Cruising to Mazatlan? What to expect and the best things to do!
Are you cruising to Mazatlan soon and wondering how you want to spend your day there? Let me help you decide what to do on your vacation to Mazatlan!
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This week I want to share tips for visiting Mazatlan, Mexico!
General tips for visiting Mexico
Check if you will have cell service in Mexico. Some U.S. providers allow for normal cell phone use on land.
But be sure to put your phone in airplane mode while sailing! This might cause additional fees.
When visiting Mazatlan, many places will take credit cards since it is a tourist destination. We have never had to exchange money for pesos when visiting Mexico.
Most places also take U.S. dollars!
What to expect when you dock in Mazatlan
Your ship will pull right up to the dock in Mazatlan, which makes for an easy departure from the boat.
The area where boats dock is very industrial and there are a lot of shipping containers. Typically, cruise lines should have shuttles to take you through this area and to security where you can head into the city.
If you aren’t sure what you want to do in Mazatlan, there is a large building with lots of vendors right when you get off the shuttle! You’ll have lots of options for tours or taxis when you arrive.
Traveling with a larger group
If you are traveling with a bigger group, you may want to hire a driver with a van for the day. We have done this both times we visited Mazatlan and it worked great.
These vans can usually fit 8-14 people!
A typical rate is $300-400 for about 6 hours, for everyone in the van! This is very affordable for a large group.
What to do in Mazatlan
If you decide to take a van to get around the city, your driver can act as your guide for the day. They will know all of the best tourist destinations to take you.
If you have specific places that you want to see, they can also take you there.
Hike El Faro
This hike takes you to a lighthouse 500 feet above sea level
It isn’t a super long hike, but it is pretty steep. If your group isn’t in great shape, this might not be the best activity.
I would recommend setting aside about 30-60 minutes for this hike and looking around the lighthouse.
Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sturdy shoes! And bring lots of water. We did this hike in April and it was very hot. Be aware that there is no shade until you get to the lighthouse.
Don’t let these things scare you! The hike is so fun and the views are amazing! You will be able to see all of the city and the ocean.
There is a small entrance fee to do the hike. I think it’s only a couple of dollars per person.
Watch cliff divers
This is one of the coolest things to see in Mazatlan!
Divers jump, flip, and dive off of 45-foot cliffs into the ocean. It really is amazing!
The divers will ask for tips. You are not obligated to leave money, but you can if you want to!
Visit this beautiful cathedral in the heart of the city! You can go inside and take a rest if you need to.
The Golden Zone is a section of town with restaurants, shops, and resorts. If eating and shopping sounds good to you, you can spend all day here!
Eat Mexican food
Take time to try fresh Mexican food! I love to look for Mexican seafood.
Both times we went to Mazatlan, we went to the same restaurant. This restaurant is right on the beach and typically has mariachi bands playing.
Mazatlan is known for its shrimp! If you’re a shrimp fan, be sure to try some!
Go to the beach
There are lots of beautiful beaches in Mazatlan!
The first time we visited Mazatlan, our van driver arranged for us to use a beach at a resort in the Golden Zone.
If you want some beach time, be sure to let your driver know!
If you don’t want to take a van around for the day, you can get a resort day pass! This typically gives you access to swimming pools, the beach, food, and snorkeling.
Things we haven’t done, but I’ve heard are fun!
ATV adventure
Snorkel tour
City tour (covers all the major tourist spots)
Catamaran boat ride
Ziplining (most companies in Mazatlan involve a 40-minute bus ride to get there)
There are also companies that offer a combination of these activities!
Other tips
Traffic can get pretty congested around town. Plan plenty of time to get back to the cruise terminal!
Mazatlan is a large city, so it can take a while to navigate back to the boat. Your driver should know when to head back.
If you have extra time after getting dropped off by your van or taxi, there are lots of shops at the terminal to look through.
If you have any questions about visiting Mazatlan, DM on Instagram @thistraveltribe! I’d love to talk with you!