Mazatlan, Mexico

[Mazatlan Frank]

www.randishappyhorses.com

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

Here is something that I find interesting about Mazatlan. It is part of the Historic Mazatlan, The Angela Peralta theatre. It is so incredible, because it was in ruins for so many years and it is so beautiful now! Here is a link to their page in english. You may see other parts but in Spanish. You can see that we also have Culture in Mazatlan, not only Fiestas.

http://www.teatroangelaperalta.com/Articulos/2002/CumpleanosTeatro_Eng.htm

Enjoy!


Mazatlan Frank

 

[Vanvmom]

I thought I read here somewhere that there was a water taxi that goes to Stone Island (but I can't locate it now). How much is it per person, and what type of things are there to do there if we choose not to go with the Disney excursion? Also, how often do the water taxis run?

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

The water taxi to stone island is not too far from the terminal building. Once you get to the terminal (where the taxis are), go out to the street, turn left and walk to the end of the avenue (aprox 3 blocks) go straight thru a small dirt road stretch and you will see the little boats that take you there. I am not sure how frequent, but they go often. The cost is about a $1.00us dll. It takes probably 5 minutes to get across and there are activities on the island like horseback riding, banana boat ride, and other activities. For food, I have heard excellent comments about Victors (for shrimp).
Have fun!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[mommykeg]

Frank,

Is the El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel a nice place to go with kids age 8 and 4? How long does it take to get there? How much would the taxi be? Is there a certain type of taxi I should be looking to take (white, yellow, ?)? I understand that they take day cruisers for free if you purchase food and drinks there. Do they provide towels or will we need to bring our own? How about the beach? Is it good for swimming? We'd like a place where we would have direct access to a beach and a nice pool...is El Cid best for that or do you have a better recommendation? The Disney excursion is going to Los Sabalos...which do you think would be better and why?

 

[TinkerBellMom]

We recently met Randi of Randishappyhorses on the Western repo in May. We were inpressed and had a great time on Stone island. Her horses are WELL fed and not skinny scrawney things that you feel bad just looking at. There were little kids riding alone and they did fine. Randi has an attentive an experienced staff. This was an excursion the we did on our own and was happy to have done so. Laid back and very nice. The beach is beautiful and we were well taken care of. Randi is an American form SanFrancisco I think. Good person to deal with. My camera broke as we sailed to Stone Island and she even had an extra in her bag just in case a tourist needed it! That is what I call a thinking business woman!

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

El Cid is a ver nice 5 star Hotel. They actually have 4 Hotels. Granada, on the country club section, Castilla and El Moro on the beach and The Marina El Cid. Where most people go is to Castilla, but right next store is El Moro and they also have a nice pool with a little waterslide. If you go thru the timeshare people by the ship, I think you have to do the timeshare talk for an hour and a half. Normally you go on your own to El Cid and go tru the lobby. If they ask you anything, just tell them you are from the ship and you just want to eat and drink something. Just go to the restaurant and have something to drink and maybe to eat and there is no problem. I have some friends that went there and they said that they even lent them some towels. I am not sure if that is for everyone though. A Taxi is easy to get at the terminal and they should charge around $12us per taxi to El Cid one way and it takes around 20-30 minutes to get there.
The beach at el Cid is good, but there have been a little bit of jellyfish so be careful.
Los Sabalos is very nice also, but it is a matter of which Hotel does the ships company send the people to. El Cid might be less crowded, but if you are coming in July or mid August, Hotels will be full with Mexican families, as that is the high tourist season for Mexican people.
About Randi, I can just say that she is great! Tinkerbellmom : She was just mentioning on Wednesday about the camera thing. She has it in her purse, great gal, isn´t she?

Have an excellent Sunday!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[JennsBabySky]

Hi Frank,
We've been back from our trip to Mazatlan for a week now. Thanks so much for your wonderful advice! We went to Senor Frogs and had a picture taken of our family, but we left the picture in the cab! I can not remember who our driver was. Are there any main cab companies that I could contact, I wish I could find that picture.

Thank you,
Jennifer

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I think it might be difficult. They have 2 unions of Taxis. The green and the red. There are regular closed taxis and open air taxis. Tell me what kind it was and I will call and see if by any chance they turned in. Each taxi is owned individually so I do not promise anything, but I will try.......

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

Did you know that Mazatlan was the second City in the world that was bombed by air? That was in the days of the Mexican Revolution. The pilot was supposed to drop the bomb on a military post, but by mistake he dropped it in a Civilian area killing a few and injuring some also.
Did you know that Mazatlan has the highest natural lighthouse in the world. It was the second but as Gibraltar is not in operation presently, the second became the first.
Did you know that when they were building the cathedral in Mazatlan, there was a Jewish family living here and that they donated an amount for the construction of this catholic cathedral? Well look at the top windows and you will see the Star of David in it. That is because they were very thankful with the jewish. Imagine a beautiful Catholic church with the Star of David on it. That is how things should always be. Be friendly, helpful and we will have a wonderful world!

Have a great day all of you!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I just wanted to mention that on my cruiseship calender, I have the Magic leaving Mazatlan at 8pm and last week it left at 5pm. If you have any tours going on late, just check what time you will be leaving Mazatlan. The ships time is the same time in Mazatlan, by the way.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

The first arrival of the Magic (Panama Canal) to Mazatlan, departed at 5 pm. The first Mexican Riviera trip departed at 8pm and according to my calender The Magic would be leaving at 8pm. The last 2 arrivals (including today) left at 5pm. SO those who have non Disney tours be careful and check as you get off the ship to see what time you leave. If not, you may stay at my B & B for a week! hahahaha just kidding!

I am happy! I saw the Magic one more time today!

Have a great day!


Mazatlan Frank

 

[mfishe]

I was browsing through this board and saw a Matzalan thread, and just had to reply. I have sailed Disney many times with our grandchildren and in fact have a cruise booked 9/08 for just my husband and I. If I could just get back to Matzalan there is only one thing I would do, Go To Stone Island. My husband, son and I went on the Carnival Pride and I did a lot of research. They wanted to go fishing and I wanted a day alone at the beach. I emailed Randy and she hooked them up with a fishing boat. I went to Stone Island on my own, Wow!!! When I left the ship I went outside the fence to get a cab, many told me not to go there by myself. They wanted to take me shopping. I found a nice open air cab and he took me to the dock to Stone Island. It is quite old and the boats were old but I was treated like a Queen. I think it was $1 or $2 to take the "boat" to Stone Island. I did not save my ticket which would have been round trip, which I did not realize at the time. The boat makes you put on a life preserver and atleast 10 locals tried to assist me with this task. When we arrived at Stone Island, about 5 min. ride, There were "taxis" to great you. Most of them were on there last legs but I asked to go to Victor's since I heard it was a great place to eat and sit on the beach. The drop off point was one I will never forget, quite old then you walk to the front on the beach and it was the most beautifull place I have ever been! Mrs. Victor greeted me and was sooo pleasant. I have been to many islands and I can't explain it but something about Stone Island makes it very special. The beach is spectakular. I had lunch at Victor's and it was great. Met Randi and she was very friendly. My only regret is that I had to leave this paradise. If you do anything in Matzalan visit Stone Island, you will never forget your visit their. Do not listen to the taxi drivers that tell you not to go. It is a short ride from the cruise port and they want to make a longer fare. I live in Fl. so a cruise from the west coast is quite a trip but if I go again Matzlan would have to be one of the ports of call!!!!

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

mfishe: I thank you for the nice review about Stone Island. It is very accurate. I will also tell you that you can also go to the other embarcadero without taking a Taxi. Walk out the terminal building to the Avenue, turn left and walk to the end of the ave., next to the Ferry boat terminal (about 3 blocks) and take the boat from there. It is about a $1us dlr, round trip. They have very nice beaches there.
This is very good input and I am sure that it will others that want to go.

Have a nice day!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[xploring]

Frank,

It was so great to have met you on June 8 in Mazatlan. Your tour was definitely one of the highlights of the our whole Disney Magic experience. We really enjoyed touring Mazatlan with you and you were right- Tonys at the Beach was a great place for lunch. The lobster and shrimp platter was delicious as were all the other dishes we had there (not to mention the pinatas and Pina Coladas, and beers...) We would definitely recommend you to anyone who is interested in an informative as well as fun way to see and experience Mazatlan.

Hope to meet you again soon, perhaps in San Francisco, when you come to visit?

Thanks,
Mindi, Sam, spence, maddie

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

JennsBabySky : I am sorry to say that I checked both companies (green and red), but they both told me that they have no control on the taxis. The taxis are independently owned and unless you would have a number, they could maybe do something. They say that we have over 800 taxis, so imagine. I will continue checking with some that I know, but the hopes are not too high, sorry.
On the other hand, you have an excuse to come back to Mazatlan (sorry a bad joke, but we have to see the bright side of it, right?)

Mindi Sam, Spence, Maddie It was completely my pleasure to take you around. I am glad that you enjoyed Tonys and all the places we went to. If there is anything else I can do to help you, please ask. Perhaps next year we go to San Francisco, who knows? I do not know if I mentioned that my sister in law lives in Reno and we want to visit her so maybe we turn over and give you a call. I will let you know.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

In Mazatlan, we have a famous place called Señor Frogs. You will see many stores that say Señor Frogs official stores and thats what those are, they sell t-shirts, shorts, pens, etc, etc. A little on the high side, but it is good quality and last for a long time. Anyways, back to the Restaurant Bar, it is on the Malecon (board walk) between the ship and the Golden zone. The one in Mazatlan, opened in the 1970´s and has been very succesful. This was the first one opened, now they have in Tijuana, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco, Puerto Rico, El Salvador and Panama. If you go there cruiseship day, it will be very busy and a lot of fun, although if you do not like load music, maybe you do not like it. But it is nice to go there at least once. They open around 12 noon. A taxi from the ship to Sr Frogs should be around 8-10 US dollars.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[RDS912]

Is there anywhere to rent personal watercraft like a jet ski or waverunner in Mazatlan?

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

Yes, you can rent them at the Aqua Sports center at El cid Castlla Hotel. I am not sure of the price, but let me find out and I will get back to you tomorrow.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[DonnettaR]

Frank,
Is there somewhere near the dock to purchase postcards and stamps to mail back home?