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

The right answer depends on your personal tastes and preferences, so I can't tell you which vacation rental will be best for you. But I can give you some ideas to think about that will really help you to decide and feel good about the rental unit that you stay at for your next vacation in Mazatlan.

5 Criteria to Evaluate and Rank Vacation Rentals

Ask yourself these questions about any Mazatlan vacation rental that you're considering.

• Location - Of course, for a beach vacation the biggest question is, "How close is it to the beach?" Many times the description of a property will not clarify whether it's right on the beach, but it's generally safe to say that if they don't advertise being directly on the beach, they probably aren't. Another tip - look carefully at the photos. If they really are located directly on the beach, there should be photos showing the vacation home and the beach, or showing the beach view out of a window of the property.
• Type of property - Is the vacation rental an individual vacation home? Or is it an individual unit on a property with various vacation homes? Or is it just a glorified hotel room/suite? (i.e., they call it a vacation rental, but it's really just a unit inside the tower of some resort)
• Atmosphere of the property - Does the vacation rental have a quiet atmosphere, or is it more of a party scene? Is it in a downtown area? A specifically tourist area? Or is it more isolated? Is there going to be lots of noise and activity late at night from bars or restaurants nearby? Can you expect lots of crowds?
  It might be sort of hard to find out this sort of information until you dig a little more, but think about the atmosphere you'd prefer on your vacation, and scratch off properties that don't seem to match. To be honest, the atmosphere of the property will probably have a bigger impact on whether you really enjoy your vacation in Mazatlan than particular amenities that it offers.
• Space and accommodations - How many people are going to be with you on vacation? How many bedrooms does the vacation rental have? Does it have real beds for the number of people it promises to accommodate? What size are the beds? Again, some of this info might not be obvious, so you might need to wait for the next step to find this out, but if a vacation rental seems small, you might want to look elsewhere. Being cramped or not being able to sleep well are not going to help you have a great vacation!
• Price - I put this last because I think it's better to be flexible about price when you're initially evaluating vacation rentals. Of course, if the price of a particular vacation rental is way out of the ballpark, take it off your list. But when you investigate more, you might find discounts that will bring prices within your reach, so don't be too quick to throw out a vacation rental that otherwise seems attractive just because it's a little too expensive.

There you go! Just some good ideas to help you decide on the best Mazatlan vacation rental for an awesome vacation!

The delights of Mazatlan

Ah, beautiful Mazatlan! The pearl of the Pacific! Paradise on the west coast of Mexico!

Mazatlan is a delightful place for a beach vacation. Mazatlan has tons of beaches (more than 15 miles worth), and they're beautiful. And there's not only a large quantity of beach, there's also a large variety. Whether you want to sunbathe, surf, play in the waves, play volleyball on the sand, or scuba dive, Mazatlan does have beaches for exactly your taste.

Of course, Mazatlan has much more than beaches as well. There's a whole host of other activities available, both active and relaxing, for families, for couples, for kids and for seniors.

The Advantages of Staying in a Vacation Rental

Renting a vacation home allows you to make the most of your vacation in Mazatlan. Vacation rentals offer so many advantages - greater privacy, more space, probably a kitchen and other conveniences. There's really no comparison to a regular hotel room. Except, of course, for the price.

Did you realize that? In Mazatlan, the rates for a vacation rental are actually quite similar to the rates for a regular hotel room! It's remarkable, really! Mazatlan vacation rentals do cost a little bit more, but for all of the advantages that they offer, the difference in price is definitely minimal.

It's sad, really, because most people don't realize this and they never even consider anything other than the standard Mazatlan hotels. But by being wise and choosing the right vacation home, you can enjoy a totally different level of comfort and convenience on your vacation in Mazatlan without any significant difference in price.

A Few Words of Caution

However, not every Mazatlan vacation rental that you come across is going to live up to your expectations. Unfortunately, anybody can say that they offer a vacation rental, and it may not have the advantages that you were expecting. Therefore consider the following questions before you decide on which vacation rental to choose.

• Is the vacation rental close to the beach?For most people, nearness to the beach makes a huge difference for their vacation. Being right next to the beach makes it so much more convenient. If you can just step out the door and have the beach immediately accessible, then you can have twice as much fun on the beach!
• Is the vacation rental really a vacation home, or is it a unit inside a hotel or a condo complex?You have to decide how important this is to you. A great many of the vacation rentals advertised in Mazatlan are really suites or condos inside a tower of condominiums or as part of a resort complex. This may or may not matter to you, depending on where it is really located and the atmosphere of the complex it is a part of. But it is worth asking some detailed questions so you're not unpleasantly surprised when you arrive. It's also worth remembering that an individual vacation home at ground level has some real advantages in convenience over a unit on the 5th or 15th floor of a complex.

Best of luck on your next Mazatlan vacation!

Hopefully this information will help you find the best possible option for your next Mazatlan vacation rental. Be careful when choosing your vacation rental, and you'll enjoy all that Mazatlan has to offer even more!

El Rancho, a Mazatlan Hotel and Beach Resort, proudly announces that their Mazatlan Rentals are available to the public. They have about 20 units available.

Mazatlan Rental Details

Each Mazatlan Rental is an individual vacation home, which some people might call a villa or a condo. They are located at ground level (no steel towers here) in the middle of lush tropical gardens, providing the ultimate in atmosphere and privacy for your vacation. Spacious and comfortable, each Mazatlan Rental offers the convenience of home combined with the advantage of being directly on the beach. Ample living room (with a full living room and dining room area, along with a complete kitchen) allow you to truly relax and enjoy yourself comfortably when you come in from the sand and sun. And the beach is only steps away, right outside your patio door. There is even room enough for an entire family to stay together, because these Mazatlan rentals have two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Mazatlan Rentals Reservations Info

We like to provide personal attention to all of our guests, so we encourage you to contact us directly to find more info and to inquire about making a reservation.

• Contact us now!

If you prefer, you can also use our online reservations system:

• Check availability and make a reservation online