Mazatlan

Mazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The city serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipio, known as the Mazatlán Municipality. It is located on the Pacific coast, across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California Peninsula.

With a population of 438,434 (city) and 489,987 (municipality) as of the 2010 census, Mazatlán is the second-largest city in the state. It is also a popular tourist destination, with its beaches lined with resort hotels.

A car ferry crosses the Gulf of California, from Mazatlán to La Paz, Baja California Sur. The municipality has a land area of 3,068.48 km² (1,184.75 sq mi) and includes smaller outlying communities such as Villa Unión, La Noria, El Quelite, and El Habal. Mazatlán is served by General Rafael Buelna International Airport.

Mazatlán has a rich culture and art community. In addition to the Angela Peralta Theater, which has many wonderful performances for non-Spanish speakers, Mazatlán has many galleries and artist's studios. Not to mention the very active Museo del Arte, exhibiting both Mexican and international artists.

BEACHES

Olas Altas: the beach with greatest historical reference to Mazatlán, it is located in the southern part of the city, a few meters from downtown. In the section of the boardwalk that passes through Olas Altas one can see various monuments.

Norte Beach: It is located along the northwest edge of the commercial downtown district. Here one can find the Monument to Fishermen; the Monument to Pulmonias, and the Monument to the hometown Pacific Brewery. The second of these refers to the characteristic taxis of this city.

Sábalo Beach: the long stretch of beach along Camaron Sabalo and Malecon from the Fishermen's Monument to the marina jetty.

Cerritos Beach: It starts at the entrance to the "new" marina and the end of the Golden Zone (hotel district) and runs north to Cerritos point, a rocky landform just before the Emerald Bay resort.

Isla de la Piedra Beach: A miles-long beach located in the southern part of the city on the peninsula that is separated from the old city by the entrance to the main commercial harbor; only accessible by car and a long, dusty rough road from just off the airport access road, or, by small passenger ferries that provide regular service.

TOURISM

The Historic Center of Mazatlán, among whose former inhabitants are French, German, Chinese, Italian, Spanish and Americans, was named Heritage of the Nation on March 12, 2001.

Among the buildings and areas of high cultural value are the Plazuela Machado, the Angela Peralta Theater, the old Hotel Iturbide (today the Municipal Arts Centre), Mansion of Redo, Melchers House, House of Retes, Corvera Building, Bank of London and Mexico Building, Haas House, Temple of San José, and various others.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

Mazatlán hosts several events annually, the most important being the International Carnival of Mazatlán, which was 114 years old in 2012. Other important events are the Mazatlán Cultural Festival and the José Limón International Dance Festival, celebrated every year in the winter and spring, respectively.

Another important event is the International Motorcycle Week, which attracts thousands of motorcyclists from around the country as well as from abroad, and is held each year during Easter week.

In sports, Mazatlán is home to the Pacific International Triathlon held in April, and the Pacific International Marathon, which is held every year in late November and early December, and is attended by athletes from around the world.

Mazatlán Carnival: Late February/Early March. This is currently one of the most important carnivals in Mexico, since the first parade on Sunday brings together more than 600,000 people for over three hours in the coastal area of the city on the "Avenida del Mar."

The Mazatlán Carnival is distinguished from other carnivals for its distinctive accompaniment by Banda Sinaloa music that has transcended the world through what is today called "la onda grupera."

ROADS & HIGHWAYS

The Durango-Mazatlán highway is a highway that link the cities of Mazatlán and Durango, crossing the Sierra Madre Occidental.

FERRIES

Ferries make the daily journey to La Paz, Baja California Sur, while a varied number of cruise ships visit the port every week from the United States.

AIRPORTS

The General Rafael Buelna International Airport (MZT) has daily domestic flights and international flights to the United States and Canada.