Mazatlan

A seafront promenade stretching a long way from Olas Altas by the old town up to the northern hotel strip. Monuments to fishermen and women are spaced along the way. Cyclists and walkers are most numerous around sunset.

From a rocky lookout midway along the malecon, divers time the incoming swell and leap into shallow sea. There is no fixed show time; they jump once a crowd has gathered and tips are in. Before each leap a diver goes round with a hat.

A lighthouse crowning Creston hill at the harbour mouth, one of the loftiest anywhere on natural ground. The way up is stone steps and dirt path with no shade. From the top the old quarter and offshore islands spread below, so many climb before sunrise.

A small square in mid old town amid nineteenth century buildings; restaurant tables spill out at night. The Angela Peralta Theatre beside it honours an opera singer who died here of yellow fever in 1883. Weekend nights, arrive in good time.

A carnival held since 1898 and counted among the largest in Mexico. In the week just before Lent, floats parade along the malecon and fireworks burst over the sea. Hotel prices soar that week, so rooms are taken months in advance.

Called an island but really a peninsula across the harbour, a few minutes by small boat from the dock below the lighthouse. Palm-thatched restaurants along the long sandy beach sell grilled fish. Ask at the dock when the final boat back leaves.

One of three islands off the hotel strip, crossed to by kayak or boat from the beach. Snorkelling is among the rocks around it, with a little sandy cove to rest on. Afternoon wind makes paddling back hard work, so head out in the morning.

The old town's central market, built of iron around 1900, with meat, fruit and dried shrimp stalls along every aisle. Food counters inside serve a Sinaloan breakfast cheaply. By late afternoon the stalls start closing.

An open-sided taxi unique to Mazatlan, a golf cart lookalike with only a roof, driving through the sea breeze. With no meter, the fare is settled before getting in. Many ride them along the malecon between the historic centre and the hotel strip.

Old mining towns an hour inland into the eastern hills. Concordia is known for furniture workshops and a giant chair on its square; higher up, Copala is a tiny place of cobbles and white houses. Many stop for banana cream pie at a Copala restaurant.

A church completed in the late 1800s, its twin yellow spires rising over the old town. Star of David patterns in the window grilles come with a story of Jewish merchants who helped pay for it. Inside, gilded altars and chandeliers shine.

An aquarium opened in 2023 inside the central park, designed by architect Tatiana Bilbao. Its focus is the fish and sea lions living off Mazatlan and in the wider Gulf of California. Tiered seating faces its giant tank, so you can linger.

The district of hotels and souvenir shops lining the beaches up the coast from the historic centre. Amphibious boats and kayaks head out to Deer Island from Playa Gaviotas. Many shuttle between here and the historic centre by pulmonia taxi.