Things to do in Mazatlán, Mexico
Known for its beautiful beaches and being home to the world’s longest boardwalk — Mazatlán is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations to visit along the Mexican Pacific.
In town we can also stroll around some beautiful plazas, exploring several islands as well as eating some really tasty seafood.
Things to do in Mazatlán
In this guide we’ll explore Mazatlán, what to see and do, the best places to stay as well as our own top tips for a backpacking trip here.
Why Travel to Mazatlán?
Located along the coast of the Sinaloa region, Mazatlán is the perfect place to come if you want a more authentic coastal city vibe. The beaches here are really worth the visit for their golden sands, and we can head to the Isla de Piedra, which has kilometers of beautiful virgin coastline as far as the eye can see.
The other islands nearby also have more secluded beaches and nature walking trails, such as those of the Isla de los Venados and the Isla de los Pájaros.
The culture is well and truly alive here too, where we can stroll around the Plaza Machado and dive into the nearby markets to try authentic Mexican dishes.
Even getting around is quite fun too – where you can hop on a local Pulmonía (which is like an open golf cart) to get around whilst enjoying the cool windy breezes.
Mazatlán also serves as the perfect basecamp for exploring different regional treasures that haven’t yet become overcrowded – given that we can fly directly here with both domestic and international routes.
Some of the best places to visit nearby are the immense mountainous landscapes of the Copper Canyon, as well as the beaches and small towns of Nayarit slightly further south.
How to Get to Mazatlán
There are two main ways of getting to Mazatlán, which is either by plane or by bus.
If flying here, it’s good to know that there are actually direct international flights from both the USA and Canada arriving here regularly.
Popular cities that serve this route include Vancouver, Calgary, San Francisco and Chicago, and cost between $130-170 for a one-way flight (without baggage).
If you are already within Mexico, then you can hop on a flight from Mexico City here with ease.
Taking the bus to Mazatlán is the other popular option, and especially when backpacking around the north of the country. Most will head here from Sayulita further south, which takes 7 hours and costs roughly $35.
Best Time to visit Mazatlán
It’s important to know that there is both a dry and a wet season for Mazatlán, which can really vary the kind of experience you have here.
The dry season begins in December and lasts until May. Average daily temperatures hover between 66-76°F, with highs of 86°F and evening lows of 56°F. Rainfall is minimal during this time, with between 0.1-0.8 inches falling throughout each month.
The wet season picks up around June and runs up until late November. Temperatures are warmer during this period, with averages of 73-83°F, highs of 90°F and lows of 64°F.
Showers and overall rainfall are heavier during this month, with anywhere from 1.5-6.5 inches falling within any one month.
Overall, the dry season months are best for a visit, where blue skies are the norm with little rainfall. Temperatures will still be hot – however are much more comfortable than those during the hotter wet season.
The weather in Mexico varies by region and season. Check out our guide on the best times to visit Mexico for insights on the ideal travel seasons and destinations.
Where to Stay in Mazatlán
There are many kinds of accommodation available in Mazatlán, which is ideal depending on what kind of budget you are traveling with.
If you are looking to keep things cheap, then you’ll want to stay at the Mini Hostal Cultural. Here they offer dorm beds for a competitively low price, which has both an on-site bar and terrace.
If you’re after more privacy, then you can stay at the Hotel Dwana which has comfortable private rooms. As well as having an on-site restaurant, here you’ll be within walking distance of both the Olas Altas Beach and Plaza Machado.
Then, if you’d like a place with a pool that’s also close to the Malecón, consider Hostal la Casa de Madera. It provides a safe, private setting that’s perfect for relaxation.
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Best Things to do and see in Mazatlán
Walk along the famous Boardwalk
Also known as the Malecón, this boardwalk in Mazatlán is arguably the most popular attraction of all. Measuring a total of 21 km, it’s the longest boardwalk on the planet, where we can find many beautiful beaches, local food vendors and bars all dotted along.
It’s also a great place to watch the incredible sunsets here – which light up the skies with all kinds of bright reds, oranges and pinks.
Explore Mazatlán’s different Islands
Looking out from the malecón we’ll be able to spot three large islands which can all be visited with a boat from the city (or a kayak too if you’re feeling up for the challenge).
Those after nature will love the Isla de los Pájaros, which has over 400 bird species that include the Brown Heron and the White-winged Pijije. Isla de los Venados is perfect for kayaking and other water sports which you can do with this organized day tour, whilst the Isla de los Chivos is less busy and is home to more remote beaches.
Chill out on the Isla de la Piedra
Located just a bit south of Mazatlán’s center, this area is perfect for those who are after kilometers of unbuilt beaches with golden sands as far as the eye can see.
You can easily hop on a boat from the ferry dock to arrive here, where you’ll find many local restaurants to enjoy a bite at. There are also ATV’s you can hire to easier explore this memorable coastline.
Hang out in the Plaza Machado
The main plaza of Mazatlán, no trip to this coastal city can be complete without a visit here. Built back in 1837, we’ll find both fancy Spanish and French styled buildings here, which also has many streets lined with palm trees.
Walking around we’ll see many artists selling local paintings, and whilst here it’s also worth heading to the impressive Angela Peralta Theatre which is nearby.
Mazatlán Backpacking Tips
Now we’ll share some of our best tips for exploring Mazatlán, based on our own experience here.
- We recommend spending between 3–6 days in Mazatlán. You’ll find that this is plenty of time to enjoy this city from a more local perspective, and especially so if you head into the markets and meet locals when here. It’s also enough time to visit a couple of the islands too without rushing.
- Make sure to keep reapplying sunscreen throughout the day, as the sun here can get very hot (making sunburns a common nuisance). It also goes without saying that you’ll want to keep drinking lots of water throughout the day, since dehydration is also a problem – and especially so when spending lots of time at the beach.
- As always, be sure to leave any valuables back in your apartment when out exploring. This is especially important when going to the beach and taking quick dips in the sea, and also when walking around markets (as pickpocketing can always be a risk wherever you are).
Things to do in Mazatlán
And that’s all for our backpacking guide to Mazatlán.
A must-visit beach destination in Mexico, Mazatlán is a perfect addition to any itinerary along the western Pacific coast. Not only can we go island-hopping and enjoy many golden sand beaches, we can also dive into the local culture here well by exploring markets and flying around in the local Pulmonías.
In this guide, we’ve covered everything you’ll need to know about Mazatlán. This includes the best things to see and do, the best time to visit, where to stay and much, much more.
We hope you enjoyed reading this guide!
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