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If you’re headed south of the border this winter but Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta don’t exactly fit your current budget – we get it, $600 a night for a resort stay is a bit much – right? once considered a lesser known, perhaps more authentic Mazatlan?
Located along the Pacific coast, it combines the charm of the Old World colonial era with the excitement of a fast-growing coastal city.
Compared to other tourist hotspots in the country, a visit costs only a small part.
Oh, and did we mention it’s under the safest destinations in Mexico at the moment, as confirmed by the Secretariat of Tourism?
Old world charm and beautiful beaches on the Pacific Ocean
Mazatlan is known for both its cultural value and its relaxed coastal atmosphere, with golden sandy beaches stretching for miles, and an expansive Malecón (one of the longest in Mexico), stretching across the azure Pacific Ocean.
The Centro Histórico (known among gringos as Old Mazatlan) feels like Spain has been copied and pasted in the best way possible with cobbled streets flanked by colorful facadesand a monumental Basilica of the Immaculate Conception dating back to the colonization period.
At the same time, Mazatlan has lively shopping streets, high-rise buildings and vibrant beach clubs. If you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of the big city and endless dining and entertainment options, Zona Dorada is the place to be, with its great choice of rooftop bars and vibrant venues.
You can read all about Mazatlan and all the reasons why it has suddenly become the fastest growing destination south of the border for American travelers here – we highly encourage you to dig deeper, but we’re not here to repeat ourselves.
If you clicked on the headline and are surprised by the fact that Mazatlan is the city in question, you’re probably wondering how exactly it’s safe when it’s currently at level 4 with US authorities.
Allow us to explain:
How is Mazatlan safe if Sinaloa is at level 4?
Located in the state of Sinaloa, which has one of the worst gang activity in Mexico, Mazatlan has always been quick to dismiss by the mainstream media as a dangerous city or at least a risky destination for Americans and others. gringos.
Even though the crime rates within the community are much lower than the state average Numbeo yourself reporting it is below moderate levels, it turns out guilty by associationas it is within the jurisdiction of Sinaloa, a Level 4 destination.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Americans should avoid travel to Sinaloa due to crime, but something that news media often don’t report is that Mazatlan is one of three municipalities in the state, along with Los Mochis and Topolobampo, where travel is not formally restricted.
The State Department notes that US government officials can travel there by air or sea, and that their movements should be limited to the Zona Dorada and the historic center, indicating that Mazatlan, and areas in particular, are equally good for tourists.
Now Josefina Rodríguez, the Minister of Tourism, has gone so far as to say that Mazatlan is one of the ‘safest beaches in the country’, as supported by data presented by Sector (the Secretariat) and citizens’ perception of security.
According to the latest data published by INEGI, the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography, 34.3% of residents feel unsafeshowing that a clear majority have a positive impression of Mazatlan as their place of residence.
That’s largely thanks to the city’s excellent surveillance system, which largely keeps Sinaloa’s gang problem at bay, and its extensive surveillance of the hotel-lined waterfront, especially Zona Dorada, where all the trendy beach bars are located.
In short, Americans should have little to worry about their safety when visiting Mazatlan: the point is as safe as any other major resort destination south of the border, which means no risk freeas safe as a bustling Mexican metropolis can be.
In other words: don’t walk around unnecessarily with valuables, stick to tourist-friendly zones in the historic center and Zona Dorada, and certainly don’t walk alone late at night in poorly lit areas, such as suburbs and the end of the Malecón.
Mazatlan is also incredibly cheap
Besides being incredibly safe, Mazatlan is among the cheapest beach destinations in Mexico.
If Budget your trip estimatesTourists spend an average of $49 on meals per day, $17 on transportation and an average of $54 on hotels per night.
Food is usually quite cheap throughout Mexico – although there are an abundance of high-end restaurants everywhere, you don’t have to look far if that is the case. $1 tamales or street tacos what you desire, but we all know that accommodation is usually the way they get you.
From Cabo’s staggering $600 per night average to Cancun’s prohibitively expensive all-inclusive rates, Mexico is far from the budget-friendly Latin American resort some might wrongly expect…unless, of course, it’s somewhere near Mazatlan they’re headed to go.
This winter you can stay in the five-star hotel Varali Grand Hotel for $85 a night, right on the 13-mile boardwalk, or a cozy Hotel Kavia in the heart of Zona Dorada, for just $42––want to spend a little? All-inclusive nights start at just $211 Pacific Palace Beach Tower Hotel.
Based on Budget your tripthe average cost of a weeklong trip to Mazatlan for one person is $603, not including flights.
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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.
