Monday we’ll be in Mazatlan, Mexico for their Gran Fiesta Amigos 2011, an annual festival presented by the City of Mazatlán, the Mazatlán Hotel Association and the State of Sinaloa. The 17th annual 4-day event welcomes the destination’s travel partners to the city, including the wholesalers, tour operators, airlines, incentive companies, journalists, tourism dignitaries and friends of Mazatlán who continue to support the ongoing growth of this seaside destination. As cruise lines, scared away earlier this year by concerns over crime and violence, begin to return to the Pearl of the Pacific, we’ll explore a variety of areas and attractions cruise passengers might commonly visit and report back all the latest information.
“What better way for visitors to experience the vibrant spirit of our beautiful city than during this lively fiesta,” says Carlos Berdegué, vice president, Mazatlán Hotel Association and Tourism Board. “Mazatlán presents a truly unique travel destination, with a charming, historic core alongside premier resorts, international sporting events, gourmet cuisine, year-round events and much more – all at great value. We invite Fiesta Amigos guests to immerse themselves in all that Mazatlán has to offer.”
Our focus will be on the outdoor adventure travel options available in Mazatlan to everyone, cruise passengers or land vacationers alike. As a world-class surfing destination, Mazatlan is home to summer’s Quiksilver Surf Clasico Mazatlan tournament so we’ll learn how to surf at Playa Los Pinitos. Known world-wide for it’s unspoiled beauty, we’ll go mountain biking though Mazatlan’s nature preserves. Hiking is on the schedule too with an early-morning climb to Mazatlan’s El Faro lighthouse, the second-tallest natural lighthouse in the world, perched 157 meters (515 feet) above the city. We’ll also report back on flying over treetops in the Sierra Madre mountains outside of Mazatlan during a ziplining tour.
There is also a great emphasis on Mexico‘s culture and cuisine too that has us sampling a variety of restaurants, concerts and attractions. We’ll take part in Day of the Dead Stroll and Festivities in the Old Mazatlan Historic District, discovering how this centuries-old tradition is celebrated in Mazatlán during visits to Altars of the Dead on display throughout the lively Historic District. We’ll set sail on a Mazatlan bay cruise to pristine Deer Island for a day of beach recreation, snorkeling, kayaking and other watersports.
Our first night, Halloween, will be spent at Senor Frogs in Mazatlan for dinner , spirits , festive music , dancing and colorful costumes at the original home of Señor Frog’s, open since 1970. I’d bet on plenty of great stories and photos right there but look forward to sharing what I hope will be a safe, friendly and desirable destination either by sea or by land.
Mazatlán is located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast at the foot of the Sierra Madre Mountains. As Mexico’s second largest coastal city, Mazatlán has nearly 600,000 inhabitants. The city is divided into two main areas: Old Mazatlán and Zona Dorada or Golden Zone, with a seven-mile coastal road between the two. Mazatlán has an international sport-fishing reputation. Sites of interest include: the Angela Peralta Theater, Archeological Museum, Republic Plaza, Ocean Museum, Botanic Garden, San Jose Chapel and the world’s second-tallest lighthouse. Transportation is available via the local “pulmonías” or four-person open-air vehicles that have become a symbol of the city.
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- Cruise Line returns to Mazatlán as Cultural Festival Begins (chriscruises.net)
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- Mexicans “genetically good hosts”, says President (chriscruises.net)
- Mexico travel safety kind of depends on who you listen to (gadling.com)
- Cruise Radio has unique cruise info not found anyplace else (examiner.com)
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