What's the best area to stay in Mazatlán?
Mazatlán is a vibrant coastal city on Mexico’s Pacific coast, known for its stunning beaches, colonial architecture, and lively atmosphere. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing getaway or an adventurous vacation, this tropical paradise has something to offer everyone.
And when it comes to accommodation, Mazatlán has a wide range of options to choose from, from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious all-inclusive resorts. But with so many options to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start.
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family-friendly vacation, or a budget-friendly trip, we’ve got you covered. Read on to discover the best places to stay in Mazatlán, why we love each one, and our picks for the best hotels.
The Best Places to Stay in Mazatlán
While the city has many great areas, our top picks for the best places to stay in Mazatlán include:
- Centro Histórico: Best for sightseeing and historical buildings
- Zona Dorada: Best for resort experiences, beach activities, and nightlife
- Malecón: Best for families on vacation, culture, and beaches
- Cerritos/Marina: Best for water sports and quieter travel
Where to Stay in Mazatlán: Best Areas & Hotels
Mazatlán doesn’t have many neighborhoods that are popular with tourists. There are just four main parts of town where people tend to stay while they are on vacation.
However, these parts of town are fairly different from one another, so it is important to make sure that you are staying in the right one when you plan your visit.
1. Best Area for History: Centro Histórico
Mazatlan, Mexico – January 2022 : Historical center in sunny weather, HDR Image/mehdi33300/Shutterstock
Mazatlán’s Centro Histórico is the best place to stay if you want to be right in the middle of the action. This area is unique because it features centuries of stunning buildings from the city’s history as an important port town.
However, unlike in many cities, the Centro Histórico is not frozen in time and is still a living, breathing neighborhood where you can stay right along with the locals.
It’s full of stunning buildings, including the Basilica Cathedral of Mazatlán, the Angel Peralta Theater, and the Mercado Pino Suárez.
Mazatlán is not a very museum-heavy town, but it has a few smaller museums and galleries that are interesting to stop and visit while you are in town, such as the Municipal Center of the Arts.
The interesting thing about Mazatlán’s Centro Histórico compared to that of many other Mexican towns is how different it looks. Instead of imposing colonial stone buildings, most of the buildings have colorful, delicate facades.
Nowhere is this more visible than in the Plazuela Machado. This is one of the highlights of the area, with lots of cafés, families running around, and live music.
The Centro Histórico is a good place to stay because it has the biggest concentration of hotels in the city. You can find options for every budget, along with plenty of other amenities such as restaurants, bars, and boutiques.
But while this neighborhood has everything a tourist may want, it’s not touristy by any means, and many locals still call the place home. Do keep in mind, this is not the closest neighborhood to the beach.
If you want to maximize your beach time, especially if you would rather visit the less crowded beaches toward the outskirts of town, then you should probably stay somewhere else closer to the waterfront.
Centro Histórico Budget Hotels
- Posada 53 is a no-frills hotel that offers Wi-Fi, parking, and comfortable rooms with beds, private bathrooms, and modern décor.
- Posada del Parque, located in a residential part of the Centro Histórico, offers guests comfortable rooms, including family room options, air conditioning, and services such as an in-hotel currency exchange.
Centro Histórico Mid-Range Hotels
- Hosteleria Casa Margarita, offers comfortable seaside rooms, including allergy-free options, easy access to the center, and even activities such as cycling and barbecuing.
- Gamma Mazatlán | The Inn At Centro Histórico is quite stylish and has a wonderful location and beautiful amenities such as air-conditioned rooms, a fitness center, and a delicious in-house restaurant.
Centro Histórico Luxury Hotels
- Hotel Raices del Mar feels like a luxurious oasis in the city, thanks to its recent renovation incorporating traditional décor and modern amenities such as a pool. Thanks to the location inside a renovated 19th century manor, you will truly feel like royalty staying here.
- Villa Serena Centro Histórico is a luxury apartment offering that lets guests enjoy the comfortable units featuring kitchens and private bathrooms, as well as shared amenities such as a beautiful outdoor pool.
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2. Best Area for Nightlife: Zona Dorada
Mazatlan, Mexico – January 18 2023: The abandoned Valentinos Disco along the sandy Playa Gaviotas beach in the Golden Zone of Mazatlan, Mexico, along the Sinaloa Riviera./Kirk Fisher/Shutterstock
If you want the typical Mexican resort experience while staying in Mazatlán, then the best place for you to stay is the Zona Dorada.
This area, whose name translates to “Golden Zone” in English, is located just north of the city proper and is where all of Mazatlán’s world-famous resorts are concentrated. This area has everything that a tourist would want.
It’s packed full of restaurants, bars, and clubs, so you can have fun from morning until late at night. There are plenty of boutiques as well for shopping for souvenirs.
The Zona Dorada is also Mazatlán’s financial core, so you will be surrounded by an upscale environment. Of course, the main draw is the beach.
Several miles of coast stretch through this area, with beach areas for every activity, from swimming with the kids to catching waves during your surf lesson. Camarón Beach is a favorite thanks to the wide range of activities that you can experience there.
One of our favorite reasons to stay here is the area’s relative safety. While Mazatlán is a city that struggles with some safety issues, Zona Dorada is mostly free from crime, as the government invests plenty of resources in keeping tourists safe.
But while it’s safe, there are a few drawbacks to staying in this area. First, it’s relatively far away from the Centro Histórico. It is connected to the rest of the city by public transport, but those networks are not always the most convenient (although if you just want to stay on the beach, this isn’t necessarily a drawback).
The Zona Dorada also has all of the drawbacks you might expect from any resort area around the world. Authentic it is not — if you want to see how the locals live, you are better off staying somewhere else as this is a very touristy area.
It is also the most expensive part of Mazatlán, and finding budget accommodations is not the easiest.
Zona Dorada Budget Hotels
- The Hotel Posada Doña Rubino is one of the few budget options in Zona Dorada. It offers simple but comfortable rooms and basic amenities such as a terrace and Wi-Fi.
- Suites San Luis offers extremely easy access to the beach. The hotel offers simple rooms with Wi-Fi and a kitchen where guests can prepare their own meals.
Zona Dorada Mid-Range Hotels
- The Gaviana Resort offers many of the amenities you’d expect from a beachfront resort, such as a restaurant, spa, outdoor pool, fitness center, and more, for a reasonable price.
- Costa de Oro Beach Hotel is located right on the beach, making it easy to go swimming. The many amenities, including a pool, poolside bar, restaurant, and massages, make it hard to leave.
Zona Dorada Luxury Hotels
- Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlán Beach Resort features the amenities you’d expect from a Marriott resort, including comfortable rooms and a patio.
- At the luxurious Viaggio Resort Mazatlán, guests can enjoy a swimming pool, spacious rooms, and a kids’ club so the parents can enjoy time on their own, all just steps away from Camarón Beach.
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3. Best Area for Families: Malecón
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Mazatlán’s iconic boardwalk, the Malecón, offers the best of both worlds. Staying near the miles-long boardwalk offers you easy access to several beach areas without compromising your proximity to the city and culture.
There is plenty to see and do along the Malecón, which makes sense since this boardwalk is one of the longest in the world. It passes through three distinct neighborhoods: Olas Altas, which is the most popular, Loma Linda, which offers the best views, and Los Pinos, which is the quietest.
This area has many monuments and historic sites along the way, such as the Fisherman’s Monument, making it an interesting walk indeed. El Faro, the city’s famous lighthouse where you can get some of the best views, is a short hike away.
The boardwalk also has kid-friendly activities, such as bike rentals and in-line skate rentals. There are also kid-friendly attractions just off the boardwalk, from the Mazatlán Aquarium to the playground and small zoo in City Park.
These activities are part of the reason why staying near the Malecón is a favorite option for many families.
Although it’s close to the shore, there aren’t many good swimming areas near the boardwalk. If you want to be closer to the beach, you’re better off staying further north.
Malecón Budget Hotels
- Located a bit away from the boardwalk in the residential Reforma neighborhood, Posada Bugambilia features simple air-conditioned rooms, each with a private entrance.
- Simple Hotel La Siesta offers very comfortable rooms, easy access to the beach and the city center, and a quiet garden for when you need a break from the city.
Malecón Mid-Range Hotels
- Colorful Casa de Leyendas is decorated in a traditional Mexican style and offers amenities such as a hotel bar, garden, and children’s playground.
- Elegant Hotel Boutique Casa Lulu feels like a luxury resort minus the luxury prices. Enjoy marble bathrooms, an outdoor pool, and amazing views.
Malecón Luxury Hotels
- The big Don Pelayo Pacific Beach offers guests massive rooms, some with their own seating areas, and access to shared amenities such as a pool with slides, a hot tub, and a games room. Kids, in particular, love this hotel.
- Guests at the stylish Casa Lucila Hotel Boutique can enjoy a rooftop infinity pool, pampering at the spa, and activities such as bike rentals before retreating to their elegant, well-designed rooms.
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4. Best Area for Watersports: Cerritos/Marina
Mazatlan, Mexico – January 2022 : Cerritos beach in sunny weather, HDR Image/mehdi33300/Shutterstock
To the north of the Zona Dorada in Mazatlán are the quiet areas of Zona Marina and Cerritos. For travelers in the know, these areas are the hidden gems of the city.
Cerritos is a newer area of town that is much quieter than the center and old downtown, and the main attractions here are the beaches.
The most famous are Sabalo Beach and Cerritos Beach, whose pristine white sand always has a spot for sunbathers, unlike the very crowded beaches in Zona Dorada.
These beaches are popular among water sports enthusiasts as there is so much more space to play than on Mazatlán’s other beaches. The Zona Marina, just south of Cerritos, is centered around Mazatlán’s marina. This area has some of the best views in the city.
Sit in one of the beachfront restaurants and enjoy views of the waves and the boats bobbing at their moors. There are other things to do, such as golf courses and bars, although not that many hotel options.
The Marina is also a nice, quiet option if you are tired of dealing with the hustle and bustle of the city. The quietness of Cerritos and Zona Marina does come with a price.
These areas are located a fair distance out of the city, and you will probably have to drive or take a taxi to get to the Centro Histórico if you want to take in the sights. The area is also not very walkable. Of course, many visitors are content to just explore this corner of Mazatlán.
Cerritos/Marina Budget Hotels
- Ibis Mazatlán Marina is a comfortable hotel choice, with clean, air-conditioned rooms, a business center for travelers here for work, and complimentary breakfast.
- Xperience by g is an adults-only resort with surprisingly affordable rooms and amenities such as a restaurant, terrace, nightly entertainment, and stylish, air-conditioned rooms.
Cerritos/Marina Mid-Range Hotels
- At the Park Inn by Radisson Mazatlán, guests can swim in the pool, enjoy services such as a currency exchange and tour bookings, and relax in comfortable rooms, just steps away from Cerritos Beach.
- Diamond Bay is a resort located right on the beach. Amenities include spacious studio rooms, an infinity pool, and more, all with an excellent view.
Cerritos/Marina Luxury Hotels
- At the excellent City Express Plus by Marriott Mazatlán, guests can enjoy a swimming pool, room service, and more, all in a stylish modern hotel.
- Zafiro Beach Boutique Resort is one of the best resorts in this area, with a pool, spa, and on-site restaurant. All guests stay in suites with pool or sea views.
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So, Where Should You Stay in Mazatlán?
Mazatlán is a great city for your next Mexican beach vacation. It is not a big city, but it still has something for everyone. Let’s recap:
| 🏰 Most Historic Area | Centro Histórico |
| 🎉 Best Area for Nightlife | Zona Dorada |
| 👪 Best for Families | Malecón |
| 🛥️ Best Area for Watersports | Cerritos/Marina |
Thanks to the many activities, this area is very popular with families. Finally, if you want a quieter vacation, staying in the north of the city near Zona Marina or Cerritos is the best bet.
The beaches here are far less crowded, making them the best areas for water sports from surfing to swimming. These areas are also some of the safest in Mazatlán, making them popular with tourists.
Wherever you stay in Mazatlán, you are sure to realize why this city is called “the pearl of the Pacific.” Choose your hotel wisely — you may never want to leave!