Located along the Pacific coast of Sinaloa, Mexico, Mazatlan is a highly venerated resort town that has plenty to offer for visiting tourists. There’s plenty to do and see while staying within Mazatlan, and we’ll be taking a look at some of the town’s most celebrated activities in this video. From taking a gander at Mazatlan’s Old Town district to checking out some of the resort town’s museums, join ViewCation as we take a look at the best things to do in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Take a Gander at Mazatlan’s Old Town District
No Mexican resort town is complete without an Old Town district, and Mazatlan’s got one for the books! Mazatlan’s Old Town district has something offer for everyone, whether history buffs or souvenir shoppers. Those interested in the region’s unique history will get a kick out of checking out the area’s Old Spanish Fort, and there’s also a historical center. For shopping opportunities galore, tourists can head to either the downtown market or the boardwalk. The downtown market functions predominantly as a grocer for the locals, while the boardwalk features a shopping area with souvenirs.
Sit in for a Show at the Angela Peralta Theater
Mazatlan is a Mexican resort town with a notably thriving art scene, and this art scene is exemplified to no greater degree than at the Angela Peralta Theater. The Angela Peralta Theater puts on shows for tourists and locals alike at all times of the year, and it’s rare to stumble past the building and not find a performance going on. The shows range from community productions that are free to watch to more professional productions that charge a small fee for ticks. Tourists are likely to get a kick out of checking out a show of any caliber, and one of the best parts of the experience is the venue itself. The venue is intimate and has decidedly great acoustics, meaning visitors are likely to have a great time no matter where they happen to be seated. The Angela Peralta Theater is an important part of Mazatlan’s modern culture, and you’ll be supporting the arts by going there. In addition to the many productions that are put on at the venue throughout the year, the location also plays home to a host of art galleries, as well as a fairly notable fine arts academy.
Take the Climb to the Mazatlan Lighthouse
If you’re up for a climb, you certainly shouldn’t pass on the opportunity to visit the Mazatlan Lighthouse. The striking historical landmark is located at the peak of the resort town’s highest hill, which means that making it to the lighthouse might not be feasible for all visitors to Mazatlan. Still, if you’ve got the gumption, the experience is certainly worth the trek! The hill that Mazatlan Lighthouse is located upon goes by the name of Cerro Creston, and the fact that it’s located at such a high point makes the views from the top of the lighthouse all the more staggering. When you get to the top of the lighthouse, you’ll be well over 500 feet about the nearby shore. There’s a hiking trail that will take you up the hill to the lighthouse, and it should only take about 30 minutes for hikers that know what they’re doing.
Besides the beautiful views from the lighthouse itself, visitors can also get the chance to walk out on a lookout featuring a glass bottom. This will allow tourists to truly get a feel for just how high above the shore the peak of Cerro Creston sits. The experience can be a little bit disorienting, but it will certainly be one that visitors won’t forget. The entrance fee to get into the lighthouse can differ depending on how crowded to location is, so be sure to keep that in mind.
Feel the Power of the Mazatlan Cathedral
If you’re looking to have a religious experience while visiting the Mexican resort town of Mazatlan, the Mazatlan Cathedral is certainly going to be the place to do it! The historical cathedral is still considered today to be the preeminent religious building in the entirety of the resort town. The locals use the building to worship every week, and tourists are welcome to sit in on the masses to get a taste of how Mazatlan’s residents worship. Whether you’re a religious person or not, you’ll certainly feel something while gazing upon the cathedral’s stunning architecture. The cathedral features some breathtaking stained-glass windows featuring classic religious iconography. And this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the architectural wonders that are in store for tourists inside of the historical religious building.
Besides the aforementioned stained-glass windows, the interior of the Mazatlan Cathedral is also replete with wondrous chandeliers, mosaics, and frescoes. Even when masses aren’t being held, the cathedral is typically filled with locals coming to say their daily prayers. If you join in with them, you may end up having a spiritual reawakening!
If you’re enjoying this video so far, be sure to hit the like button to show your support! Also, subscribe to the channel if you’d like to be among the first to know when more globetrotting ViewCation videos are on their way!
Check Out the Sea Creatures at Acuario Maztlan
If you’re interested in seeing some interesting sea creatures, you should head over to Acuario Maztlan. Acuario Maztlan features much more than just your average aquarium, and it’s massive fish tank is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what this facility has to offer it’s visitors. The fish tank may house nearly 300 different species of exotic fish, but it’s got nothing on the aquarium’s crocodile and frog area. There’s also an aviary that tourists can walk through, as well as shows featuring sea lions, birds, and divers.
Acuario Maztlan is certainly a great place to take the kids, and there are even a couple of play areas available for when they get bored of looking at the sea creatures. Visitors can also cash in on the chance to go swimming with sharks and sea lions should they so choose, though the experience isn’t going to be for everyone! With all of the different activities that Acuario Maztlan offers to it’s visitors, it’s no wonder that the aquarium has become so popular with tourists.
Brush Up on Your Watersports at Aqua Sports Center
It’s hard not to step into the Mexican resort town of Mazatlan and not immediately get the urge to go out on the water. Those that have never tried there hand at watersports will find plenty to enjoy at the Aqua Sports Center. The Aqua Sports Center is unique in that it helps train beginners how to go out on the water and partake in the watersport of their choosing. Whether you’re interested in surfing, scuba diving, parasailing, boating, or deep-sea fishing, certified trainers at the Aqua Sports Center will be able to make you feel like you know what you’re doing. The Aqua Sports Center also helps those who already know what they’re doing get set up with the equipment that they need to do things their way.
See If the Mazatlan Carnival Is Going On!
Though it only happens for one week a year, the Mazatlan Carnival is certainly something that tourists are going to want to experience if they get the chance to. The carnival is said to be the third largest in the entire world! It offers plenty of awesome activities for tourists and locals alike. There are few better ways for visitors to immerse themselves in the local Mexican culture, and there are also few ways that are quite as fun! Given the immense size of the carnival, it should come as no surprise that it houses a seemingly infinite number of different exhibitions. Some of the more notable of these include it’s art and food fairs. There’s also a gigantic naval-combat fireworks display. The carnival goes on for seven days, and is typically held around March.
Take the Family to the Mazaqua Water Park
When the sun is especially glaring, tourists visiting Mazatlan can beat the heat by checking out Mazaqua Water Park! The water park is plenty of fun for visitors of all ages, with a variety of slides and pools to keep family members of all demographics entertained. Whether it’s members are looking to simply relax in the shade of the park’s palapas or get their adrenaline going on it’s plethora of attractions, families are liable to find plenty of ways to waste away a sunny day at Mazaqua Water Park.
Try to Hit the Jackpot at the Monte Carlo Casino
If all-ages fun doesn’t sound like your kind of thing, you may be more interested in checking out the Monte Carlo Casino. As it’s name should suggest, the Monte Carlo Casino is the preeminent casino in the area, and there are plenty of ways for tourists to gamble while visiting it. Whether you’re looking to plays cards, roulette, or slot machines, avid gamblers will find plenty of ways to pass the time at the Monte Carlo Casino, which also features an entertainment complex. Even if you’ve been dragged to the casino by a family member and could care less about gambling, the architecture of the building that houses it should provide plenty of joy.
Check Out Some of the Resort Town’s Museums
There are a few notable museums located within the resort town of Maztlan, and we’ll take a look at three exceptionally unique ones in this video. The first that we’ll be taking a look at is the Museo de Conchas, which showcases works of art made using seashells. In addition to housing a variety of exquisite and historical artworks that have been made using seashells, the museum also offers it’s guests the opportunity to purchase modern works made using seashells. These can be found at the gift shop for a reasonable price, and make excellent souvenirs.
Those that are interested in Mexican entertainment may want to check out the Museo de Pedro Infante, which showcases memorabilia from a notable Mexican film star by the name of Pedro Infante. The star was born in the resort town of Mazatlan, and stands as one of the most revered icons in the history of Mexican entertainment. Finally, those looking to be immersed in some more academic subject matter than seashells and superstars can check out the Museo Arqueologico de Mazatlan to see a plethora of archeological exhibits pertaining to the region’s history.
Hopefully, this video has helped you plan the best itinerary possible for when it’s your time to visit Mazatlan, Mexico. Now it’s time to hear from you: did you know that the Mexican resort town of Mazatlan is home to the third largest carnival in the world, and that the town also features several historical landmarks? As always, like this video to show your support, and subscribe and hit the notification bell if you’d like to be among the first to know when more ViewCation videos are on their way!