Mazatlan, Mexico

[cotomom]

Hola Frank!

I'm looking for a beach where they possibly have banana boat rides, or wave runners, or parasailing, etc. type activities. Could you please recommend one and let me know how best to get there?

Muchas gracias!

 

[rsjj]

am interested in something for our family...DH, & DSs 6 & 3 at time of travel. DH is not really a "beach person", although i love the water! i've read about the aquarium...is that close by where the ship docks? walking distance? need taxi?

another question, are there carseat rules/laws in mexico? more concerned about my 3 yo. are the taxi drivers safe? just wondering!

thank you in advance!

 

[lkohawaii]

am interested in something for our family...DH, & DSs 6 & 3 at time of travel. DH is not really a "beach person", although i love the water! i've read about the aquarium...is that close by where the ship docks? walking distance? need taxi?

another question, are there carseat rules/laws in mexico? more concerned about my 3 yo. are the taxi drivers safe? just wondering!

thank you in advance!

I didn't think about a seat for my DS who'll be 2 1/2. I read good things about the aquarium in the guide book I have. Maybe Maztlan Frank will post soon.

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I am seeing many diferent questions which I will try to answer.

rsjj: I would think that you will like the Aquarium. It is not close to the ship. You will have to take a Taxi. It should take around 20 minutes and they should charge between 8 to 10 us.dlls. per taxi. No requirement fo car seats in Mazatlan although you may find them in some cars. I think the taxis are like anywhere in the world, FAST! I find Maztlan to be a very safe City.

Cotomom: I would say either Stone Island beach or in the Golden zone the beach by the Hotel El Cid. They have most of the things you are looking for.

Ikohawaii: I think that one of the main concerns of any tour operator is to get people on time to the ship. If people miss the ship, these operators miss there business.


Mickeyfan66: The weather in June is a little warm. The rainy season normally starts around the middle part of June. The rainy season is not an everyday thing. Most of the rain we get is at night. Sr Frogs is a famous bar in Mazatlan and also they have good food. The Shrimp bucket is from the same restaurant chain but is more Mexican style and more calm. But yes, both are fun.

CamColt: All the beaches in Mexico are public. You may go to anyone you like. If there is a beach tour that sounds too much, it is because it includes several things. Any decision you make, I am sure that you will have a lot of fun in Mazatlan.

jilljill: I do not know if they have any tours at the Bimbo bakery. I know that sometimes the schools go on a field trip but never heard of any tours for the general public. But for sure, you will find all the Bimbo products at any store in Mazatlan.

ppiglet: I am sure you will enjoy Tonys on the beach. Just remember that it is between the Caravelle and Fiesta Inn. Say hello to Tony for me. Bon apetit.

Any other questions please ask. Sorry for the delay, but I have been very busy lately, we are in the CARNAVAL! and having fun.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[rsjj]

thank you! since there's no carseat laws in mazatlan, what about pv & cabo? really appreciate your info & quick response!

 

[CamColt]

CamColt: All the beaches in Mexico are public. You may go to anyone you like. If there is a beach tour that sounds too much, it is because it includes several things. Any decision you make, I am sure that you will have a lot of fun in Mazatlan.
Mazatlan Frank

Thanks, Frank! That definitely makes it easier.
And you are right. Basically the excursions I was looking at include the ride, changing facilities(???), towels, and a Mexican lunch. I know my kids wont eat the lunch and I probably wouldnt either, so it does seem like quite a bit of money for a ride to the beach and a towel.

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

CamColt
Another suggestion. Normally any Hotel you go to has a beach and a swimming pool. I go to some with my kids and as long as I am buying drinks and having lunch or snacks they do not say anything. It is a sale for them and the pool is there anyways. If you like, I also have a friend that has a great restaurant on the beach, no swimming pool, but nice beach, and he has some tables with an umbrella, you could use that beach and have some margaritas, piñas coladas or Pacificos while you feel the nice sun and breeze. The restaurant is called Tonys on the beach and it is in between Caravelle and Fiesta Inn Hotels. Excellent seafood and mexican food also.

rsjj
The only car seat law I have seen is in Guadalajara and I guess Mexico City. I must say that you are used to that at home, but here a city with 600,000 people and I would say maybe 100 might use a car seat. Things are a little different down here and actually you do not see many accidents. I really hope you enjoy your stay in Mazatlan.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for that info Frank! Sipping a pina colada or 2 (or 3...) shouldnt be a problem, LOL! Im not really too concerned about looking for a pool for our day at Mazatlan. I figure we have a pool on the ship(and one at home), so my main concern is just having a beach day. It sounds like Tonys would be perfect for that! Is that close to where the ship docks?

I have also heard that the El Cid Resort is another good place to go for a beach/pool. Any opinions on that?

 

[lkohawaii]

Thanks for that info Frank! Sipping a pina colada or 2 (or 3...) shouldnt be a problem, LOL! Im not really too concerned about looking for a pool for our day at Mazatlan. I figure we have a pool on the ship(and one at home), so my main concern is just having a beach day. It sounds like Tonys would be perfect for that! Is that close to where the ship docks?

I have also heard that the El Cid Resort is another good place to go for a beach/pool. Any opinions on that?

Frank- Isn't El Cid a Golf course. I read that that's one of the stops on your tour. I was asking my friend why we would want to see a golf course. Maybe if you answer here we'll all know. There's gotta be more to it than a beautiful green golf course right?

 

[CamColt]

Frank- Isn't El Cid a Golf course. I read that that's one of the stops on your tour. I was asking my friend why we would want to see a golf course. Maybe if you answer here we'll all know. There's gotta be more to it than a beautiful green golf course right?

Im definitely no expert, but I recently(today, LOL) found an online map and from looking at whats on here I see an El Cid Golf Club and an El Cid Resort. They seem to be in 2 different places, so Im guessing they are 2 different things. ???? Maybe?

 

[Monstro]

I believe El Cid has a Golf and Beach resort.

We're planning on using La Playa for a beach day. When we there two years ago, it was very convient to everything in the Golden Zone. The resturant was pretty good as well.

Frank - Are there still as many beach vendors as there were in early 2003? Do they still have a bunch of them offering parasailing?

What is the island directly out from the La Playa... or it may be closer to Tony's on the Beach?? Ar ethe activities there?

Thanks.
Jeff

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

Let me tell you about El Cid.

El Cid has everything. It is a Hotel resort, they have 4 five star hotels: El Cid Granada, El Cid Castilla, El Cid Moro and El Cid Marina. I think they have a total of 1200 rooms, one of the biggest swimming pools in Mazatlan and much more. El Cid is also time share, that is why they give the "FREE" All Day passes at the docks, they have the biggest private residential area in the City, it is a gated community. In that residential area they have the 27 hole golf course. Originally 18, but two years ago they added 9 more designed by Lee Treviño. They have a Club House, so basically you can see that they have everything.
It could be a good place to go to, but for food and drinks I would prefer Tonys on the beach personally. If you do not want the pool, go there. If you want to walk from Tonys to El Cid, it is around 3 blocks and you can walk on the beach to get there. This way you see both places.
When I go into El Cid, I do it to show people one of the nicest areas of Mazatlan.
Hope this helps.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

MONSTRO
The Island across from the Playa Mazatlan Hotel is Deer Island. Tonys is further north and there is another Island across which is Bird Island. For those who do not know Mazatlan, we have three Islands in front: Goat, Deer and Bird Islands.
Yes, there are still vendors on the beach, sorry. They are trying to make a living, but sometimes do bother people who want to relax.

By the way, for some reason people think that Mazatlan is an Island and it is not, it is part of mainland. Many areas have been filled in where there was water at one time but everything is stuck to mainland.

Mazatlan Frank

 

[Monstro]

MONSTRO
Yes, there are still vendors on the beach, sorry. They are trying to make a living, but sometimes do bother people who want to relax.

We enjoyed them. They had some great prices on Parasailing - plus, i need to get a new Mazatlan hat.

Jeff

 

[Mazatlan Frank]

I am sure that you will get them "almost free or "cheaper then k mart" as they say. Have fun when you get here!

Mazatlan Frank

 

[pppiglet]

Matzatlan Frank you have made my day! This is the only port so far that I am really prepared to go to because of all your help! Too bad we don't have a Cabo Frank and a Puerto vallarta Frank! You are the BEST!

 

[Monstro]

Camcolt,

Here is the public beach just outside the La Playa Hotel looking south.

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[lkohawaii]

[
When I go into El Cid, I do it to show people one of the nicest areas of Mazatlan.
Hope this helps.

Mazatlan Frank [/QUOTE

Thanks Frank...at least now I know why I'm visitng a golf course. Of course I trust your judgment. Things are just making sense now.

 

[AOPI57]

We would love to see the cliff divers but would like to do it on our own. Is there any spot we can go to ourselves to watch them? Thanks!

 

[CamColt]

Camcolt,

Here is the public beach just outside the La Playa Hotel looking south.

Thanks Monstro, but unfortuantely Im only seeing a red X.