What a great site. Havn't gotten through all of it yet but what I am really looking for is a recomendation on exchange. Should we bring pesos,canadian money or american? Havn't been to mexico for about ten years but the last time we were there we were able to use pesos as compared to the last time we visited Jamaica and the only thing the locals wanted was the almighty american buck.. Has Mazatlan gone that way too, No sense in having mexican money if no one wants it or I have to pay a premium to use it? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
Hi N&H, Thanks so much for all the effort you have put into your website. All the info was extremely useful, starting with talking with, but avoiding the "free" taxi/timeshare presentation at the airport. We stayed at Hotel La Siesta, which was great in a lot of respects - clean, 292.50 pesos per night, close to downtown, great ambience (jumping fish, feeding dolphins, diving pelicans in the bay outside our balcony), BUT - the hotel's courtyard, right below all of the rooms, is used as a banquet/party room by El Shrimp Bucket. One party for the workers at El S.B. lasted until 3AM, complete with full-volume bass hiphop music. Earplugs didn't help, the desk clerk couldn't do anything, not his fault. Some of the hotel guests complained to the management the next day, those of us who didn't move elsewhere got 50% off for one night, big deal. We were assured that there would be no more parties, so we stayed our last night, assurance was untrue, there was a wedding reception that night. At least the music was lower volume, and the party ended at midnight. I have emailed the hotel that if they want to stay in business as a hotel, they need to care about their paying guests, and not about the customers of El S.B. Until they change their outlook, we recommend that no one stay there. I don't believe one could sleep well there even if drunk. Restaurants - we enjoyed Pedro y Lola's, great food, nice jazz, ate there twice. Also liked the jazz at El Pacifico. Also ate twice at Copa de Leche, great also, couldn't be any better at any sidewalk waterfront restaurant anywhere, Baja, Greece, Cyprus, Italy! If/when we come back again, may try the hotel Playa Mazatlan, or a timeshare. Bought some silver jewelry at Casa Antigua, felt comfortable that the goods were Sterling as advertised, prices were reasonable. Hired a pulmonia to tour around, paid him 150 pesos for the hour, we got dropped off at Sharp Hospital, they were out of ice cream, so we had flan. A couple of questions, if you have time to answer. 1)Am a rock and mineral collector, but aside from some opals, could find no local items for sale, in spite of the fact that Sinaloa is home to some large mining ventures. Any thoughts? May go to Copola next time, hear there might be something for sale there. Should be lots of local quartz, and maybe some silver specimens. 2)Am involved in a business which sells inkjet cartridges, refill kits, and inks for computer printers, and feel that the market in Mazatlan is untapped. Looking for wholesale contacts, if you are interested we would be happy to converse further. If not, is there anyone whom you would recommend we get in touch with? Have already been in touch with Roger Culbertson, and with Ivan Hernandez Gonzalez of Microhego Computadoras, no response from them so far. FYI, you can view our product line at http://www.netwares.com/ Please feel free to post/publish whatever of this letter you choose. Thanks again for all you have done. Cheers, Ed and Martha
im looking for infomation about auto ferry service from mazatlan to la paz or cabo san lucas please help thanks
I am visiting Mazatlan for the first time in Feb. I have viewed many sites, but yours seems to be the best for information and honesty of what is available. Thank you. KC
I've been to Mazatlan only one time, but I thought it was a great experience. I'm Mexican and I strongly recomend for those who speak spanish and like spanish music to go visit LA HERRAADURA, It's a very nice place and the meseros are great!!!!!!! Well I hope you enjoy Mazatlan as Much as I did.
I've been to Mazatlan only one time, but I thought it was a great experience. I'm Mexican and I strongly recomend for those who speak spanish and like spanish music to go visit LA HERRAADURA, It's a very nice place and the meseros are great!!!!!!! Well I hope you enjoy Mazatlan as Much as I did.
I've been to Mazatlan only one time, but I thought it was a great experience. I'm Mexican and I strongly recomend for those who speak spanish and like spanish music to go visit LA HERRAADURA, It's a very nice place and the meseros are great!!!!!!! Well I hope you enjoy Mazatlan as Much as I did.
i will be in maz. 28jan to 14 feb for r&r any party people wanna hook up and have a cocktail party at my place leave word and w'ell try to get it together.
I love your page, I have been to Mazatlan a few times and I love it. It is my favorite travel destination. Everything brought back so many memories and happy thoughts.
I'm currently planning a trip to Mazatlan and am considering the Vidafel. However, I can't seem to find much about it on the Web or in guide books. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Is it nice? Any drawbacks? I'd appreciate any comments.
Hello..... I am looking to get married in Mazatlan in March of 2000. I have a place to stay, a ticket to get there and the perfect fiance'. Unfortunatly I am still trying to figure out how we will actually get to tie the knot. Do you have any suggestions on what I need to do? Any help you could provide would be greatly appreciated as I am running out of time. Thank you in advance, Kevin
Hello- nice site I have a trip planned to maz on the 27th of Dec. with some friends. My girlfriend wants to come down on the 29th with some of her friends, We are all driving down there from Phoenix. My question is should i be concerned about a car full of girls driving down there by themselves, or is it somewhat safe. I have never driven down there and neither have they, so from someone who has what do you think? Should I be worried about there safety, PS -They are planning on driving straight through on the toll roads, so there would be some night driving involved.
Dear Henry and Nadine, Thinking of returning to Mazatlan this winter with another couple. He has a metal detector that he wants to bring to Mexico to do a little detecting on the beach for valuables. Will my friend be able to bring his metal detector into Mexico without a hassle. And what about bringing it back out. Is it legal to use on the beaches without getting in trouble?? Also where can you buy Non-alcoholic beer in Mazatlan??? Thanks again for your great website.
We just got back from a week at the Playa Mazatlan. We started going in 1983 for our honeymoon and we have missed a few yrs. here and there, but we've been back many times. We hadn't been back for about 4 - 5 yrs. and we were glad to see how much the economy has improved. Many new places to eat and much going on. A new "find" for us was the Sombrero Bay Restaurant - about a block East of the Playa on the same street as the Playa. It sits next to Cow Town Restaurant, kinda tucked back with a fountain out front made up off a bunch of copper sombreros. Nice open court yard setting. It has been open for three weeks and is owned by the hotel accross the street from it [the hotel also owns Cow Town and the Italian restaurant next to the Sobrero Bay. I probably know the name of the hotel if I thought about it, but the Playa is all that matters to me in Mazatlan. Susan just told me its the Sábalo Hotel.] Anyway the food is oustanding if you like Mexican food. They have a Chili Relleno with shrimp and one with cheese. Both are great. The specialty is a baked pork shank. Yea it sounds weird but you gotta try it, the meat falls off the bone and is served with a nice red sauce. The service was excellent and the prices were very reasonable - about $8 - $10 U.S. for all but the tequila shrimp - which was very good too. Also, some of the best margaretas we have had [one of the bartenders likes to put a splash of 7UP in the drink. I suggest you tell the waiter to have them hold the 7Up.] But the others were very good - not too sweet, not too tart. They have an appetizer platter of different assorted goodies, including some very nice chorizo sausage - well worth a try. Finally, if you have room, try the fried ice cream. They have live marimba music in the evening and its not American! How nice. If you go, you won't be disappointed. Have a great trip. Dave & Susan
Hi there, There is approx. 20 of us coming down on the 31st of December to celebrate New Years with you guys. We arrive quite late in the day and want to know where all the parties are this year. I hear Bora Bora is a good one or Joe's Oyster Bar. Unfortunatly if we wait that long we know the tickets are all going to be sold out? I was wondering if there is a way to get tickets on-line or a phone # and we could pay by credit card. Is there anyway you two wonderful canadians could check it out for us? I don't know any other way to do it. Thank you in advance for your help. Elise Gaylie Vancouver BC, Canada
I have been trying to see if a web site exists for Hotel Torres, Avenue Sadlo, Cerritos, Mazatlan. I was wondering if you could help me. Thanks Herb.
I am a big fan of Mexico and have been to Puerto Vallarta three times and Mazatlan twice. I found your web page looking for information for one of my co-workers as he and his wife will be visiting Mazatlan on December 10th. I have looked for information on Mexican resorts many times but I have never found anything as true to the image of Mexico or as informative in the small things you need to know when on vacation. It is nice to see fellow Canadians providing such a valuable service to travelers. Thanks Blaine
Dear Henry and Nadine, Just returned from our first trip to Mazatlan (after many other vacations in other areas of Mexico), and from now on - it's Mazatlan for us! I have many pointers for budget-minded people. If you want to stay in the GOLDEN ZONE, the main hotel area - the Playa Mazatlan Hotel is of moderate cost, extremely clean and nicely appointed, the most centrally located, with a good beach and even surfing! Start a day with breakfast at Pancho's Beach Reastaurant just down the street - excellent food and view, and a 10% off coupon on this web site). Or just stop by the Playa Mazatlan Hotel's snack bar by the pool for an inexpensive big breakfast (good for fast lunch too). Then take the panga boats (hard to find - the taxis know) that the locals use to Stone Island (8 pesos round trip instead of the $35 tourist boat trip) and do the short walk across the island to the FABULOUS beach and many good beach restaurants for lunch. Take a "pulmonia" (the open-air taxis) when you get back to watch a cliff-diver near the Olas Altas area. He'll tell you how much it will be for him to dive (10 to 25 pesos each, depending on how many people are going to watch - worth it; climb up to where he jumps from to prove it). If it's still early, head up to the main market area on Benito Jaurez for the best prices on everything. Then have a REAL Mexican dinner downtown at La Carrera Tacos - the best tacos we have ever had! Only 3.5 pesos each - try them all - just point. The tacos are real Mexican style - not like USA tacos - and delicious! Or go to the El Tunel Cenaduria (a typical Mexican family dinner place) in front of the Angela Peralta Theater. Neither of these places are tourist oriented and you will love the food. (Get a free copy of the Pacific Press newspaper at your hotel, which has a list of Spanish-English food names in it. A good source of info in general.) If you are young at heart, end the day at Joe's Oyster Bar (on the beach next to the Playa Mazatlan Hotel) which is THE hot spot now (Senor Frog's and Valentino"s are "out"). For another great day, catch the "Cerritos Juarez" public bus in the Golden Zone (on the main drag 2 blocks in from the beach - 3.5 pesos to the end of the line) and get off at the end. A block to the left is another fabulous beach, almost empty, with great surfing too. Even better, the Playa Bruja Beach Restaurant there is wonderful (try the fish filet Diablo or the fresh from the water oysters!). Ginger rents horses from there (the best rental horses we have ever ridden - 10% off coupon at this web site) and you can go gallop at the water's edge on a long private beach. DO THIS - you'll love it! The other beach (around the point; go straight ahead one block from the bus stop), usually has good snorkeling (depends on the tide and wind) and more restaurants. The last bus back leaves at 5:30pm, and you'll soon be ready for dinner. Our absolute favorite restaurant in the Golden Zone was the Arre Lulu on Ave. de las Garzas, next to the Shrimp Factory. Like most restaurants, they will give everyone a free beer or margarita (or soda) coupon - just ask). The staff is friendly and fun, the food is great (try the appetizer of prawns - too big to be called shrimps - in a flamed brandy sauce, a good dinner on its own with salads for two; my son loved the shrimps wrapped in bacon), and the prices are very reasonable. Fernando (phone: 916-7131), the owner, also runs the very best island tour deal: $30 for breakfast at the restaurant, Hobie catamaran rides to Deer Island, snorkle equipment, and a catered lunch from the restaurant. Unbeatable - and his cook is good! If you decide to "do" a time-share experience, wait until you are offered (or insist on) CASH IN ADVANCE. Say no until you get this. The sales people have a budget for bringing people in. Then, rather you buy or not, you won't feel ripped off. Sometimes if you don't buy, they make it very hard and time-consuming to get your "free gift". Have a wonderful time, and share your "finds" too. Heather
32 days and "Look Out Mazatlan, Here We Come!!!" Been counting down since February. Been staying at Playa Escondido (Wonderful place, great staff!) until last time time. Staying at Pueblo Bonito this year for the second time: great service, beautiful place. Thanks for the great site, Henry and Nadine. We'll look for you and "the family" on the beach. If you get a chance will you tell Juanita at El Jeffe (next door to O'Houlihans)that we can't wait to see her and Jose and his son Alejandro the beach blanket vendors that we'll see them on 12/21 at the usual spot between Playa Escondido and La Marina. Stop by for a game of bocce one day and let us thank you in person for all the wonderful information. Your site has been our "mental getaway" and always leaves us feeling like we've just had a mini vacation in our favorite place.
Hello Henry and Nadine I take it you are back in sunny Mazatlan based on the dates you gave me that you would be returning! What's the exchange right now for Canadian funds to pesos? How's the weather? Hope all is well.
this is a great site, we will be using much of the information as we are driving down on thanksgiving weekend. i have contacted the resort wher we will be staying to get some good directions but i have had no luck. i was wondering if you could e-mail me a map or some good directions on how to get to this resort.we are staying at: CONDOMINIO SOLAMAR INN BOULEVARD SABALO #1942 SINALOA, MEXICO any info that you could get me would be great thanks karl
4 OF US ARE COMING FOR 3 WEEKS AT CHRISTMAS! WE'VE BEEN BEFORE AND WE'LL BE STAYING AT TORRES MAZATLAN. WE DESPERATELY NEED INFORMATION FOR A 9 YEAR OLD BOY'S CHRISTMAS. WE NEED TO KNOW IF WE CAN GET A TREE, SEE SANTA, ETC. WE ARE OPEN TO ANY SUGGESTIONS, COUPONSW, TOUR STUFF, ETC. PLEASE RESPOND!!!!!!!
Hi there, We are planning a trip to Mazatlan Feb 4th to Feb 18 staying at the Las Palmas Hotel, which is apparently 2 blocks from the beach in the Golden Zone. We obviously would of preferred beach front accomodations but with a limited budget, this package fit the bill. Has anyone out there stayed at this hotel, and if so, I'd appreciate hearing your comments (good or bad) relating to this place. Thanks in advance! Kevin Cavanagh
We just returned a most wonderful vacation in your home sweet paradise! It was the most relaxing vacation we have ever had with so much to do or not to do along the beach and at the resort. We were traveling with another family - 9 in total including the kids ages 5 to 10 - and all agree your direction was indespensible. We took most of your web site with us as a travel guide and were so glad we did. We found ourselves quoting Henry and Nadine the whole trip - right down to the menu recomendations. The coupons were great too. I know we'll return and when we do, we'll of course go armed with your most recent recomendations. A huge thank you to you both for your great website and all its wonderful info. Gracias amigos!!!
I have been to Mazatlan twice.. First time was with 2 of my girlfriends.. we only came for 1 week.. NOT LONG ENOUGH...!! I loved it so much.. the Mexican People are NUMBER ONE.. My husband had never expressed any interest in coming to Mexico.. I talked him in to it... It didn't take much.. We have similar tastes. The following year we went for two weeks.. PERFECT.. We really enjoyed our holiday.. there is a group of us coming down in 17 more sleeps.. There is 10 of us.. in total... Some staying for 1 week.. and 4 of us staying for the 2 weeks..I can't wait.. I've been doing some net surfing to see what is the same (re garding restaurants) and what has changed.. Where did the Shrimp bucket go??? didn't find it anywhere on the net.. Is it still there. ? That was one of my fav's....I notice there are some new Restaurants in Valentino's.. and Los Sábalos.. Can't wait.. KH
WHAT A GREAT SITE!! CAN'T WAIT TO GET TO MAZATLAN!! MY HUSBAND AND I ALONG WITH OTHERS IN A TOUR WILL BE COMING IN JAN., 2000!! STAYING AT THE EL CID. I HAVE ONE QUESTION THAT I DIDN'T FIND AN ANSWER FOR, I SEEN ON THE MAP THAT THERE IS A "SAM'S CLUB", NOW DOES THAT MEAN A SAM'S CLUB AND A WALMART LIKE WE HAVE UP HERE? JUST GOT SO EXCITING THINKING WALMART! THANKS AGAIN FOR A GREAT SITE, I WAS ON FOR 2 HOURS AND LOST IT AND TOOK AWHILE TO FIND IT AGAIN SO IT IS NOW ON MY "FAVORITES" LIST!!
This was a superb website to find out anything that one wants to know about Mazatlan. A girlfriend and I (we left our husbands at home) visited Mazatlan October 4 - 11, 1999. Mazatlan is an awesome place. We stayed at Pueblo Bonito and had a ball. A tour guide, Robert Hudson, took us snorkeling and it was terrific. Robert is the best, I wish we had taken more tours with him, we took tours with another tour group and it was fun, but Robert is just super. He is knowledgeable and was attentive to two "little ole ladies". I recommend calling Robert for any tour you plan on taking. (He is featured in this website.) The only problem we had was our plane fare. Will work on that the next time we go. Everyone we met was more than willing to help us in any way. I recommend on going to Mazatlan. Definitely want to go back again. Again, thanks for a wonderful website and all the information you have complied, the time and effort you take to maintain this site is greatly appreciated. I don't think there is another website about a town that has this much information. And again THANKS!!!!
Things I would hope you might add-- 1)a comment or two about dickering- it USED to be necessary, but it's been years. 2)a comment on the use of pesos as opposed to USDollars-- also on where to change money. We found a 10-25% premium in those shops that would take USD. 3)an indication whether the aeropuerto is on the city bus line or not. 4) A note that prices decline rapidly as one moves away from the beach. Otherwise, you've done a wonderful job. Will be there in 2 weeks & will think of you. Thanx.
We travelled to Mazatlan last February and had a great time. Another couple is planning to travel with us this winter. I prefer the high octane Pacifico beer but my friend has a preference and a need for non-alcoholic beer. Can you buy non-alcoholic beer in Mazatlan? Is it expensive and where can you get it? If it isn't available his wife says he'll just have to live on pop. Thanks.
Hola Amigos, I have been going to Maz for many years now - started with two weeks and now up to one month in February. My new husband and I sepnt our honeymoon there last year in February. Unfortunately, my husband became extremely ill but the medical care at the Sharp Hospital was incredibly good. We are all booked ready to go again in February 2000 - can't get here quick enough. Just a note to let you know - even as many times as I have been to Maz - your website has offered new information and encouraged me to try things I hadn't tried before. Gracias and Adios!
going to pueblo bonito august 30th. staying for 5 days. how widely accepted are travellers checks? where should we exchange our money for pesos? what are the prices like down there? if we're doing the normal touristy things, is it going to be really expensive once we are there? thanks for your help. great site!
Our family just returned from a Carnival cruise to the Mexican Riviera. We had a wonderful time. This is the first time we'd been that far into Mexico, and visiting your website before we left was very helpful. I want to let everyone know about this tour we booked over the internet before we went. If you visit www.mazhorsebackride.com you can check it out. "Randi" met us at the "gang-plank", as we exited the ship, and provided us with all the transportation to "stone island", where the four of us took a personal horseback ride and tour through a huge coconut grove and onto a deserted beach. The great thing about "Randi's" tour is that you don't have to "walk" your horse. I mean, if your experienced, you can "ride". These horses were extremely easy to handle, for us beginners, and you can see how well taken care of they are. As we ended this approx. 3 hour ride, we came upon the beach where most tourists on stone island go, and as we sat, literally, on the ocean, enjoyed a cerveza (soft drink for the kids). Randi was a wonderful "guide", she knows everyone there, and seems to be friends with them all. We learned alot about the area, and she even suggested other things we could do there. She offers tours of the city too. We got her to take us to Ernie Tomatoes, the food was great, especially the fried green tomatoes (which we'd never had before.) All in all, Mazatlan was our favorite destination. We just wish we'd had more time to check out all of Henry's and Nadine's suggestions too. In closing, if you're interested in this kind of tour, Randi is the one to see. Check out her website at www.mazhorsebackride.com.
My wife and I, along with nine friends, leave Saturday (July 10) for our annual vacation in Mazatlan. This will mark 25 straight years we have vacationed in Mazatlan after forsaking Acapulco when it got much too crowded. We always stay at the Costa de Oro, and, of course, know most of the long-time employees. Someone at the front desk always greets us with a "Welcome Home!<" and that is just how it feels for my wife Jo Ann and me. When we get back I will write to you once again. Regards, Phil Jacks
My boyfriend and I went to Mazatlan right after our high school graduation (May 31-june 8). It was wonderful and we both loved everything about Mazatlan. We're planning to return each summer for awhile, regardless of whether we're together or not, and taking more and more people each time. We stayed at La Playa Mazatlan, everything there is incredible, the staff, BEACH, food, etc. Our parents were worried about our safety, we ran into no problems. I felt safer walking the streets there than I do/would walking the streets in almost any city in the US. Of course, we were walking mainly in the Golden Zone. The food was super; however, our intestines just recently recovered, because of the different, tasty spices and foods. The portions were massive and delicious, and we usually spent about 180 pesos (approx.: 18 bucks) on two dinners, some appetizers, and some drinks. Our breakfasts were always under $10 u.s. and were great, especially the fresh juices. The servers were always wonderful; for example, I got a seafood soup, unaware there would be octopus, when it arrived and I saw the octopus, I didn't eat it so our waiter offered to have the octopus taken out (I turned down the offer and decided just not to eat it) and then gave us dessert for free. We really enjoyed Ernie Tomatoes (EAT THEIR FRIED TOMATOES, THEY ARE A WONDERFUL, CHEAP APPETIZER THAT CAN BE EATEN AS A MEAL), El Shrimp Bucket is delicious (they make your salsa to order at your table) and reasonably priced, Pura Vida is delicious, inexpensive and natural, and the restaurant in our hotel (La Playa Mazatlan) is WONDERFUL. Get the tortilla soup wherever you go, it's super and different at every restaurant. We usually had left overs and we'd usually give them to families selling things on the streets, they really appreciate it. The restaurants never gypped us on shrimp or meat, like it seems many u.s. restaurants do. There are so many fun activities available. Parasailing is fairly cheap (20 bucks for about 15 breathtaking minutes) for what you get to see. Bungee jumping (my boyfriend did it) was $25 u.s., the first time and $20 there after, and he said it is "AWESOME". The "booze" cruise was lots of fun, even if you chose to drink tropical juice instead of the free alcohol (like me). The tour begins with a cruise on the water surrounding Mazatlan, showing the light house, sea lions, and other beautiful sites, then we were taken to stone islands' beautiful beach to chose activities like banana boating, horse back riding, and other things, we were fed delicious food grilled right there, and all the drinks we could drink, all of this took about 6 hours and cost 200 pesos each (roughly $21 u.s.). Deep sea fishing is tons of fun and exciting, even for people who don't like to fish, we caught some nice mahi-mahis, my boyfriend caught one weighing about 60 pounds. It seemed to us that many of the people trying to make money are not lazy, they at least try to make something to sell, no matter how generic it is. We bought some really cool and unique items for cheap; we bought most of it sitting on the beach. We recommend Mazatlan to anyone!! We knew virtually no Spanish (we could say "hi", "what's your name", and that's about it) and found hardly no language problems anywhere. It is beautiful and so completely different from all of the other tropical spots I've visited (the Bahamas, Florida & California). We are not rich kids at all, our trip cost $640 u.s. dollars each including roundtrip airfare from Chicago, seven nights in our hotels, all taxes, and transfers between the airport and the hotel. We used money we saved from summer jobs to pay for the tickets and money from graduation as spending money. We spent a little more than $700 combined in Mazatlan, doing all the tours, eating out every meal, taking little taxis everywhere, and buying everyone we know unique cheap gifts. Just go to Mazatlan!! This website is very informative and helpful, thank you very much for all the work you put into it to do such a great job. We really appreciate it!
I have been going to Mazatlan for 6 yrs now and every year i hate leaving . The people are nice and the food is great . I am glad you have this for people to read and learn from see ya in febuary. Gary
This July I will be heading to Mazatlan, Tepic and Puerto Vallarta on a mission trip. I am very excited to see what God has planned for us there. I was trying to do a little researching about these places. This has been a very informative site, thank you. After I get back I will have to write and tell how it went!
Congratulations for your extremely informative site! We have been spending the last five winters in Puerto Vallarta, but have decided to try Mazatlan next winter. Thank you for providing the answers to most of our quewstions.
Hi! I must say that of all the sites about Mazatlan, yours is the most realistic and informative. I've never been to Mexico (no excuse for somebody living in Texas, I guess)but will be taking my first trip there in early July. The parents have a timeshare in Mazatlan and I'll be staying there. I guess my main question is this: is it safe for a woman to walk the streets alone? I'm not tlaking about 2 in the morning (common sense) but I mean during the day, say, on an excursion to Stone Island or something like that. The language isn't a problem since my family is from Argentina and I lived there a long time (kinda considered a native speaker of both languages). Any feed back I could get would be great. Thanks for this site!
I have just returned from my annual two week trip( Mar.5-19.1999). It was my forth year, and like everyone else I need more. Do you have any suggestions, on places I could rent for the month of March 2000. I normally stay at the Playa Mazatlan, but a room for one person over a month is to rich for my blood. I need a place in the golden zone, so I can easily meet with friends. Who of course will be at the Playa. Any comments or ideas please let me know, until then see ya next year. Peace Nathan.
I have just returned from a terrific vacation in Mazatlan with 6 girlfriends. We were upgraded to the Playa Mazatlan from Costa de Ora and were AMAZED at our hotel. Beachfront hotel room, snack service on the beach, peddlers restricted to a line beyond the hotel. The food at the hotel was excellent and late night wave watching was enjoyed by all. We also met 4 women from our area in Mazatlan and had a great week with them. Thanks Henry and Nadine for the restaurant recommendations. Our favorites were Guadalajara Grill and Mr. A's. The waiters were friendly and provided good service. At a few of the restaurants, waiters were more interested in flirting than serving - Ernie Tomato's was one although we enjoyed the food there. Senor Frogs had good food but we were fed and asked to move from our table. We weren't impressed because 20 of us dropped too much money there to be asked to move the moment we were done. We met 3 guys there who weren't as lucky as we were with things. They were asked for money EVERYWHERE and were often given wrong change at restaurants and vendors. They were also harassed on the street by locals. One said he'd never come back after the service and treatment they had received. One criticism - beware of who you buy tours from on the beach. We got shafted by a man named GILBERTO who sold us a jungle tour which others we knew had been on and enjoyed. We had a nice morning on a chartered boat (though it wasn't the same jungle tour our friends had been on) and then were dropped at Stone Island without any lunch tickets or a way home. We were extremely specific as to what we wanted and we didn't want to join the booze cruise people. The food was awful, the beach was terrible, and the people selling stuff were agressive and rude. I would not recommend the booze cruise NOR a trip from GILBERTO to anyone. It was a wasted day for us. Other than that, the trip was excellent. I enjoyed bartering for goods on the beach and we ate many excellent meals at our hotel and other places. It was an extremely relaxing holiday and I would recommend Mazatlan and especially the Playa Mazatlan to anyone.
Our family of 4 just returned from a wonderful trip to Mazatlan and found your information and recommendations very helpful. A couple of comments regarding restaurants. We ate at Mr. A's, Guadalajara Grill, The Shrimp Bucket, Thorny's and Costa de Oro (were we stayed). The only disappointment was The Shrimp Bucket. We were not impressed with the food and found it the most expensive place we visited. We actually purchased shrimp from a vendor on the beach one morning and boiled it for dinner. It was wonderful and cheap compared to home. We also took the kids riding at Ginger's Bilingual Horses. Ginger was great. The 1 hour ride was not very scenic but a good value at $15 per rider.
Nadine & Henry- I am considering creating a recovery/retreat in Mazatlan by the sea; for plastic surgery patients.(I am a Medical Esthetician) I have e-mailed with Dr.Anna Chang and also Dr. Jorge Arriaga. We will meet when I am down there April 29-May 4 . My roommate is a chef in Woodland Gardens in Ross, Marin he will be part of the plan.Which means we may live in Mazatlan at least a good portion of the year? My cousin's house is listed with the Walfre Group. We may look at that too- you both seem to be so helpful any comments or suggestions ? Caren
My buddy and I have been comming to Mazatlan for 4 years now and I really can relate to your not wanting to leave. I have 2 other paces to eat that we both enjoy. First is Chiles Peppers, my friend thinks its the best shrimp in town, the shrimp plater is our favorite there. The other is Cow Town if you need a break from all the shrimp if you know what I mean. Excellent site, I hope to see you next March in Mazatlan, thats when we will return for #5
I just got back from Mazatlan for my spring break. Needless to say, I didn't want to leave and I especially wasn't looking forward to going back to school. I have taken time off from school before and lived in a few different cities, but I am really considering moving to MZT for at least a little while. It may sound crazy but I want to find out how realistic it would be for a college kid to actually live down there. Obviously I am not loaded with money so I would not be buying a house. Does this mean that I have to live in a dumpy shack? Or are there reasonable apartments to rent? Of course on my vacation I never left the Gold Zone so I only saw the tourist part of the city, save for the ride to the airport. What parts of the city would be safe for me to live in? I do know one Mexican (barely) that might help me. But other than that I would be on my own. About how much do hotel workers make? This all may sound crazy, but I'm young and I'm at that age where you don't know what the heck to do. Please help me if you can. Thank you. J.Mills
I will be going to Mazatlan this fall, and would like any info. on jewish life there.
I don't know where to begin to tell you what a difference your website made to our one week visit to Mazatlan the first wwek in March of 1999. We are a 65+ couple who travel a modest amount each year. Last fall we went to Los Cabos, and now to Mazatlan. I Downloaded about 50 pages from your site, Restaurants, Cab Fares, Bus Service etc. We used every bit of it while we were there. Your selection and description of restaurants was excellent. The best was Casa Loma, then Los Arcos, then El Shrimp Bucket, then Thorny's, then the Terrace at Playa Grande, and last Ernie's Tomatoes. However all were good. Did a little experimenting on our own and in essence struck out. Henry and Nadine 5 for 5, Chuck and Doris 0 for 4. Bought shoes at 3 Tremanos, Tshirts at the Mercado, and saved at least $75 US by using the bus rather than cabs. We stayed at the Vidafel (a Time share exchange for us). On a personal note, two interesting things, I have first cousins named Henry & Nadine (they are brother & sister). Also I was reading the March 1999 Pacific Pearl and was intigued by the article about Slugs & Newtons, (I am an engineer) the surprise was to find out who the author was. You seem to have a wide range of interests and a very quick mind and wit. I appreciated both the web site and the Pacific Pearl and your article. If you have a Bio some where I would knowing how I can learn more about such an interesting person. Thank you, Chuck & Doris Bicknell PS A suggestion on how to read a Mazatlan phone book could be added to the website. I was trying to find the address of the olod town Doneys restaurant. the entry was DONYS MESCOBAR 246 Or something similar. I did deduce after a while that the restaurant was on the street MEscobar and the number was 246, but it took a while. An example on the website might be helpful to some people.
Just returned from a week in Mazatlan and thanks to your web site, we had a feel for what to do while there. We ate at Guadalajara Grill twice and thoroughly enjoyed it both times, we ate at the Shrimp Bucket, great! We also ate at Pedro and Lola's downtown and that was very good, a quiet, relaxed atmosphere. We rented a car and drove to Concordia and Copala on your suggestion, that was also a hit! I had printed many of the pages from you web site and we took them with us, used them like a Bible. We enjoyed the history and interesting facts about Mazatlan that you provided, even about the buses and taxis. The only suggestion we didn't enjoy was a bike tour we booked with Robert Hudson. The bikes he provided were junkers that didn't work well at all and were very heavy for mountain bikes. The ride he provided would have been fun except for the bikes and we weren't told by hime that so much of it would be on busy city streets. Oh well, you can't win them all. All in all, we loved having the information from you and often referred to places as to whether or not "Henry and Nadine recommended it" Muchas Gracias!
Just spent a wonderful week in Mazatlan. Loved every minute, the people, the food, the ocean and the weather were great. This is my 5th or 6th visit. One thing, we stayed at the Oceana Palace this time and it was not do great. The service folks (waiters, room help) were great but the desk personnal were rude and never helpful. Have stayed other places and loved them but this is one I do not recommend.
Hi! My 3 friends and I recently returned from our Mazatlan vacation. We had a wonderful time. Your web pages were printed and were referred to often throughout our stay. We were at the Vidafel and quite enjoyed that quieter part of Mazatlan. Thankyou for the great web page! -Sherri, Whitehorse, Yukon
i need help! just returned from my annual trip to mazatlan, and i lost an address. i met some interesting people that are staying down there in the hotel Pato Blanco. it is north of the El Cid Marina. is the address simply Avenida Sábalo Cerritos?? thanks for the help.
I was curious why I can't find info on the Sea Garden Resort anymore? I found info awhile ago, but can't get anything now. Do you know if they changed the name or closed?
Hello! Just returned from a Mazatlan vaction (Jan 22 - 29th, 1999) with a group of 8 gals - 6 from Calgary and 2 from British Columbia (including myself). We had a wonderful time and will be planning another trip as soon as we can manage! Ate at Ernie Tomato's alot - it was excellent!! Lots of fun. Spent our nights at Gringo Lingo and Joe's Oyster Bar on the beach at our hotel - Los Sábalos. It was a great place to stay. We were originally booked into the Aztecca - not so great, and we were able to move across the street and down to Los Sábalos so we did. Weather was great - one cloudy day. People of Mazatlan were most friendly and service everywhere was excellent. Appreciate your site. Take Care and Thank You!! Sincerely, Drinda Rainville
We just returned from a wonderful week in Mazatlan. We flew out of Minneapolis (MN) and it was 20 degrees below zero the day we left. The weather during our entire stay could not have been better. We stayed at the Vidafel (right next to your beach home), it is a beautiful place and the treatment we received was first class. Thank you for the wonderful information you provide on your web site; it was extremely helpful for us first time travelers to Mexico. The restaurant recommendations provided by you and your other readers was greatly appreciated. We are already planning for our trip back to Mazatland next year! Thanks again! Linda
Dear Henry and Nadine add you to my favorites. While be down in Feb. Have same questions as byebeep@aol.com and would also like to know about bus routes from Guadalajara to Mazatlan. I know you like the buses. Having some time trying to book direct flight.Appricate if you could help. Thanks Carole
What can you tell me about a hotel called Paraiso del Mar? We have booked through a timeshare and have been able to find NO info on it anywhere? What beach is it on? What other hotels is it near? How big is it? Also, we will be in Mazatlan for our honeymoon. Any romantic spots we should go to? Any other advice? And how do you say honeymoon in Spanish? We would like to let the hotel know...
Dear Henry and Nadine, Thank you so much for your wonderful advice. My family and I just got back from a perfect vacation to Mazatlan, and I wanted to thank you for all your tips and recomendations. We ate at all the restraunts you suggested and loved them all, especially the Shrimp Bucket. Thanks, again. -Jessica Whitter
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