Mazatlan, Mexico

[Mazatlan Frank]

Wow!! It is Monday and the Magic will be back on Wednesday. Time goes by so fast. Now my friends from Puerto Vallarta will get to see the Magic. We saw her first, last week! It is so nice we will be getting the Magic every Wednesday, this way in summer we get 2 ships a week, counting the Magic and Carnival Pride.
Makes us happy!!!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Regina]

Hi Mazatlan Frank! I just wanted to say that we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Mazatlan last week. It's a beautiful country.

We went to the Golden Zone. (On the ship there were vouchers provided by Diamonds International for free transportation from the dock to this area.)

We stuck to the Disney recommended shops and got some beautiful silver jewelry. We also found a great little shop tucked in along the main strip where we picked up vanilla and spices. I can't wait to try them.

We strolled to Joe's Oyster Bar and enjoyed a great open air lunch right on the oceanfront. There were a bunch of Magic crew members there. I still remember that view.

We wish that we were able to stay longer, but we loved what time we did have there.

Thanks again for the wonderful hospitality!!

 

[jilljill]

Do most shops and taxi drivers take US dollars? When I have visited Mexico in the past it has been for a few days and we always used Pesos.


Regina, do you remember where the shop is located that you picked up the vanilla and spices, or the name of it?

 

[Regina]

The shops take U.S. currency. If you use a credit card, its converted to pesos. The clerks always explain this before handing you the receipt to sign. (If they didn't, they'd probably be administering smelling salts to revive you after seeing the total in pesos.)

We didn't use a taxi but I've seen advice about negotiating the price beforehand in U.S. dollars.

The spice shop sold Martha's Original Recipe items. That may have been the name of the shop, sorry we can't remember. It was small, but had a nice selection and we found the prices to be reasonable. (Got a packet of Saffron for about $6.00 U.S.)

In the direction from which you enter the Golden Zone, it will be on the left.

 

[jilljill]

Thanks for the info Regina. I wouldn't have 'sticker shock' if I used my credit card. I was in Cancun one time when the exchange rate was 2800 Pesos to $1.00. Now that was sticker shock seeing our hotel bill for millions of Pesos .

 

[MousseauMob]

I would like to show a picture I took of the Magic in Mazatlan, but I cannot upñoad it. Does anyone know how I can do that? Gracias!

Mazatlan Frank

First you have to upload your pictures to a site that will let you link to them. You can use http://photobucket.com its a free service that you sign up for and they will send you and email that you activate. Once you've done that, you upload the pictures you want. Then with in a message you're sending you can insert an image, which gives you a pop-up and from there paste in the URL that photobucket displays for the photo you uploaded.

Hope this helps.

BTW - I just wanted to say thanks for all the great information you've given. I've loved reading your posts!

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

It is nice to see that there was a bit of activity on the thread today!

The name of the store is Marthas Spices and it is next to the Hotel Playa Mazatlan or across from Gringo Lingo Bar. I think I mentioned this place to someone a while ago on this thread. I am happy that you had a good time here WebmasterRegina. I hope that you come back again and next time maybe stay longer at a Hotel. It is a great City!
About Credit Cards, yes, I have seen some people almost faint when they get their reciepts. They have to be in Mexican Pesos, but when you get the bill in the US, it will be in US dollars. Actually, some friends have told me that they have got a very good rate of exchange and that they were even paying less then what it was originally. I do recommend that you keep an eye on the card though, as I have heard that there has been some fraud with the cards.
Jilljill I must mention that almost everyone takes US dollars and most give you US dollars back for change. Do ask before though, because there are some exceptions and you do not want to take thousands of pesos back, hahahahaha
About Taxis (any type) always ask how much for a taxi. Normally from the ship to the Golden zone it is $10us per taxi (up to 4 per taxi).
MousseauMob I thank you so much for the information and I will try to show the picture of the Magic. It is not taken with my good camera. I took it with my phone, but it is the Magic in Mazatlan for the first time, so I think it is valuble. I am glad that I have helped with my information and I am sure that there is much more to tell in the future. At this moment I am preparing more information to upload to my website. I want to make it very informative also.
Well thanks again to you all and I wish you the best!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Debbie H]

When we were there last week it was 11 pesos to the US $.

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

That is correct, although today it was $10.74 pesos to one US dollar. It goes up and down everyday. The easiest way to calculate is go 10 to 1, and take a cero off. for example 250 pesos is 25 us, 300 pesos is 30 us

Hope this helps........

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

This is the link for the photo of the Magic in Mazatlan for the first time. It is not great because I took it with my camara, but it´s a picture!

http://photobucket.com/albums/y298/mazatlanfrank/?action=view&current=Magic3.bmp


Mazatlan Frank

 

[Maleficent59]

Mazatlan City & Country Tour

Just wanted to let you all know about the wonderful (all day) excursion we took in Mazatlan (5/25). Frank was waiting for us right outside the terminal shops with a sign and he managed all the details of the day from that point on! Frank is very personable, funny, flexible, passionate and knowledgeable about his home, Mazatlan. We spent all day seeing “the real” Mazatlan. Some highlights include, seeing bricks made by hand; watching tiles made by hand (and purchasing and bringing home LOTS of tiles!); having delicious Mexican pastries; visiting old and new Mazatlan. Frank was the perfect host – funny and articulate! My family, friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our day with him!

If you are considering a tour in Mazatlan, I highly recommend him! Send me a PM if you need his contact information.

-Sarah

 

[Jasak]

Mazatlan City & Country Tour

Just wanted to let you all know about the wonderful (all day) excursion we took in Mazatlan (5/25). Frank was waiting for us right outside the terminal shops with a sign and he managed all the details of the day from that point on! Frank is very personable, funny, flexible, passionate and knowledgeable about his home, Mazatlan. We spent all day seeing “the real” Mazatlan. Some highlights include, seeing bricks made by hand; watching tiles made by hand (and purchasing and bringing home LOTS of tiles!); having delicious Mexican pastries; visiting old and new Mazatlan. Frank was the perfect host – funny and articulate! My family, friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our day with him!

If you are considering a tour in Mazatlan, I highly recommend him! Send me a PM if you need his contact information.

-Sarah

Hi,
Do you remember which tour you took with Frank? Was it the "Mazatlan Walking Tour"? We're planning to make reservations soon. Thanks, Jinny
(On the 8/6 Magic)

 

[lkohawaii]

JASAK...if you want Frank himself I would book soon. I have been coresponding with him for over 6 months now and just from his e mails I want only the "original". I think he may have help to accomidate his other guests when he can't do all the groups. Hopefully Frank will post which tour this is. He does have a website. It's www.mazatlan-frank.com. I hope this works.

Frank- All these posts just make it that much harder to wait to come meet you. Tell the kids their shirts are in the suitcase.

Sarah - thanks for sharing about your exdperience with Frank. Everybody thinking about touring Mexico there have been some trip reports that made me think twice about booking a tour on my own or going out on my own in the city. Some of my friends have even been skeptical about me going with Frank. After e mailing him for over 6 months and doing checks on him...I know I have no worries in Mexico as long as Frank is there. The little money I pay for his services is much worth my piece of mind.

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I hope I am not doing something that I should not do. I am just answering a question though. Jasak The tour was the Colonial and City tour.

Thank you Sarah for such nice comments. It was a true pleasure to meet you and your family. Hope we can meet again in the future. The picture is great also, thanks!

lkohawaii, I am really looking forward in meeting you and your family and friends. It has been a real pleasure emailing for these past 6? months, boy, time flies by when you are having fun! Have a great trip!

Thank you all and I hope I can continue answering questions to all of you that ask. Have a great day!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I will check tomorrow and tell you about the free transportation that was given to the passengers last week. I am saying this, because I heard that their were a lot of unhappy taxi drivers and tour guides last week, because so many people went on that shuttle and not many took taxis or independent tours. Cruise ship day in Mazatlan is a big day! Tour guides, taxi drivers, vendors, etc, all benefit from the cruiseship passengers. If someone comes and takes everything, it is not good. Free things are great, but it puts out of business a lot of people. We will see what happens tomorrow. I am very happy because the Magic comes back to Mazatlan!

All the best to all of you!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[lkohawaii]

Frank we are looking for a Tequilla called Leyva. Can we get it anywhere in Maztalan? I know there is a factory in PV where it is made. Our friends told us that's the only place he could find it. It's supposed to be the BEST.

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I would say, get it in PV. I have not heard of it in Mazatlan. They probably just sell it at the Tequila factory in PV. See you soon!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I don´t remember if I mentioned in a previous comment, but we have some interesting museums in Mazatlan. The Art Museum (museo de Arte) and also the Arqueological Museum (Museo Arqueologico). They are quite interesting. They are located in the Old Mazatlan. Another quite interesting private Museum is Casa Machado which is a great opportunity to see how a house was decorated in the late 1800´s starting of the 1900´s. I think these museums charge around $20 pesos or $2 us dlls.

Enjoy the culture in Mazatlan also!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I am sad because no one has asked any more questions...... Where is everyone?? Hope to hear from you!!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Cherta]

HI Frank,
Thanks for all the great informaiton on your beautiful city-you have been very helpful. Could you please pass along any information regarding the El Cid hotel (not sure which one, sorry) that has the great swimming and diving pool. I think there is one that welcomes cruise passengers (as long as we purchase food and drink) that I am interested in doing instead of the Disney sponsered excursion. Could you provide as much detail as you can (how far from the ship, taxi service price, etc.).
Thank you in advance and sorry if this has been asked before!