El Faro Lighthouse in Mazatlán
Highest lighthouse in the Americas, Sea of Cortez beacon

Centro Historico | Plaza Machado | Angela Peralta Theater | Museo de Arte

Museo Arqueologico | Pedro Infante Museum | Pino Suarez Mercado Centro

Central Mazatlan Cathedral / Basilica | The Malecon | Mazatlan Cliff Divers

Carpa Olivera Pool | Acuario Mazatlan Aquarium | El Faro Lighthouse

Bosque de la Ciudad | Estero del Yugo Nature Preserve

Download a free self-guided Centro Historico Walking Tour map with descriptions!



The view from El Faro towards Playa Sur

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 one of the highest operating lighthouses 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!

The first use of Isla de Creston as a site for a navigational beacon came in 1828 with the construction of a simple pavilion where fires, fueled by whale oil and wood or coconut chips, were lit at night. This unfocused light source -- although better than nothing -- was not a proper lighthouse, and was of limited value to seafarers trying to reach our port, particularly in bad weather when they needed a navigational beacon the most.

Aerial drone video of El Faro in Mazatlán



All of that changed with the construction of El Faro. This unique lighthouse first cast its glorious light westward over the Pacific ocean in In 1879.

The original El Faro light house lamp was fabricated in Paris, and was an oil lamp with mirrors and Fresnel lens to focus the light.

This much brighter light source meant that El Faro was visible from a greater distance, but since the light was static, it was often mistaken for a star.

In 1905 the El Faro lighthouse lamp converted to hydrogen gas and was made to revolve.

In 1933 it was converted again -- this time to electricity, the light source you see today. Its 1000 watt bulb is focused by a fresnel lens and is equivalent to 600,000 candles!

Video about the new vista at El Faro lighthouse in Mazatlán!



The El Faro lighthouse beacon can be seen for 30 nautical miles, and still serves as an important navigational tool in the era of GPS. Constantly manned by fareros -- lighthouse keepers -- El Faro's beacon is powered by our electric company, CFE, has back-up generators, and has proved extremely reliable, having weathered countless storms.

More than a drive-by Mazatlan sightseeing attraction, El Faro has become a must-do hike for many. At nearly 750 linear meters and featuring over 325 steps and a over 500 foot elevation change, this is a steep and somewhat demanding hike.

You can hike to the top of El Faro at a leisurely pace and reach the top in under 30 minutes, and there is no better view of The Pearl of The Pacific than from the top!

Volunteers have taken responsibility for the maintenance of the path which is now a well-maintained road with lighting for evening climbs -- hiking boots are not required. At most hours refreshments are sold at the summit.

A Mazatlan City Guide favorite -- and like many great Mazatlan sightseeing attractions -- a visit to El Faro is free!

Location At the top of Cerro del Creston
Admission Free

Map to El Faro Lighthouse / Cerro del Creston
from Google Maps