Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Mazatlan?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks 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 one or two weeks 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 week enough time in Mazatlan?
One week is more than sufficient for a beach trip to Mazatlan, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. Swim at the beach, tour the famous sights and museums, learn about the history of the town, and taste delicious cuisine on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Mazatlan as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding area.
How to spend a week 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.
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.
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.
Shopping in Mazatlan is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. There are local shops, big box stores, and souvenir vendors where you can pick up anything you may need or items to commemorate your trip.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Mazatlan Sightseeing and Shopping Tour ($40)
- Mazatlan City Sightseeing Tour with Shopping Time and Lunch ($40)
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.
After you've explored most of Mazatlan, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
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 2 weeks enough time in Mazatlan?
Two weeks is more than enough time to see the activities and enjoy the beach in Mazatlan. Many visitors prefer to spend three to five days here, so more time would allow you to experience the beaches, the museums and landmarks, the historic old town, and the cuisine at your own pace. We have a few suggestions of things to do while you're visiting, and then take a day trip if you're looking to explore further around the area.
Mazatlan, Mexico
How to spend 2 weeks in Mazatlan
Having 2 weeks in Mazatlan will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the city.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Mazatlan. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Mazatlan. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Mazatlan. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
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.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Mazatlan. Plenty of amazing options are available.
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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