Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Mazatlan?

Q: Is one day enough time in Mazatlan?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the authentic city of Mazatlan, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the cuisine. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around three to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Mazatlan?

Not sure how much time you'll need in Mazatlan, Mexico? Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Mazatlan during their visit. After all, the authentic city will let you swim at the beach, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and taste delicious cuisine.

Mazatlán is a resort town on the Pacific side of Mexico. It is a port city with a colonial historic center and a boardwalk that runs along the coast. There are many landmarks around town and many visitors come for the surfing.

Do you have one or two days to visit Mazatlan? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.

Is one day enough time in Mazatlan?

One day is usually not enough time to experience the authentic city of Mazatlan, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the cuisine. And you'll want even more time to just relax at the beach, too. So, you'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around three to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey.

How to spend a day in Mazatlan

The beautiful beaches await you in Mazatlan, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There are many stretches of beach around town. Most notable is the 13 miles that run along Malecon where there's a boardwalk. Surfing is also popular in the area.

A few tour suggestions include:

Jungle and beach ATV tour + lunch + tequila tasting ($120)
Sensation Splash Party All Inclusive Mazatlan Bay Cruise ($57)
Mazatlan Sightseeing and Beach All Inclusive ($69)

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. Stewed meats and shrimp are a big part of the cuisine here. Many recipes have a little bit of spice. The restaurants around town are authentic and local, making for a great dining experience.

A few tour suggestions include:

Mercado walking food tour ($78)
Mazatlan routes of taste food tour ($86)
Authentic Mexican Cooking Class in Mazatlan ($86)

Mazatlan is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city is relatively walkable.

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Mazatlan?

With a variety of sights and attractions, Mazatlan is a fairly popular choice for tourists. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to swim at the beach, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and taste delicious cuisine. You really need more time to appreciate everything that the authentic city has to offer. Many visitors prefer to have at least 3 or as many as 5 days to enjoy the beach and other sights. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're here.

Mazatlan, Mexico

How to spend 2 days in Mazatlan

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Mazatlan will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.

A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Mazatlan, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. There are colonial buildings around the Centro Historico. You should also check out the Historic Cathedral and the Angela Peralta Theater.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. There are plenty of bars and clubs around town, particularly along the beach. Like anywhere else, remember to stay cautious late at night around town. This is considered to be one of the less safe parts of Mexico.

The public transit in Mazatlan is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. There are city buses around town.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Mazatlan, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.