This is the fifth post in a series about the different options for lodging in Mazatlan. For the overview of the different types of options, see the page Mazatlan Lodging.

Yet another worthwhile option for lodging in Mazatlan is a Mazatlan condo. Condos are a great way to spend your vacation. They are simple, yet they offer more than just a hotel room.

Let's take a look at the options available for condos in Mazatlan.

Mazatlan Condos in the Downtown Area

If you'd like to spend your vacation near the historical center of Mazatlan, enjoying the Plazuela Machado, the Angela Peralta Theater, and a lot of other historical and cultural treasures, you can find a condo in the area to serve as your base of operations! For any condo in the downtown area you can expect a very economical rate, though they might have a minimum rental period of a month, as well as an authentic Mexican atmosphere all around you. The Malecon is also nearby, and Olas Altas beach. You can enjoy a nice walk in either place, though the nature of Olas Altas beach makes it less than ideal for swimming.

Mazatlan Condos in the Golden Zone

The Golden Zone is the premier tourist area of Mazatlan, and there are definitely condos available there for your lodging needs. The Golden Zone is a busy and active place, with plenty of action. Bars and restaurants abound, there are plenty of shops of many kinds, and the beach is very nice with a good number of people.

The condos in this part of Mazatlan come in two varieties. Some are individual condos, and others are in a tower as part of some sort of complex. None of the condos are directly on the beach, so you'll have to walk at least a block or two to get some sand between your toes. Size and amenities vary widely, as do prices.

Mazatlan Condos in the Marina

The marina on the north end of the Golden Zone has seen a lot of development, and now has several condominium complexes. Since these are located in the marina, they are not directly on the beach, though some have access by a water shuttle to the beach on the north end past the marina. All of these condos are located in a tower, and the amenities depend on the complex.

Mazatlan Condos in New Mazatlan

New Mazatlan is the area north of the marina along Cerritos Beach and Playa Bruja. It's the most exclusive area of Mazatlan, and has seen major development recently. New Mazatlan has some of the best beaches in all of Mazatlan, with wide stretches of soft golden sand, and the added advantage of having much fewer vendors than the Golden Zone, meaning you're actually able to relax in peace while you enjoy the beach.

Most of the condos in New Mazatlan are in high-rise towers, and the majority of the new developments are condos for sale, not available for vacation rental.

Mazatlan Condos at "El Rancho" Beach Resort

This information is provided by "El Rancho" Beach Resort, and we would simply like to let you know about the condos that we have available. We honestly believe they are the absolute best option for people looking for a relaxing vacation on the beach in Mazatlan!

"El Rancho" is located in New Mazatlan, near the marina, meaning you have the quiet and relaxing atmosphere of this exclusive area, but you're not far removed from the Golden Zone and the rest of Mazatlan. Our condos are spacious and convenient, offering all the comforts of a bi-level vacation home. We offer individual condos at ground level, giving you the convenience of stepping out your door directly onto the beach or pool area, with all the services of our resort only steps away. But best of all, due to our small size we have a truly relaxing atmosphere, so that you can do what a vacation is really intended for - rest, and relax, and rejuvenate. Imagine how you'll feel when you get back from your vacation! You'll be a new person!

No where else in Mazatlan can you find a condo with direct access to the beach and the convenience of our beachfront condos, let alone the relaxing atmosphere of our resort. Unfortunately, due to our small size, space is definitely limited, so we encourage you to make a reservation now. See our reservations page to call or send in a form with the details of your reservations request and we will respond to you personally and do our best to accommodate you. Or use our online booking engine to make a reservation immediately!

This is the fourth post in a series about the different options for lodging in Mazatlan. For the overview of the different types of options, see the page Mazatlan Lodging.

As we continue to look at all the different types of lodging available in Mazatlan, we're now going to discuss Mazatlan vacation rentals. Staying in a Mazatlan vacation rental is a great option that appeals to people who want something different than the typical hotel room.

It's not possible to discuss the specific vacation rentals available in Mazatlan, but I want to give you an overview of the type of vacation rentals available and the different areas of Mazatlan where they are located so that when you view a listing for a particular vacation rental you'll be able to evaluate it more clearly.

Vacation Rentals in Mazatlan

There are a good number of vacation rentals in Mazatlan, giving you quite a few options to choose from. Vacation rentals come in a couple different varieties. There are a few vacation rentals that are large individual homes, but the majority are condos or suites that are part of a resort. There are also a few that are directly on the beach, with the majority being close to the beach but not right on the beach.

Location of Vacation Rentals in Mazatlan

Mazatlan vacation rentals are located in several different areas of the city, from the historical downtown area (which isn't a very touristy area) to the totally tourist area of the Golden Zone to the newer development areas both north and south of Mazatlan.

There are a few vacation rental houses in the downtown area, either in historical houses that have been renovated or in newly built houses. You certainly won't be right on the beach here, but there are lots of other attractions in the area.

There are also a few vacation rentals in the Golden Zone, though not many. The big resorts pretty much control the beach in the Golden Zone, so most of the vacation rentals are a block or two away from the beach. If you stay there you can enjoy the advantages (lots of shopping, restaurants, activity) and disadvantages (very busy and noisy, lots of vendors, crowded beach) of the most popular tourist area of Mazatlan.

Another area offering some Mazatlan vacation rentals is the marina. Just north of the Golden Zone, the marina has several new developments, including some vacation rentals. One thing to keep in mind is that there isn't much real beach in the area of the marina.

South of Mazatlan on a separate peninsula is the area known as Stone Island, where a development called "Estrella del Mar" is located. They have a famous golf course, and some vacation rentals are available there.

Probably the area with the most vacation rentals is the area north of the marina called New Mazatlan. The area has recently been developed, and there are several resorts that offer vacation rentals, some on the beach and some not. The area is quiet and peaceful, and Cerritos beach is very nice, and not at all crowded the way that the beaches are in the Golden Zone. Emerald Bay is a little farther along the coast, and vacation rentals there have the advantage of the nice Pueblo Bonito resort, though the beach is definitely not as nice.

Our Recommended Mazatlan Vacation Rental

The info in this blog is provided by "El Rancho" Beach Resort, which offers beautiful vacation rentals. The rental units are directly on the beach, and they are individual units not part of a tower so it's perfectly convenient to the beach and pool and anywhere else you'd like to go. The resort is small and quiet and offers a relaxing atmosphere so you can really rejuvenate yourself on your vacation, and the rental units are bi-level villas with lots of room and a comfortable homey feel. For your convenience there's a beachfront restaurant with absolutely mouth-watering seafood and mexican dishes, and as a special touch we have a unique beachfront jacuzzi. If you want a relaxing vacation with all the advantages of a vacation rental right on the beach, "El Rancho" is the place for you!

Find out more about "El Rancho" Beach Resort

This is the third post in a series about the different options for lodging in Mazatlan. For the overview of the different types of options, see the page Mazatlan Lodging.

We're exploring the different options for lodging in Mazatlan, and the topic for discussion today is bed & breakfasts in Mazatlan. B&B's are a very attractive option for many people. Let's look at some reasons why.

Advantages of B&B's

A bed and breakfast inn is a great option for lodging in Mazatlan for those who want a unique character for their accommodations, and who enjoy the personal service that the host of the B&B can provide. And of course, the breakfast that is included is also a nice touch!

Each bed & breakfast has it's own unique character, formed by taste and character of the host/owner, and also by the house that it's located in. Most of the bed and breakfasts in Mazatlan are in homes that have quite a history, where families might have lived for generations, and that sense of history is often reflected in the architecture and decoration of the home. This can make your stay much more interesting than being in a generic hotel room.

Also, because of their small size, B&B's are able to provide a very personal level of service, giving guidance and insight and advice about how to enjoy and explore the beautiful city of Mazatlan. There's nothing like having a local expert available to answer all your questions over breakfast!

Location of Mazatlan B+B's

If you like the idea of staying in a bed and breakfast inn, you'll probably end up staying in the downtown area of Mazatlan. This is ideal for those who prefer a quiet atmosphere, and who enjoy exploring the history and culture of Mazatlan. Obviously, it's not the ideal for people who want to spend a lot of time on the beach. There are also bed & breakfasts along the Malecon, and in the area of the Golden Zone, which each have their own advantages.

Staying in a bed and breakfast can make for a delightful vacation! As you're considering options, however, be sure that you talk with the host/hostess and are comfortable with them, because their character will greatly affect your vacation. Also, be aware that though most of the B&B's in Mazatlan are close to the beach, and some even have beautiful oceanfront views, none of them are directly on the beach. So, for example, you won't have your own section of beach with a palapa so you can lie on the beach in the shade. Instead, to enjoy the water and the sand between your toes, you'll have to at least cross a busy street, or maybe walk a few blocks.

This information on the different options for lodging in Mazatlan is provided by El Rancho Beach Resort, offering unique spacious villas right on the beach. For more information, explore the website: El Rancho-Mazatlan Hotel & Beach Resort.

This is the second post in a series about the different options for lodging in Mazatlan. For the overview of the different types of options, see the page Mazatlan Lodging.

Though the greatest concentration of hotels in Mazatlan is in the area of the Golden Zone (see the first post in our series about lodging in Mazatlan), there are quite a few hotels in other areas of Mazatlan. For example, the historical downtown area (called the "Centro") has a variety of hotels, and there are also several hotels in front of the beautiful "Malecon".

Mazatlan Hotels in the Historic Downtown Area

The hotels in the historic downtown area of Mazatlan certainly have a lot of character. The "centro" is home to Mazatlan's first beachfront hotels, the Hotel Belmar and the Posada Freeman downtown, which hosted famous stars such as John Wayne, Clark Gable, and various others when Mazatlan was first being discovered as a tourist destination. There are several other hotels as well, of the boutique type, located in renovated buildings that date from the 1800's. One example is the Melville, named after Herman Melville (author of Moby Dick, who spent several weeks in Mazatlan in 1844), and located in a former convent. Prices vary widely from the very economical (for the more well-worn hotels) on up, depending on the level of luxury.

These hotels in downtown Mazatlan give you immediate access to all of the interesting sites in the "Centro" - the main Plaza Machado, the beautifully renovated Angela Peralta Theater, and the Cathedral, to name some of the most famous landmarks in Mazatlan. There's also a great variety of restaurants, cafes, museums, shops, galleries, and clubs in the area.

Mazatlan Hotels along the Malecon

The Malecon is a beautiful seawall promenade that extends along the beach between downtown Mazatlan and the Golden Zone. With several prominent statues at various points, it makes for a nice stroll, with a view of the beach and the waves below, and the Avenida del Mar at your side.

Along this stretch of beachfront there are several hotels facing the ocean from across the "Avenida del Mar." Offering beautiful views and proximity to the beach, they are generally very economical because of the inconvenience of crossing a major avenue to get your toes in the sand.

Summary for Mazatlan Lodging in Hotels that are Not on the Beach

If you're looking for a very economical vacation and having direct access to the beach isn't important to you, the lodging along the Malecon could be ideal. If you like the historic feel and the interesting character of the downtown area, and again being on the beach is not a priority, then explore the hotels there because you're sure to find a charming place to stay.

This is the first post in a series about the different options for lodging in Mazatlan. For the overview of the different types of options, see the page Mazatlan Lodging.

The most well-known lodging options in Mazatlan are the main beach resorts found in the Golden Zone. Though the Golden Zone was not the first tourist area of Mazatlan (tourists first arrived in Mazatlan at the "Olas Altas" beach in the downtown area), it is definitely the area that has attracted the most tourists.

Lodging in Mazatlan - Why the Golden Zone?

The Golden Zone is very popular. Crowds of tourists fill the streets and beaches and hotels throughout the Golden Zone every holiday season. Why? What is it that draws them?

Beautiful Beaches in the Golden Zone

One major reason that the Golden Zone is so popular is because it really has incredibly beautiful beaches. Wide strips of golden sand, the beautiful water of the Pacific Ocean, and the view of the islands in Mazatlan Bay make it an ideal beach location. There are a ton of beach and water activities (boogie boards, parasailing, jet skis, banana boats, beach volleyball, etc.) which make for a lot of fun, and that's not counting just laying out or splashing in the waves!

Great Shopping and Restaurants

Also, as the tourist center of Mazatlan, the Golden Zone has the greatest concentration of shopping and restaurants. Shopping options include silver and other types of jewelry, handcrafts, clothing and much more. For eating there's a huge variety, both in style - bars with live music (as well as great food) for the lively crowd, vs. quiet places with an ocean view - and in cuisine - from seafood (especially shrimp), to Mexican, Italian, and Chinese, just to name a few.

So Why Go Anywhere Else?

Considering the advantages of the Golden Zone, why would anybody want to choose lodging anywhere else in Mazatlan?

Crowds + Vendors ? Relaxation

If you were hoping to relax on your vacation, the Golden Zone is not the place to do it. There are lots of people, which can put a damper on everything - you'll probably have to fight for a palapa on the beach, service in the restaurants might be slow, and just in general you'll feel "crowded." The concentration of tourists also draws a huge number of pesky vendors seeking to get money from the "rich gringos" who will very persistently try to sell you everything from fake watches to a vacation timeshare. As I'm sure you can imagine, it can get to be annoying.

So, while the Golden Zone is a great place to visit, it's not necessarily the best place to stay for your vacation in Mazatlan. Thankfully there are plenty of other options for lodging in Mazatlan, and though they are not as well-known, they have lots of advantages. We'll let you know more about them in the rest of the series about Mazatlan Lodging!