Travelers to Mexico have lots of beach resorts to choose from. So why pick Mazatlán over Cancún or Los Cabos? Because Mazatlán (“Land of the Deer,” in Nahuatl) combines beachy resort glitz---sun, sand, glittering swimming pools, highrise hotels---with a vintage downtown.
It’s a combination that’s hard to beat. And recent upgrades to the beautiful old quarter---early 20th- and late-19th-century mansions, the ethereal cathedral, and picturesque plazas---makes exploring Old Mazatlán more enjoyable than ever. A successful commercial port and supply center for mining operations in the Sierra Madre, Mazatlán (correctly pronounced mah-zat-LAN) began to thrive in the late 19th and early-20th-centuries.
Many downtown building were extensively restored and rejuvenated in 2005 and 2006. It’s more pleasant than ever to cruise its wide streets in search of open-air cafes and a small but growing number shops selling gifts and handcrafts.

This broad, flat, asphalt path is well-lighted and punctuated with far-out statues and monuments. Many of Mazatlán’s aquatic activities take place or depart from the Zona Dorada beaches.
Currently there is a lot of interest in Mazatlan. The high tourist numbers this past winter and summer - which were the highest in Mexico, suggest that the same should be true in the 2009-2010 winter season. This means that interest will be even higher; many buyers are realizing what Mazatlan can offer, and anyone considering buying in the next while should make sure that they do not miss out on Mazatlan, especially now while the conditions for buying are better than ever.