The Best Areas to Stay in Mazatlan, Mexico
The Best Areas to Stay in Mazatlan, Mexico

Best Areas to Stay in Mazatlán, Mexico

Where to Stay in Mazatlán – A Guide to the “Pearl of the Pacific”

Mazatlán is a coastal resort town in Mexico. Located on the Pacific Coast, in the state of Sinaloa, Mazatlán is famous for its beaches, impressive boarwalk, and watersports like big-game fishing. In this post, we will discover the best areas to stay in Mazatlán, Mexico.

The main attractions in Mazatlán’s City Center include the famous Malecón (Boardwalk), Plaza Machado, the Basilica Cathedral of Mazatlán, Angela Peralta Theater, the old Hotel Iturbide (now the Municipal Center of the Arts), Mercado Pino Suarez, and the Mazatlán Lighthouse. See accommodation in Mazatlán City Center.

If you’re traveling with kids, Mazatlán is also home to several family-friendly attractions like Acuario Mazatlán, Aquatic Park Mazagua, and Alfiland Park.

Most people traveling to this Mexican coastal town are looking for some fun in the sun. With that in mind, some of the most popular beaches in Mazatlán are Playa Las Brujas, Playa Olas Altas, Playa Sábalo, and Playa Norte.

Mazatlán is also a world-class destination when it comes to watersports like surfing, kite-surfing, and diving. Big-game fishing and whale-watching are also very popular activities. You can book whale-watching tours here.

Mazatlán hosts a number of important events throughout the year. The most famous celebrations are the Mazatlán Carnival, the Day of the Dead festivals, and the José Limón Dance Festival.

Due to its coastal location on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Mazatlán has a tropical savannah climate. Average temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year and typically hover around 16 and 29 ºC. The wettest season goes from July to October. Because of its constantly pleasant temperature, Mazatlán is an ideal tourist destination year-round. That said, since most of the rains take place in the summer and fall, the best time to visit Mazatlán is during the spring (March-June) when it’s warm enough to enjoy the beach without having to worry about it raining.

To get to Mazatlán by air, the city is best reached through Mazatlán International Airport. This important airport offers connections to other destinations in Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

Mazatlán is also well-connected by long-distance buses to the rest of Mexico. See long-distance bus routes, schedules & fares.

Local transportation in Mazatlán consists of several bus lines. The City Center is very pedestrian-friendly. There are also taxi services available, and you can rent a cheap car during your stay.

The best area to stay in Mazatlán is the Zona Dorada (Golden Area). This upscale tourist-oriented area is home to some of Mazatlán’s best restaurants, nightlife, and shops. It is also where some of the best hotels are located. See accommodation in Zona Dorada Mazatlán.

Other great options to consider when choosing the best location in Mazatlán, include the City’s Malecón (Boardwalk) and the tourist developments of Cerritos and Zona Marina.

Keep reading to find out more about the best location in Mazatlán for tourists.

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Best Location in Mazatlán, México: A Quick Guide

Below, you’ll find a list of the best areas to stay in Mazatlán depending on your travel style and what you may be planning to do during your trip. Keep reading below to find all the specific information you need about each particular area mentioned here.

Best Hotels in Mazatlán, México by Theme

Something more specific in mind? Here’s a list of some of the best hotels in Mazatlán. No matter your reason for visiting the city or style, you’ll find it here!

The Best Areas to Stay in Mazatlan, Mexico

The Zona Dorada or “Golden Zone” of Mazatlan is located along Avenida Gaviotas, 4 miles north of the City Center.

Known as a cosmopolitan district, a financial center, and the most exclusive area of Mazatlan, Zona Dorada has a large number of bars, clubs, chain hotels, and luxurious restaurants.

The best beaches in the area are Las Gaviotas Beach and Camarón Beach, where activities such as wave-runner, parasailing, kayaking, Hobie cats, sport fishing and banana rides can be booked.

Transport in Zona Dorada allows you to travel throughout the district or reach other points of the city in a few minutes. The most effective routes to visit the attractions of the City Center are Cerritos-Juárez, Cocos-Juárez, San Joaquín-Sábalo, Urías -Sábalo and Alarcón-Sábalo.

Zona Dorada is one of the best areas to stay in Mazatlan because it has the best hotels with ocean views and great restaurants.

Best areas to stay in Mazatlan - Zona Dorada
Best areas to stay in Mazatlan – Zona Dorada
Accommodation in Zona Dorada – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Zona Dorada – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Mazatlan, Mexico:

  • Luxury area
  • Best area for shopping
  • Great nightlife
  • Beach area
  • Resort-type hotels
  • Good restaurants

2. Mazatlan Boardwalk (Malecón de Mazatlán)

Mazatlan’s Promenade or “Malecón” is the largest in the world, consisting of nine sections that go from the Historic Center to the northern part of the city.

Each section of the promenade exhibits a different monument, surrounded by the best pizzerias and a wide variety of entertainment for the whole family.

Among its most visited attractions are its lighthouse, the pier, the Centennial Promenade, the Dolphin Fountain and the Avenida del Mar.

This area, like any promenade, is very pedestrian-friendly. However, there are other options such as the popular “pneumonias,” small vehicles similar to golf cars that offer a quick and entertaining tour.

On the promenade, there are plenty of hotel options for all tastes and budgets, which makes it one of the best areas to stay in Mazatlan, Mexico.

Where to stay in Mazatlán - Malecón or Promenade
Where to stay in Mazatlán – Malecón or Promenade
Accommodation in Mazatlan's Promenade – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Mazatlan’s Promenade – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Mazatlan, MX:

  • Central area
  • Good area for sightseeing
  • Pedestrian-friendly

3. Cerritos

The Cerritos area is a 20-minute drive from Mazatlán City Center, in the district of Nuevo Mazatlán.

Cerritos stands out at the north end of Mazatlan, where it sports two white-sand beaches, Sabalo Beach and Cerritos Beach.

One of the advantages of the beaches of Cerritos is that they are not as crowded, as they are relatively far from the City Center.

Its gastronomic offer is one of the best in Mazatlan, with more than 130 restaurants serving Mexican, Spanish, Argentine, Italian, Oriental and seafood.

To move to the center of the city and enjoy its attractions, it is necessary to take the bus in the central area of Cerritos.

As for the accommodation in Cerritos, you can choose between hotels of different types, affordable and less luxurious than in other districts, so it is a good area to stay in Mazatlan if you travel on a budget.

Best areas to stay in Mazatlán - Cerritos
Best areas to stay in Mazatlán – Cerritos
Accommodation in Cerritos – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Cerritos – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Mazatlan:

  • Great beaches
  • Hotels of all kinds
  • Good restaurants

4. Zona Marina

Zona Marina is one of the new districts of the city, located north of Mazatlán’s Promenade and Zona Dorada.

It is located on the coast and it has some of the panoramic views of the sea.

Zona Marina offers a quiet environment, away from the hustle and bustle of the City Center, with entertainment on its golf courses, outdoor restaurants, and bars.

As for the location, despite not being in the central part of the city, if it is close to other attractive districts such as the Zona Dorada and the Promenade, just 20 minutes away.

Being a new area, it does not have a wide variety of hotels but offers affordable apartments that make it one of the best areas to stay in Mazatlan.

Where to stay in Mazatlan - Zona Marina
Where to stay in Mazatlan – Zona Marina
Accommodation in Zona Marina – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area
Accommodation in Zona Marina – Click on the map to see all available accommodation in this area

Why is this a recommended area to stay in Mazatlan, Mexico:

  • Peaceful area
  • Near the City Center
  • Cheaper accommodation

Where to stay in other cities

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|ES| Dónde alojarse en Mazatlán

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