Mazatlan (and vicinity) hotels

Downtown Mazatlan
At the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains, across from the southern tip of Baja California, Mazatlan is known as the “Pearl of the Pacific.” In the first years of the 21st century, Plaza Machado, Mazatlan’s historic and cultural center, has been restored to its 19th century glory. Ringed by open-air restaurants and cafes, the only through-street is closed to traffic Thursday-Saturday evenings.

Marina Mazatlan
Tourism in Mazatlan took off in the middle of the 20th century when the city became known as a mecca for sportfishing. Today, Marina Mazatlan hosts an international sportfishing tournament and daily tours depart to fish for marlin, sailfish, and dorado. The 260-slip marina is situated in an estuary just north of Zona Dorada, with numerous hotel and restaurants in the surrounding area.

Nuevo Mazatlan
Just north of Marina Mazatlan is an area called Emerald Bay, or Nuevo Mazatlan. Only a 10-minute drive from Zona Dorada attractions, this area is relatively undeveloped, with only a few resorts and some vacation rentals. The beautiful, sandy beaches here are less crowded, with few to no beach vendors. They are great for beachcombing and watching the sunset over the Pacific.

Zona Dorada
About 6.5 km (4 mi) north of Mazatlan’s historic center, the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) is the city’s main tourist area. This is where most of the hotels, restaurants, and discos are concentrated. Popular beaches include Playa Camaron and Playa Gaviotas, both prime sunset-watching locales. At the southern end of Zona Dorada, the popular Fiesta Land complex houses 7 clubs and restaurants.