Mazatlan taxis, city buses, airport taxis and interstate bus lines serving Mazatlan Mexico: Information about getting around The Pearl of The Pacific in red and green Eco taxis, Pulmonias, Arregas, city bus service and routes, interstate buses and terminals
Mazatlan Taxi Services, City Buses, Arregas and Interstate Bus Lines serving Mazatlan Mexico Pulmonias|Eco Taxis|Arregas|City Buses|Interstate Buses Serving Mazatlan
Local transportation in Mazatlan
Getting around Mazatlan is easy, and usually inexpensive.
Mazatlan Pulmonias and the ubiquitous Arregas -- pickup-trucks with shaded benches in the bed -- look different than what most visitors are used to, but in reality taxi and bus service in Mazatlan is very similar to what Americans and Canadians know from back home.
Standard taxis are called ECO Taxis, which are either red or green, representing different ECO Taxi owner's groups. ECO Taxis -- as well as Pulmonias -- are not metered, but there are zone rates.
Taxi transport from the airport to Mazatlan is exclusively in the hands of the airport taxi group who drive yellow airport taxis -- even tour operators can only take from the airport to the city if the passenger is part of a group that contracted for round-trip Mazatlan airport transport.
The fare to the Mazatlan airport is usually around 250-300 pesos. The reason for the relatively high Mazatlan airport taxi fare -- besides the distance -- is that city taxis cannot pick up fares at the airport, so the empty trip back to town is reflected in the price.
For those who wish to travel outside Mazatlan in Sinaloa -- or to other destinations in Mexico -- the competitive long distance and interstate bus lines are a very good alternative to air travel.
Mexico has a truly comprehensive national bus network and The Pearl of The Pacific is served by many bus lines. Major bus companies serving Mazatlan -- such as those listed at the bottom of this page -- usually offer a number of classes of service on most routes.
A note for the Digitally Addicted: many interstate Mexican buses now offer free mobil WiFi! Mazatlan Pulmonia Taxis Getting Around by Pulmonia Only in Mazatlan will you find the Pulmonia taxi. Mazatlan's Pulmonia taxis -- the open-air "golf cart" looking taxis -- were invented here; are unique to The Pearl of The Pacific; and make a very enjoyable way to get around Mazatlan Mexico.
In 1962 a local visionary began work on the first Pulmonia, designed as an alternative to the traditional Mazatlan taxis of the time. In December, 1965, the first Pulmonia rolled on to the streets, and Pulmonias in Mazatlan have been a fixture of our roads ever since. Local legend has it that drivers of regular taxis -- jealous of the attention that Pulmonias immediately drew -- warned passengers not to ride in the door-less, window-less cars because they would catch pneumonia, and the name stuck.
Based upon VW parts -- which are plentiful in Mexico because Volkswagens Beetles were produced here from the mid-1950's until the mid-1990's -- the fiberglass bodied open-air Mazatlan Pulmonia taxi's are a uniquely fun way to get around town. Video of Pulmonias in Mazatlan
Pulmonias are sometimes more expensive than the less exotic Eco taxis, and it is important to negotiate your Mazatlan Pulmonia taxi fare before beginning your trip.
For your safety, Mazatlan Pulmonia taxis and taxi drivers are licensed and regulated by the city. Mazatlan Eco Taxis Getting Around by Taxi Mazatlan's Eco taxis -- red or green and white -- are standard small sedans such as the Nissan Sentra or the Hyundai Atos.
Eco Taxis are usually four door vehicles, relatively easy to get in and out of, and on hotter days they are usually air conditioned.
Compared to fares in cities in the United States and Canada, Mazatlan taxis are inexpensive. Eco Taxis are also usually less expensive than the more-exotic Pulmonias, but it is always important to confirm the fare for your Eco Taxi ride before starting it! Many Mazatlan taxi fares -- for example, from the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada to the Centro Historico -- should be well under 100 pesos.
Like Pulmonia drivers, Mazatlan Eco taxis and drivers are licensed and regulated by the city.
Mazatlan Eco taxis can be radio-dispatched, and can be called using the following Mazatlan taxi service phone numbers:
Eco Taxi Radio-dispatched Green Eco Taxis in Mazatlan
Telephone 669 986 1111
Eco Taxi Plus Radio-dispatched Red Eco Taxis in Mazatlan
Telephone 669 985 2828 Mazatlan Arregas Getting Around by Arrega Arregas are very common in Mazatlan, and an excellent way to get around town economically.
Arregas are pickup trucks with benches in the back and canopies, and are painted red.
While some Arregas ply routes, Arregas can be rented by the hour or day and will take you anywhere you want to go. With seating for at least four on each bench, Arregas make excellent transportation for groups of up to 8 people. Empty Arregas are a common sight in Mazatlan and can simply be flagged down.
Arregas can also be booked by calling 669 981 3535. Price is negotiable, Arregas are not metered. Mazatlan City Buses Getting Around by Bus Mazatlan city buses are a very practical -- and very inexpensive -- way for visitors to get around town. Bus fares are usually just a few pesos during the day, and only slightly higher at night or for some longer distance bus rides.
Mazatlan bus service is frequent on most bus routes, with city buses operating on most routes from very early morning til late at night. Bus drivers will stop to let you off pretty much anywhere along the route. Mazatlan buses will usually stop if they see you flagging them. If you flag a bus and it doesn't stop, the bus is probably either full you're in a zone with set bus stops. Mazatlan city buses stop frequently, and you'll probably see others are waiting for a bus close to where you're standing.
Mazatlan buses have a route name at the top, a list of stops written on the windshield, or both. If you are staying in the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada, Centro, or anywhere within easy walking distance of the Malecon, you only need to know a couple of bus lines.
Between the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada and downtown, take any bus marked "Sabalo-Centro". To return, stand on the other side of the street. The exception is at the Mercado (the downtown Central Market). Since the streets on each side of the market are one-way, you will arrive on Aquiles Serdan, the east side of the Central Market. To return to the Golden Zone - Zona Dorada go to the west side of the building -- Benito Juarez street.
Green deluxe Mazatlan city buses -- like the one pictured above -- are in increasing service throughout the city. First used primarily on routes that served visitors and the wealthier districts along the waterfront, these buses cost slightly more than older city buses but are well worth the extra expense -- they are air conditioned and much more comfortable than standard Mazatlan buses. Major interstate bus lines serving Mazatlan, bus ticketing and bus terminals in Mazatlan Mexico Estrella Blanca|Primera Plus|TAP|Transportes Del Norte|Tufesa
Mazatlan is connected to the rest of Mexico by many first-class Mexican interstate bus lines, and bus service to Mazatlan is available from everywhere in Mexico, as well as much of the south and southwestern United States via both scheduled bus lines as well as charter carriers.
On all interstate routes these Mexican bus lines offer bus service to Mazatlan in clean, safe and luxurious buses (usually with "Primera" as part of the name and often manufactured in Europe by Volvo or Mercedes Benz) featuring airline-style mens and womens bathrooms, movies, audio channels on-demand, free WiFi and other amenities.
Seats are reserved on Mexican interstate buses and are almost universally 2x2 seating -- either you have a window seat or an aisle seat: think medium sized airliner.
Seats on some particularly luxurious long-haul buses are set up in a 2x1 configuration which provides even greater seat width and the opportunity for solo bus passengers to travel long distances without sharing their space with anyone.
As in most Mexican cities, many bus companies in Mazatlan often have terminals that are specific to the bus line, not in a centralized location.
Mazatlan does, however, have a main bus terminal -- the Central de Autobuses located just southeast of the aquarium -- where pretty much all interstate buses stop to drop off and pick up passengers.
Central de Autobuses / Main Bus Terminal in Mazatlan
Jose Angel Espinoza Ferrusquilla GPS: N23°13'32" W106°25'21"
All major Mexican bus lines serving Mazatlan have websites where you can reserve and book your ticket, pay for it by credit card and -- usually -- make your seat selection.
Whether it's for a short day trip or a long cross-country Mexican road trip, Mexico's buses are an attractive alternative to driving! Estrella Blanca Interstate bus line serving Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / Terminal, Routes, Schedules and Info
Toll-free within Mexico 01 800 507 5500 estrellablanca.com.mx Estrella Blanca is a major Mexican interstate bus line. Estrella Blanca has and extensive route system and serves destinations in 20 of Mexico's 33 states -- primarily in the north and center of the country -- and can provide transportation from all of these states to Mazatlan.
Substantial information about the bus line and how you can travel to Mazatlan by bus can be found on the Estrella Blanca website, estrellablanca.com.mx.
Estrella Blanca bus tickets can be purchased online at their website, and credit cards are accepted at the Estrella Blanca Mazatlan ticket office.
Terminal and Ticket Office
Central de Autobuses / Jose Angel Espinoza Ferrusquilla
Telephone 669 931 3680 Primera Plus Interstate bus line serving Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / Terminal, Routes, Schedules and Info
Toll-free within Mexico 01 800 375 7587 primeraplus.com.mx Primera Plus is a major interstate Mexican bus line that primarily serves destinations in central Mexico -- particularly from the Pacific coast to inland destinations like Guadalajara, Morelia and Mexico City, and some coastal destinations south of Mazatlan, such as Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo and Zihuatanejo.
Substantial information about the bus line and how you can travel to Mazatlan by bus can be found on the Primera Plus website, primeraplus.com.mx.
Primera Plus bus tickets can be purchased online at their website, and you can use credit cards at the Primera Plus ticket office in Mazatlan.
Terminal and Ticket Office
Boulevard Adolofo Lopez Mateos
Telephone 669 990 1155 TAP Interstate bus line serving Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / Terminal, Routes, Schedules and Info
Toll-free within Mexico 01 800 001 1827 tap.com.mx TAP -- Transportes y Autobuses del Pacifico -- is a major Mexican interstate bus line with a route map concentrated in north and western Mexico.
TAP buses are recommended as clean and they offer very competitive fares, often offering discount bus tickets and the best special promotion rates.
Substantial information about the bus line and how you can travel to Mazatlan by bus can be found on the TAP website, tap.com.mx.
Transportes y Autobuses del Pacifico bus tickets can be purchased online at their website, and credit cards are accepted at both the TAP Mazatlan terminal ticket offices.
Terminal and Ticket Office Central de Autobuses / Jose Angel Espinoza Ferrusquilla Telephone 669 981 4659
Terminal and Ticket Office
Plaza San Ignacio - Carretera Internacional km 1205 Telephone 669 135 1234 Transportes Del Norte Interstate bus line serving Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / Terminal, Routes, Schedules and Info
Toll-free within Mexico 01 800 890 9090 gruposenda.com Transportes Del Norte is a major interstate Mexican bus line that is part of Grupo Senda, a leading provider of bus transportation in Mexico.
Grupo Senda is a very large bus line that offers scheduled bus service on over 300 routes that connect more than 1,000 destinations with a fleet of over 1,400 buses.
Transportes Del Norte buses serve destinations in 13 of Mexico's 33 states -- primarily in the north and center of the country -- and can provide transportation from all of these states to Mazatlan.
Transportes Del Norte is a cross-border bus line, offering international bus transport to and from Mexico to dozens of destinations in the United States including not only cities in Texas, but in Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and even Illinois!
Substantial information about the bus line and how you can travel to Mazatlan by bus can be found on the Grupo Senda website, gruposenda.com.
Transportes Del Norte bus tickets can be purchased online at their website, and you can use your credit card at the Transportes Del Norte Mazatlan ticket office.
Terminal and Ticket Office
Central de Autobuses / Jose Angel Espinoza Ferrusquilla
Telephone 669 982 7335 Tufesa Interstate bus line serving Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico / Terminal, Routes, Schedules and Info
Toll-free within Mexico 01 800 737 8883 tufesa.com.mx Tufesa is a major Mexican interstate and cross-border bus line that operates in the western Mexico coastal states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit and Jalisco, with international bus service to selected cities in Arizona, Nevada and California.
Substantial information about the bus line and how you can travel to Mazatlan by bus can be found on the Tufesa website, tufesa.com.mx.
Tufesa bus tickets can be purchased online at their website, and credit cards are accepted at the Tufesa Mazatlan ticket office, which is open 24 hours every day.
Terminal and Ticket Office
Caretera Internacional al Norte, km 1201 Telephone 669 980 6684
Taxis and Buses
Mazatlan Taxi Services, City Buses, Arregas and Interstate Bus Lines serving Mazatlan Mexico
