Mazatlán is located northeast of the Mexican Republic, south of the State of Sinaloa. Close to the Tropic of Cancer, between the meridians 105 07' and 23 52', north latitude, with an altitude of 2 meters above the sea level. The port combines its beautiful beaches and colonial centers in the western mountains, offering an exciting contrast of the different views that can be admired in the south of the State of Sinaloa.

To get to the City of Mazatlán you only need to make up your mind, because as it is a tourist destination with a great flow of visitors, there are several aerial routes departing from the country's most important cities, such as Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, Hermosillo, Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, among others. The flight times are short, and due to the convenient highways, you can make the trip faster and more comfortable. There are also railway and maritime routes.

a) Land - Mazatlán is very accesible; transit flows through a 16,000 Km. network that connects the main cities of the State: Mazatlán, Culiacán and Los Mochis are linked with Nogales, Sonora to the north and Mexico City to the South through the International Highway No. 15. Mazatlán is also connected with the City of Durango, located 319 Km away, through the Federal Highway No. 40.

b) Train - The train service, with a structure consisting of 51 stations within 696 km. communicates with the country's central and northern regions. The Ferrocarril del Pacífico (Pacific Railroad) offers daily services to Nogales and Mexicali to the north, as well as to Guadalajara, to the south. This railway is interconnected with the Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico (Chihuahua to Pacific Railroad), that starts in Los Mochis and passes through San Blas on the way to Chihuahua.

c) Aerial - The Rafael Buelna International Airport serves direct flights from Houston, Denver, Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco and Mexico City. Its telephones are (52-69)82-23-99 and 82-20-88.

d) Maritime - By sea, Mazatlán offers services via ferry to the great peninsula of Baja California Sur, and receives cruises from important lines such as Carnival, Norwegian and Princess, since these companies established their original routes throughout the Mexican Riviera.

To contact the ferry terminal, please call (52-69) 81-70-20 y 81-70-21.

The City

Mazatlán, city and port of the State of Sinaloa, located northwest of the Mexican Republic. It enjoys warm weather during the greater part of the year, humid during the summer; its average annual temperature is 23°C (73°F) .

In Nahuatl the word Mazatlán means "Land of Deers", and is composed by two words: Mazatl, that means deer and Tlan, place or land.

For a long time, Mazatlán was the most important city within the State not only for its population, but for its economical development. After Independence in 1821, it was nominated as "the first port" in the Mexican Pacific; and due to its importance, it served as capital of the State of Sinaloa from 1859 to 1873.

Mazatlán is located in a Peninsula that has slowly expanded north, with new settlements, developments and several tourist complexes. Its population consists of approximately 500,000 people.

It is one of the most important Mexican ports on the Pacific. It has the biggest shrimp and fishing fleet, some industries, as well as several thousands of hectares of land. Its main economical support derives from tourism.

Mazatlán has an adequate tourism infrastructure and a modern communication network: an international airport that can hold all kind of airplanes, even the most modern. It's linked by the Guadalajara-Nogales and Mazatlán-Durango highways, as well as by the Ferrocarril del Pacífico (Pacific Railroad), that joins Mazatlán with the center and the northern border of the country. It offers a modern ferry service that sails approximately 400 times a year, joining it with the city of La Paz, Baja California Sur, as well as it greets luxurious tourism cruises all year round.

There are two marinas that offer all services, and can hold up to 200 boats.

There are several tourist attractions: beautiful and extended beaches of fine sand, the world's second tallest natural lighthouse (135 m high) located on top of the Crestón hill. It holds Mexico's most important, happiest and festive Carnival (third in the world). It has the longest coastal boulevard in the country (approximately 20 km. long), which can be enjoyed on board a singular and typical open vehicle better known as "pulmonía" (pneumonia). It is a top site for sport fishing. It holds Mexico's best and largest aquarium and many more attractions. Apart from deep sea fishing, one can enjoy sport fishing in the nearby streams of El Salto and El Comedero, with the support of specialized companies that offer all the services required by this sport.

If we add the warmth, kindness and hospitality of the people in Mazatlán, "La Perla del Pacífico" ("The Pacific Pearl") can be considered as one of the most important tourist sites within the Mexican Republic.

Attractions

Mazatlán has a lot to offer to its visitors; its excellent combination of natural resources and cultural attractions are the perfect match to enjoy unforgettable moments. There are two areas of great interest for the tourist: the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone), located north of the city, where one can find the most important hotels and the best beaches. At the south of the city we find the civic center, where the activity and noise of the Municipal market intertwines with the Old Mazatlán, being the area that surrounds the Centro Histórico (Historical Center), pride of the people of Mazatlán. One can appreciate the city from its cultural context, with a neo-classical architecture whose proportions, volume, texture, color and ornaments are of great cultural richness.

These two zones are connected by the famous pier, a nice avenue that borders the Puerto Viejo Bay with hotels and tourism services on the other side. This avenue borders the beauty of the beaches and waters that bathe the port. The city is unique in Mexico, as it has a 24 km. coastal avenue that includes six beaches, without mentioning the quiet beaches located north and south of the city limits.