Marisco’s Kalily (Kalily’s Seafood):
Many Canadians are faced with a dilemma when travelling to countries like Mexico—is the street food safe? Although several street venders prepare their food sanitarily, all it takes is one to make you shake in the night and leave the country with a bad taste in your mouth.
This is why I would like to recommend Kalily for everyone looking to taste some fresh street food without the fear of getting sick. You can find Kalily (on Pedro Infante Street between Americas Ave and Justo Tirao St., in the neighborhood Juarez) with tasty treats from tender, fresh octopus which he completely prepares himself (rare among vendors) to delicious crab ceviche. Be sure to ask for a complimentary cup of shrimp broth. If you aren’t a fan of strong tasting seafood, have no fear. The octopus tastes like chicken, and the crab is light. This comes from someone who can’t stand strong seafood—it’s all edible. Kalily and his employees frequently wash their hands and handle money wearing protection.
I ate Kalily’s seafood at least three times, and didn’t get sick once. My recommendations would be the octopus platter with fresh limonada, but be sure to mention you don’t want salt in the limonada (the locals use the salt to avoid sweating). Bottled beverages include: Coke and Manzanita (an addictive apple soda). If you need a street vendor to trust, Kalily is your man.
Hotel Freeman:
The Hotel Freeman is located in the Golden Zone on Camaron Sabalo Avenue #777, close to the sea wall and countless shops. It is also a great selection for people who enjoy their privacy, without paying resort prices. Avoid high tourist seasons and you can practically have the hotel to yourself. It’s a clean, beautiful, beach front property with a pool. Each room comes with a safety deposit box, a beautiful ocean view and the ever beloved air conditioning.
Stone Island (isla de la piedra):
Escape from the noise of Mazatlan for a while and enjoy calm beaches, countless restaurants and spontaneous adventures. The restaurants offer giant fresh-caught fish grilled as well as coconuts and hammocks. There are several promotional representatives in the Golden Zone in Mazatlan who offer an organized trip to Stone Island.
You can enjoy horseback riding, ocean fun, and a variety of other exciting experiences. If you want to check it out without the help of a promotional representative, grab a taxi and ask them to take you to the dock that crosses to Stone Island. The boat trip is inexpensive and short. You will see fish jumping and hungry pelicans sitting on the buoy. Stone Island has lots to offer!
Devil’s Cave
Possibly one of the coolest pieces of Mazatlan folklore, the Devil’s Cave or Cueva del Diablo has been locked shut with a rugged devilish face welded into the gate. Although a great tourist photo op, the history behind the cave itself is intriguing. It’s been sealed because it’s believed if you wander in the cave too deeply, you will never find your way out again; trapped forever, in the darkness. Even if you think you know the way out, it eludes you, as though the devil is playing tricks on you, keeping you locked in his dark, cold lair—leaving you to go insane by the steady “drip, drip, drip” of water.
Local Markets:
Mazatlan is the go to place for terrific rockabilly fashion. Don’t be afraid to check out the local markets, they have beautiful unique clothes—unlike tourist vendors which frequently carry the same outfits. You can find leopard-print heels, polka-dot dresses, sailor-style dresses and practically any rockabilly outfit, which generally costs an arm and a leg in Canada. Also, be sure to keep an eye out for local candy shops, jewelry shops, and novelty shops. Local markets are full of great finds you won’t see every other tourist buying.
Best spots: the Juarez market or Mercado Municipal Miguel Hidalgo and the downtown market Mercado Municipal Pino Suarez.
Skateboarding:
Ever wonder why several pro skaters have a background in countries like Mexico or other Latin American countries? They skateboard every day, popping tricks on rugged streets. I saw some kids skateboard nearly from dawn ‘til dusk, each trying to one up the other. Manual, to Ollie, to a heel flip, to the variations of a kickflip—gaining courage with each attempt. I encourage anyone travelling to Mazatlan to check out the skatepark by the seawall. These kids are incredible!
Plazuela Machado:
The Plazuela Machado is located a few blocks from the malecon (sea wall) in the downtown area. Mazatlan is full of music, but this is the place to go for a romantic evening filled with jazz, mariachi, guitarists and singers which sway away from the loud, rambunctious and fun Banda. More or less, this is the art square filled with a variety of performers and great restaurant and bar service. The Plazuela Machado has even featured artists and exhibits such as Peter von Tiesenhausen and his Ice Age installation.
19th Century Cannon
In the 19th century, the French navy attempted to take Mazatlan but failed. There are three cannons in Mazatlan, which are a source of pride for the locals because they serve as a reminder of the victory. Two cannons are on private property but the most important and well preserved cannon can be found at Cerro del Vigia, which happens to have an incredible view of old Mazatlan and the ocean. Not only is this an incredible photo opportunity, but there is also a restaurant located by the cannon.
Rico’s Cafe:
Rico’s Café bar is a local favorite full of delicious treats and even offers an English menu. The apple tarts are works of art worthy of food magazines; by merely viewing the tarts you can almost taste the fresh, soft, cinnamon flavored apples beneath the flaky, criss-crossed crust. The food lives up to expectations and tastes as amazing as it looks. I would recommend a Panini for breakfast with a strawberry fresada. Be sure to take advantage of the free Wi-Fi.
Seawall (el malecon):
If you attempt to walk along the seawall to see all the monuments, be prepared for a long one—it’s one of the largest sea walls in the world! Mazatlan has numerous beautiful statues and even a few absurd ones such as the monument to the pulmonia which is a type of taxi. A couple worthwhile monuments are the monument to life, featuring a fountain with several dolphins and a nude couple, as well as the motorcycle monument in reference to the popular motorcycle festival, Semana internacional de la moto celebrated in April.
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