Mazatlan Attractions

Beaches & Zona Dorada
Mazatlán has 16km (10mi) of sandy beaches stretching north from Old Mazatlán to beyond the Zona Dorada. Playa Norte begins just north of Old Mazatlán and arcs toward Punta Camarón, a rocky point dominated by the conspicuous white walls and turrets of the Fiesta Land nightclub complex.
This is the unashamedly touristy southern end of the Zona Dorada. Fancy hotels face the fine beaches of Playa Las Gaviotas and Playa Sábalo, which extends north of the Zona Dorada, to the extensive Marina Mazatlán. Other resort hotels and new condominium developments line the beaches further north.

Isla de la Piedra
East of the Mazatlán peninsula, Isla de la Piedra (Stone Island) is a short boat ride from town. Though it's not physically an island anymore, landfill from the airport construction has joined it to the mainland, it still has that cruisy island spirit.
The wide, sandy beach here is lined with coconut groves and open-sided, palm-thatched palapas restaurants, some of which have music and dancing on Sunday afternoons and holidays. Good surf breaks and some very cheap accommodations make it popular with surfers.

Isla de Venados
Otherwise known as Deer Island, it has been designated a natural reserve for protection of native flora and fauna; interesting petroglyphs have also been found on the island. Secluded beaches on the island are wonderful for a day trip, and the clear waters offer great snorkelling.
You'll notice that the island has two rocky neighbours either side of it, which also be seen from Mazatlán's beaches - Isla de Chivos (Goat Island) is on the left, and Isla de Pájaros (Bird Island) is on the right. Boats depart from El Cid Mega Resort.

Old Mazatlán
The heart of Old Mazatlán is the large 19th-century cathedral with its high, yellow twin towers and beautiful statues inside. It faces the lush trees and bandstand of Plaza Principal. A couple of blocks southwest, the attractive Plazuela Machado is the centre of a large historic area of Mazatlán.
Towards the beach, the Museo Arqueológico is an interesting little den of archaeology. Opposite, the Museo de Arte has exhibits great Mexican artists. The eroding main beach, Playa Olas Altas, is where Mazatlán's tourism began in the 1950s; some faded period relics still face the water.