Living in Mazatlan

Mazatlan is the northern-most resort city on the Mexican Riviera (situated along the Pacific Coast) and is Mexico’s closest mainland resort city to the USA. It is one of the most economical places in Mexico to take a vacation and it’s also host to one of Mexico’s largest commercial shipping ports.

Mazatlan At-a-Glance:

Location Type

Beach

Population

350,000; 405,000 in the wider Mazatlan area (2005 Census)

Altitude

10 feet above sea-level

Time Zone

Mountain Time

High/Low Temperatures

65F/15C (Nocturnal, Winter), 90F/30C (Daytime, Summer). Year-Round Average 81F/24C.

Rainy Season?

Mazatlan’s rainy season runs from late May to October each year, with tropical storms, and on occasions hurricanes, landing here especially in late summer

Hurricanes?

Mazatlan is subject to Hurricanes from the Pacific Ocean but is protected by the Baja California peninsula

Local Economy:

Shrimp fishing; tourism

Expat Penetration

Low*

Cost of Living

Lower*

Travel Guide

Guide to Mazatlan

*Relative to other foreign expat communities in Mexico

Mazatlan is socially diverse, and attracts people from many different countries and races. There is a strong contingency of Chinese and Italian people living here; although the city also attracts Americans, Canadians and some Europeans looking for an authentic Mexican town without the hyper commercialism of some other resort areas in Mexico.

The Centro Historico (Historic Center) has been undergoing a remarkable renaissance in recent years as property investors have bought up derelict colonial buildings and restored them to their former 18th Century glory. The city authorities are doing their part, too, by improving essential infrastructures such as water, drainage and the local electricity supply grid.

In addition to some fine residences, the historic center is also developing into a lively commercial and cultural center, offering art centers, theater, boutique stores, and fine restaurants situated alongside beautiful tree and flower-laden plazas and patios.

Mazatlan is one of Mexico’s most affordable vacation destinations and many Mexicans arrive here every year for their family holidays. The Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) is a stretch of sea-front properties — mostly hotels and condominiums — extending along some four miles of beach. It’s here where the tourists come to stay and spend their vacations, and some expats purchase condos with stunning views across the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortes.

To the south, this vibrant port city faces the Pacific Ocean, and facing north, the Sea of Cortes, a body of water shielded by Mexico’s Baja peninsula. The city’s geographical location — on the same latitude as Hawaii — provides year-round warmth without extreme heat or humidity.

Transport connections include an international airport with direct flights to key US cities (and onward connections to Europe and beyond); a highway leading north to Los Mochis (another port city and the terminus for the breath-taking Copper Canyon Train Journey), the US border. The road south leads to Puerto Vallarta and then to Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city. A twice-weekly ferry also makes a crossing over the Sea of Cortes to the city of La Paz, capital city of the state of Baja California Sur.

Due to its latitude, Mazatlan’s climate is more moderate than Mexican coastal cities located further south. The average daytime temperature is 82F/28C, and summertime humidity levels stay largely subdued in comparison to places like Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco.

Mazatlan is still considered a resort city ‘off the beaten track’ by most foreign investors and those who are looking to live and retire in Mexico. This situation provides a unique opportunity and affordability factor that other coastal cities on Mexico’s Pacific coast don’t offer anymore due to their popularity. In addition to being alongside the ocean, this city is totally authentic in style: the real Mexico lives and breathes here every day of the year.

Among the Most Affordable Beach Locations in Mexico

Living or retiring in Mazatlan is affordable – possibly the most affordable beach resort city on Mexico’s Pacific coast. Property prices have risen in recent years, but this is a city still in the early stages of a renaissance; in and around the historical center there still exists a mixture of developed and undeveloped colonial properties; and around the edges of the historical center are neighborhoods with ‘fixer upper’ properties being offered for sale — a sure sign that there is much more growth and development to come. The other affordability factor in Mazatlan are living costs: local shops, stores and prices are lower than other beach resorts in Mexico and smaller budgets stretch further: not just at the point of purchasing a property — but also when residents move in and start paying day-to-day living expenses.

Inward Investment

Mazatlan has been experiencing a surge of inward investment over recent years: from Mexicans as well as foreigners. This is demonstrated in the renaissance of the historic center as well as the arrival of some new major hotel brands that are building and opening major new resorts south of Mazatlan.

At present, only two cities in Mexico can offer extensive conference facilities: Cancun and Mexico City. A new convention center recently opened in Mazatlan is Mexico’s largest, and it will attract a huge number of visitors to the city for expos and conferences; the expo center is spear-heading the efforts as Mexico positions itself as world-class venue for large meetings and expositions.

A multi-billion dollar investment being led by FONATUR, Mexico’s tourism investment agency, will create a major new resort area about a two-to-three hour drive south of Mazatlan. The area will also have its own airport, and the massive investment being made there will have a positive effect on Mazatlan proper.

A number of large developers are already creating luxury homes and condos in Mazatlan with extensive projects to supply the growing demand from new arrivals to the region, especially from foreigners seeking retirement and other lifestyle options in Mexico.

Overlooked Gem, About to Awaken

A couple of week’s visit to Mazatlan demonstrates that this is a city that has been overlooked by most foreigners for retirement and investment, and also one which is on the cusp of awakening to become an important resort city in Mexico as well as internationally.

There is no doubting the massive and continuous investment that is being made here today, and already the number of expatriate residents is beginning to increase as more people discover this resort and port city, that had been largely overlooked by foreigners seeking a place to live in Mexico and left undeveloped by investors since about the 1950’s.

The signs of development are apparent to those who have lived in Mazatlan for a decade or more; and the growth story appears to just be starting. Foreigners who are looking for a variety of property styles, a low cost of living and who want to live among an authentic Mexican environment will do well to consider Mazatlan — clearly an overlooked location on the cusp of a 21st Century renaissance.

Cost of Living in Mazatlan

The cost of living in Mexico is typically lower in Mexico than it is the USA, Canada and Western Europe, although precise costs depend upon where you live and your lifestyle choices.

Cost of Living Report

To learn more about the cost of living in Mexico, connect to the Mexico Cost of Living page on Mexperience.

Regional and geographical cost variations do exist, and this part of the guide shows you how some goods and services at Cuernavaca vary from the average.

See Also:

Banks, Banking and Credit in Mexico | Money in Mexico

Blog Articles:

Money, Banking & Finance

Real Estate in Mazatlan

Information about the real estate market in Mazatlan.

Real Estate Market in Mazatlan

Prices of realty in Mazatlan have risen considerably over the last decade, although they still remain at very affordable levels when compared to properties in other Mexican resort cities. The re-development of the central historic district of the city is demonstrating the potential that exists for breathing life into old, ruined buildings, and transforming neighborhoods in and around the city’s central area. Prices have risen as the regeneration takes place, and further developments along the Golden Zone sea-front, as well as north and south of Mazatlan are ongoing.

Prices for real estate continue to hold for desirable properties overlooking the ocean and, as further planned development takes place, the supply of land for dwelling houses and constructed homes is likely to increase in the years ahead.

Most real estate is sold through local realty agents who know the area and the surrounding region, as well as directly through the developers marketing major realty projects, often on prime beachfront locations or on fine golf courses.

Real estate types range from beachfront homes, lots, and condos. There are also a number of time-share projects in and around Mazatlan, and especially in the tourist “golden zone” area of the city (note that time share is not ownership). Private residences (mostly re-sales) are available in the town center of Mazatlan as well as out-of-town, where investors are buying homes offering semi-rural surroundings and ocean and/or mountain views.

The central historical area — and especially the edges of same — exhibits a significant number of buildings in various states of disrepair and ruin and may provide an ideal investment for people who want to create their home by means of a colonial restoration project. Some properties have ‘for sale’ signs posted; others do not; contacting a local realty agent is the best way of finding out what the status of an old (ruined) building may be, and to negotiate the sale if the owner is open to offers.

Rentals Market in Mazatlan

Most rental properties in Mazatlan are offered through local realty agents or by individual property owners listing properties on the Internet or local newspapers and magazines as well as signs posted at restaurants, cafes and bars near the vicinity where the rentals are situated. Some developers rent out their units or rent out units on behalf of owners: check with local developers or a local realty agent for details and further information.

See Also:

Guide to Real Estate in Mexico | Home Maintenance | Home Security

Healthcare in Mazatlan

In addition to Mexico’s state sponsored healthcare provided via the country’s national health service IMSS, good quality healthcare services offered through private clinics with US-standard healthcare services exist in Mazatlán. The privately run out-patient clinics available locally are ideal for day-to-day ailments, sprains, broken bones and other health matters which would normally be diagnosed and treated by a General Practitioner of medicine.

See Also:

Health and Healthcare in Mexico | Travel Health in Mexico

Local Climate in Mazatlan

Mazatlan enjoys a yearly average temperature of 81F/24C. Winter months can be cooler and drop to 65F/15C at night; summer months may reach highs of 90F/30C in July and August especially.

Winter Climate:

January through March are the coolest months. Temperatures can range from 55F/12C to 79F/24C in the day.

Spring Climate:

April through June – springtime – are warmer months in Mazatlan with temperatures ranging from 60F/14C overnight to 88F/29C in the daytime.

Summer Climate:

July through September are the hottest months, with temperature ranging from 75F/21C overnight, to 95F/32C in the daytime. Temperatures and humidity reach their peak in mid-July and August.

Autumn Climate:

Temperatures moderate again starting late September, any humidity disappears and the hot, sometimes humid, daytime temperatures climb down from their summer highs. Temperatures in the autumn months range from 59F/13C overnight to 88F/27C in the daytime.

Rainy Season:

Mazatlan’s rainy season runs from June to October, with most of the rain falling in July and August. Torrential afternoon rains may be experienced several days a week and, in the peak temperature months of July, August and September tropical storms may feature, too.

Hurricanes:

Hurricanes can affect Mazatlan, although the Baja peninsula can shelter this port city from the worst of Pacific hurricanes.

Sea Temperature in Mazatlan

During the peak summer months of July and August, sea temperatures may reach as high as 80F/23C; in other months, the sea temperature will average around 65F/18C.

See Also:

Weather and Climates in Mexico

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Practical Information About Living in Mazatlan

This section contains links to guides where you can learn more about living in Mazatlan.

Accessibility / Transport

Getting Around Mazatlan

Getting Around

Transportation choices in Mexico

Communications

Staying in contact while living in Mexico

Money and Banking

Guide to Money in Mexico | Banks & Banking in Mexico

Practical Matters

Practical Information (Travel Guide)

Auto Insurance in Mexico

How to insure your foreign-plated car in Mexico

Safety in Mexico

Latest Safety Updates

Key Attractions

Travel Guide to Mazatlan

Place is personal, subjective, and important—and as you consider places to live in Mexico, Mexperience helps you to consider your choices and shortlist locations that may suit your lifestyle needs.

Discover places to live, work or retire in Mexico

To help you discover and explore potential places to live here, Mexperience publishes a curated list of locations to consider for living, working or retirement in Mexico—organized by popularity and notoriety and classified by the location type.

Our articles introduce you to key places where many foreign residents live now, emerging locations that are becoming increasingly popular with foreign residents, as well as those places that are less well known, or situated off-the-beaten path. We also publish a selection of detailed guides of places to live in Mexico:

The most popular places to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have for a long time, or in recent times, garnered considerable popularity with foreign residents (retirees and others) and have active communities of interest established at the location.

Emerging locations to live in Mexico

Discover locations that have, in recent years, been catching the attention of foreign residents and have fledgling or developing communities of interest present there.

Underexplored locations to live in Mexico

Discover places that do not have significant numbers of foreign residents already established and are generally ‘off-the-beaten-path’ for most foreigners considering Mexico for living and retirement. These places can offer attractions that may be of interest to some potential foreign residents and retirees seeking someplace more traditional, unusual, and with a lower concentration of foreign residents living there.

Detailed living guides

For detailed guides to selected places to live and work or retire, connect to our section with Guides to Living Places in Mexico

Travel north from Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo on Mexico’s Pacific coast – to the central coastal area of the country- and you’ll discover the Mexican Riviera.

Miles upon miles of palm trees line the land just inside the coastal shores. Jungle covered mountains plunge into the Pacific coast, or fall short to reveal golden sand beaches, waiting to be discovered and walked upon.

This area along the coast of the Mexican Riviera is host to 3 main costal resort towns – Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan – as well as the exclusive and luxurious resorts along the Costalegre between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo.

The region is extremely accessible – by air and by road – and has become a favorite holiday destination for foreigners and Mexicans alike… read on and discover why.

Mazatlan is one of the young Mexican party towns of the Pacific coast, but it is also one of the most economic of Mexico’s resorts, balancing convenience and comfort with economy and good value.

Mazatlan is the northern-most of the main resorts on Mexican Riviera, and is also one of the busiest commercial shipping ports on the Pacific. Mazatlan is the shrimp capital of the world with over 40,000 tones of shrimp shipped and processed from here every year.

The coastal resort is attracting more and more travelers to its shores every year, as word-of-mouth spreads about its charms and attractions. People are coming here with their families, and those travelers looking for good value in return for their hard-earned holiday money are also discovering that Mazatlan offers a great alternative to the more commercialized resorts in Mexico.

Key Attractions

Stunning Beaches

Mazatlan has an excellent assortment of beaches – some for surfing, others for swimming. Because some of the beaches face the open Pacific, the waves are strong, big and pounding – no good for swimming. Ask locally for details about which beaches are suitable for safe, casual swimming in Mazatlan.

Water Sports

A wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed in Mazatlan, including diving, snorkeling. You can also rent water craft to have fun on the water from various rental agencies – see the Mexperience Travel Center for details.

Spas in Mazatlan

Mazatlan is host to some good Resort Spas. For more information about Spas, and how to benefit from a magnificent spa experience, connect to the Mexperience guide to Spas in Mexico.

Local Cruises

Local Boat Tours are a great way to see remote places otherwise not accessible or difficult to get to. Your tour can include stops at good places for swimming, snorkeling and diving, give you access to remote and secluded beaches, or if you just want to relax – take a sunset cruise and watch the sun melt into the Pacific Ocean in style!

Sports Fishing Experiences

Mazatlan is one of Mexico’s top destinations for Sports Fishing! If you want to fish for Bass, Mazatlan is THE place in Mexico to go. Read the Mexperience guide to Sports Fishing in Mexico and discover just what a fantastic day out a sports fishing experience can be on your next visit to Mexico!

Away from the Water

Mazatlan is a city in its own right, and there is plenty to see and do away from the waterfront.

Take time wander around Mazatlan and see the historic colonial town with its buildings, plazas and architecture from years gone by. There are a couple of museums to visit, a theatre, the main plaza and of course the city’s Cathedral.

Consider taking a local tour; either around the city, or a little way of out Mazatlan, where you can experience a Mountain and / or Jungle tour. See the Mexperience Travel Center for details of these.

Eco Tours from Mazatlan

You can rent mountain bikes, go horseback riding on the beach and go bird watching locally. All these are among the opportunities of Eco tours you can experience around Mazatlan. Also See: Nature and Adventure Experiences in Mexico.

Golf in Mazatlan

Not only is the climate here idea for Golf, Mazatlan offers some of the best rates for top-quality golf in Mexico! There are several good courses, some are newer, others are well established, but all are excellent quality.

Real Estate Investment in Mazatlan

Mazatlan has become a popular location for foreigners to invest and retire in Mexico. This is no surprise as, besides being exceptionally well connected and within easy access of the USA and Europe, Mazatlan also offers a wonderful climate, world-class facilities and amenities, an authentic Mexican atmosphere and low living costs. Connect to the Mexico Real Estate Guides for more information about buying real estate in Mexico.

Getting There & Around

By Air – You can fly to Mazatlan from the United States and and other points in Mexico primarily Mexico City. Flights to Mazatlan are relatively limited in comparison to other Mexican resorts, which is probably what keeps the resort quieter and better value for money. The airport is about 17 miles (27 km) from the city and hotel zones. Ground transportation is available – buy your tickets from the booth inside the airport terminal building. For detailed information about flights and flying, see the Mexperience guide to Air Travel in Mexico.

Airport Transfers: If you’re arriving in Mexico by airplane, you can book your airport transfer in advance. Airport Transfer services are available from all of Mexico’s key airports and offer the choice of either a Standard or VIP service level. Standard shuttles will transport up to ten people and their baggage in a modern and comfortable suburban van to/from local hotels; the VIP service provides transportation exclusively for your party, taking you and your belongings directly to/from your local hotel. Connect to the Mexperience Travel Center for details and to reserve your Airport Transfer.

By Bus – You can travel to Mazatlan on a luxury bus from Mexico City and Guadalajara. Travel times on the bus are about 20 hours and 10 hours respectively. For detailed information about bus transportation read the Mexperience guide to Bus Travel in Mexico.

By Car – Driving to Mazatlan from the United States will take about 10 hours. Use the toll Highway 15. From Puerto Vallarta, the road is mountainous and windy. See additional information about Driving in Mexico and Mexico’s Toll Roads on Mexperience.

Car Rental – To explore Mexico’s provincial towns and cities—including its beach locations and the scenery and attractions near them—consider renting a car for your visit (if staying in town, local transport should be sufficient). Having your own car will give you more flexibility than using public transport options and, in some cases, offer you access to places which are otherwise difficult to visit without the use of a car. Read our guide to Car Rental in Mexico to learn what you need to know about car rental in Mexico and connect to the Mexperience Travel Center to reserve your Rental Car.

By Ferry – If you’re going to visit La Paz, you can take a ferry across to Mazatlan from there. The ferry runs daily and you can take your car, if you have one. Note that you can only travel as a foot passenger on some days. Different levels of service are available, including private cabins. Prices depend on your class of service and size of car. Check the Ferry Company’s web site at: http://www.ferrytmc.com/ for details of routes, schedules, prices and contact details.

Taxis – Taxis in most of Mexico’s beachside towns and cities are not metered, so agree your price before you get in. Taxi travel is very affordable in Mexico, in comparison to the USA, Canada and Europe, and so provides a viable means of public transportation in Mexico. Your hotel can arrange taxis for you; some post their rates on a board in the lobby; taxi hotel rates are usually higher than cabs you hail off the street. If you speak Spanish, you will have a distinct advantage and be able to negotiate a price with the driver. For detailed information, read the Mexperience guide to Taxi Travel in Mexico.

Mazatlán Essentials

Telephone: Connect to the Communications in Mexico page on Mexperience for detailed information about keeping in touch and the latest table of national dialing codes.

Exchanging Currency: Banks with ATM machines are found throughout the downtown area of Mazatlan. During business hours, they and the Casas de Cambio will buy traveler’s checks and cash from you as well. For detailed information about exchanging and managing your money, read the Mexperience guide to Money in Mexico.

Travel Insurance: We recommend that you are adequately covered with travel medical insurance and/or travel assistance insurance when you are visiting Mexico. Read the Mexperience guide to Travel Insurance in Mexico for full details and links to specialist insurance suppliers.

Internet Access: Internet cafes can be easily found in towns and cities across Mexico and WiFi is increasingly commonplace–from cafes, shops, hotels, and some cities even offer free WiFi in some defined public spaces.

Mardi Gras in Mazatlan: During the week before lent, Mazatlan celebrates its Mardi Gras – or carnival. This is a wild, fun week-long party that builds up to a massive climax on the night of Shrove Tuesday, just before Ash Wednesday when lent begins. Expect the carnival to be full of music, dancers, mariachis, street vendors, all night parties, and more! If you want to be in Mazatlan during this time, be sure you book your transport and accommodation well ahead of time!

Local Climate

Mazatlan offers you year-round warmth, but it is cooler than Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco – for the fact that is is considerably further north (1,000 miles) of Acapulco. The rainy season is May to October, but as with most monsoon areas, rains tend to be fierce and brief in the late afternoon, leaving the evenings dry and cooled off. September brings the highest levels of humidity and sees the heaviest of the rains. During the winter months (Dec-Mar), evenings and early mornings can be cool, so pack a wool pullover if you’re thinking about traveling during those months.

Weather & Climates in Mexico

Learn more about the weather and climates through the seasons and regions by connecting to the Mexperience guide about Weather and Climates in Mexico

Although Sea Turtles live most of their lives at sea, the females must return to land to lay their eggs.  One of the wonderful (and mysterious) aspects of these beautiful creatures is that the females return to the precise location where they themselves were born to lay their own eggs.  It is thought that they are sensitive to, and use, the Earth’s magnetic field as a means of navigation to achieve this remarkable feat.

A sea turtle’s nest may contain up to 200 eggs.  The female will bury her “clutch” of eggs in the sand, where they will incubate for around fifty days before the eggs hatch, and the baby turtles make the often perilous journey from the beach to the ocean.  In addition to natural predators, to whom the baby turtles are easy prey as they scurry slowly along the beach from their birth nest to the water, Sea Turtles are also endangered by Man: people who would steal the eggs and baby turtles for profit as both fetch high prices on the black market.  We implore everybody visiting Mexico to desist from purchasing turtle eggs, turtle meat and any other products deriving from sea turtles.

Mexico runs a number of key conservation projects, whereby marine biologists and government agencies work in unison to protect Sea Turtles – an endangered species world-wide – from natural predators and unscrupulous humans.

Between July and December, the females arrive to lay their eggs on Mexico’s Pacific beaches.  As they are laid, the preservation team based at reserves along the coast monitor their local beaches to support the turtles in various way, including protecting them from unscrupulous humans.  The federal government also supports the effort by dispatching state and federal police forces to guard several beaches where female turtles are known to arrive and lay eggs and thus assist with the ongoing efforts to protect the sea turtles.

Learn more about how to experience Sea Turtle Sanctuaries in Mexico on Mexperience.