most northerly position at which the Sun may appear directly overhead at its zenith. This event occu

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While Cozumel, Cancun and the country’s border towns offer bargain basement prices on booze-fueled vacations for college co-eds, Mazatlan has quietly evolved during the past decade branson lodging map as an exciting, uniquely authentic destination unto itself a place for travelers , not tourists branson lodging map .
While the word authentic is bandied about in travel brochures and guidebooks, branson lodging map Mazatlan offers a truly authentic view of Mexico. The city is undergoing a serious rebirth. Theaters, cafes, town squares, and classic markets are all being revived in a concerted effort to blend old world charm and culture with modern hotels, exciting events, and can t-miss attractions.
All the modern accoutrements of a resort town yes, there’s even a Starbucks and half a dozen Senor Frogs. But dig a little deeper and the city reveals a genuine glimpse into the heart of Mexican culture a side rarely branson lodging map seen in the more well-known vacation hotspots.
With a selection of five star hotel resorts in Nuevo Mazatlan, an array of traditional restaurants, attractions, and experiences nearby, and deeply discounted hotel accommodations virtually anytime of year, the city is a budget vacationer’s paradise.
We were fortunate branson lodging map enough to tour the city for several days side by side with a bevy of locals. Here, our quick guide for travelers with 96 hours or less in Mazatlan who are looking to hit the ground running and experience the best this seaside town has to offer.
We were fortunate enough to have the folks at Pronatours by our side for the duration of our stay in Mazatlan. Their tour guides are undoubtedly some of the best I’ve ever experienced: bilingual, extremely knowledgeable, courteous and accommodating to our group’s branson lodging map requests. Bottom line: our tour of Mazatlan would not have been as interesting or educational without them.
Conveniently located on the grounds of the Estrella branson lodging map del Mar resort is one of the largest branson lodging map sea turtle sanctuaries in Mexico . It’s open to the public year-round to provide a fascinating branson lodging map hands-on experience. Admission is free and visitors are invited to view the sanctuary’s rehab pool where injured and otherwise out-of-commission turtles are temporarily housed to ensure their safe beach release.
No trip to Mexico is complete without a little book learnin’ on the process of blue agave (tequila) production. Just a few kilometers outside Mazatlan city center, the Los Osuna distillery schools visitors in the language of blue agave.
Catch a tour from the onsite guides or Pronatours can provide transportation to and from the plantation, as well as a comprehensive walk-through of the entire distillation process. Be sure to cap off your tour with the signature Mexican toast:
Sadly, the one and only to-do on this list we didn’t get to experience first hand. The only reason? Too much demand. As one of Mazatlan’s most popular destination experiences, Huana Coa is nearly booked year-round, so be sure to make reservations well in advance.
No, we’re not talking about drunken aviation lessons. I’m referring of course to a beer sampling, known as a flight to brew connoisseurs. Tequila and blue agave aside, Mexico is renowned for a number of distinct breweries.
Look beyond Corona and don t miss out on lesser known beers (at least in the States) such as Tecate , Pacifico and Negra Modelo. Don’t forget to cap off any Mexican beer with a squeeze of lime a de rigueur garnish served in virtually every restaurant.
Handmade tortillas, an extremely friendly staff, and an extensive variety of traditionally prepared Mexican meats, including crispy fried quail, and lingua (cow s tongue), all make it one of the most authentic restaurants branson lodging map in Sinaloa. Be sure to order a pitcher or three of horchata branson lodging map a tasty rice drink with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. (Tip: don’t miss the eclectically decorated restrooms!)
Once you ve had your fill of all things meat, stop by the stand near the front of the restaurant for a bit of dulce leche an awesome caramel dessert similar to a moist, crumbly brownie. Or take a stroll over to the town s rustic bakery for fresh baked scones branson lodging map and other traditional pastries. Be sure to go early because they routinely sell out. Grab a ToniCola on your way out it’s a classic Mexican soft drink that’s a little like Vanilla Coke.
On your return from El Quelite, stop at the road side marker of the Tropic of Cancer (it’s small, so keep your eyes open or you’ll miss it) a significant geographic marker for map lovers and other earth geeks. This tiny monument marks the:
most northerly branson lodging map position at which the Sun may appear directly overhead at its zenith. This event occurs once per year, at the time of the June solstice, when the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun to its maximum extent.
While in town, don’t miss the Pino Suárez market at the heart of old town Mazatlan. In continuous operation for more than 100 years, the market was designed by Gustav Eiffel and features a number of architectural elements similar to those used in the construction of his infamous Parisian landmark.
Vendors peddle a wide selection of goods, from fresh meats and vegetables to unique handmade crafts and Made in China tzothke. As with many such markets, be sure to haggle as the sticker price is rarely the lowest price the vendor will accept.
Seen on postcards, T-shirts and an array of tourist tschotske, the Mazatlan cliff divers at Olas Altas are a staple of the city”˜s nightlife. After a brief climb up a stone stairway, the divers wait patiently for the perfect wave before leaping into the churning water that is rarely branson lodging map more than eight feet deep.
It”˜s an amazing sight to behold and the divers know it. Be prepared to shell out a few pesos of appreciation for their hard work. (Tip: the street vendors in the area are ruthless. Unless you’re in the market for Oakley knockoffs or Mazatlan-branded bongs, be prepared to stand your ground.)
The Angela Peralta Theater is one lady who doesn’t mind revealing her age — more than 135 years old and looking as grand as ever. Once this theater, in the heart of Mazatlán’s Historical branson lodging map Center, suffered from neglect. But the city and its residents refurbished the landmark building. Now, fresh paint and bright lights adorn her elegant facade.
With oceanfront branson lodging map resort rates as low as $100 per night in the off-season, Mazatlan is a dream for budget vacationers. Our four-day tour afforded us a glimpse into the myriad of fantastic accommodations available.
El Cid Marina Beach is a sprawling, four star luxury branson lodging map resort with fantastic ocean views from almost anywhere on the property. Located on a peninsula in Nuevo Mazatlan, guests can experience stunning sunrises and sunsets without ever leaving the hotel grounds.
An 816-acre mega resort with over three and half miles of beachfront, Estrella del Mar is an amazing property. Tuscan-inspired décor and clever, open air architecture combine to provide a persistent feeling that hotel guests are always outside. The common areas and rooms offer a lavish, elegant feel without the heavy handed, overdone atmosphere common in many luxury resorts. The most amazing part? Rooms start at around $120 per night.
The Hotel Riu Emerald Bay is a large, lavish, Vegas-style branson lodging map resort with all the amenities of a modern cruise ship. This includes nightly shows, all-you-can-eat branson lodging map buffets and plenty of alcohol and poolside fun to keep your head spinning for an entire vacation.
For a quick escape, head back to a private suite for a dip into your balcony’s whirlpool Jacuzzi overlooking the Pacific ocean. All-inclusive nightly rates in a double room with ocean view balcony and complimentary in-room bar start around branson lodging map $140 USD pp.
Located branson lodging map in the heart of Old Mazatlan across from the famous Plazuela Machado Pedro y Lola boasts a well-deserved reputation as one of the city’s most popular restaurants. The lively, branson lodging map open air atmosphere provides the perfect blend of old world charm with a slightly modern branson lodging map flair.
Arnold, PyL’s sole restaurateur, was kind enough to join us on our first night for a sampling of some of the best food Mazatlan has to offer. He was quick to recommend the chef s signature garlic octopus a soft, tender rendition of a classic branson lodging map Mexican favorite with plenty of garlic sauce.
A fantastic open air restaurant directly on Mazatlan’s main strip, Gus y Gus features live music nightly and plenty of traditional Mexican dishes. Our waiter was quick to recommend the Gus Gus Shrimp. If Mazatlan is known for one food, it’s shrimp.
We went just for the aquachile a traditional dish similar to ceviche butterfly shrimp marinated in lime juice and served with onions and cucumbers and tostada chips. Add in a liberal dose of green chile sauce for a spicy kick.
Nieve de Garrafa is a family owned ice cream stand that has been serving Mazatlan-ians for more than six decades. The setup is a no-nonsense affair a small food cart just outside the main square. Flavors range from simple favorites such as plum and vanilla to queso (cheese).
Be sure to sample a paloma a simple Mexican cocktail that consists of tequila and Fresca, served in a large, branson lodging map salt-rimmed glass. branson lodging map Think of it as a simpler, more refreshing take on the traditional margarita.
Lastly, for a taste of authentic Mexican cuisine, try a slice of guava pie. Although prepared in a variety of ways, the dish is most typically served with a whipped filling in a graham cracker crust and topped with chopped guava. For those not in the know, guavas are similar in texture and taste to green apples, but with a more tart aftertaste.
branson lodging map Mike Richard is a Rhode Island native, professional web designer and travel junkie with an unhealthy addiction to backpacking, hiking and seeing the worl