Mazatlán

Known as the “Pearl of the Pacific,” Mazatlán is one of the top tourist destinations in Sinaloa. Its stunning beaches, vibrant nightlife, and historic downtown attract visitors from around the world.

The Malecon, a scenic boardwalk, offers breathtaking views of the ocean, while the Historic Center showcases beautiful colonial architecture and the iconic Angela Peralta Theater.

Mazatlán is also famous for its fresh seafood and exciting water sports.

Isla de la Piedra (Stone Island)

Accessible by a short ferry ride from Mazatlán, Isla de la Piedra is a tranquil island retreat with pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters.

Relax under the shade of a palm tree, swim in the warm ocean, or indulge in water sports such as kayaking and paddleboarding. The island is also home to a small fishing village, offering a glimpse into the local way of life.

Culiacán

As the capital city of Sinaloa, Culiacán is a bustling metropolis that offers a blend of modernity and tradition. Explore the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, visit the Regional History Museum, or stroll through the scenic Las Riberas Park along the banks of the Culiacán River.

Culiacán also hosts the International Film Festival and is a great place to experience the vibrant Sinaloan cuisine.

For nature enthusiasts, a visit to the Culiacán Botanical Garden is a must.

Spanning over 40 hectares, this lush green oasis is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Explore the various themed gardens, walk along the tranquil trails, and marvel at the vibrant colors of the blooming flowers.

The garden also hosts educational programs and exhibitions, making it an ideal destination for families.

El Fuerte

Step back in time and visit El Fuerte, a charming colonial town that preserves its rich history. The Plaza de Armas, with its picturesque gardens and colonial architecture, is the heart of the town.

Explore the El Fuerte Museum, take a boat ride along the El Fuerte River, or hop on the famous Chepe train to experience the Copper Canyon, one of the world’s most impressive natural wonders.

Los Mochis

Situated in the northern part of Sinaloa, Los Mochis is the gateway to the Copper Canyon and an excellent base for exploring the region. Visit Topolobampo Bay, a picturesque port town known for its stunning beaches and seafood.

Take a day trip from Los Mochis to the charming village of El Fuerte or embark on a memorable adventure aboard the Chepe train, which winds its way through breathtaking canyons and mountainous landscapes.

Topolobampo

Located on the Gulf of California, Topolobampo is a paradise for nature lovers. Explore the rugged beauty of the surrounding Sierra Madre Occidental mountains or embark on a boat tour to experience the stunning marine life and pristine beaches.

Don’t miss the chance to savor the fresh seafood delicacies that the region is renowned for.

Mocorito

Known as the “City of Flowers,” Mocorito is a charming colonial town renowned for its beautiful architecture and traditional charm.

Take a leisurely stroll through the cobblestone streets, visit the historic Hidalgo Plaza, and admire the picturesque colonial houses. Mocorito is also famous for its gastronomy, particularly its delicious pork dishes and artisanal sweets.

Navolato

Located just north of Culiacán, Navolato is a coastal town with stunning beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. Relax on the golden sands of Altata Beach, take a boat ride through the picturesque estuaries, or sample the fresh seafood at one of the beachside restaurants.

Navolato is also known for its vibrant carnival celebrations, featuring colorful parades, music, and dancing.

 

Puerto Vallarta

Take advantage and visit Puerto Vallarta known as the node of the Mexican Riviera. It is a place that stands out for its cobbled streets and its luxury tourist resources.

Visit the famous beaches of this beach resort, see the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and walk along the boardwalk, a promenade considered a historical monument of the city and one of the longest in the world.

Mazatlan

If you decide to go to Mazatlán, the city lighthouse is a beautiful place to visit. If you are traveling as a family, take your children to the aquarium for a day of guaranteed fun.

Among the buildings and areas of great cultural value, you will find the Plazuela Machado, the Angela Peralta Theater, and the Historic Center of Mazatlán.

Acapulco

Visit the first international tourist port of Mexico in Acapulco. This city is one of the most important for Mexican tourism. In addition to its well-known beaches, Acapulco also has a variety of historical monuments and sightseeing that you should know, such as the San Diego Fort and La Quebrada.

Cabo San Lucas

Another of the most visited ports on the Mexican Riviera is Cabo San Lucas. This destination has intense nightlife and attractive beaches. In addition, we recommend that you visit the city zoo if you are traveling with children and you should not miss a sunset at the Cabo San Lucas arch.

The town of Mazatlán is located in the southern part of the State of Sinaloa, 10 m above sea level.

Its land area amounts to 3068.48 square kilometers, i.e. 5.3% of the total area of the State of Sinaloa, therefore it is classified as the ninth-largest municipality.

Bordered on the north by the municipality of San Ignacio and the state of Durango, south by the town of Rosario and the Pacific Ocean, on the east by the town of Concordia, and west by the Pacific Ocean’s coast.

The orography is determined by the ramifications of the Sierra Madre Occidental on the northwestern coastal plain bearing towards the Pacific Ocean, where the hills rise towards Vigia, Punta de Materén, and the Monte chair.

This orography, before entering the municipality of San Ignacio, takes the name of Sierra del Metate, whose characteristic is the formation of Peak Metate.

At the edge of Mazatlán and Concordia runs the Sierra del Metate and Panuco.

In this county, the Sierra Madre Occidental is diverted to penetrate Durango, leaving before some detachments, such as the Sierra de San Juan and the Friars, and constitutes, in its topography, the following hilly areas:

To the north end of town, one can see the Friars extending northwest, with elevations ranging from 150 to 1,900 meters above sea level. In the northwestern portion, El Quelite branches have elevations of 50–700 meters above sea level.

On the south-east and north sides, Arroyo de La Noria and some tributaries of the River El Quelite rise. The town of La Noria is located in this same part of the mountain, extending in a northwesterly direction at 300 and 500 meters above sea level.

On its western side, the Zapote Brook begins. The Sierra de San Marcos is located in the north at 50 to 700 meters above sea level. Forming the southeastern and northwestern slopes are Brook Copala and some tributaries of the Presidio River.

Hydrology

El Quelite River, and the Zapote, La Noria, and Los Cocos streams form part of the water resources of the municipality in the southwestern and southeastern slopes; these streams increase their volume considerably during the rainy season.

The current of the El Quelite River recorded a catchment of 835 square kilometers, where it drained annually for an average of 107 million cubic meters with variations ranging from 78 to 163 million cubic meters.

This hydrological current passing through the town of Mazatlán touches the towns of El Castillo, Las Juntas, Amapa, Los Naranjos, Milkweed, Modesto Station, and El Recreo.

After traveling a distance of 100 kilometers from its source, it discharges into the Pacific Ocean. The El Zapote and Los Cocos streams drain in a southeasterly direction to end at the Presidio River, up to the villages from which they take their names.

On the southeast slope of the Sierra del Quelite is the De La Noria stream, and on the north side of it are some tributaries from the El Quelite River.

The La Noria stream drains in a southeasterly direction of the town of the same name and finally ends in the Presidio River.

El Zapote stream is formed on the western slope of the Sierra de La Noria and moves in a southwesterly direction. In passing, it touches the towns of Zapote and El Recreo and empties into the Pacific Ocean.

On the northern slopes of the Sierra del Salto, near the village of the same name in the state of Durango, the Presidio River moves southeastward and makes a journey of 167 km.

Its catchment area is 5,614 sq km, with an average annual expenditure of 900 million cubic meters, a maximum of 2,225, and a minimum of 550 million cubic meters.

Coast

The coasts of the municipality extend over 80 kilometers, and sandy beach sediments are formed in the northwestern flank of the head of the municipality. There is a substance classified as berms, which is a soft sediment formation.

The coast consists of gravel and conglomerates that form alluvial fans and slope deposits.

In the southwestern corner, Huizache Lagoon occupies an area of 4,000 hectares 40.0 square miles). It receives the maritime influence through the Ostial estuary and freshwater diversion channel and receives water from the Presidio River.

The coastline of the municipality is lined with shrimp and small-scale flake fishing vessels.

Cooperatives are distributed in the estuaries of the Escopama, Salinitas, El Veintinueve, and Estero Uriah Huizache lagoon.

Most of the islands of the municipality are formed by ignimbrites, rhyolitic stuff, and tuffaceous sandstones of altered and deformed light color.

Bird Island is located between the extreme equatorial coordinates of 106 ° 28’34 ” west longitude and 23 ° 15’25” north latitude; its area is about 0.4 square kilometers, 1.1 kilometers long, and maximum and minimum range of 800–650 meters respectively.

Deer Island is located between 106 ° 27’60 ” west longitude and 23 ° 14’03” north latitude; its approximate length is 1.850 meters, and its width varies between 250 and 700 meters.

Creston Island is located on the western edge of the outer bay of Mazatlán, and it has a length of 700 meters and a maximum width of 800 meters.

To the northwest, about 3 miles away, small islands like “Southern Brother” and “Northern Brother” (the first with 46.3 meters in elevation) and Turtle Rock rise 1.5 meters above sea level at its highest ridge.

Goats Island is similar to Creston’s appearance; it has a height above sea level of a little over 50 meters.

Stone Island is the most important part of the municipal coastline; its size is the largest of all because it has 30 square kilometers, and is approximately 14.5 miles long by 2.5 wide. Despite its name, Stone Island is a peninsula that connects to the continent near the Mazatlán International Airport.

Climate

The climate in the municipality of Mazatlán is dry-wet and tropical, with a marked dry season and an average annual temperature of 26 °C.

Note that during the summer months, with the humidity factor, temperatures usually feel well above what the thermometer shows.

During the period 1940-1980, the municipality experienced an average annual 748 mm of precipitation, with a maximum of 215.4 mm in 24 hours, and 90.4 mm was observed in one hour.

During the same period, the average evaporation rate per year was 2146.80 mm; the prevailing winds are in a northwesterly direction at an average speed of 5.0 meters. The thermal sensation in summer is quite marked.

Mazatlán etymologically comes from the Nahuatl language and means “Land of Deer” (mazatl “deer” and tlan: “earth” or “place”).

Originally, the name Presidio of Mazatlán was used for what is now called Villa Unión. The port of Mazatlán served as a reference to arrive at Presidio by sea and was called the Islands of Mazatlán.

By decree of the Estado de Occidente, on September 11, 1828, Presidio of Mazatlán was renamed Villa of the Union. This freed the name Mazatlán (land of deer), and since the port was known as Islas de Mazatlán, the name was adopted.

Mazatlán early settlers

According to historians, Indigenous groups were in the region of Mazatlán prior to the arrival of the Spanish. These groups included the Totorames, who lived from the south bank of the River Piaxtla, to the Río de las Cañas, as well as the Xiximes, who lived in the mountains in the bordering state of Durango.

Until the early 19th century, Mazatlán was a collection of huts inhabited by indigenous people whose major occupation was fishing, according to Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars, a French explorer.

In 1829, a Filipino banker named Juan Nepomuceno Machado arrived and established commercial relations with vessels coming to Mazatlán from far-off places such as Chile, Peru, the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

By 1836, the city had a population of between 4,000 and 5,000.

Foundation of the city, colonial period

During the early years of the Spanish conquest in Sinaloa, the region currently occupied by the municipality of Mazatlán remained uninhabited. The nearest town was Chametla, which was occupied by the Spanish in 1531, and lent its name to the province, despite being abandoned shortly afterward.

In 1534, the Valley of Mazatlán was divided into 25 Castellanos by an unknown person who did not stay for long.

In 1576, Don Hernando de Bazán, Governor and Captain General of Nueva Vizcaya, sent Captain Martin Hernandez with his father, brothers, and soldiers to occupy the site of Mazatlán, granting them land and titles in return.

The Captain’s claims were ratified in the City of Durango in 1639 and endorsed in the same city in 1650.

Nuño de Guzman’s entry to Sinaloa in 1531, and the appointment of the conquered lands as provinces, prompted the internal territorial division of the State.

Chametla was occupied by the Spanish and listed as the province extending from the Rio Cañas Elota to the boundary with the province of Culiacan. Both provinces belonged to the kingdom of New Galicia.

In 1565, the town of Chametla was gradually diminished by ongoing Indian raids. That year, Captain Francisco de Ibarra recovered the territory south of the state, rebuilt Chametla, founded the Villa de San Sebastián (known today as Concordia), and awarded the region to New Vizcaya. The provinces under his jurisdiction included the villages of San Sebastián, Mazatlán and its port, Charcas Copala Royals, and Finance Panuco.

During the last years of the seventeenth century and early eighteenth century, the territory within Sinaloa remained unchanged, until 1732, when the provinces of Sonora and Ostimuri were united, as were the provinces of Sinaloa, Culiacan, and Rosario, with San Felipe and Santiago being the principal cities.

In 1749, Sinaloa was divided into five provinces with their mayors and lieutenancy: Maloya, with jurisdiction over Chametla, Rosario, and San Jose; Copala, with jurisdiction over San Ignacio, Piaxtla, and Mazatlán; Culiacán, with jurisdiction over Badiraguato, and Sinaloa, which bordered the Mayor River.

In 1786, the intendant system was implemented due to the need to establish a provincial government. Arizpe Municipality was formed out of the territories of Sonora and Sinaloa.

That year, the first mayor, Garrido Durán, established eleven subdelegations, eight of them in Sinaloa, with Mazatlán being within the subdelegation of Copala, which was later called San Sebastián.

Independent Mexico

Among the first decrees that the legislature enacted was that the addition of each of the eleven districts, and this union, corresponding to the Union Villa Mariano Balleza, be given the name of one of the leading insurgents, parish priest Dolores Hidalgo, on the night of September 15, 1810.

In 1813, the Cadiz constitution came into effect. Article 310 of that constitution provided for the installation of local councils in towns that had more than 1,000 inhabitants. In 1814, Fernando VII repealed that constitution but it was later reinstated in 1820, and the first municipalities in Sinaloa were founded.

In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, Mazatlán was a native fishing village located north of Cerro de la Aduana. In 1821, it was declared the first port of Mazatlán on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Jurisdictionally, Mazatlán remained dependent on the sub-delegation of San Sebastian, unaffected by the divisions between the states of Sonora and Sinaloa. In 1824, they got together to form the Western State.

After the imposition of new internal divisions of five departments and municipalities divided into parties, Mazatlán was in the department of San Sebastian, which was formed with the parties of its name, San Ignacio and the Rosary, and it extended to the River of Reeds.

In 1830, the Western State was divided into two states.

The first constitution of the state of Sinaloa, promulgated on December 12, 1831, divided the territory into eleven districts with their respective parties, leaving the district town of La Union separated from Concord and San Ignacio.

According to the French navigator Abel Aubert du Petit-Thouars, a Spanish banker named Machado, through his commercial activities, gave impetus to the village of Mazatlán in 1836, then a village of four to five thousand people. It subsequently became the largest port on the Mexican Pacific coast.

Between 1847 and 1848, Mazatlán was invaded and occupied by the U.S. military.

Ten years later, in 1859, the port was blockaded by the British warship Amethyst. On November 13, 1864, the French Army and the Imperialist forces took possession of Mazatlán, until they were deported on November 13, 1866, by General Ramón Corona’s forces.

After customs officials seized twenty-three ounces of gold from the British warship Chanticleer on June 18, 1868, which at the time was blockading the port, its captain, William H. Bridge, threatened to bomb the city on November 22.

During the California Gold Rush, fortune hunters from the United States East Coast sailed from New York Harbor and other Atlantic ports to Mexican ports in the Gulf of Mexico. After landing, the aspiring miners traveled over land for weeks to Mazatlán, where they would embark from the port to arrive in San Francisco in another four to five weeks.

When Félix Zuloaga Tacubaya proclaimed the Plan of Ignoring the Constitution of 1857, the garrison of the Plaza de Mazatlán did not remain outside this proclamation, and on the first of January, 1858, the Plan of Mazatlán was proclaimed, which followed Zuloaga’s Plan.

The capital of Sinaloa, until the year 1853, had been Culiacán. However that year, the capital was transferred to Mazatlán. On July 22, 1867, the federal government passed a law that forbade state capitals to also act as ports.

As a result of this law, on September 20, 1873, the State Legislature decreed that Culiacán would be the state capital again.

The Siglo XIX constitution of 1852 decreed a new internal division in Sinaloa, which reduced it to nine districts by removing San Ignacio, which had been annexed to the Cosalá, and Choix, which had been annexed to El Fuerte.

It also amended the name of the district from Villa de la Union to the port of Mazatlán. That same constitution also decreed the headquarters and council facility policies in each district.

In 1861, the political headquarters were removed and turned into prefectures, and the same year the State Legislature adopted the Act on Municipalities. In 1868, the district had five municipalities in Mazatlán; one in the center and the other four in Villa Union, Siqueiros, La Noria, and The Milkweed.

On the morning of November 13, 1864, French Navy ships fired twelve cannon shots into the city, causing minor damage to several homes, but not causing any deaths. The attack stopped when the prefect of the city made known to the invaders that the Mexican Army had left the square and the city was formally ceded to the French.

The Mazatlán Times was a weekly published by the American A. D. Jones. The first issue appeared on May 12, 1863. The publisher boasted that he was the only weekly English-language newspaper, not only in Mazatlán and Sinaloa but throughout Mexico.

In 1873, according to the census of the State, the District of Mazatlán was reduced to three municipalities: Mazatlán, Villa Union, and La Noria. Siqueiros had been annexed in 1870 to the central municipality, and The Milkweed to La Noria.

Porfiriato

Mazatlán’s lighthouse (El Faro) began operating in mid-1879. The maritime signals were manufactured in Paris, France, containing a large oil lamp with mirrors, and a Fresnel lens to focus the light. Since the light was static, from a distance it was often mistaken for a star.

By 1905, this lamp was converted to a revolving lamp. During that period, the Mazatlán lighthouse was considered to be the natural highest in the world. Today, the 1000-watt bulb can be seen for 30 nautical miles (60 km).

Near the lighthouse shore, famous “divers” (called this even by the Spanish-speaking inhabitants of Mazatlán) perform daring jumps off high rocks into the Pacific Ocean, for tips from onlooking tourists.

On June 26, 1880, Jesus Ramirez, a former general in command of 400 men, stormed the garrison of the square and appropriated Mazatlán. The city was subsequently bombed again by the Mexican warship the Democratic, which, during its attack, killed and wounded a large number of women and children.

Of the 24 cannon shots fired, only three hit the army headquarters, and the rest landed on neighboring houses.

Angela Peralta (1845–1883), a Mexican opera diva famed throughout the world, died of yellow fever in Mazatlán shortly after her arrival in the port. Legend has it that she sang one last aria from her hotel balcony overlooking the Plazuela Machado.

Her memory is held dear by Mazatlécos to this day, and the restored Angela Peralta Theater by the Plazuela keeps her memory alive.

The Cerveceria del Pacífico was founded in the city in 1900 by German immigrants.

Mexican Revolution

In 1912, the municipalities enacted law No.21 as a form of internal division of the State. However, it wasn’t until 1915 that the law was abolished by the political directorate when it erected the first free communes.

With the publication of the decree creating the municipality of Mazatlán in the official newspaper on April 8, 1915, independent life began in the region. The Constitution of 1917, culminating in the first constitutional governor, General Ramón F. Iturbe, born in Mazatlán, confirmed the sixteen municipalities into which the state was divided, which would then be subdivided into receiverships and police precincts.

The City of Mazatlán has the dubious distinction of being the second city in the world after Tripoli, Libya, to suffer aerial bombardment (although the local historical display at the plazuela claims that Mazatlán was the first).

During the Mexican Revolution, General Venustiano Carranza (later president), intent on taking the city of Mazatlán, ordered a biplane to drop a crude bomb of nails and dynamite wrapped in leather on the target of Neveria Hill adjacent to the downtown area of Mazatlán.

The crude bomb landed off-target on the city streets of Mazatlán, killing two citizens and wounding several others.

Modern

Mazatlán is also the hometown of Pedro Infante, one of the most popular actors and singers of the Cinema of Mexico’s golden years.

Mazatlán was well regarded by film stars such as John Wayne, Gary Cooper, John Huston, and others of their generation as a sportfishing mecca. The hotels along Olas Altas flourished during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, supporting this vibrant trade.

In the 1970s, tourism in Old Mazatlán declined as newer venues catering to Western tourists opened on the expanses of beach to the north of the city (“Zona Dorada”).

As an example of Mazatlán’s tourism expansion, one of the largest timeshare providers in Mexico, Grupo Vidanta, was founded in 1975 with the inauguration of Paraíso Mazatlán (Mazatlán Paradise).

This time also saw the expansion of the Hotel Playa Mazatlán, and the construction of many others, a trend that continues to this day.

Next to Infante, Lorena Herrera, one of the most famous actresses and singers in Mexico and Latin America during the final decades of the 20th Century and the first decades of the 21st century, is Mazatlán’s most famous native.

German-born telenovela star Sabine Moussier, a stablemate of Herrera’s—both have been under Televisa contract since the 1990s—also grew up in Mazatlán. Hollywood and Broadway actress Sara Ramirez is also a Mazatlán native.

As the 21st century began, the Centro Histórico was rediscovered by newcomers and locals alike, spurring a renaissance of restoration and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Once-fine homes that had fallen into literal ruin were restored to their former glory as family homes and boutique businesses. The city has assisted by upgrading infrastructure such as better water, sewer, and electrical services.

The town of Mazatlán is organized territorially into nine syndicates:

Mazatlán: Municipal capital, largest and most important tourist destination.

Villa Union: Located 25 km from Mazatlán, the second most important town of the municipality.

It is said that the first settlers belonged to a Spanish family who arrived there in 1576. Among its economic activities are fishing, agriculture, livestock, fruit growing, aquaculture, and brickmaking.

El Recodo: So-called for the square shape of the Rio Presidio at this point. It is the cradle of Don Cruz Lizarraga, founder of the international Banda El Recodo. Its economic activities are livestock, agriculture, fruit growing, tanning, and saddlery.

El Quelite: A picturesque and attractive tourist town located 38 km northwest of Mazatlán.

The El Quelite River passes through it. Its houses contain the Spanish classical influence predominant in the eighteenth century. Charrería is practiced here, as is the Prehispanic game called Ulama.

The main economic activities are livestock, agriculture, farming, and fruit growing.

Mármol de Salcido: This town is 32 km from Mazatlán. It was an important cement and line production center. Its current economic activity is the production of chilies, fodder, and tomatoes; its coast has a large number of pristine beaches.

El Roble: Founded in 1867, it is 32 km from Mazatlán. It became the largest sugar mill in the south of the state. Its main economic activities are agriculture and the production of cheese and honey.

Siqueiros: Originally called Penitas, it then adopted the name of San José de Siqueiros, in honor of the patron saint of the town, and the name of its founder. Founded in 1749, it is located 29 km from Mazatlán on the Presidio River.

Among its economic activities are agriculture, livestock, and vegetables.

La Noria: Located 35 km northwest of Mazatlán, its first settlers date from the late sixteenth century. Among its economic activities are livestock, agriculture, and saddlery. It is close to Presa Picachos.

A few miles away is the famous Vinata de Los Osuna, a major producer of blue agave, belonging to the family of the same name.

El Habal: A village located 10 km north of Mazatlán. Its inhabitants are engaged in animal husbandry, farming, and fruit growing.

Historic Center

The Historic Center of Mazatlán, among whose former inhabitants are French, German, Chinese, Italian, Spanish, and Americans (many contemporary inhabitants of Mazatlán are descended from these), was named Heritage of the Nation on March 12, 2001.

A civil association composed of a group of Mazatlán locals has managed to revive this area, along with the support of various organizations, companies, and government authorities.

Among the buildings and areas of high cultural value are the Plazuela Machado, the Angela Peralta Theater, the old Hotel Iturbide (today the Municipal Arts Centre), the Mansion of Redo, Melchers House, House of Retes, Corvera Building, Bank of London and Mexico Building, Haas House, Temple of San José, and various others.

The Malecón of Mazatlán

The Malecón (boardwalk) of Mazatlán is to be considered one of the longest in the world. Its length is about 21 km along the Pacific coast. Along the Malecón are high cliffs, monuments, gazebos, old buildings, hotels, etc.

The Malecón of Mazatlán is composed of a series of scenic roads with pedestrian space, whose name varies along the route by stage or time of construction; from south to north are the streets:

Calz. Joel Montes Camarena: a small road that connects the lighthouse, which used to be an island, to the rest of the city.

Paseo del Centenario: starting in the previous street and bordering the west at the lookout hill where cliffs are seen, it was built to commemorate the centennial of the Independence of Mexico.

Paseo Olas Altas: the oldest section of the boardwalk, it was originally a dike to prevent flooding problems in the 1830s, then it became an embankment that was used as urban space, and eventually it became a recreational space.

It was the first part of the city with street lighting and included various ice cream shops and Lookout Hill.

Paseo Claussen: It was built for the centennial in 1910. It borders the hill with ice cream parlors and ends at the bay of Puerto Viejo. It was named in honor of George Claussen, who was in command of the Mazatlán Works Agency and promoted the centennial project.

Avenida del Mar: This is the most representative and longest section of the boardwalk; it extends along the bay of Puerto Viejo and comprises just over half of the boardwalk.

The panoramic tour ends at the tip, which initiates the hotel zone, and the avenue changes names twice and continues for several kilometers parallel to the coastline, yet maintains some distance from the coastal hotels.

Mazatlán Aquarium

Since its opening on September 13, 1980, Mazatlán Aquarium has been one of the most complete and best of its kind in Latin America, besides being the largest in Mexico.

According to the institution, “The primary objective is for the public to learn to respect the marine ecosystem that which we depend on, and we foster this through knowledge of marine species.”

It is divided into two main areas, the Aquarium and Botanical Garden; together, they contain the following facilities:

• Section 1: Marine Fish and Jellyfish.
• Section 2: Marine Fish and Dive Exhibition.
• Section 3: Freshwater Fish and Central
• Fishbowl: Fishbowl Sharks

• Diving -Exhibition Activity
• Museum of the Sea
• Botanical Garden
• Pond Sea Lions
• Frog Pond
• Oceanic Fishbowl
• Aviary
• Cactus section
• Crocodiles

Mazatlán Lighthouse

The Mazatlán lighthouse, called El Faro Lighthouse, is located at the peak of Cerro del Creston, at the southern end of the peninsular city of Mazatlán. The lighthouse has the distinction of being settled on what was formerly an island, and has a length of 641 meters by 321 meters and a height of 157 m, making it the highest natural lighthouse in the Americas, and one of the highest operating lighthouses in the world.

In 1821, the Cortes of Cadiz issued a decree certifying the City of Mazatlán as the first port of height of the Mexican Pacific. This introduced Mazatlán as a viable destination for international trade.

The decree, along with the rapid growth of large mining and commercial consortia, led to an intensified level of ship traffic. In those days, it was not uncommon for over 60 ships from Europe and the Far East, loaded with different types of merchandise, to reach the port each year. After several days of travel and trading of supplies, these boats would depart Mazatlán loaded with bars of gold and silver from the rich mines of the region.

While the exponential amount of growth in boat traffic into and out of the port undoubtedly benefitted the region, it also presented a problem at night. At that time there was no way to indicate to boats in the dark where the marina was located, or how to enter and dock, making it hard for ships to be accurate, which often led to sailors endangering their boats.

The first use of the Isla de Creston as a lighted marine signal was in 1828. The light facilities, located on top of an imposing hill, were very modest, consisting of only a small stone structure on which fires, fueled by whale oil and wood, or coconut chips, were lit.

The fires were fed wood and coal, allowing them to produce a dim light that could only be seen within walking distance, making it of little help to seafarers, especially in bad weather.

El Faro became the answer to the problem. First lit over the Pacific Ocean in 1879, the lighthouse’s original lamp was constructed in Paris.

It was made of an oil lamp surrounded by mirrors, and a Fresnel lens to focus the light. This allowed El Faro’s light to be seen from a much further distance, and thus gave better navigation services, leading to approaches made with greater precision.

In 1905, the lamp was converted to hydrogen gas and was made to be able to revolve in a full circle. The final update of the light source came in 1933 when it was converted to electricity, which is what is still there today.

In order to emit its powerful light, El Faro uses a 1,000-watt bulb, which is focused by a Fresnel lens. It is now one of the top tourist attractions in the city of Mazatlan, and people can hike up to see it up close.

The view from the lighthouse is also a big draw for visitors.

Devil’s Cave

One of the most visited tourist attractions in Mazatlan due to its mystery and antiquity is the Cueva del Diablo (“Devil’s Cave”), a place that is sheltered by the slopes of the Cerro de la Nevería and which is located on Paseo Claussen.

It is a place that for more than 200 years has been surrounded by tales and legends that the Mazatlecos continue to share from generation to generation.

In the holiday season, the Devil’s Cave is very visited, because, at first sight, it catches the attention of tourists by the image of the “devil” that holds the red gate that was installed in the entrance to avoid the passage inside the cave, which is very short.

There are many legends around this space, ranging from that was used by pirates to keep their treasures to the story that says that in that place the devil was released when work was done at the foot of the hill of the Nevería to make longer the boardwalk where the workers claimed that the devil was heard inside.

The rumor also runs between the grandparents who dare to enter it are prisoners until the next day, and they always leave very frightened smelling of sulfur.

Another legend is that on a carnival night two people, not finding a bathroom to relieve themselves, entered the cave and that they saw them leave it.

They also say that some curious people decided to go to that cave and never saw them again. However, the only truth that has been documented is that it served as a dynamite deposit when the Cerro de la Nevería was used to extract the material with which the Olas Altas jetty was built, it was the smell of sulfur that came out of that tunnel what led to his baptism as la Cueva del Diablo.

Many stories will be told, some fantasies others true but without a doubt that is what makes it a place that nobody should miss during his visit to Mazatlan.

Banda Sinaloense or Tambora is a type of musical ensemble, as well as a traditional and popular musical genre, which was established in the early twenties in the state of Sinaloa, in the northwestern region of Mexico.

It originates in the European Fanfare style, however, like many other traditional Mexican ensembles, Banda Sinaloense groups perform a variety of musical forms, and their repertoire covers various traditional styles such as rancheras, corridos, polkas, waltzes, mazurkas, and chotis, all tailored to the sensitivity of the inhabitants of this Mexican region: music as well as popular romantic ballads such as Cumbia.

The unique sound of the Sinaloa band is very similar to German and French wind instrument bands, though there are differences in styles between the north-central and southern parts of the state.

In the north-central area, the musical phrasing is lighter and nuanced, more similar to Western European styles, and in the south, the style has a very strong phrasing and a little less nuanced performance, more influenced by the Bavarian German style.

Several researchers have located the origin of these styles in these regions, especially considering foreign interventions in the state and in Mazatlán early in the century, which was inhabited mostly by German immigrants.

However, the Swiss ethnomusicologist Helena Simonett explains that the first Sinaloense bands were formed by people who deserted the military and municipal bands and went to live in mountain villages, adding credence to the Sinaloa founders with the rhythmic influence of Mayo-Yoreme, which have contributed to its essence.

Nevertheless, there is a historic agreement that dates the musical influence before the Mazatlán German trade boom (1870-1890), as it would lead not only to the distribution of instruments through marketing, but also required a cultural disclosure that could only happen in a close relationship between the carriers of such traditions and the people of the region, and this circumstance only occurred in Mazatlán.

That is why the theory of French and Spanish influence on the German influence in other regions of Sinaloa is reinforced as the development of the music of the Sinaloan drum has records and previous history in distant places in the mountains of Sinaloa where there was no German influence. However, post-war French influence intervention and Spanish cultural remnants are present.

• Olas Altas
• Norte Beach
• Sábalo Beach
• Cerritos Beach
• El Delfin Beach
• Isla de la Piedra Beach

Mazatlán hosts several events annually, the most important being the International Carnival of Mazatlán, which was 114 years old in 2012. Other important events are the Mazatlán Cultural Festival and the José Limón International Dance Festival, celebrated every year in the winter and spring, respectively.

There is also the Book Fair and Arts of Mazatlán (Feliart) and Mazatlán Book Fair (FELIMAZ).

Another important event is International Motorcycle Week, which attracts thousands of motorcyclists from around the country as well as from abroad and is held each year during Easter week.

In sports, Mazatlán is home to the Pacific International Triathlon held in April, and the Pacific International Marathon, which is held every year in late November and early December and is attended by athletes from around the world.

In 2012, Mazatlán was chosen as the host city for the tenth installment of Premios Oye!, prizes awarded by the National Academy of Music in Mexico, and the Volleyball Olympic qualifiers for the Olympic Games in London 2012.

Mazatlán Carnival

This is currently one of the most important carnivals in Mexico since the first parade on Sunday brings together more than 600,000 people for over three hours in the coastal area of the city on the “Avenida del Mar.”

A novelty that allows tourists to come from all over the world to witness this festival is called “Burning of humor” where tradition says to burn a character (Monigote) representing someone who people think has done a misdeed, which usually means politicians, presidents, or as in 2013, “influenza” was burned.

Both of these have negatively affected the country’s image in recent years. This is followed by the famous “Naval Combat,” depicting the battle that took place against French vessels seeking to land at the port.

A very representative element of this carnival is the great “Monigotes” that are placed in important areas of the city as decorations. These are giant figures made of paper mache and are supported by large structures.

The central event of the carnival is the crowning of the queen of the carnival, and this is a massive event held with a selection of world-class artists. Two parades are scheduled, one on Sunday and another on Mardi Gras (to close the celebration).

Superbly decorated and colorful floats line a good part of the coastal walk, with an estimated several hundred thousand spectators in attendance. These include royal courts, ambassadors from around the country and abroad, special guests such as athletes, TV entertainers, and various showbusiness personalities, not to mention hundreds of Mazatlecos of all ages and social conditions.

The Mazatlán Carnival is distinguished from other carnivals for its distinctive accompaniment by Banda Sinaloa music that has transcended the world through what is today called “la onda grupera.”

Events include cultural activities (poetry contests, literature prizes, and shows of enormous artistic quality), with which the party extends to all sectors of the population and covers a range of local and tourist tastes.

In Mazatlán, one can enjoy a variety of fresh seafood, especially ceviches, cocktails, zarandeado fish, and aguachile. It is traditional to find smoked marlin and tuna, and chilorio and chicken, roasted Sinaloa style have transcended borders.

Some other regional dishes that have become famous are the bearded tamales (made with shrimp), the Governor tacos, and fish crackers.

The local cuisine offers a variety of tastes. It’s easy to find places to enjoy international cuisines such as Japanese, Chinese, fast food, vegetarian, snacks, meats, and a variety of taquerias with their own specialty foods.

Drinks in the city are as varied as the tastes of visitors, as you can find a huge variety of fresh drinks such as horchata, barley, coconut, coconut horchata, and Tejuino; good wines, and of course, an excellent range of beers, of which the best known is the local beer called Pacífico, which has its factory in the harbor. Another well-known drink in the region is a vanilla-flavored beverage called “tonicol.”

Typical sweets include coconut candies, jamoncillos, and other candies made with coconut marshmallows from the region.

The General Rafael Buelna International Airport (IATA Code: MZT) has daily domestic flights and international flights to the United States and Canada.

By land, Mazatlán is connected to the north (Culiacan) and south (Tepic) and to Guadalajara via Highway 15 and the corresponding Federal Highway 15D. To the east, it is connected to Durango by Highway 40 and the corresponding Federal Highway 40D.

Ferries make the daily journey to La Paz, Baja California Sur, while a varied number of cruise ships visit the port every week from the United States.