Mazatlan Lodging Option #2 – Mazatlan Hotels (not on the beach)
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.