There are so many things to do in Mazatlan: from the beach to the bullfights, there just isn´t enough time to be bored. Mazatlán has something to offer everyone. Here are some suggestions to maximize your vacation experience:

Lazy Day :So you’ve just arrived in Paradise and all you want to do is relax. You woke up at 4 a.m. to get to the airport on time (or didn’t sleep at all), your flight was delayed, you got the red light at customs and your airport bus broke down on the way to your hotel. The perfect remedy? A day at the beach. Don’t bother to unpack, just grab your Mexican blanket, sunscreen, a bottle of water and your sunglasses, and head to the “playa.” If you’re into the party scene, pick a spot near Joe’s Oyster Bar. If you prefer a quieter area, try the beach near the Doubletree hotel or Cerritos beach. Be sure to carry plenty of smaller peso denominations so that when you are bombarded by vendors you can barter for treasures. If you want “real” silver, be sure it has the “925” as well as the “México” mark. If you are sunbathing near a hotel or restaurant, there are usually waiters who will serve you right on the sand. Try a cold local drink while you people-watch. When you get hungry, there are plenty of beachfront restaurants to choose from. But make sure you can see the horizon at about 5 p.m., because you don’t want to miss a Mazatlán sunset.

Family Day :There are plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied. Start at the beach with a pail and shovel, and help the kids build a sandcastle. After construction is complete, the whole family can get their hair braided by one of those talented vendors. Next, head to the Acuario, or Aquarium. Take a pulmonia to get there— the kids will love it (a pulmonia, which literally means “pneumonia,” is an open-air taxi, reminiscent of a golf cart). The Aquarium is located halfway between the Golden Zone and downtown, along the Malecon (clip out the coupon in the Pearl for a discount). After the Aquarium, the kids will no doubt be hungry. There are plenty of restaurants along the Malecon and in old Mazatlan. There are also many local delicacies to try downtown: for example, churros or tamales from the street vendors are a great local treat. While downtown, visit the Central Market and shop for a few souvenirs to take home. Let the kids try bartering for the best deals. Still in the shopping mode? Visit one of the piñata stores downtown. A store full of candy is every child’s dream (but keep in mind that airlines will not allow piñatas on the plane, though some will allow small carry-ons). Back along the Malecon, take the kids to see the clavadistas, or cliff divers. The kids will be talking about these daredevils for days. As dinnertime approaches, return to the Golden Zone for a Mexican Fiesta at the Playa Mazatlan. The all-you-can-eat buffet should satisfy those hungry children, and the entertainment will keep them amused until bedtime. Other ideas for children: visit Mazagua, a waterpark down near Cerritos point, complete with tubing and waterslides; take a trip to one of the islands— such as Deer Island— accessible by panga, or small boat; rent bicycles and ride the Malecón; take the family horseback riding— there are plenty of rental outlets, such as Ginger’s Horses; go mini-golfing at Chango Loco, in front of the Holiday Inn Hotel; visit the Sea Turtle Preservation Station (El Verde Station), located 20 miles north of Mazatlan, where the whole family can observe and assist in the preservation of endangered marine turtles.

Athletic Day :After a few days in Mazatlan, you have probably now discovered how incredible Mexican food is, and perhaps have already over-indulged. To ease the guilt, start your morning with a little jog along the beach. The sand is a great workout for those legs, and the early morn (7-8 a.m.) is a great time to avoid crowds and hot temperatures. After you’ve had a shower and some fresh local fruit, pack up a daypack and head to the Lighthouse, “El Faro,” located at the end of Avenida Olas Altas. El Faro, which, at 152 meters— or 500 feet— above sea level, is the second-highest lighthouse in the world (after the one in Gibraltar in Spain), can only be accessed by foot. The trip to the top is about a forty-minute walk, and should be done in the morning to avoid the hot afternoon sun. Be sure to bring your camera, as the view is spectacular. When you finally return to ground-level, there are a variety of activities to choose from. Perhaps you’ll feel like a game of tennis at the Gaviotas Raquet Club, or an invigorating game of golf at one of Mazatlan’s gorgeous courses, such as Estrella del Mar or El Cid. Beach volleyball is always a popular choice, or there are the many watersports that are offered along the beach: surfing, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, sport fishing, parasailing (for the very brave) or a little swim in the ocean are all fine choices. If you have any energy left, drag yourself to one of Mazatlan’s sports bars for a tasty meal while you cheer on your favorite team. Now it’s time to relax and be the spectator. From the fall to early winter, you can catch a Venados’ baseball game and cheer for Mazatlan’s team. From Christmas to Easter, the bullfights take place almost every Sunday afternoon. And, in the summer months, you can watch a Charreada, which is similar to a western rodeo, Mexican-style. Finally, work off your dinner by dancing the night away at one of Mazatlan’s numerous nightclubs or bars.

Romantic Day :Couples who visit can’t help but consider Mazatlan as a possible wedding location, or at least a honeymoon destination. Take a day to enjoy the incredible surroundings... together. Start with a trip to the country. Whether you choose to go on a tour bus or rent a car and drive yourself, the drive through the mountains is breathtaking. First stop: Rosario. Once a remote colonial town, Rosario specializes in furniture, chorizo, and that tasty vanilla drink, Toni-Col. Take a walking tour through the town and be sure to stop by the Nuestra Senora del Rosario. This baroque-style church has an amazing altarpiece— completely covered in gold— that alone is worth the trip. The next stop: Concordia. This mountain-town is world-famous for it’s beautifully carved furniture and pottery. Stop by the roadside shops to furnish your future home. Then move on to your final country destination: Copala. The recently-restored town was one of Mexico’s first mining towns. Nowadays, it is the perfect picturesque destination to relax

and enjoy the mouth-watering banana-coconut pie. Do not leave this town without trying a piece (or two). With burros and farm animals wandering its narrow cobble-stoned streets, Copala is the perfect quiet town to relax and enjoy a romantic lunch for two. After lunch, return to Mazatlan for a stroll along the Malecon (the seawall, or dyke that lines the ocean from Fiestaland to Olas Altas). Hand in hand, walk as far as you dare. The Malecon goes on for 17 km. Along the way, there are various look-outs to enjoy panoramic views of the city (that is, if you can stop gazing into each others’ eyes). For example, Cerro de la Neveria, or Ice Box Hill— where Mazatlecan families once stored their food and fish with ice delivered from San Francisco— is a nice place to watch the sunset (aprox. 5 p.m.). Another observatory to stop off at on your romantic journey is the one shaped like a heart, where you can watch the breaking waves, and enjoy the tranquility of the ocean. (Although located at the opposite end of Mazatlan, Cerritos Point is another gorgeous spot to walk and watch the sunset). In addition to the lookouts, there are many restaurants that overlook the city. Another excellent dinner destination is at a restaurant with a mariachi band. For example, Guadalajara Grill has live mariachi every night starting at about 8 or 9 p.m. And why not buy her (or him!) a rose from one of the many vendors that can be found following you everywhere. Perfect the evening with a horseback ride for two along the beach.

Shopping Day :It is so easy to spend a whole day (and then some!) shopping your heart out in Mazatlan. If you want to work on your tan at the same time, sit on the beach and let the vendors come to you. If you are staying in the Golden Zone, start your shopping adventure along Camaron Sabalo. Barter away as you visit shop after shop of Mexican curios and other goodies. Next, head downtown for some real bargains in the Central Mercado, or market. Vendors love to barter, so be prepared to get some great deals. And be sure to do some power shoe shopping. You simply can’t go home without at least one pair of new shoes. While you are downtown, check out some of the landmarks, such as the Cathedral. Located right across from the market, the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is a gorgeous Gothic structure with a large, awe-inspiring interior. Also downtown, the Machado Plaza is considered the heart of old Mazatlán and the traditional site of Carnaval. Near the Machado, on Carnaval Street in Machado Park, is the Angela Peralta Theater— the oldest theater in Mazatlan. Formerly known as Rubio Theater (which originally cost 80 pesos to build) it was renamed after the famous “Mexican Nightengale,” who died in 1883 from the Plague, which she caught on a ship from Chile to Mazatlan. After you finish buying out the downtown, drop off your goodies and then head to the mall for the second part of “Operation Purchase All.” You can take the Cerritos Juarez bus to get to La Gran Plaza, but you will probably have to take a taxi home to carry all your new belongings. You can spend the rest of the evening admiring all of your purchases, and figuring out a way to fit them all in your luggage to cart them home.

Drink-Your-Face-Off Day :How easy is this to do in Mazatlan? Where else can you by a cerveza at Subway, and then drink it while walking down the street in plain daylight!? With “Happy Hour” (two for one) beginning in the early morning, you can actually start drinking at breakfast. Though not a recommendation, we all know it is done a little too often. After all, most visitors to Mazatlan discover that their stomach has an easier time with the alcohol than the water, so drinking beer throughout the day is almost necessary, right? Although you could just lie on the beach, sipping drink after drink, why not do a little sight-seeing at the same time by taking a “booze cruise” or a trip to Stone Island? If you take the Stone Island tour, be prepared for an all-you-can-drink adventure, starting on the boatride over. One drink you shouldn’t miss out on is a “Coco Loco.” Served right out of the coconut, a few of these will definately make you loco (crazy). On Stone Island, you’ll get a chance to go horseback riding, play beach volleyball, go banana boating, or snorkeling... but use caution if you have had one too many already (remember: you only need a glass full of water to drown). After returning to the mainland, buy some bottled water. It is great to taste all those local drinks, but no one likes to be around an obnoxious drunk. Take a nap and sober up before going for “round two.” Some important advice for drinking in Mexico: respect the tequila! This is an extremely powerful alcohol, and can be found in many domestic drinks as well as by itself with salt, lime and a sangrita chaser. Many Mexicans actually sip their shots, as tequila is something to enjoy. Or try the “slammer” or “popper,” which is a shot of half tequila, half 7UP. Slam it down on the table, shoot it down, and shake your head around. Do be careful, though. It is much funnier to watch a drunk than to be one. As the sun goes down, “Drink-Your-Face-Off Day” undergoes metamorphosis to become...

Party-Till-The-Sun-Rises Night There are plenty of bars and nightclubs to continue your fiesta. In the Golden Zone, just follow the noise: music and yelps of excitement can usually be heard eminating from hot spots such as Ernie Tomato’s, or Gringo Lingo. Next, dance on down the street (or in the back of your taxi) to Señor Frogs for a jello shooter or a Yard at La Temblorina (the bar). After taking a few photos with the props that line the restaurant’s facade, follow the crowd back to Joe’s Oyster Bar. When that closes, the crowd usually migrates to Fiestaland, where you can choose from several lively night spots. Tear up the dancefloor, dance on the bar (at your own risk), and then complete your evening with a few tacos at one of the many all-night taco stands. Finally, hop in a taxi and watch the sun rise on the way back to your hotel. If you’ve done this right, you’ll be able to worship your pillow instead of the porcelain god. There is so much to do in Mazatlan. You most definately will not be able to “do it all” in one trip... you’ll be back. It is good to make a plan for each day, but don’t plan for the minute. You will learn that most things run on “Mexican time.” As the saying goes, “Everything is slow in Mazatlan but the drivers.” You’ll learn to appreciate the relaxed atmosphere; after all, you are on vacation.