Mazatlan Sightseeing Guide - Tourist Attractions and City Guide with information about the Centro Historico, Angela Peralta Theater, Plaza Machado, our cathedral, museums, aquarium, El Faro lighthouse, the Malecon, cliff divers and other great recommended Mazatlan Mexico sightseeing activities
Most of the sightseeing and tourist attractions listed listed in our Sightseeing Guide are free, and the rest are extremely inexpensive compared to what Americans and Canadians are used to!
While you're walking around you'll probably want to eat and drink. Two small notes:
Many of Mazatlans' best restaurants, bars and coffee houses are located in the Centro Historico which is, obviously, prime sightseeing territory. You may want to take a look at our extensive reviews and recommendations before you begin your tour!
Mazatlan has a vibrant Street Food Scene. Carts and vendors are present in virtually all neighborhoods, particularly in the Centro Historico and Centro. You may want to take a look at the Mazatlan Street Food page on this site to get yourself acquainted with the delicious inexpensive food that you will encounter on your walk!
We encourage every visitor to explore some of the many sightseeing, culture, art, and entertainments that our City Guide offers. We know that it can sometimes be hard to get off your perfect beach -- but you'll be glad you did when you experience our many delightful tourist attractions!
Mazatlán Centro Histórico LEARN MORE The Historical Center: Heart of the Pearl of The Pacific Plaza Machado|Angela Peralta Theater|Fine Art Museum - Museo de Arte Archeology Museum - Museo Arqueologico|Machado Museo Casa Pino Suarez Mercado Centro|Central Mazatlan Cathedral Click here to download .pdf map of our self-guided Mazatlan Centro Historico Walking Tour!
The Centro Historico in Mazatlan is the living beating heart of The Pearl of The Pacific, and the birthplace of both its commerce and its culture.
Located at the Southern end of the greatly expanded modern city, the Centro Historico and the beautifully restored Plaza Machado exemplify what the Mazatlan Renaissance is all about: over the past decade the Historic District has seen building after building rehabbed and returned to vibrant glory.
Below is a fully zoomable map of Mazatlan beginning in the Centro Historico. This map can also be opened in a new browser window (View Larger Map) to provide a full screen viewing area.
Zoomable street map of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico beginning in the Centro Historico
The Centro Historico has drawn artists and entrepreneurs from around the world who have chosen to make Mazatlan their home and be part of the vital re-building of Centro.
The City has also played and important positive role in maintaining and improving the lovely small museums and art facilities that populate the Centro Historico, and that reflect well on both our long cultural heritage and our ever-blossoming present.
If you think that the Centro Historico is only about history, think again.
Each year in early June, Cultura Mazatlan stages a Dia De La Musica (Day of Music) where stages are erected throughout the Centro Historico and musicians of many types perform -- for free.
Have no doubt about it -- the Mazatlan Centro Historico Grooves! LEARN MORE Video of Dia De La Musica in the Mazatlan Centro Historico
Plaza Machado Mazatlán LEARN MORE La Plazuela Machado: Heart of the Centro Historico #1 / Mazatlan Sightseeing Guide and tourist activity information
One of the most highly recommended destinations in the Mazatlan City Guide, sightseeing in the Centro Historico begins at Plaza Machado.
The Plaza is the heart of the Mazatlan Centro Historico, and one of the loveliest plazas in all of Mexico.
The restored Plaza Machado is at the heart of the culture-rich Mazatlan Centro Historico renewal, and the focal point of a massive revitalization that has taken place in recent years. Today the restored Plaza Machado and its' 19th century historic buildings are populated with sightseeing and tourist attractions like chic cafes; bars; art galleries; the Angela Peralta Theater; and other Mazatlan Centro Historico cultural attractions.
One of the most popular tourist attractions in the Pearl of The Pacific, the Plaza Machado is a great place for sightseeing -- especially people watching!
Location: Centro Historico Admission: Free LEARN MORE
Ángela Peralta Theater Mazatlán LEARN MORE Teatro Ángela Peralta: Theater, performance space, cultural icon #2 / Mazatlan Sightseeing Guide and tourist activity information The restored Angela Peralta Theater in Mazatlan (Teatro Ángela Peralta) is truly one of Mazatlans' most important cultural treasures, and has played important role in the revitalization of the Centro Historico.
Located just off the Plaza Machado in Mazatlans' Centro Historico, the Angela Peralta Theater is one of the most important Mazatlan tourist attractions; hosts our most sophisticated theater and musical performances; consistently draws internationally known artists; and is considered one of the premier performance venues in all of Mexico.
Beyond its' role as one of the premier performance spaces in Mexico, the Angela Peralta has become an important center for cultural development that is home to a municipal cultural center, art galleries and an internationally-acclaimed fine arts school that are important resources for Sinaloa State and all of Mexico.
Our Mazatlan City Guide cannot too highly recommend a visit to the Angela Peralta Theater -- whatever the performance, the building itself is worth the price of admission!
Location: Carnaval 1024 / Centro Historico just off the Plaza Machado
Admission: Varies by performance LEARN MORE
Museo de Arte LEARN MORE Mazatlán Centro Histórico Fine Arts Museum #3 / Mazatlan Sightseeing Guide and visitor activities information
Mazatlans' fine arts museum is located in a beautifully restored Mazatlan Centro Historico building just one block off the Malecon. The Museo de Arte is one of the most delightful, must-see, of Mazatlan tourist attractions.
The Mazatlan Art Museum is filled with outstanding examples of 20th and 21st century Mexican art. Operated by the Instituto Sinaloense de Cultura (Cultural Institute of Sinaloa), the Museo de Arte is an excellent example of the intelligent best-use of a Centro Historico vintage building.
Location Sixto Osuna and Avenida Venustiano Carranza, Centro Historico
Telephone: 669 981 5592
Hours Open Tuesday - Sunday: 10am-1pm and 4-7 pm.
Admission Just a few pesos, donations welcome
LEARN MORE
Museo Arqueológico LEARN MORE Visit our archeology museum and discover pre-Colonial Mexico #4 / Mazatlan tourist information and visitor activities guide The Museo Arqueológico de Mazatlán -- Mazatlans' archeology museum -- offers well-organized exhibits outlining pre-Hispanic Sinaloan history and culture and is a great Mazatlan sightseeing tour stop.
The Mazatlan Archeology Museum is located within a beautifully restored buliding just yards from the Plaza Machado in the Mazatlan Centro Historico directly across the street from the Museo De Arte.
A INHA (Instituto Nacional De Anthropologia E Historia) facility, the Archeology Museum displays include cases of human and animal figurines; pre-Hispanic burial artifacts and tokens; and ancient polychrome pottery from pre-Colonial Sinaloa.
A must-see on any Pearl of The Pacific Centro Historico cultural tour!
Location Sixto Osuna 76 / Centro Historico
Telephone: 669 981 1455
Hours Open Tuesday - Sunday from 10am-1pm and 4pm-7pm
Admission Under 50 pesos, free on Sunday LEARN MORE
Museo Casa Machado LEARN MORE Centro Historico boutique house museum within Portales de Canobbio #5 / Mazatlan Tourist Guide and sightseeing activities information The lovingly and beautifully preserved Machado Museo Casa in Mazatlan is one of the lesser-discovered Pearl of The Pacific Centro Historico tourist attractions, and a Mazatlan City Guide special favorite.
Built in 1846 for a wealthy Italian family -- the Canobbio's -- Portales de Canobbio provides a wonderful glimpse into the lifestyle of a prosperous mid-1800's family.
In addition to the wonderful authentic period architecture, the Machado Museo Casa houses many fascinating objects and artworks that evoke the mid-1800's including rugs, furniture, musical instruments, linens, antique porcelain dishes and silverware.
Note: Visit the outside balcony that runs along the top of the Portales de Canobbio for a spectacular view of the Plaza Machado.
Location: Constitución 79 / Centro Historico just off the Plaza Machado
Hours: Open Every Day: 10am-6pm LEARN MORE
Mercado Pino Suárez LEARN MORE Fresh food and local flavor at the Mazatlan Central Market #6 / Mazatlan Tourist Guide and sightseeing activities information Located at Aquiles Serdan and Melchor Ocampo in the Centro Historico since 1900 (the central market was originally located in Plaza Republica), Mazatlans' Mercado José María Pino Suárez market is a great shopping experience that has been a recommended tourist attraction for many years!
The Pino Suarez Market is divided in sections by food types. You'll find aisles with fresh seafood; chickens; beef; and pork -- and miles of aisles of fresh fruits and vegetables. Our central market sprawls onto the streets: it is surrounded by a variety of small shops, food vendors and juice bars where you can enjoy fresh fruit and vegetable juices and iced Agua Frescas.
Often overlooked, stairs at the Mazatlan Mercado Pino Suarez lead to an upper level that has numerous small restaurants, many with a balcony view over the delightfully active street scene surrounding the outer stores and street carts.
Location Aquiles Serdan and Melchor Ocampo / Centro
Admission Free LEARN MORE
Basílica de la Inmaculada Concepción Central Cathedral and the Heart of Catholicism in Mazatlan LEARN MORE #7 / Mazatlan Cathedral sightseeing guide and tourist activities information In the view of the Mazatlan City Guide, no day of sightseeing in Mazatlan is complete without letting the towering double spire of the Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcion guide you to the very center of The Pearl of The Pacific.
Inside Mazatlans' Central Cathedral the image of the city's patron saint, the Virgen de la Purisima Conception (Virgin of the Immaculate Conception) floats over the glided, baroque main altar, while overhead soaring rounded Renaissance domes and gilded gothic arches create an airy and spiritual space.
The Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcion is located on the Plaza de la Republica -- just a short stroll from Olas Altas Beach, the Plaza Machado or other locations in the Centro Historico.
Location Avenida Benito Juarez and Calle Canizalez / Plaza de la Republica
Hours Open daily 6am-1pm and 4pm-8pm LEARN MORE Mazatlan MalecónLEARN MORE The waterfront walkway of Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico #8 / Mazatlan Tourist and Sightseeing Activities Guide The Mazatlan Malecon is 13 miles long, running north from Olas Altas Beach (the southern edge of the Centro Historico), and is one of the longest seafront walkways in the world.
The Mazatlan Malecon assures that access to our beaches and the serenity of unobstructed views of the ocean will be preserved for generations to come.
It is a wonder of intelligent public planning and is a wonderful place for Pearl of The Pacific sightseeing: especially people-watching! The Malecon offers great views of remnants of the city's history including parts of the old ice works on the side of Icebox Hill and the ever-popular Devil's Cave -- Cueva del Diablo -- that conjures up ghosts of Mazatlans' pirate past.
Admission Free
Mazatlán Cliff Divers LEARN MORE The excitement of Malecon cliff diving in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico #9 / Mazatlan Sightseeing Guide and visitor activities information Everyone knows about the cliff divers of La Quebrada, but Acapulco isn't the only place famous for the sport of cliff diving.
One of the more exciting of our tourist attractions, Mazatlan cliff divers jump twice a day into the waters off the Malecon just north of Olas Altas beach.
While the Pearl of The Pacific cliff divers do not adhere to a set schedule, Mazatlan cliff diving performances are usually around noon and late in the afternoon, with the late afternoon dives being a great way to prepare for an evening in the Centro Historico or a fine way to cap a day of sightseeing.
Admission Free, tips well-deserved!
El Faro Lighthouse LEARN MORE Visit the highest lighthouse in the Americas #10 / Mazatlan Sightseeing Guide and tourist activity information
A classic among Mazatlan tourist attractions, the Mazatlan City Guide recommends a visit to El the El Faro Lighthouse -- the highest lighthouse in the Americas and the second highest operating lighthouse in the world.
Located at the peak of Cerro del Creston -- once an island and now the southermost hill within the city -- it sits 523 feet above high tide, and a hike to the top offers truly bird's eye Mazatlan sightseeing!
Admission Free
Bosque de la Ciudad LEARN MORE Park and children's playground in Mazatlán #11 / Mazatlan Visitor Guide and sightseeing activities information Our city has a lovely city park, which is often overlooked by visitors planning Mazatlan sightseeing.
The Mazatlan City Guide believes that they're missing a very enjoyable experience!
Located on Avenida Deportes on the east side of the lagoon -- just across the street from the Estadio Teodoro Mariscal (our baseball stadium) -- the Parque Bosque de la Ciudad is not usually considered one of the Mazatlan tourist attractions, but this lovely urban park is a delightful tree-shaded oasis right in the heart of the city.
Location Avenida de los Deportes
Hours Daily 9am - 6pm
Admission Free
Acuario Mazatlán LEARN MORE One of Latin America's Largest Aquariums #12 / Mazatlan Tourist Guide and visitors sightseeing information The Mazatlan Aquarium -- Acuario Mazatlan -- is one of the largest in Latin America, and makes for very enjoyable Pearl of The Pacific sightseeing when you need a beach break.
Founded in 1980, the Mazatlan Aquarium is the only aquarium on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Its construction was funded by the state of Sinaloa, and their objective is to provide a space where residents and tourists can be entertained while learning important lessons that promote conservation and encourage connection with the sea and its wildlife.
One of the most popular Mazatlan tourist attractions, the Mazatlan aquarium draws international visitors and tourists from all over Mexico, in addition to providing a great aquatic educational and teaching venue -- the aquarium hosted over 20,000 elementary school students last year alone! Location Avenida de los Deportes 111 Two blocks inland from the Malecon. It's fronted by a giant statue of Poseidon!
Hours Open Daily 10:00am - 5:30pm
Admission About 85 pesos
Telephone: 669 981 7815 acuariomazatlan.com
Mazatlán Venados Pro Baseball LEARN MORE Venados de Mazatlan: Mexican Pacific League baseball in Mazatlan #13 / Mazatlan Sightseeing Guide professional baseball information Pro baseball in Mazatlan? You bet! Estadio Teodoro Mariscal is home to the Mazatlan Venados (Deer), a first-class Mexican Pacific League professional baseball team that the Mazatlan City Guide knows should be ranked as one of the finest of Mazatlan tourist attractions.
The Mexican Pacific League is Mexico's most important winter baseball league, and the Venados de Mazatlan are seven time Mexican Pacific League champions and an important training ground for Major League baseball players. The Mazatlan Venados put on an exciting performance every game, and have a long track record of victory.
Bleacher seats for Mazatlan Venados baseball games are only 20p, and the very best seats only 145p. Higher priced Venados tickets -- choice reserved seats for 95p and the luxury boxes -- can even be purchased online at ticketmaster.com.mx. Just type "Venados" into the search box and you will get a list of all upcoming games.
Sightseeing | 
