5 days of old plazas, a long boardwalk and a river town

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   MorningBest early

   Faro Mazatlán

   The lighthouse on Crestón hill, the high rocky point at the harbour mouth and the highest point in the city. A steep path climbs to the top, with wide views of the harbour, the sea and the city. Go early, take water and wear shoes with grip.

   Go when Morning, as early as you can, before the sun is high.

   Local tip The path is steep and exposed, with little shade. Bring water, wear shoes with grip, and check ahead that the trail is open. Turn back if the heat is too much.

   

   About 16 min walk1.3 km
2. 2
   Morning

   Cerro del Vigía

   A small hill above the old port whose name means lookout, from the days when watchers scanned the sea for ships. A short climb leads to a viewpoint over the harbour, the sea and the roofs of the old centre.

   Go when Morning, while the air is cool.

   Local tip The climb is short but steep, so take water and wear shoes with grip. Stop at the top to look over the harbour, and go down before the sun is high.

3. Lunch

   A fish tostada by the sea

   A crisp tortilla topped with ceviche of fish, lime and chile, from a stand or a small place near the seafront.

   Local tip Eat it quickly while it is crisp, with a squeeze of lime.

   About 8 min walk0.6 km
4. 3
   Midday

   Olas Altas

   The old seafront of Mazatlán, whose name means high waves, with a rocky shore, a long promenade and old buildings facing the sea. Cliff divers sometimes leap from rock platforms nearby, so ask locally. Keep well back from the water.

   Go when Midday, then back near sunset for the light.

   Local tip Walk the promenade slowly and watch the waves hit the rocks. Cliff divers jump from nearby platforms at set times, so ask locally and do not count on a show. Keep well back from the edge in rough seas.

   About 23 min walk1.8 km
5. 4
   Afternoon

   Stone Island

   A long spit of land across the channel from the port, called Isla de la Piedra though it is not a true island. A short boat ride from the dock brings you to a wide beach with palm shade and seafood by the sand. Swim only where others do.

   Go when Afternoon, then a long lunch by the sand.

   Local tip Ask at the dock how the boats run and when the last one back leaves. Swim only where others do, since the surf can be strong and currents change, and take sun cover.

6. Dinner

   Fish and shrimp on the sand

   Grilled fish and shrimp with rice and a salad, eaten at a table in the shade of a palm roof by the beach, as the day cools.

   Local tip Ask what is fresh and check the last boat back before you order a long meal.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   MiddayIndoor

   Museo Arqueológico de Mazatlán

   A small museum in the historic centre on the pottery, stone work and ways of life of the peoples who lived on this coast long before the Spanish. A cool, indoor rest from the heat.

   Go when Midday, as an indoor stop.

   Local tip Take a few rooms slowly, and look at the pottery and the stone work. Check ahead on the opening.

   About 5 min walk0.4 km
2. 2
   AfternoonIndoor

   Angela Peralta Theatre

   A theatre of the 1800s in the old port, named for a Mexican opera singer of that century and restored as a place for concerts and shows. Look at the front from the street, and check ahead on whether visitors can go in.

   Go when Afternoon, as an indoor stop, or an evening for a show.

   Local tip Look at the front from the street, then ask whether you can step inside. Check ahead for a concert, since a performance is the best way to see the room.

   

3. Lunch

   Shrimp tacos or a shrimp cocktail

   Mazatlán is a shrimp port, so order them in a taco, a tostada or a cold cocktail with lime, tomato and avocado. A light lunch for a hot day.

   Local tip Ask what came in from the boats that day, and eat in the shade.

   About 2 min walkunder 0.1 km
4. 3
   Evening

   Plazuela Machado

   The old square of the historic centre, with tall trees, a bandstand and restored houses in soft colours on every side, and the theatre on one edge. In the evening the cafe tables fill. This is the point of the day.

   Go when Evening, from just before sunset until late.

   Local tip Take a table at the edge, order something cold and watch the square fill. Walk the streets around it to see the restored houses, and keep an eye on your bag in the crowd.

   

   About 5 min walk0.4 km
5. 4
   Evening

   Paseo Claussen

   A seafront road that runs along the rocky shore between Olas Altas and the sea walk, with sea views, benches and the rocks below.

   Go when Late afternoon into evening.

   Local tip A seafront road with sea views and the rocks below. Walk it in the cool of the evening, and keep well back from the edge in rough seas.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   MorningIndoor

   Basilica Cathedral of Mazatlán

   The cathedral of Mazatlán, built in the second half of the 1800s with twin towers, a central dome and a richly decorated front. It stands on a square in the historic centre. A working church, so stay quiet during services.

   Go when Morning, outside the hours of services.

   Local tip Stand on the square and look up at the twin towers before you go in. It is a working church, so cover your shoulders and stay quiet during services.

   

   About 2 min walkunder 0.1 km
2. 2
   Morning

   Palacio Municipal de Mazatlán

   The town hall of Mazatlán, an arcaded building with an inner courtyard, standing beside the cathedral and a small square in the historic centre. The present building dates from the 1940s.

   Go when Morning, as an easy start beside the cathedral.

   Local tip Look at the arcaded front and the balcony from the square. Ask at the door whether you can see the courtyard.

   

3. Lunch

   Chilorio tacos

   Pork cooked slowly with chile until it breaks into shreds, a dish of Sinaloa that is served in tacos or on a plate with beans and tortillas.

   Local tip It is rich and mild in heat. Order a cold drink and eat it in the shade.

   About 4 min walk0.3 km
4. 3
   MorningIndoor

   Templo de San José

   The oldest church in Mazatlán, a small building begun in the 1830s by the Discalced Carmelites and still in use, a few streets west of the cathedral.

   Go when Morning, outside the hours of services.

   Local tip The oldest church of the city, a small, plain building in the old centre. A working church, so stay quiet and cover your shoulders.

   

   About 2 min walk0.1 km
5. 4
   Afternoon

   Plazuela Hidalgo

   A small, old square of the historic centre, also known as the plaza of the lions, at the meeting of four streets, with benches and shade.

   Go when Late afternoon, in the shade.

   Local tip A small square with benches a few streets from the cathedral, also known as the plaza of the lions. A quiet place to rest between sights.

   

6. Dinner

   Aguachile and a cold drink

   Raw shrimp cured in lime juice with chile, cucumber and red onion, a dish of Sinaloa served cold. Eat it at a table on the square as the evening cools.

   Local tip It can be very hot, so ask how spicy before you order.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. 1
   MorningIndoor

   Mercado Pino Suárez

   The municipal market hall of the old port, a busy covered market that has been the heart of the town's shopping since the early 1900s. Walk the aisles of fish, fruit, juices and spices, and look up at the iron roof.

   Go when Morning, before the heat and the crowds build.

   Local tip Walk a full lap before you buy anything. Ask for a fresh fruit drink, and look for the stalls of dried chiles and shrimp. Keep your bag in front of you in the busy aisles.

   

   About 4 min walk0.3 km
2. 2
   Morning

   Plazuela Zaragoza

   A town square and park on the northern edge of the historic centre, between busy streets, where local families sit in the shade.

   Go when Morning or late afternoon.

   Local tip A town square and park on the edge of the old centre, where local families sit. A gentle stop on the way to the sea walk.

   

   About 10 min by car or transit2.9 km
3. 3
   AfternoonIndoor

   Acuario Mazatlán

   An aquarium in the north of the city, with tanks of fish, sharks and other sea life of the Pacific and the Gulf of California. A cool, indoor stop for the hottest hours of the day.

   Go when Afternoon, as an indoor, cool stop.

   Local tip Go through slowly and look for the largest tank. A good choice on a very hot or wet day, and easy to reach by taxi from the sea walk.

   About 9 min by car or transit2.4 km
4. 4
   Evening

   Malecon of Mazatlán

   The long seafront walk of Mazatlán, a promenade of many kilometres beside the sea, with a monument to fishermen along the way, benches, bikes and walkers. Stroll the stretch near the monument as the sun goes down.

   Go when Late afternoon into evening, as the light changes.

   Local tip Walk it beside the sea as the heat fades, and stop at a bench when the sun goes down. Keep your valuables out of sight and take a taxi back if it is late.

5. Dinner

   Grilled fish, pescado zarandeado

   A whole fish opened flat and grilled over coals with a chile marinade, shared at the table with tortillas and a salad. A dish of this coast.

   Local tip It is made for sharing, so order one fish for two or three.

Built from the plan’s must-sees, grouped so each day stays close together and ordered by time of day.

1. Drive from Malecon of MazatlánAbout 5 h 33 min by car420.4 km

   Where Day 4 ended.
2. 1
   Midday

   Plaza de Armas

   The main square of El Fuerte, shaded by trees, with a bandstand in the middle and old arcades on its sides. The town is named for a fort of colonial days, and the square is where the day begins and ends.

   Go when Morning, before the heat, or in the evening when the square fills.

   Local tip Take a bench in the shade and look at the arcades and the bandstand. Local sweets and cold drinks are sold at the edge of the square.

   About 2 min walkunder 0.1 km
3. 2
   MiddayIndoor

   Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón

   The parish church of El Fuerte, on a street just off the plaza. Step in for a few minutes of quiet. It is a working church, so stay quiet during services.

   Go when Morning, outside the hours of services.

   Local tip A small parish church. Cover your shoulders, stay quiet and keep the visit short.

4. Lunch

   Machaca, beans and flour tortillas

   The food of the northern plains: shredded dried beef, beans and wide soft flour tortillas, in a small place near the plaza.

   Local tip Ask for fresh tortillas, and a cold drink made from a local fruit.

   About 2 min walkunder 0.1 km
5. 3
   Midday

   Palacio Municipal de El Fuerte

   The town hall of El Fuerte, an arcaded building around a courtyard beside the plaza. A local tale links the masked hero Zorro to the town, and you will see the story told on shops and signs.

   Go when Midday, in the shade of the arcade.

   Local tip Look into the courtyard from the arcade, and ask at the door before you go in. The tale of Zorro is told with a smile here, so enjoy it as a story.

   About 2 min walk0.2 km
6. 4
   Afternoon

   Fuerte Mirador

   A hill above the town with a replica of the old fort and a small museum of the region, and a view over the roofs, the river and the dry land beyond. Go in the softer light and bring water.

   Go when Late afternoon, in the softer light.

   Local tip Take water, since the hill is open and warm. Look out over the river and the roofs of the town, and check ahead on the opening of the small museum.

7. Dinner

   Coricos and a hot drink

   Crisp corn cookies called coricos, a snack of the north of Sinaloa, with a hot drink in the evening on the plaza.

   Local tip Buy a small bag to share, and check the sell by date if you carry them home.