Exquisite Mazatlan, the "Pearl of the Pacific," is located 674 miles north west of Mexico City, and is truly a tourists dreamland. A city housing nearly 500,000 people, Mazatlan is the single largest port in between the Panama Canal and Los Angeles. Mazatlan is packed with a myriad of engaging features and activities that make it a fabulous place to visit.
The tremendous sportfishing, some of the best in the world, and the spacious, glorious beaches continue to be two of the most enticing features of Mazatlan. The golf scene is evolving and luring many tourists, as well. There aren't too many other places where you can tee off on a lush, sparsely populated course on a seventy-degree December morning. Mazatlan's elegant yacht harbor is becoming quite the destination for the rich and powerful. The best news of all is that the tremendous selection of accommodations and activities have not yet reached the masses, so the majority of resorts are less expensive in comparison to other Mexican destinations.
Old Mazatlan's known as the "Historic Zone" because of its culture and fantastic heritage. This region is an exciting place to do a little exploring. Recent restoration has truly enhanced the atmosphere of the area, and guided tours highlight the most fascinating aspects of Old Mazatlan. Sidewalk cafes and shopping make this a quite pleasurable experience.
Zona Dorada is the hustle and bustle of Mazatlan, and is fondly translated as "The Golden Zone". This is the location where you can find the majority of the tourist hotels, most of the upper echelon restaurants, and a tremendously active nightlife. The Golden Zone is any place north of Punta Sabalo, and this is where one of Mazatlan's most well known city attractions is located. This party haven is called Fiesta Land, and it is certainly "party central" of Mazatlan. Fortunately, almost all of the attractions, nightlife, hotels, and clubs are within walking distance of one another.
The first settlers of Mazatlan were the Totorames. Hunters, gatherers, and fisherman, the Totorames inhabited Mazatlan until 1531, when the Spaniards settled. During that time, the area was rich in gold and silver, and the settlers, pirates, and everyone else who passed through tried desperately to get their hands on some of the precious metal. In 1806, the city was incorporated, and then, in the 1830?s, a municipal government was established. It was at that time that Mazatlan started to emerge as an ever-growing seaport. Since then, the port has grown into one of the largest fishing fleets for shrimp and tuna in the world. Also a fabulous tourist resort, Mazatlan is opening first class hotels and premier restaurants all the time.
