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Not Cancun and its busy resort zone, Puerto Vallarta and its club-lined beach, let alone Cabo with its ultra-luxury hotels and spas: the fastest growing destination in Mexico is a sunny, rising Mazatlan!
Located on the Pacific coast of the Mexican state of Sinaloa, this mid-sized city is expected to experience a 15 to 20% increase in tourism by early 2025, with a significant increase in the number of airplane seats.
As local authorities have noted, this is American evidence visitors ‘trust’ Mazatlan to treat them well, and these are some of the main reasons why:
Mazatlan is not nearly as dangerous as the media makes it out to be
For starters, Mazatlan is incredibly safe compared to other beach destinations on the Mexican Pacific.
It’s no secret that this is a gang hotspot, and every now and then there are problems that usually don’t end well, especially in the state of Sinaloa, but in the case of Mazatlan: the crime level is much, much lower.
The US continues to advise its citizens to avoid travel to the state, citing safety concerns, but as they indicate, Mazatlan is a low-risk destination if arriving by air, especially in the Zona Dorada where many of the hotels are established. located, and the historic center.
According to NumbeoThe city’s crime level is only ‘moderate’, comparable to that of Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, and in recent months local media have not reported any major incidents involving tourists.
That’s not to say Mazatlan is crime-free, but… as long as you exercise the expected caution––that is, don’t show valuables in public and stay away from suburban areas, especially at night––you’ll be fine.
Mazatlan Is Way More affordable
Not only is that relatively safe for visitors, but it is a lot of more affordable than your typical Mexican outing.
While resorts in Cabo can easily run you up to $600 per night in high season, not to mention limited availability, Mazatlan equivalents start at a relatively affordable $306: that’s the five-star resort Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlán Golf & Spa Resort for you.
The Courtyard of Marriott has ‘luxury’ deals from $121the landmark Varali Grand Hotel has oceanfront double rooms that will run you a surprisingly cheap $84 a night, and if you don’t really care about luxury, local hotels average only $54.
When it comes to food, there are of course tacos on the street for less than a dollar, and hearty portions in traditional Mexican restaurants for around $10, as seen on Numbeoand as for three-course dinners at a higher-end restaurant near the Malecon, expect to pay around $37.
One in total a weeklong trip to Mazatlan costs $840based on estimates of Budget your trip.
Why is Mazatlan so cheap?
With such attractive rates, you might be wondering how exactly Mazatlan is so cheap when you can’t find vacation packages for under $2,000 elsewhere in Mexico.
The answer lies in the kind of destination it is: unlike Cancun, Cabo and the like, it still mainly serves domestic vacationers, or in other words, Mexicans who can’t to afford burning through their savings to treat themselves to an all-inclusive Caribbean stay.
As a result, consumer prices reflect the purchasing power of the middle-income Mexican family, which, as you might suspect, is more restrictive than that of their American counterparts.
Old world charm and golden sandy beaches
Furthermore, Mazatlan combines coastal relaxation, nightlife and culture in one destination.
It has beautiful golden sandy beaches surrounded by an azure blue Pacific Ocean, all along a 21 mile long Maleconwith Playa Gaviotas, Playa Cerritos, Olas Altas and Playa Norte to name a few, as well as a centuries-old center dating back to Spanish colonization.
If you love Mexico for its Old World atmosphere, chances are you’re obsessed with the narrow cobblestone streets of old Mazatlan, flanked by colorful facades and traditional family restaurants and dotted with remarkable architectural features.
Two of the most striking structures in the center are the imposing Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and the 19th-century Teatro Ángela Peralta.
In Zona Dorada, the picturesque, pedestrian-friendly streets give way to a modern cityscape of the many high-rise apartment buildings, rooftop bars and beach clubs: this is where most of the nightclubs and entertainment venues are located, including a popular one Classic Mazatlán.
More flights to Mazatlan this season!
According to Gilberto Avilés, the – this is a mouthful – coordinator of the Aviation and Marketing Committee of the Association of Hotels and Tourism Companies of Mazatlan, believes that the confidence of tourists in Mazatlan is at the highest level. an all-time high.
Starting this season, Delta flights to Mazatlan will start from Los Angeles and Minneapolis/St. Paul, both on December 21st and the growth in air connectivity was the highest in Mexico, with growth in air connections are the highest in Mexico.
This winter, Mazatlan’s is expected to grow 7 percent, while Cancun, the country’s top tourist destination, suffered a single-digit adjustment. Avilés concludes that as a result, the city should receive between 15 and 20 percent more visitors between January and April alone.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
