floor. It's less intense than at Bora Bora, but
for some proves to be the perfect nightspot.
If one can pull themselves away from the beauty of Joe's balcony, Jungle
Juice, located on the Strip, has a popular happy hour. Sometimes,
it can turn wild at night. Customers are encouraged to leave their mark
by signing its walls.
Close to Joe's is the happily-named Gringo Lingo, which can
make for a nice change of pace, or is good to check out if/when Joe's
turns a bit slow.
Post Party
There are many activities to satisfy the adventurous soul in virtually
any traveler. Not unexpectedly, most center around water sports. The
most obvious is swimming, but Mazatlan does have some pretty
fierce undercurrents, so before entering, check with locals or the adjacent
hotel regarding conditions.
The water is warm and pleasant most of the year; in July and August,
however, it's a very warm 80+ degrees and is ripe with jellyfish.
Bullfighting is
a rough sport, especially for the bull; stay on the beach instead.
Surfing is most popular at the Cerritos beach, about 5 minutes
north of the city. Other spots are Pinos, next to Ciencas de Mar by
Paseo Claussen, and Punta Camaron near the Sheik Restaurant. Be wary
of the rocks near the shore at the latter two locations. Snorkeling
($35 for all day plus $7 rental), scuba diving($50 for two hours)
and boating ($35 for all day ) excursions can be arranged through
any of the beach-side hotels. Jet skiing and parasailing
are also readily available; just walk down the beach and you will be
approached by vendors.
One of Mazatlan's most popular daytime activities is fishing.
(The biggest drag is having to wake up early in the morning, not an
easy task if the previous night was spent at Bora Bora). Big-game fishing
is huge business here: swordfish and striped marlin run from January
to April; blue marlin, May to December; black marlin, July to December;
sailfish, March to December; dorado, March to December and tuna all
year. The cost ranges from $275 to $350 for a full day. Make it a point
to tell the captain you want to catch and release before embarking.
Billfish command a high price and many captains will club the fish to
death as it gets near the boat claiming something like "the hook
was in too deep." Insist beforehand that any caught billfish will
be released.
While on the subject of animal cruelty, Mazatlan regularly hosts bullfighting.
This is not an activity for the squeamish or the hung over. The bull
always dies at the end and it's a slow, punishing death. It is not an
activity we recommend, by the way.
PubGrub (Dining
and Restaurants)
Despite all the restaurants, true Mexican flavor can only be experienced
at the roadside taco stands. The good ones are easy to spot;
look for the ones with the most people.
Chicken, beef and fish tacos or burritos, loudly singing with a spicy
sauce individual to each establishment, with and rice and beans on the
sides comprise the simple menus. Not only is the price right –
about 50 U.S. cents for a taco – but these are individually-owned
family-run businesses that offer a great local experience. It's almost
like having your own mother cook for you (often served by her daughter).
These open-air stands usually serve cervezas and if they don't, you
are welcome to bring your own.
Higher-end diners can enjoy mariachi music and margaritas at the El
Costa Marinera. It's specialty is large lobster dinners for around
$20. A bonus is it's location: right on the beach.
The El Shrimp Market serves its namesake in abundance and is
so good, it's a regular stop for locals.
Senor Frogs serves decent Mexican food at reasonable prices.
The big advantage here is that it puts you right in the middle of the
action with a table when the bar turns hot.
When to Go
Mazatlan's prime party time is during Spring Break. From mid-March
through mid-April, it is in its full party regatta. The activity stays
strong through May and is can also be active in the pre-Spring Break
times. Summer is the slow season.
Time Zone
Mazatlan is GMT -7, putting it in the same time zone as the Central
United States.
The Weather
Near-perfect conditions greet travelers whenever they visit. The temperatures
are in the mid 80s (F) year-round, with a cool breeze often blowing
at night. Rain in infrequent, meaning days are nearly always perfectly
sunny.
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A READER'S BAD EXPERIENCE AT SENIOR FROGS
"At Senior Froggs my girlfriend and I went out for some
fun and got ripped off for $100 US (we are Canadians) We went
back and talked to the manager and ID the waiter. The manager
admitted this has happened befor but that the business is not
responsible for the employees and would not cover us. We had to
argue with the waiter who was never going to admitt what he did.
So we left Mazatlan a little lighter in our pockets and a lot
wiser. Pay as you go don't run a tab. It was a shame because we
had a great time that night."
– Cathy and Teri, two chicks from Canada
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 Next
stop on the Mexican Party Bus: Baja
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