MAZATLAN
MAZATLAN – literal translation “Deer land.” Located on mainland Mexico almost parallel to Cabo San Lucas at the base of the Baja Peninsula and the entrance of the Gulf of California, you will find Mazatlan. The destination of Mazatlán features some of the best stretches of beach in all of Mexico’s Pacific coast. Sandy beaches line its 21km-long malecón (boardwalk), and it’s renowned for big-game fishing. The boardwalk of the downtown area is a can’t miss experience. The feel of this location is very warm and welcoming to tourists.
Three Islands off the coast of Mazatlan face the ocean in front of Mazatlan: They are the island of Pajaros, island of Venados and island of Lobos.
“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.” ~THE END OF THE OCEAN
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Mazatlan has crystal-clear blue/emerald water perfect for scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and paddle boarding. You can also encounter native wildlife and sea life on a kayak excursion around Deer Island! We enjoyed a tour there and through the long stretch of Boardwalk in the downtown area.
This stretch of land is considered one of the best beach destinations in the world and is very visitor friendly. The ocean was peaceful and calm on the backside of Deer Island where we went kayaking for a day.
MAZATLAN
MAZATLAN LIGTHOUSE (EL FARO)
Thought to be the highest lighthouse in the Americas, El Faro in Mazatlán sits 523 feet above sea level and has been in operation since 1879. Now a Mazatlán landmark, visitors can walk along the glass lookout platform, admire panoramic views over the port city of Mazatlán, and catch some of the city’s best sunsets. It is a bit of a hike to the lighthouse, but worth the view when you get there!
In addition to the beautiful old lighthouse at the top of the hill are the best views of the city of Mazatlán and far out into the Pacific Ocean. New in 2018 is a glass-bottomed lookout that extends out from the hill! For $1 you can walk out and feel like you’re floating 600 feet above the ocean on an extended platform.
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MAZATLAN
WHERE IS DEER ISLAND KAYAKING LOCATED?
“In attempting to have it all, never forget that if we don’t have love, joy, peace, tranquility and an ability to be truly present in our lives that we don’t have it all anyway. We really don’t have anything.”
~Carolyn Anderson
Kayaking provides complete relaxation as your senses take control and you relax. Floating around and just allowing the ocean to take you within its gentle currents for movement along it’s shoreline is a great way to discover this area. It builds a trust and confidence in the exploration of the ocean from around these islands fronting Mazatlan.
You will experience discoveries unlike anything you’ve seen before. A bird sanctuary is located here. The ability to look at the other side of Mazatlan, kayaking in one of the most amazing natural habitats, were you can also hike in order to reach the best view of Mazatlan from the top of deer island is possible.
Deer Island is the largest secluded island within a 900+ island chain in a natural reserve located in the Sea of Cortez.
Take to the waters in a sturdy sea kayak, hike to the top of the island for stunning views of Mazatlan or just relax on the beach and work on your tan. Nature lovers will enjoy the endless variety of plants as well as the 90 species of birds that make Deer Island their home.
Kayaking is just one of our favorite relaxing adventures when we travel to the ocean along with lazing in the sunshine!
The beaches, sunshine, and ocean provide the backdrop for many other adventures! Do you have a personal BUCKET LIST for travel dreams? You too can DAYDREAM YOUR NEXT TRAVEL ADVENTURE! We did on our last visit in Mazatlan! We enjoyed exploration!
MAZATLAN
HISTORY OF MAZATLAN
Mazatlan has a rich history with a circling theme of being pilfered and conquered for gain by others. First the conquistadores colonized the indigious people the Totorames who lived by hunting, gathering, fishing and agriculture. Gold was discovered and pilfered by the invaders to come. The port was blockaded by US forces in 1847, and by the French in 1864, but Mazatlán was little more than a fishing village for the next 80 years. ‘Old’ Mazatlán, the traditional town center, dates from the 19th century.
Tourists started coming in the 1930s, mainly for fishing and hunting, and some hotels appeared along Playa Olas Altas, Mazatlán’s first tourist beach, in the 1950s. From the 1970s onward, a long strip of modern hotels and tourist facilities has spread north along the coast.
German beer became a popular commodity here. In 1900, three German brewers established Cervecería del Pacifico in the small Mexican port town of Mazatlán. Word of the exceptionally drinkable pilsner-style lager traveled fast. Soon, thirst for Pacifico spread from Sinaloa and up the rugged Baja coastline.
Mazatlan is one of the only places to find a Pulmonios. It is the cutest little get around you can drive while there! It is a fancy golf cart on a VW chasis and engine. It is convertible and sleek! Many wish to rent them while visiting Mazatlan!
Fun fact: The Carnaval de Mazatlán is an annual carnival held in the Mexican city of Mazatlan, Sinaloa. It is celebrated the five days before Ash Wednesday (similar to “Marti Gras” in New Orleans.) The carnival consists of various cultural events, such as float parades, fireworks, dances and poetry contests, literature awards and shows of enormous artistic quality. It was first staged in 1898. Throughout the 19th century, the people of Mazatlán made the days before Lent an opportunity to put into practice the excesses prohibited the rest of the year. Considered to be the third best carnival in the world, it has its origins in 1827 where a banquet, masquerade and parade took place in which the soldiers who guarded the port participated.
If you remember to pack the TOP 10 THINGS YOU NEED TO PACK, you will be ready to dive into the ocean for this adventure right along with us!
MAZATLAN – HOW DO I GET THERE?
DEER ISLAND – MAZATLAN HISTORY TOUR
We boarded a bus that transported us to the marina. From there a trimaran took us to the island beach for the day of kayaking and relaxing. After a tour of the Golden Zone was provided allowing us a glimpse at the most exclusive residential zone and an opportunity to learn about Mazatlán history, from the monuments located on the Malecón.
Be sure to pack the correct supplies for the day!
We packed our own SNORKEL GEAR and WATERPROOF VALUABLES POUCH/WALLET and UNDERWATER WATERPROOF CAMERA, towel, book, and sunscreen so we were well prepared!
WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE ON MAZATLAN?
A Coatimundi (Coati) visited us on Deer Island. The odd rodent looks like a raccoon faced animal with an ant eaters nose and a monkeys body and tail. They are pesky and should not be approached. Like any wild animal, they will become aggressive when they feel threatened. Tourists think they are cute and feed them on the beaches. This terrible idea has made these possible disease carrying varmints a definite pest on the beaches in Mazatlan as they look for food when they see people.
Kayaking, hiking, shopping…
Snorkeling opportunities are available here! The ocean floor in this area does appear vastly different from other SNORKELING SPOTS we’ve experienced.
People were swimming and eating and having a great time! It was very relaxing! I could spend countless hours here on this beach and be totally happy!
MAZATLAN
WHAT IS THE CLIMATE?
The temperature in this location is approximately 24.3 °C | 75.7 °F. It was beautiful. We visited in January. It was such an enjoyable relief from the frigid Northern cold we experience in Michigan.
August is the wettest month in Mazatlan average temperatures are 93° / 77°. May is the driest month with average temperatures 86° / 69°. Hmmm…pretty tough to take!
MAZATLAN
ADVENTURE TO DEER ISLAND?
EXPLORE! ENJOY!
God’s magnificent creation is on full display here in Mazatlan! We were just in awe of it’s raw beauty both kayaking the islands and driving through the city. WHAT a beautiful island to explore and enjoy!
Take time out of your normal routine and go explore! My husband I really enjoy taking adventures together and exploring new interesting places. God’s wonderful creations abound and the joy shining within the people we meet reflects through their eyes when we can engage a conversation. It is our joy to find local color to share their culture and history with us when we are visiting new places! So many interesting people to meet on these journeys!
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Inspirationally Yours,
Barbara
BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/
About Me
A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.
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Barbara Robinson
TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞 Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!
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2 Comments
Linda (LD Holland)
We have never travelled to this part of Mexico so it was good to learn more about Mazatlan. The perfect water for scuba diving would be a huge draw for us. And we would definitely head out to Deer Island. Kayaking looks like a lot of fun. A new spot we need to explore.
Barbara Robinson
Excellent! I’m glad you enjoyed this post and hope that it truly inspired a future trip for you to discover for yourself all that Mazatlan has to offer!