Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Mazatlan?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 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 cultural 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 3, 4, or 5 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 3 days enough time in Mazatlan?
Three days is usually not enough time to experience the cultural 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 three days, 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 3 days 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.
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.
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. It's a historic port city with a charming colonial old town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Old Town Mazatlan Segway Tour ($67)
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Mazatlan.
Is 4 days enough time in Mazatlan?
Many visitors choose to spend around four days in Mazatlan. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities such as the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the historic old town. Also, you'd have some time to relax at the beach, too. Since many visitors prefer to spend around three to five days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the cultural city.
Mazatlan, Mexico
How to spend 4 days in Mazatlan
Having 4 days in Mazatlan will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
Perhaps the most famous spot in Mazatlan is the Malecon, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Mazatlan.
Is 5 days enough time in Mazatlan?
Five days is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Mazatlan. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Mazatlan as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.
How to spend 5 days in Mazatlan
With 5 days in Mazatlan, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. Most of the diving takes place around the Pajaros, Venados and Lobos islands. This is where you'll see the most tropical fish.
There are plenty of restaurants you haven't tried yet, so don't miss another amazing meal at local places for lunch and dinner. Try to go out of your way to find the small, locally owned places that offer the charm and ambiance that can only be found in Mazatlan.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Mazatlan, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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