Mazatlan Day Trip Guide - 12 of the best day trips from Mazatlan including Rural Sinaloa excursions and information about trips to colonial towns like El Quelite, La Noria, Cosala, Las Labradas, San Ignacio, Concordia, Copala, El Rosario, Teacapan, Stone Island, Deer Island and Bird Island -- maps, directions, video and info
Day Trip Information, Maps and Directions The 12 best places to go on fun day trips in Rural Sinaloa near Mazatlan NORTHEl Quelite|La Noria|Las Labradas|San Ignacio|Cosala SOUTHConcordia|Copala|El Rosario|Teacapan ISLANDSStone Island|Deer Island|Bird Island
One of the great things about Mazatlan is the range and diversity of fun day trips that visitors can enjoy. Whether by private car, guided tour, hired taxi, boat or bus, possibilities for day trips from Mazatlan to Rural Sinaloa and the Colonial Pueblo Magico nestled within its beautiful Sierra Madre Mountains are numerous, and easy and fun day trips are simple to plan.
The links above and destinations described below are just some of the beautiful places in Rural Sinaloa that can be easily accessed by day trip from Mazatlan Mexico. Each of our recommended day trips have detailed driving directions and a map that can be downloaded from this website.
We have organized our Mazatlan day trips geographically: day trips north of Mazatlan; trips south; and boat excursions to nearby islands.
Our North and South day trips are ordered from the shortest to the longest trips in either direction.
General note on highway signage
When beginning Mazatlan day trips exiting exiting NORTH on Highway 15 the signs will point to "Culiacan", the State Capitol. If you reach Culiacan you have gone WAY to far north for any of these day trips, turn around.
When beginning Mazatlan day trips exiting SOUTH on highway 15 follow the signs to "Aeropuerto" or "Tepic". You will simply pass the airport on your way to any of our southern day trips. If you reach Tepic, again, you have gone WAY to far south, turn around, or consider your hotel options in Puerto Vallarta... Day trips north of Mazatlan El Quelite Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / North / 23.3 miles each way El Quelite, Sinaloa, Mexico is located just a short 40 minute drive north of Mazatlan, and an El Quelite day trip is one of the easiest and most enjoyable Mazatlan day trips! Day trips to El Quelite take you to a very picturesque town full of colorful houses; leafy streets; lovely boutique Sinaloan art and craft galleries; and great restaurants like El Meson de Los Laureanos that offer traditional rural Sinaloan food in lovingly restored historic El Quelite buildings.
El Quelite draws its' name from the Nahuatl word "quilitl" -- which means, roughly, herb or vegetable -- and El Quelite is a farming town. The residents of El Quelite are avid gardeners, with lush vegetation and beautiful purple, red and orange flowers everywhere throughout the town, making El Quelite one of the most relaxing day trips around Mazatlan Mexico. The El Quelite community takes deserved pride in its' beautiful restoration of El Quelite's landmark Sinaloan buildings. The restoration of El Quelite's historic buildings and their transformation into lovely art galleries and excellent traditional Sinaloan restaurants -- and the authenticity of the town -- make El Quelite one of the best Mazatlan day trips. Mazatlan day trip visitors to El Quelite can relax in the leafy plaza right in the center of town, directly beside El Quelite's lovely small church. The church, which dates from the 1800's, is immaculately maintained; houses numerous beautiful icons of faith that have been a hallmark of the life of El Quelite since its founding; and serves the 1800 inhabitants of El Quelite to this day. El Quelite is also one of the last villages in Sinaloa Mexico to play the pre-colonial ball game called Ulama. In a Ulama match a large -- 7lb. / 3 kilo! -- rubber ball is used, and players attempt to guide it through a hoop without using their hands.
The word ulama comes from the Nahuatl word "Ullamaliztli" a combination of Ulama (playing of a game with a ball) and Ulli (rubber). The roots of Ulama extended back to at least the 2nd millennium B.C. Archaeological evidence of Ulama has been found in nearly all pre-Columbian American cultures all the way from El Salvador to -- possibly -- Arizona and New Mexico.
Ulama games are played on a temporary outdoor court. The team that first scores eight points wins. If both teams end up having the same number of points after a turn, both sides begin again from zero. One record-setting game reputedly lasted for eight days but most modern Ulama games are stopped after about two hours.
Matches are usually on weekends, and the Mazatlan Sinaloa Tourism office should have details of upcoming matches. Video of El Quelite, Sinaloa, Mexico Day Trip
El Quelite is also famous for cock farms, which tourists, cruise ship passengers, and others on Mazatlan day trips are welcome to visit. One of the easiest and shortest of Mazatlan day trips, a trip to El Quelite is a must for all visitors to Mazatlan Mexico.
El Quelite Day Trip Directions: To begin Mazatlan day trips to El Quelite head 21.7 miles northwest on Highway 15 to the turn off for El Quelite. Turn right (away from the coast) and proceed just 1.6 miles through lovely farmland and you will be in El Quelite! DOWNLOAD EL QUELITE DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS La Noria Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / North / 23.6 miles each way La Noria, Sinaloa, Mexico is a lovely colonial mountain village located just 40 minutes northeast of Mazatlan, and a day trip to La Noria from Mazatlan is an experience that you will long remember.
La Noria is an excellent place to go to experience real rural Mexico, with cowboys, rodeos, the antique church of San Antonio, and lovely adobe houses. Founded in 1565 as a mining outpost, La Noria prospered from mining for over three centuries. There are suntil active mines in the area.
Many traditional crafts are practiced to this day in La Noria -- as in many of the other villages included in our day trips around Mazatlan -- including pottery making, leather saddles, leather sandals, belts, and machetes.
Many of these La Noria artisan workshops -- especially saddle makers -- welcome visitors and enjoy showing those on Mazatlan day trips how the crafts are made. Video of La Noria, Sinaloa, Mexico Day Trip
La Noria is also home to La Vinata, pictured above, the largest Blue Agave plantation and the oldest tequila disuntilery in Sinaloa state. Accessed on Mazatlan day trips via a winding dirt road that traverses fields of beautiful blue agave plants, La Vinata is a must-see for visitors to La Noria. La Noria is also home to the El Habal Ranch, where those on Mazatlan day trips can experience traditional Mexican cuisine in an rustic Mexican country environment.
La Noria Day Trip Directions: To begin Mazatlan day trips to La Noria head 8.4 miles northwest on Highway 15 to El Habal. Turn right (away from the coast) and proceed just 13.7 miles into the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. Turn right and proceed 1.2 miles to the entrance to La Noria. DOWNLOAD LA NORIA DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS Las Labradas Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / North / Approximately 45 miles each way Las Labradas is one of the least discovered Mazatlan day trips.
Located little more than an hour north of Mazatlan on the Sinaloa coast near the fishing village of Barras de Piaxtla -- and unique among our day trips around Mazatlan -- Mazatlan day trips to Las Labradas will put you on a fantastically beautiful beach with black rocks which contain petroglyphs -- stones with ancient symbolic carvings.
The petroglyphs at Las Labradas are of Toltec origin, and are beautiful ancient artistic expressions of the pre-Hispanic people of Sinaloa, as well as a gateway into their spiritual lives.
The Las Labradas petroglyphs are understood to be associated with the supernatural, and are believed to have been a method the Toltecs used to communicate with the Toltec gods.
Groups of Toltecs made long trips -- often for hunting or, as in the probable case at Las Labradas, fishing -- and these journeys are believed to have led by Toltec religious leaders.
The Las Labradas petroglyphs were most likely made made within the context of Toltec rituals and ceremonies in which Toltec priests asked the Toltec gods for benefits such as rain; a bountiful harvest; or a successful hunt.
It is believed that Toltec priests carved the Las Labradas petroglyphs, and that they represent their dreams and visions, often enabled by the use of hallucinogenics.
According to archeologists, some of the Las Labradas petroglyphs are up to 1,500 years old, and are certainly some of the oldest pre-Hispanic art in northwest Mexico.
There is a small display of archaeological information and historical photographs in a palapa-style structure at the entrance to the beach. This little museum makes for a nice break on Mazatlan day trips, and offers refreshing shade! The charge is just a few pesos, and donations are welcome. Video about the Las Labradas petroglyphs with history narrated by Robert Howes
Something truly different among our recommended day trips around Mazatlan, at Las Labradas you can combine Mazatlan day trips to a undiscovered beach -- the Las Labradas beach is nearly always virtually completely deserted, you should have it all to yourself -- with an art tour of the ancient world!
Las Labradas Day Trip Directions: To begin Mazatlan day trips to Las Labradas head northwest on Highway 15. Little more than 4 miles north of town Highway 20 will split off to your left. Follow Highway 20 North for about 40 miles (before you arrive at a town called Dimas) and you will see a dirt road that splits off to your left -- directly toward the beach. Take the dirt road (passable with normal vehicles) to the beach and you will be at Las Labradas! DOWNLOAD LAS LABRADAS DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS San Ignacio Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / North / 63.5 miles each way
San Ignacio, Sinaloa, is a beautiful rural Sinaloa town of nearly 30,000 located on the edge of the Los Frailes Range in the Sierra Madre mountains little more than 60 miles north of Mazatlan.
As you enter San Ignacio through its classic welcome gate you cross a bridge over the Rio Ajoya -- and time rolls back several centuries! San Ignacio was founded by Jesuit missionaries in the 1600's, and is one of Sinaloa's prettiest Colonial mission towns. It has a relaxed atmosphere that can be felt when you walk through the streets lined with classic Colonial French and Spanish buildings; visit its' lovely walled Catholic church on Constitution Square; or tour Constitution Square itself, the lushly landscaped heart of the town. There are plenty of interesting things to see in San Ignacio including a giant Christ sculpture poised majestically on the top of a hill at the edge of town; a former monastery that has been made into a museum that showcases artifacts of the life of the Jesuit monks in early missionary times; the beautiful churches of San Ignacio de Loyola and Our Lady of the Nativity; and the shops of native artisan craftsmen making traditional Sinaloan products.
For those that would like to spend the night in San Ignacio there is an excellent lodging choice: El Hotel Anjolin. This hotel -- which was actually constructed in 1987 -- faithfully reproduces the look and feel of the traditional San Ignacio Colonial architecture. Very modestly priced, the Hotel Anjolin has all modern amenities -- including air conditioning, television, telephone, mini-bars and wireless internet -- yet seamlessly transports guests back in time. Video about San Ignacio, Sinaloa, Mexico
San Ignacio Day Trip Directions: To begin Mazatlan day trips to San Ignacio head 43.4 miles northwest on Highway 15 to the San Ignacio turn off at Coyotitan. Turn inland (right) and simply proceed 19 miles up into the beautiful Sierra Madre foothills. You then make a left turn and drive 1 mile into town! DOWNLOAD SAN IGNACIO DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS Cosala Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / North / 99.6 miles each way
Slightly further afield than our other recommended Mazatlan day trips (99.6 miles each way), Cosala, Sinaloa, Mexico is a remarkable mining town that dates from 1550, and one of the most spectacular of the day trips around Mazatlan Mexico.
Cosala is nestled in the Sierra Madre mountains, and is without doubt one of the most beautiful villages in Sinaloa State, and one of the best Mazatlan day trips.
A day trip to Cosala is a continuous delight. Time seems to have stopped in Cosala. Every street in Cosala is a step back in time, and many Mazatlan day trippers find themselves very sad to leave Cosala at the end of the day! Cosala was actually the capitol of Sinaloa in the early 1800's. Francisco Iriarte y Conde -- the first governor of Sinaloa -- declared Cosala the capital in 1826. Cosala was at that time very wealthy, and it was in Cosala that the first Sinaloan newspaper, El Imparcial, was published.
Today Cosala is home to just under 20,000 people. In 2005 Cosala was named a Pueblo Magico by the Mexican Federal Government in recognition of its natural beauty, present day cultural riches, and historical importance. Within town, Cosala has many sightseeing attractions for those on Mazatlan day trips, such as the museum of Minerology -- with excellent displays documenting the history of mining in Sinaloa.
The central plaza in Cosala has a 1800's gazebo that often has a band, and A 19th-century horse drawn carriage is available for tours of Cosala.
The cobbled streets of central Cosala are lined with beautiful old buildings, and many natives of Cosala believe that some of them have ghosts. The house of Hernandez Aragon, on Hidalgo Street, is particylarly famos for its ghost, a woman dressed in white.
And then, of course, there is the beautiful and unforgettable 18th century Cosala church, the Santa Ursula Temple. Video about Cosala, Sinaloa, Mexico
Dining in Cosala on a day trip is a joy, and a couple of restaurants in Cosala have earned recommendations from Mazatlan day trippers: El Pueblito / Traditional Mexican food
Avenida Rosales / El Centro
Telephone 969 965 1039 La Cabana de Don Polo / Seafood and steaks
Avenida 5 de Mayo
Telephone 969 965 0913 Cosala Sinaloa is surrounded by a multitude of natural sight seeing and tourist attractions that have enchanted those on Mazatlan day trips for many years, like the Vado Hondo waterfall; the town reservoirs Comedero and El Salto a few miles from town (both stocked with large mouth bass and very well known to sport fishermen!); the Caudal del Arroyo del Sabinal which has a large natural pool fed by three waterfalls that make it a perfect place to picnic in the middle of a Mazatlan day trip; and the Gruta Mexico, a giant cave with majestic stalactites and stalagmites.
Make Cosala your next Mazatlan day trip and experience the magic.
Cosala Day Trip Directions: To begin Mazatlan day trips to Cosala head 68.1 miles northwest on Highway 15 to the Cosala turn off (opposite the turn off to La Cruz de Alota on the coast). Turn inland (right) and simply proceed 30.5 miles up into the beautiful Sierra Madre foothills to Cosala! DOWNLOAD COSALA DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS Day trips south of Mazatlan Concordia Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / South / 25.9 miles each way Concordia -- formerly known as San Sebastian -- is an extremely old community.
Founded in 1565 by a Spanish Conquistador, Francisco de Ibarra, Concordia, Sinaloa, is located little more than a hour drive southeast of Mazatlan, and makes for a perfect day trip. Mazatlan day trips to Concordia take you upward into the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains, past coconut, mango and banana plantations.
As in most traditional Mexican towns included in our recommended Mazatlan day trips, social life in Concordia evolves around the shady and peaceful town square and its ornate baroque church, San Sebastian.
This magnificent church, built in the 18th century, has a beautiful intricately carved baroque facade, and elaborately decorated columns with fantastic gilded details. Video about Concordia, Sinaloa, Mexico
Mining was the primary source of income for Concordia for centuries. As mining declined other industries flowed in, most notably the fine furniture that Concordia is famous for -- an oversized rocking chair, a tribute to the city's century-old furniture making industry, is in the main square!
Those on Mazatlan day trips to Concordia enjoy the quiet Sinaloan village atmosphere, and find ample opportinity to shop at Concordia's many artisan workshops that include not only furniture, but hand crafted pottery, jewelry, and much more. One of Concordia's less visited -- and most enjoyable -- Mazatlan day trip treats are the Concordia hot springs. The hot springs are before you enter Concordia off of Hwy 40, sust a few minutes outside (south) of town. There is a dirt road turn off, past a brightly painted local school: turn left when you approach a slight incline. Straight ahead you will see a pavillion that shades Concordia's natural hot springs. For the residents of Concordia these hot springs are not just for medicinal purposes: they serve as a laundry as well.
Hot springs are common around Concordia: three nearby towns -- Arrona, Garate, and Santa Fe -- also have hot springs -- which are not really tourist attractions because of their relatively small size.
Concordia Day Trip Directions: To begin your Mazatlan day trip to Concordia head 20km southeast of Mazatlan on Highway 15 to Villa Union. Turn inland on Highway 40, the road to Durango. This two lane "via libre" (Toll-free) road is a excellently paved and maintained, and passes through lovely countryside. You will enter Concordia in about another 20km DOWNLOAD CONCORDIA DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS Copala Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / South / 39.3 miles each way Copala, Sinaloa, Mexico was also founded in 1565 for the same reason as Concordia -- mining. Located in a valley in the foothills of Sierra Madre Mountains, the area was ruled by indigenous peoples until 1564 when Francisco de Ibarra crossed the Sierra Madre Occidental from Durango and conquered the area around Copala for Spain.
In 1565 Spanish prospectors discovered silver veins in the Sinaloa hills surrounding present-day Copala, and the town was founded to serve the mines. Copala was named after a mythical city of gold for which Ibarra had unsuccessfully searched in northern Mexico. The town of Copala was destroyed in 1616 by an uprising of Tepehuan Indians, but was rebuilt after the rebellion was quelled the following year.
Copala's colonial church built in 1748 -- set high on a hill at the center of town and facing the central plaza, is a great example of an early Mexican Catholic church and reflects the wealth of mid-1700's Copala. Copala remained relatively wealthy in the 1800's, as the mines continued to produce.
But declining production -- and declining prices -- sent Copala into an economic tailspin as the 20th century arrived.
One of our very best Mazatlan day trips, today Copala is a lovely place -- a mix of colonial architecture, stunning mountain views, cobble-stone streets and most of all, tranquility. Video of Copala, Sinaloa, Mexico day trip from Mazatlan
Copala Day Trip Directions: To begin Mazatlan day trips to Copala head 20km southeast on Highway 15 to Villa Union. Turn inland on Highway 40, the road to Durango. You will enter Concordia in about another 20km Proceed through Concordia and you will be in Copala in just another 40km The last part of the drive is on -- very well maintained -- cobble stone, so take it slow and let your day trip to Copala carry you back in time. DOWNLOAD COPALA DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS El Rosario Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / South / 41.4 miles each way El Rosario, Sinaloa, Mexico is located 41 miles southeast of Mazatlan, and is one of the easiest Mazatlan day trips.
Founded on August 3, 1655, El Rosario was for nearly 250 years the most important mining town in Sinaloa state, and one of the richest towns in all of Northwest Mexico.
According to legend, the El Rosario silver mines were accidentally discovered by a farmhand chasing a cow.
The farmer's rosary -- "rosario" -- got tangled in a tree, so he threw his hat into the tree to mark it. When he returned it was after dark, and he stayed the night. In the morning he noticed that where he had built his fire there were streaks of silver in the dirt. When word got out that there was a major precious metals discovery, miners came to El Rosario from all over Mexico.
Commercial mining activity in El Rosario ended in 1945, but the town's prosperity is evident in houses, buildings and streets, and particularly the stunning El Rosario colonial church, Nuestra Senora del Rosario, which reflects that great wealth.
Built over the years 1731-1759 in an elaborate Baroque style, the Mission of Our Lady of Rosario church has a spectacular and fantastically intricate gilded altar. Nuestra Senora del Rosario is beautifully maintained, and has lovely shaded sitting areas around its perimeter. The church faces the central town square. Video of El Rosario, Sinaloa, Mexico
The way that the church became located in the town square -- not its original location -- is a remarkable story, and one that those on Mazatlan day trips to El Rosario should know.
El Rosario has over 40 miles of underground tunnels that were dug over 290 years of commercial mining. Many of these tunnels were structurally unsound. As tunnels near Our Lady of Rosario began to collapse the people of El Rosario, fearing that the church would be damaged, moved the entire structure -- including the amazing golden altar -- from its original location to the town square.
A must-see on any Mazatlan day trip to El Rosario, Nuestra Senora del Rosario also has a number of interesting religeous statues, as well as shrines.
Another El Rosario's history that makes it a popular Mazatlan day trip is that it was the birthplace of the Mexican singer Lola Beltran, who made Ranchera -- Mexico's urban country music -- famous worldwide. There is a small Lola Beltran museum in El Rosario that houses Lola Beltran memoribilia, and a lovely sculpture of her faces Nuestra Senora del Rosario in the town square. Today the Municipality of El Rosario -- which is larger than the town itself and encompasses surrounding Sinaloan villages -- is home to just under 50,000 people.
The city of El Rosario is also home to Toni Col -- Sinaloa's unique vanilla flavored soft drink that is popular throughout Mexico -- which was invented in El Rosario by Antonio Espinosa de los Montero, a Rosario native.
The Toni Col bottling facility in El Rosario operated by El Manantial, Toni Col's parent company, is an important contributor to the El Rosario economy, as is -- like most of the communities included in our day trips around Mazatlan -- agriculture.
But the purpose of many Mazatlan day trips is often shopping, and El Rosario is highly recommended in this regard.
Known for its many craftsmen-artisans who produce high quality pottery, furniture, and leather products, these locally produced Mexican arts and crafts are widely available in El Rosario -- at very good prices -- and are an important reason visitors to Mazatlan make day trips to El Rosario. For larger items such as furniture, virtually all El Rosario merchants can arrange economical delivery to Mazatlan.
Outside El Rosario there are a number of rural attractions, including the beaches and lagoons of Caimanero, one of the largest natural breeding grounds for shrimp and, consequently, birds.
El Rosario Day Trip Directions: To begin Mazatlan day trips to El Rosario head 41.1 miles southeast on Highway 15. That's it: the entrance to El Rosario will be on your left! DOWNLOAD EL ROSARIO DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS Teacapan Rural Sinaloa Mexico day trip and tours destination Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / South / 80.8 miles each way
Teacapan, Sinaloa, Mexico is located on the Agua Grande river which feeds one of the largest estuaries in Mexico. At the very southern edge of Sinaloa State, the estuary is the border between Sinaloa and Nayarit states.
Teacapan is part of the municipality of Esquinapa, which is where you turn off Highway 15 for the last part of the drive to Teacapan.
Unique among our recommended day trips around Mazatlan for its lushness, Teacapan is a remarkable natural paradise. The Agua Grande river and its spectacular massive estuary -- over 30 miles long -- is a miniature Amazon, filled with tropical flowers, astounding number of birds and exotic wildlife. The land next to the mouth of the river is dense with a incredible palm plantations -- supposedly over 3,000,000 palm trees -- surrounding unspoiled lagoons. This pristine habitat is home to a vast number of species of birds like the Pink Spatula, grey and white Herons, Cormonares, Frigates and Storks.
Much of the estuary is Mangrove forests, and various wildlife watching excursions are possible, along with some really great fishing, especially for snook.
Beaches near Teacapan are virtually completely undeveloped and go on as far as the eye can see. Las Cabras, La Tambora and Las Lupitas are three of the most famous beaches that make up Teacapan's nearly 30 miles of virgin beach. From these heavenly beaches -- they are practically deserted -- you can fish, bird watch, participate in watersports and watch dolphins. Video of sunset at Teacapan, Sinaloa, Mexico
The sea and river life in the area is equally rich, and dolphins swim in the warm waters of the Agua Grande river. Bird watching in Teacapan is very popular, with the vast mangrove wetlands supporting a large variety of species in great numbers. Kayak tours of the wetlands can be arranged, and on longer tours -- they can last up to 6 hours, so they are best suited to trips that include an overnight stay -- you can visit the Pyramid of the Shells: a mound of oyster shells nearly 3 stories high! Teacapan itself is at a pivotal moment. Long a quiet fishing village, Teacapan has been earmarked by FONATUR -- Mexico's tourism development authority -- to be the next Cancun, and FONATUR is investing hundreds of millions of dollars in development funds to make that happen.
Already substantial infrastructure can be plainly seen, such as the construction of a proper Malecon per the Mazatlan model within the town.
Today, Teacapan is suntil quiet and quaint. There are two business within Teacapan that day trip visitors should definitely be aware of:
Restaurant Sr. Wayne: Want some great seafood in Teacapan?
First, it's pretty hard to get anything but great seafood in Teacapan.
For great Teacapan seafood in an unpretentious long-established seaside restaurant in Teacapan -- it first opened in 1972 -- try Restaurant Sr. Wayne which is suntil in its original location, now on the new Malecon.
Restaurant Sr. Wayne offers a wide variety of fresh seafood dishes. The house specialty is Pescado Zaraneado -- a delicious traditional way of grilling fish flavored with olive oil, garlic, chiles and annato seeds that is unique to Mexico's Pacific Coast.
Restaurant Sr. Wayne's Pescado Zaraneado is, simply, out of this world!
Maria Fernanda Villas & Hotel: What if you like Teacapan so much that you'd like to stay a night or two?
Teacapan is home to a lovely boutique hotel, the Maria Fernanda, that is only steps to the water at the edge of the newly constructed Malecon. Inexpensive (less than 50 USD per night at most times), the Maria Fernanda in Teacapan is constructed around two extremely lush tropical courtyards, and has two small swimming pools.
Rooms are spotless, of ample size, and have all typical amenities such as telephone, air conditioning and Sky TV. Most have lovely small kitchens, and larger villas on the property can acommodate groups of up to 8. Villas & Hotel Maria Fernanda also has a good restaurant.
A great value, additional information about the Villas & Hotel Maria Fernanda in Teacapan can be found on their website, villasmariafernanda.com DOWNLOAD TEACAPAN DAY TRIP MAP AND DIRECTIONS|ACCESS ALL RURAL SINALOA MEXICO MAPS Islands off Mazatlan Stone Island / Isla de la Piedra Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / Short boat ride
Stone Island (Isla de la Piedra), is located just off the south end coast of Old Mazatlan, and is just a short ride across the channel. This proximity has long made Stone Island one of the most popular and frequently recommended Mazatlan day trips.
Tranquil and clean, Isla de la Piedra is the perfect beach getaway from Mazatlan, and a perfect Mazatlan day trip. Stone Island is known throughout Mexico for its beautiful, long sandy beaches -- Mexico's third largest coconut grove follows the length of the southern beach -- which seem to disappear as they stretch to the horizon. Gentle waves at Isla de la Piedra make for refreshing easy swimming, and the beach is the perfect place among our day trips around Mazatlan to take in the hot Mexican sun. Because of its sheltered orientation, the beaches of Stone Island are usually calm, and the water often warmer than on Mazatlan's city beaches.
With about 4,000 residents, Stone Island day trips from Mazatlan have just the right combination of amenities and tranquility. Palapa restaurants line the Stone Island beach where you land. Populated by vendors and, sometimes, mariachis, these breezy and shady Stone Island restaurants are make a lovely gateway to the island and a great place to cool off in the shade and enjoy the ocean view.
On Sundays and holidays Isla de la Piedra draws Mexican families on their own Stone Island day trips, but at other times tourists on Mazatlan day trips are likely have the beach to themselves. Video of Stone Island, Sinaloa, Mexico day trip from Mazatlan
Mazatlan day trips to Stone Island can be a culinary adventure as Stone Island has numerous delightful small restaurants right on the beach. Stone Island restaurants serve excellent food -- especially seafood, which is certain to be on every Stone Island restaurant menu! -- but Mazatlan day trippers can also enjoy chicken, quesadillas, soups, salads, and coconuts at many Stone Island restaurants. Most Stone Island restaurants also offer umbrella-shaded areas with lounging chairs and hammocks if you'd just like to kick back on your Mazatlan day trip and and enjoy a margarita, fresh limeade, or an ice-cold Pacifico beer.
Many Stone Island restaurants and small businesses rent out ATVs, catamarans, banana boats, snorkeling equipment, and horses to those on Mazatlan day trips. Showers and volleyball courts are sometimes available from other Stone Island businesses -- sometimes free of charge -- making Mazatlan day trips to Stone Island inexpensive and stress-free.
A few of the long-popular Stone Island restaurant favorites that have been drawing those on Mazatlan day trips for years are: Carmelita's / Stone Island Restaurant: Carmelita's on Stone Island was founded in 1938 by Senor Rodrigo Aguirre and Senora Maria del Carmen Ruvalcaba. Like all Stone Island seafood restaurants, Carmelita's fresh fish is caught daily. Carmelita's on Stone Island also serves excellent hamburgers and fresh tangy ceviche. Carmelita's offers Mazatlan day trippers consistently excellent service, a terrific relaxed atmosphere, and delicious food. Carmelita's is within the Hotel Stone Island Gardens, an excellent Mazatlan budget hotel.
Estrella del Mar / Stone Island Restaurant: Estrella del Mar restaurant on Stone Island offers those on Mazatlan day trips a casual atmosphere and seafood, seafood, seafood -- accompanied by special coconut treats. An excellent Stone Island restaurant, Estrella del Mar is a lovely place to get a bite to eat. Estrella del Mar is open every day, 9am to 6pm.
Lety's / Stone Island Restaurant: In 1985 the late Lety Aguirre founded Lety's on Stone Island, a family-run palapa restaurant located right on the beach. Lety was a native of Stone Island, and took great pride in her restaurant. This tradition of quality continues under the management of her family, with ingredients and meals served at Lety's always fresh and delicious. Chicken, fish, soup, quesadillas, or combination plates are all offered, along with Lety's great seafood. Video of Lety's Restaurant on Stone Island
Visitors to Stone Island on Mazatlan day trips appreciate that showers with changing rooms are available at Lety's on Stone Island -- which makes this the ideal place to gather strength after hours playing beach volleyball or body surfing in the sun. Take a day trip to Stone Island, visit Lety's, enjoy a home-made limeade, and nap the afternoon away in a hammock! Open from 9am to 6pm every daily. Telephone 669 981 9255
Restaurant Cardon / Stone Island Restaurant: Restaurant Cardon on Stone Island offers a full bar and entertains visitors on Mazatlan day trips with banana boat rides, horseback rides, ATVs, and stalls selling jewelry and clothes.
Victor's / Stone Island Restaurant: Lunch at Victor's restaurant on Stone Island is a great Stone Island day trip decision! At Victor's restaurant on Stone Island you can relax in the sun or shade, and there are hammocks to swing in. Victor's is inexpensive, and the portions ample. The garlic shrimp, for example, has 10 jumbo shrimp, and comes with onion rings, rice, vegetable, cole slaw and fruit! Those on Mazatlan day trips to Stone Island appreciate that beach chairs, boogie boards and and other fun beach stuff is free at Victor's, and the chips and home made salsa are delicious. Victor's is also a bar, and is one of the few places on Stone Island where Margarita's are served. Stone Island Mazatlan Day Trips Directions: Getting to Isla de la Piedra couldn't be easier! To begin Mazatlan day trips to Stone Island just drive (or take a taxi) to the Playa Sur Embarcadero near the ferry terminal -- you'll see signs for various lancha operators. The ride is short, the lancha's for Stone Island leave about every 20 minutes, and cost only 20p -- one of our least expensive Mazatlan day trips! These lanchas operate from about 7am til 7pm. If you stay on Stone Island later than 7pm there are other lanchas that operate 24 hours and land at the base of the slightly less convenient 21 De Marzo Street. Isla de Venados / Deer Island Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / Short boat ride Designated Natural Reserve in 1991, Isla de Venados is one of the more pristine places that can be accessed on a Mazatlan day trip.
The central of the three islands visible off Olas Altas beach (Isla de Chivos / Island of Goats: Left; Isla de Venados / Deer Island: Middle; Isla de Pajaros / Island of Birds: Right), its warm calm waters are ideal for snorkeling and observing the untouched beauty of this spectacular ecosystem.
Deer Island Mazatlan Day Trips Directions: Getting to Isla de Venados couldn't be easier. To begin Mazatlan day trips to Deer Island simply drive (or take a taxi) to the Playa Sur Embarcadero near the ferry terminal -- you'll see signs for various lancha operators. The ride is short, the lancha's for Deer Island leave about every 20 minutes, and cost only 20p -- one of our least expensive Mazatlan day trips! Isla de Pajaros / Bird Island Best day trips from Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / Short boat ride Just off the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada, Bird Island was designated a Natural Reserve by the Mexican government in 1991. Isla de Pajaros is very popular with bird watchers from all over the world, with hundreds of bird species nesting on the island each season.
A lesser-known attraction of Bird Island is its' fabulous snorkeling -- many believe as good as any snorkeling in greater Mazatlan!
It is also worth noting that the waters off Bird Island offer some very nice SCUBA diving. Most of the dive operators in Mazatlan regularly offer dive trips to Bird Island.
Bird Island Mazatlan Day Trips Directions: Most visitors to Bird Island go with tours that leave from various Golden Zone - Dona Dorada hotels and resorts. It is suggested that follow their lead and book Mazatlan day trips to Stone Island through one of the professional tour operaters listed on the tours page of this website.
Day Trips | 
Day Trip Information, Maps and Directions
