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Mazatlan Beaches

While there's plenty of elbowroom, Mazatlán's sunny beaches clamor with activity. Strolling vendors display their hand-made crafts, parasails float upward, and sunbathers of all ages frolic in the blue Pacific.

 

Mazatlán has one of the longest stretches of uninterrupted beach in Mexico. At low tide you can walk out more than 50 meters. Water temperature tends to stay in the 65-75 degrees (Fahrenheit) range year round. 

Mazatlan offers various types of beaches for all tastes. Surfers or lovers of high waves will be more than satisfied at Olas Altas, Playa Los Pinos by Valentino's or Playa Bruja, north of Cerritos. Punta Camarón and Playa Sábalo are on each side of Valentinos in the Golden Zone and attract local surfers. If you want to relax while listening to the peaceful sound of the waves, you should experience Playa Norte in Olas Altas and Playa Los Cerritos, north of the Zona Dorada. If you want to enjoy the beach in a party atmosphere you ought to try the Playa Las Gaviotas and Playa Sabalo that span the Zona Dorada.

You can also do a one day trip to the beaches on the islands off the coast. Isla de Venado (Deer island) has a calm beach where you have a superb view of Mazatlan.  You can reach this beach either renting a boat or kayak or take one of the popular island cruises. You should also go to Isla de la Piedra (Stone Island) to experience the long and clean palm beach.

On the beaches in the Zona Dorada, beware the vendors. You will be constantly harrased by people selling crafts, jewlery, hair braids, carvings, and anything else you could ever want while relaxing on these beaches... ...the problem being is that you usually don't want it when they ask. A tip is to sit away from the hotel chairs and closer to the water, as you'll usually be out of the main path of the vendors, or simply to visit one of the less popular beaches.

Playa Sabalo

Isla de Venados at Sunset

In the Zona Dorada, or “Golden Zone,” where the best hotels, restaurants and shops are situated, you’ll discover several first-rate beaches. Playa Las Gaviotas is pretty but fairly crowded. Playa Sábalo, located in the northwestern section, is the city’s most popular beach. Tourists, merchants and surfers converge on the beach, and the atmosphere is quite lively.

If you seek a more solitary environment, walk south—the crowds thin out but the beauty is undiminished. Playa Olas Altas is the place where surfers can catch the biggest waves, particularly in the summer. Playa Norte, located north of Olas Altas, is popular with the locals, with its casual palapa restaurants where you can enjoy fresh seafood and refreshing drinks.

If you really want to avoid the crowds, however, just head north of the Golden Zone, where you’ll find some of Mazatlán’s lovely, uncrowded beaches. Playa Bruja, just north of the Golden Zone, is an idyllic secluded beach. Playa Los Cerritos is the perfect place to enjoy the things that make Mazatlán famous—unbroken stretches of golden sand edging a warm blue ocean.