YOUR GUIDE TO MAZATLAN Getting Here By Air - Mazatlan has an international airport. Flights arrive at Rafael Buelna International Airport (MAZ) daily. The airport is 14 miles southeast of the hotel and resort area. The terminal has recently undergone an expansion and improvement project. Several shops are open, plus a restaurant, bar, and several rental car agencies. From the airport, taxis are available at around $23 USD. Most major rental car companies have airport counters. Some hotels have free shuttles, or may charge a small fee ($5 shared), inquire with your hotel. Buses also run between the airport & downtown. The cost is in the range of $1-$2, but it will take much more time. By Land - Mazatlan can be reached by driving the toll road (Hwy. 15) from Nogales. Tolls are in the $35-$40 range for the entire trip. You can also take the free road which will add some hours onto your trip. Coming from the east through Durango is another option on Hwy. 40, but remember you are crossing the Sierra Madre Occidental and you'll need to be cautious and drive slow in some areas. If you do drive your vehicle to Mazatlan, you must have Mexican auto insurance, it's the law. Please see our Insurance link below for a list of available companies. The Mazatlan Train Station is located on the eastern edge of town in Colonia Emiliano Zapata. At this time, the train is not running passenger service, but it used to serve Mexicali and Nogales to the north and Guadalajara to the south, as well as points in between. Hours vary, but the ticket office is usually open at 8am - 12pm Mon-Sun. Remember, trains in Mexico can be slow and not on time. Although a great way to see the countryside, please allow time for breakdowns, unscheduled stops, and late starting times. Central de Autobuses (Tel: 669-982-8321) can be found just east of Playa Norte on Calle Rio Chachalacas. Most major bus companies serve the resort and head out to many cities in Mexico. First class from the U.S. border (Nogales, AZ) is around $40 and from Mexico City is about $45. By Sea - Mazatlan has the biggest marina grouping in all of Mexico and is vary popular with the yachting set or the casual boater. Marina Mazatlan is the larger of the two main marina's in the resort with over 1,200 slips upon completion of construction. It is being built in phases. All amenities are offered from boat yard and fuel dock to a golf course, plus 24 hr. security, and yacht club (Tel: 669-916-3614). Marina El Cid offers a little over 100 slips and also features a fuel dock, security, accommodations and a beach club (Tel: 669-913-0525). You'll also find the Capitan of the Port offices here for check-in, which is required by the Mexican government. The Mazatlan Ferry can provide vehicle and passenger transport to and from La Paz in Baja California Sur. The trip takes 17 plus hours and advance tickets can be purchased during the week at Paseo Clausen 310 in Olas Atlas (Tel: 669-981-7020). The actual ferry boards at end of Av. Carnaval from the Muelle Transbordador at the harbor and you can also purchase tickets here. Please see the actual SEMATUR Ferry website under Useful Links. Travel Essentials Currency - Banks generally have the best exchange rates & open at 9am (M-F), make sure you check what hours they do money exchanges. Lines may be longer at banks, but rates are probably slightly better than exchange houses. Money exchange houses or Casa de Cambios are found throughout Mazatlan and will exchange money throughout the day and into the early evening. Check with your hotel also as they may exchange money alhtough they usually don't give the best rates. Both of these options may be a little higher than the banks, but are probably more convenient. Most of the larger establishments - from restaurants to shops, will readily accept US currency. The issue in that case will be the exchange rate that they offer; it is advisable to ask first in order to avoid any disappointments. Also, whether paying in Dollars or in Pesos, it is a good idea to carry small bills with you, as it is often difficult for small shops or stands to make change for large bills. Credit Cards - Some of the hotels, shops and restaurants will accept credit cards, with some or no surcharge, but not all of them. However, you have to keep in mind that many other establishments - especially smaller ones with lower prices, do not accept credit cards. While you are planning your trip, make sure that you carry - or have access to, enough cash or traveler's checks. Time & Pace Mazatlan is in the Mountain Time Zone and does observe daylight savings time. During the summer months, most businesses are open. Since Mazatlan doesn't really have slow season, siesta isn't usually observed except in some of the small towns outside the resort. Siesta or the mid-day break is a tradition that reflects not only the necessity of avoiding heat-related fatigue, but is also a traditional time to spend with family. It coincides with the hottest time of day when people retreat to their homes to eat and rest in the shade. Communications You can call (direct dialing) and fax to anywhere in the world from Mazatlan, using the facilities at your hotel or a telephone calling place or Larga Distancia shop. You can also purchase pre-paid long distance cards before you leave or you can buy then throughout town. Internet access is available throughout Mazatlan in "cyber cafes", some hotels may also offer the service. Accommodations Mazatlan is the last of Mexico's premier beach resorts where you can still find a bargain hotel on the beach. It's hotel zone stretches for over eight miles beginning just north of downtown. Most properties are clustered between Playa Las Gaviotas and Playa Sábalo. Far to the north is Playa Norte, emerging as another center of development. Mazatlan also boasts of some Mexico's top condominiums and vacation villas. Everything from 5 Star resorts to RV parks can be found in Mazatlan. Getting Out & About You can always find taxis or be a little adventurous and hop a pulmonia up and down the resort area. Pulmonia's are 3 to 5 person, open-air taxis, a cross between a carriage and golf cart (literally meaning "pneumonia"). Each vehicle carries its own unique name, which might give you a clue as to the driver's roadside manners. Mazatlan also has public bus service (cheap) which runs from the tourist area all the way to downtown (Centro) and old Mazatlan. These buses run from 6am to 11pm most of the time. You'll find the drive along the ocean-side boulevard wonderfully scenic. Mopeds & scooters are popular and can be rented at several locations. Text and photos copyrighted by MexOnline.com LLC, 2004. Reprinted here by permission.