MAZATLAN

Attractions stretch as far as the eye can see in Mazatlan, its long Golden Zone lining the twelve-mile Malecón, one of the longest boardwalks on the Pacific Coast. Vacationers are drawn to the popular beaches of Playa Sabalo and Las Gaviotas; one of the largest aquariums in Latin America; and three championship golf courses, as well as swordfish, tuna, and marlin fishing.

“The Pearl of the Pacific,” this gem is more than a tourist area for beach lovers. Old Mazatlan’s charming “tropical neoclassical” restored mansions enchant beside markets, shady plazas, and cafés, and its cultural diversity is best heard rather than seen. Banda, a musical fusion of Latin/German-polka styles, is unique to Mazatlán, and Mazatlecos dance without restraint during their famous Carnaval.

To add to this city’s appeal are the nearby islands of La Piedra and Chivos, favorite boating destinations; the three main islands of Deer, Bird, and Sea Lions Islands; El Faro, once the tallest natural lighthouse in the world; and the “Devil’s Cave,” a historical pirate hideout. With these feasts for the senses and more, Mazatlan has become a perennial favorite.