Mazatlán

Mazatlán, “land of the deer” in the ancient Nahuatl language, offers 20 kilometers of sandy beaches. Hosting more than one million visitors each year, it is definitely geared towards tourists looking for casual, value-packed vacations. Most of the hotels here are high-rise and offer inexpensive, all-inclusive packages that include airfare, room, and meals. More than any other beach resort, it probably best represents the golden beaches, fresh seafood, and inexpensive vacation accommodations that launched Mexico’s appeal to travelers. Most of the resorts are located on the Zona Dorado (Golden Zone) with its long expanse of shoreline, trendy restaurants, and endless tourist shops. There has been much development over the past few years and Mazatlán has become a favorite for college students at spring break. The downtown area has an old Colonial section. Here you find the splendidly restored Teatro Ángela Peralta, named after a famous Mazatlán-born opera singer, and the cathedral, which has a gothic exterior and a baroque interior. Both buildings date from the late 19^th century. Several of the buildings around Plaza Machado have been restored and converted into artists’ studios, galleries, and restaurants. The renovation of the Teatro Ángela Peralta has done wonders for the historic section, which had become rather ramshackle. The surrounding area is upgrading and becoming constantly more attractive.Mazatlán is famous for its carnival. With its pre-Lent festivals including parades, coronation parties, street dances, fireworks and floats, Mazatlán claims that this is the third-largest celebration in the world after Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans.Bullfights are also a passion in Mazatlán and are usually held in the late afternoon on Saturdays from mid-December to April in the Plaza de Toros Monumental. The city is one of the best places on the west coast to watch a bullfight.Several day trips are possible from Mazatlán. You can take a boat tour to the islands just off the coast for viewing wildlife and enjoying secluded beaches. You can also take a drive into the mountains or to the towns of Concordia or Copala, both about 65 kilometers away. Concordia is famous for its leather goods and furniture shops, and Copala is an old mining village with whitewashed adobe homes draped with bright pink bougainvillea. Copala has been declared a national historic site and many United States citizens have retired here.