Mazatlan the Pearl of the Pacific

MEXICO FAMILY VACATION FUN

Mazatlan is a beautiful and historical city founded by Spaniards in 1531 and it was incorporated in 1806; it has a fabulous cultural past that has carried over into modern times.

Mazatlan is located on the Pacific Ocean on the mainland of Mexico at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains; the city is situated on a peninsula that protrudes out into the Pacific Ocean parallel to the Southern tip of Baja that is 193 Nautical Miles due west where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortes meet.

Mazatlan is considered “The Pearl of the Pacific” and it is one of the Mexican Riviera’s premier resort areas. The primary reason for this fact is Mazatlan was never planned to be a primary master planned resort by the sea. Mazatlan is a historical city by the sea that has evolved into a resort area but long after it was already a well-established International sea port with a vital commercial business.

Mazatlan is the Real Mexico

CAFÉ PACIFICO COLONIAL

The old world charm and the city’s colorful history as an early Spanish frontier town first established in 1531, gold rush town 1565, a hangout for Pirates starting around 1603, a successful sea port and business hub in Western Mexico from the1600s through the 1800’s.

The Spanish, Germans and French settlers always have had a very strong influence on the culture, food, architecture giving this unique city its eclectic International flavor even the music of present day Mazatlan is laced with German brass horn and accordion sounds.

German is the second language for residents of Mazatlan. There are two distinct areas of Mazatlan separating the very well preserved old historical colonial town from the newer modern town. All of these reasons add up to why  Mazatlan is fast becoming a mecca for retiring Americans and Canadians because it offers so much more than the resort beach towns that have no real history or authentic cultural value to go with the delicious weather and beautiful beaches.

“PUT THE (F) WORD AND THE BIG (O) IN YOUR MEXICO FAMILY VACATION”

Mazatlan has many options for accommodations and in every category from luxury hotels intermediate economy hotels to all-inclusive resorts geared towards the family as well as historical hotels and B&B’s. There are also vacation rental condos and beach houses to accommodate small to large families and the rates seem to be more reasonable than most beach resort towns.

There are many families who are now buying Fractional Ownership in luxury condos and homes that give them a real ownership in the property and they only pay their portion of the taxes, maintenance fees utilities, and HOA. Mazatlan has one of the best if not the very best example of Fractional Ownership opportunities in all of Mexico.

One of Mazatlan’s most successful developers, Canadian based Oceanside Developments International is offering an incredible 10,000 SQ / FT Luxury Penthouse that sleeps 10 people in comfort and unsurpassed luxury where you can purchase a 1/12 ownership for only USD $ 249,000 to see a video clip, photos and get more information on the (Tiara Sands).

Try before you buy opportunity and in-house financing click here (Tiara Sands)

Annual Mazatlan Cultural Arts Festival

Mazatlan World Class Entertainment

ANGELA PERALTA THEATER COLONIAL MAZATLAN

Throughout its colorful history the citizens of Mazatlan have supported the performing arts and all other artistic mediums with the passion of a major metropolitan city of much greater size and philanthropic resources.

The world class Angela Peralta Theater that was built in the 1870’s is a perfect example of the dedication of the early founding fathers of Mazatlan and their commitment to the arts for the community’s growth culturally. Just this month on October 20 was the start of the Annual Cultural Arts Festival that runs for 44 days through December 17, 2011. Nearly 1700 performing artists from as far away as Taiwan will delight the Festival goers through December 17th with Opera, dance, song, Jazz, Rock, Philharmonic Orchestras, Choirs, Children’s Plays and musical productions and every conceivable type of artistic performance from many of the great cultures of the world.

Only in Mexico City with a population of 25,000,000 can rival Mazatlan’s display and variety of performing artist from all over the world. So there is another (F) WORD for Festival and the BIG (O) for Opera don’t miss the Annual Mazatlan Cultural Arts Festival.

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GET READY FOR MORE OF THE (F) WORD AND MULTIPLE BIG (O’S)

Mazatlan has an International Carnival that will be celebrating its 114th Anniversary this February 16th – 21st 2012. This spectacular event is akin to Marti Gras in New Orleans or Carnival in Brazil. TWO (F) WORDS that I love (Food and Fun) are everywhere and though they are one of the main focal points, food is still second in to the crowning of the Carnival Kings and Queens especially when the Best Baby in the Carnival gets crowned too.

MAZATLAN SEA FOOD IS WORLD CLASS

Even so you can bet that the local and regional cuisines are some of the best sea food and beef dishes you will ever eat. The population of Mazatlan swells as many neighboring communities in the region converge on Mazatlan to participate in the Carnival selling food & crafts and performing or competing in the contests.

MAZATLAN INTERNATIONAL CARNIVAL

Make no mistake this is not some little local event trying to replicate Carnival. Mazatlan really puts on a well-produced Big Time World Class Carnival that is Organized and Open 24/7 yes we did said 24/7 with two BIG O’s and roster of musical artists and activities making the event one of the most diversified Carnivals celebrated anywhere in the world.

Here is the line-up of the coronation ceremonies… okay let’s see there is the:

• King of Joy,
• Queen of the Floral Games,
• Queen of the Carnival,
• Infant Queen,
• Children’s Ball,
• Crowning of the King and the Queen,
• Allegorical vehicles (carriage floats) parade,
• The International Pacific Beauty Queen contest with the participation of the Queens from Central and South America and the United States now that really adds an International flavor to the Carnival Festivities. These visiting beauties also participate in the spectacular Carnival Parades,
• Enactment of the “Bad Mood Burning,
• The Naval Battle,
• The Evening of the Arts, featuring the “Anything GOES” Ball (yet another “BIG O”),
• Local artists and poets through the “Clemencia Isaura Award” for Poetry,
• Mazatlan Award for literature,
• Antonio López Sáenz Award” for painting.

POR FAVOR DETNENGA SUS CABALLOS UN MOMENTO!
(HOLD YOUR HORSES A MINUTE PLEASE!)

Mexico Family Vacations

MAZATLAN HAS 15 MILES OF BEACHES

In and around Mazatlan there are a great number of activities to do together or you can split up and go in different directions so everyone can get a mini vacation from the rest of the family within your vacation.

Mazatlan Mexico has an endless list of interesting things for the entire family to do no matter how picky your kids are or for that matter your in-laws or even that “know it all type”, like Cousin Eddie (Randy Quaid) in National Lampoons Vacation and his weird kids too everyone can connect with a fulfilling activity.

There is a lifetime memories awaiting your family…the stories, videos and photos that will be a source of great endearment or embarrassment for many years to come and some folks might just win USD $ 10,000 on Americas Funniest Home Videos MEXICO FAMILY VACATIONS Edition, then everyone can fight over the money “now be sure to catch that family fight on video tape too” it could be another winner or used as evidence in a future law suit against your Cousin Eddie!

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Mexico Family Vacations Spell Fun in Mazatlan

• The Mazatlan Aquarium is the largest aquarium in Mexico. It also has a botanical garden, a planetarium, a sea lion show and a bird theater where beautiful parrots, macaws and cockatoos perform acrobatics and musical numbers. Visitors can even go diving in the central fishbowl aquarium to swim with Nurse Sharks.
• Old Town Mazatlan is well worth the trip within its self as it showcases the “Real Mexico “and the European influences of Spain Germany and France. The clean stone paved streets are lined with boutique shops and historical sites like the Angela Peralta Theater built in 1873 and the Cathedral built in 1875. There is an Archeological Museum that also has local art work and crafts for sale. Old Town opens up to a beautiful small crescent shaped beach cove where there are great restaurants to enjoy the food and the ocean view.
• Horse Back Riding on The Beach now we are talking family fun for sure as this goes beyond a gallop on the beach it is a trip to Stone Island just outside Mazatlan where you have a 4 hour tour of the Island on horseback through a coco nut plantation and along the beautiful beaches where you can go swimming and relax at the palapa with a cold beverage. The vendor will pick you up and return you to your hotel.
• Canopy Tours and Tequila Plantation The Huana Coa Canopy Adventure is a great experience for your entire family with a dual purpose because you can go to a 130 year old ranch housing a Blue Agave tequila distillery and right next door go to a 9 station Zip Line Canopy to fly down the mountain. If you are afraid of heights and flying through the air (even though tethered to a safety line and harness) first go next door and have a few shots of the very smooth Blue Agave liquid courage and then scream at the top of your lungs “Geronimo” as you jump off the mountain.
• Scuba Diving /Snorkeling Mazatlan’s waters offer a real treat for the beginner or the experienced diver as the waters are teaming with beautiful fish and geological formations. There are several islands just a few minutes off shore Bird and Deer Islands to name a few that offer great diving and snorkeling. The vendors pick you up at your hotel and supply you with all of the gear though most of the experienced divers bring their own regulators mask and fins and snorkels. There is a complimentary lunch served on most island tours.
• Sport Fishing some of the best bill fishing in the world as well as the best fish to eat like Dorado (Mahi Mahi), Tuna, and Wahoo your crew will clean and filet your catch and most restaurants will cook it for you for a small fee as you will be paying for the side dishes and drinks.
• Golf Mazatlan Estrella del Mar has several great golf courses there is the premier waterfront course at Estrella del Mar on Stone Island is a favorite Mexican course. Estrella del Mar is located on the Pacific Ocean in a new resort development. This 18 hole golf course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. and is open to the public.
• The El Cid championship course has 27 holes of golf, designed by Lee Trevino. This beautiful course is located in the middle of the Golden Zone and the El Cid marina. The course at El Cid is now open to the public but only during the off season or on a limited basis (big tip needed) during high season – call ahead for reservations.
• Club Campestre This is an older golf course with nine holes to play for $15.00 U.S. per round. Now granted you won’t be wanting to send a post card home with a photo of this place but for duffers who want to have extra money to buy more tequila and beer while in Mexico or take the beginner kids out to swing the club this could be an economical option.

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strong>About the Author: Henry Altman is the CEO of Escapeartist Mexico, a real estate developer & property owner in Mexico and he is the former President of Coldwell Banker Affiliates of Central America.For more information on this article or Escapeartist Mexico please opt-in with your name e-mail and phone number and Henry will contact you. You will receive “Escape To Mexico Magazine” it’s all about, “The Real Mexico”