Mazatlan, Mexico Attractions

by Lee Morgan, Demand Media

 

Mazatlan's White Sand Beach

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Mazatlan is a coastal city of nearly a half-million residents -- a number that often swells during the peak winter tourist season. The city is the former capital of the state of Sinaloa and serves as Mexico’s largest commercial port. Founded by German immigrants in the early 1500s, its music and the well-known Pacifico beer that's made here reflect those German influences. Long stretches of white sand beach and a coast lined with luxury hotels, bars and restaurants dominate the city, but Mazatlan has several other attractions that are must-sees for visitors.

Plaza Machado

 

To get a feel for Old Mazatlan, don’t miss the Plaza Machado. This area of downtown Mazatlan is easily the most attractive in the city. The square is about two blocks south of the cathedral, another sight that shouldn’t be missed. The plaza is lined with sidewalk cafés, restaurants with live music, and bars and clubs that come alive at night. During the day, the square offers places to relax, drink and dine, or take a siesta on a bench in the shade of a palm tree.

Acuario Mazatlan

 

Acuario Mazatlan (acuariomazatlan.gob.mx) is a public aquarium offering over 50 marine life exhibits. Visitors view many local species in a simulated natural habitat. The Acuario Mazatlan reflects the ecosystem of the nearby Gulf of California. Visitors get as close to the sharks, rays, turtles and endless varieties of fish as the four-inch-thick glass allows. Inside the aquarium building are a frog pond that exhibits the numerous species of frogs native to the area, a sea lion show, a bird exhibition, and a diving show where handlers dive with sharks.

Copala

 

Drive about 45 minutes from Mazatlan into the Sierra Madre foothills to the small village of Copala, once a mining town and now home to about 600 people. The steep cobblestone streets make this city a scenic place that is a favorite for picture taking. It's a great location for a stroll through a peaceful, quaint Mexican village.

Copala has several restaurants and shops that feature Mexican handcrafts. Browse the handmade pottery and local art, then stop by Copala’s bakery for fresh bread and interact with this hospitable community.

Stone Island

 

Stone Island, at the south end of Mazatlan, isn't an island at all, but a resort area on a small peninsula. Still, the best way to reach Stone Island is by taking a short boat ride across the channel. One of Mexico’s largest coconut groves lines its southern shoreline, and beyond the coconut palms is a seemingly endless stretch of white sand beach that meets crystal clear, turquoise water. The gentle rolling waves make this an excellent spot for swimming; the beach is always a great place for people watching, soaking up the sun’s rays or playing beach volleyball. Stone Island offers the best of Mazatlan's beaches without the typical Mazatlan crowds.