Mazatlan, Mexico

[Mazatlan Frank]

Hola
Yes, there are many little shops where the terminal building is. To get there, you must take the free shuttle which takes 2 minutes. You will see jewelery stores, arts and crafts stores, etc. In some of thoise stores they sell post cards. There is also a place that has quick massages and close to it is a little booth on the outside from the Mexican Post Office. You may purchase stamps and they will mail it.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[DonnettaR]

Gracias

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

Your welcome. If there is any other question, please ask. I hope that you enjoy your stay in Mazatlan!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[mommykeg]

Frank,

We want to go to El Cid Castilla Beach. There are 4 of us (mom, dad, 2 kids). What kind of taxi should I look for and how much should I expect to pay. Do I pay someone round trip and they will come back for us? Or do I pay a taxi one way and then hope to find a taxi back from El Cid? I'm kind of nervous doing a non-disney excursion, but El Cid sounds really great...I think it would be perfect for my family. But I don't want to be stuck there without a ride back to the ship! Thanks for your help!

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

Do not worry about Taxis, we have more taxis in Mazatlan then people! hahaha . You will find regular taxis (green or red), open air safari taxis, pulmonias (like golf carts) and Aurigas (nissan pick ups with seats and a roof in the back). Go to El Cid, don´t worry, be happy. You will be on vacation and will not be allowed to worry! The taxi ride is $10-12us per taxi and one way. You could probably tell the driver to meet you there at a certain time, but there are 2 taxi stands outside El Cid and also you can go to the street and stop one there. The time to get there aprox. 25 mins deppending on traffic (not like L.A.) and taxi driver. Really, go there and have fun!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[mommykeg]

Thanks, Frank! I feel better getting an insider's perspective. I think that's what we will do.

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I am glad that my little help, made you decide. Have fun!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

It has been a little quiet, but I guess that is usual on the weekends. I would like to give out more information but sometimes I try and think what to say and I just can´t think of a theme. I do not want to repeat what I have already said so if anyone else has questions please ask!

Gracias!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[DisneyTart]

Mazatlan Frank thanks for all your tips, question answering and time.

Wanted to pass on to you that I got papers/updates from my travel agent and one of the updates of interest is that the Magic is now leaving at 5:00PM from Mazatlan (instead of 8:00Pm as they originally said). Thought I'd share this with you.

Again thank you for your thread!

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

Thank you Disney Tart for the information. Yes, that is true. The only time it left at 8pm was the first Mexican Riviera cruise. After that, it has been leaving at 5pm. I appreciate your comment.

I am glad you have been enjoying this thread and hope to keep it updated.

Have a great week!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[prov3v56]

Hi Frank,

I don't know if this questions has been asked already or not. My family is currently signed up for the Mexican Family Ranch Excursion. We are traveling with two 2 year olds and a five year old. Is this an excursion that would be good for our family, or is there another one that you would recommend? Thank you for any information that you may have.

 

[lkohawaii]

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[/QUOTE]

Frank this would be us you're talking about. Just returned home and the ground is still shaking. I can't tell everybody how safe I felt getting off the Magic and knowing that you would be there to take care of us. In our navigator the time for returning to ship was 4:30. When I called guest services they said the time had changed. Don't be afraid to make excursions on your own. Frank assures you that if he doesn't get you back in time that you'll be staying at Frank's B & B. Frank's english is the best. Had I not known better I would have thought he was an American. Some of the taxi drivers in other ports had heavy accents. The humidity seems to be high in Mexico so Frank's air conditioned van was very comfortable.

We did 2 tours in the Maztlan for the price I would have paid Disney to do one...not to mention that I couldn't have done 2 tours in Maztlan if if I was willing to pay. If you do your research well you won't run into any problems booking on your own. I can only say good things about Frank and that you can't go wrong if you go on tour with him.
Oh, and Frank steps back and lets you experience Mexico yourself...but when you have a hard time communicating he appears from nowhere to help translate. One of the best experiences in Mexico.
I don't know if this makes a difference but there was also another cruise ship in port the day we arrived. I think it was the Pride. Book your tours early because there's only one Frank and two big ships coming into port on the same day. I suspect that this is the reason the Magic is leaving port early. The two ships can't get out at the same time.

 

[alohatee]

Hi Sherri:

Just PM you regarding the departure time in Maz before reading this thread - thanks for putting me at ease. Was concern about the feeling of being rushed to get back to the ship.

Glad you had a wonderful time - can't wait to experience the same.

Sherri - BTW what tour did you take with Mazatlan Frank?

Mazatlan Frank - got my answer. Do we have enough people for that day - Aug 17?

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

prov3v56 I think that they will enjoy the tour. I have been to Las Moras many times and it is fun. Although I must say that it has been a couple of years since the last time. I remember that they have a real nice pool, very good food and the horse ride was nice also. The view from the chappel is real nice also. I think they will have a very nice time there. Because they have live animals and also if the kids get bored with that, there is always the pool. I know they can stay in the pool all day, I have 2 kids at home, so I know, hahaha. Have fun there!

lkohawaii Wow! Your comment really makes me feel good. I am so happy that you enjoyed this trip. I cannot say much but just want to thank you for allowing me to meet you, your family and friends. I really hope we can meet again in the future and who knows maybe I go to your City and you take me around! haha. Thanks again for the shirts and the chocolates (mmmmm!!!!!) They are history, hahahaha. Excellent! Gracias!

All of you have an excellent week!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[lkohawaii]

Hi Sherri:

Just PM you regarding the departure time in Maz before reading this thread - thanks for putting me at ease. Was concern about the feeling of being rushed to get back to the ship.

Glad you had a wonderful time - can't wait to experience the same.

Sherri - BTW what tour did you take with Mazatlan Frank?

Mazatlan Frank - got my answer. Do we have enough people for that day - Aug 17?

Sorry...I forgot the panic I too had when I found out the Magic was leaving Mazatlan at 4:30. Now, I remember my panic as I told Randi that the Magic was leaving now at 4:30 instead of 8 something. She got Tony (her assistant) on th phone to Frank right away. They worked it out. Then on Stone Island we wanted to push the time up even earlier so we could spend more time with Frank so Tony was once again in touch with Frank and it was arranged. You know they give such good service that I forgot all about the panic that we experienced for those few minutes.
I think by now that both Randi and Frank know that it's a permanant change so they are prepared. Don't be afraid to book the 2 excursions on one day. Our joke for the day with Frank was call your wife and tell her you'll have 8 people staying at Frank's B & B. Frank got us back to the ship by 4 and in lots of time to make it back to the ship.
Oh, and I don't know if Frank wants me to spill the beans about this...but when he's not doing "Frank's tours" he works for a big tour company in Maztalan. I see the vans all over. This just shows how well trained he is in his business.


Frank...I hope one day you will come to my lovely city. I must say that I couldn't do as fine a job showing you my city as you did showing us yours. Everytime you wear those shirts you dream of coming to see us.

 

[lkohawaii]

Just thought I'd give you my opinion of the beaches in the 3 ports that you'll visit. Remember I'm from Hawaii where now I really appreciate our beaches. In PV and Maztalan I wouldn't let my children in the water. People on the boats were running to the resorts but those just weren't beaches in my opinion. The sand was gray and not white. Some people say it's the kelp from the ocean...I don't know why it was gray. In Cabo the beaches were white but still not the beaches we have at home. If I had no beaches at home, I'd let my children swin in Cabo and not in PV and Maztlan. Of course this is because I am surrounded by beaches everyday. In my opinion I would tour the cities in both PV and Maz to see Mexico and swim in Cabo. I'm talking about Lover's beach that I saw. You have to get on a water taxi to get out there. It's a reasonable fare and short trip.

 

[Sarangel]

Hi Frank,
I was wondering if you had any information about Mike's Gentle Horses? We're considering booking with them, since I have a 2 year old DD and they say we can have her ride along with us.

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[carriep1657]

We were in Mazatlan, June 1st on the inaugural West Coast tour. We tried to book Frank for a city tour but a couple of other DISers had beaten me to him. I asked Frank if he could recommend any other guides and he suggested Tomatto.

If any of you try to book Frank and you're too late, I want to tell you that we had a great time with Tomatto. He picked us up right outside the little shop area at the port in a comfortable van. It had AC and seat belts. We brought booster seats for our kids and the 6 in our party fit very comfortably. I felt totally comfortable with Tomatto driving. He knows a great deal about the city. It is evident that he is very proud of Mazatlan. He also knows lots of people which comes in very handy when you have a potty emergency. At one point in our tour, my mom and dd said they needed to go to the bathroom. DD added that she needed to go "right away". Tomatto found a restroom at a friend's restaurant within a couple of minutes. I was impressed.

We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon. Mazatlan ended up being my favorite port thanks to Tomatto's delightful tour.

Frank, thank you for the recommendation.

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

lkohawaii I just have no words to express my thanks to you. You are great! I think your review of everything has been perfect. I am very sorry though, that you did not like our beaches, but I am sure that you are spoiled with the beaches you have in Hawaii. I know that there is no comparison also with the ones on the Caribbean. Anyways, I am glad that you enjoyed the rest of it.

Sarangel I have heard about Mikes Gentle horses, but to tell you the truth, I do not know who is the owner. I have so many good comments about Randi but not much about Mike. I wish I could help you.

carriep1657 I am really happy that I could help you and that you enjoyed the City as well as my good friend Tomatto. I remember seeing him go to that restaurant and I was wondering, are they hungry? Perhaps they do not have enough food on the ship! Just kidding, hahahahaha Do they feed you on the cruiseships? hahahaha, once you get off it is Diet and excersize, right?
Again it was a true pleasure to meet you personally. I hope that we can meet again someday in the future.

All of you, have a great week and remember that you have a friend in Mazatlan!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[alohatee]

Mazatlan Frank

.....I can only say good things about Frank and that you can't go wrong if you go on tour with him.



lkohawaii - Mahalo for the rave review and peace of mind. It is nice to be with people that you feel safe and comfortable especially in a different country.

Arlene