If you’re heading south of the border this winter, but Cancun, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta don’t exactly fit your current budget––we get it, $600-a-night for a resort stay is a bit much––have you ever considered a lesser-known, arguably more authentic Mazatlan?
Lining the Pacific Coast, it combines the Old World charm of the colonial era with the excitement of a rapidly growing coastal city.
Compared to other tourism hotspots in the country, it costs only a small fraction to visit.
Oh, and did we mention it features among the safest destinations in Mexico right now, as confirmed by the Secretariat of Tourism?
Old World Charm & Stunning Pacific Beaches
Mazatlan is known for both its cultural value and laid-back coastal atmosphere, with golden sand beaches extending for miles on end, and an extensive Malecón (one of the longest ones in Mexico), straddling an azure Pacific.
The Centro Histórico (known among gringos as Old Mazatlan) feels like Spain copied and pasted, in the best possible way, with cobble-paved streets flanked by colorful facades, and a monumental Immaculate Conception Basilica dating back to the colonization period.
Simultaneously, Mazatlan has lively shopping streets, high-rises, and thumping beach clubs. If you’re looking for that big city rush and endless dining and nightlife options, Zona Dorada is where it’s at, with its big choice of rooftop bars and buzzing venues.
You can read all about Mazatlan, and all the reasons why it’s suddenly become the fastest-growing destination south of the border for American travelers here––we strongly encourage you to delve deeper, but we’re not here to repeat ourselves.
If you’ve clicked on the headline, only to be surprised by the fact Mazatlan is the city in question, you’re probably wondering how exactly it’s safe when, well, it’s currently sitting at Level 4 with U.S. authorities.
Allow us to explain:
How Is Mazatlan Safe When Sinaloa Is At Level 4?
Located in the state of Sinaloa, one of Mexico’s worst for gang activity, Mazatlan has always been quickly dismissed by mainstream media as a dangerous city or at the very least, a risky destination for Americans and other gringos.
Even though crime rates within the municipality are much lower than the state average, with Numbeo itself reporting it’s under moderate levels, it is found guilty by association, as it finds itself within the jurisdiction of Sinaloa, a Level 4 destination.
According to the U.S. State Department, Americans should avoid travel to Sinaloa due to crime, but something news outlets often fail to report on is that Mazatlan is one of 3 municipalities in the state, alongside Los Mochis and Topolobampo, where travel isn’t formally restricted.
The State Department notes that U.S. government employees may travel there by air or sea, and their movements should be limited to the Zona Dorada and the historic center, indicating that Mazatlan, and areas in particular, are equally fine for tourists.
Now, Josefina Rodríguez, the Secretary of Tourism, has gone as far as saying that Mazatlan is one of the ‘safest beaches in the country’, as supported by data presented by Sector (the Secretariat), and citizen perception of safety.
According to the latest data published by INEGI, Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, 34.3% of inhabitants feel unsafe, proving a clear majority has a positive impression of Mazatlan as their place of residence.
That is largely due to the city’s excellent surveillance system, which keeps most of Sinaloa’s gang problem at bay, and the extensive policing of the hotel-lined waterfront, especially Zona Dorada, where all of the trendiest beach bars are located.
In sum, Americans should have very few safety concerns visiting Mazatlan: it is about as safe as any other major resort destination south of the border, which doesn’t mean risk free, just as safe as a bustling Mexican metropolis can be.
In other words, don’t walk around flashing valuables unnecessarily, stick to the tourist-friendly zones in the historic center and Zona Dorada, and definitely do not walk alone late at night in a poorly-lit area, such as suburban districts and the far end of the Malecón.
Mazatlan Is Also Incredibly Cheap
Other than being incredibly safe, Mazatlan is among the cheapest beach destinations in Mexico.
As Budget Your Trip estimates, tourists spend an average $49 on meals per day, $17 on transportation, and a surprisingly-economical $54 on average on hotels per night.
Food is usually quite cheap up and down Mexico––though there’s a plethora of upscale restaurants everywhere, you needn’t look far if it’s $1 tamales or street tacos you’re craving––but we all know accommodation is usually how they get you.
From Cabo’s jaw-dropping $600-a-night average, to Cancun’s prohibitive all-inclusive rates, Mexico is far from being the budget-friendly Latin getaway some would mistakenly expect… unless, of course, it’s somewhere like Mazatlan they’re headed.
This winter, you can stay at the five-star Varali Grand Hotel on $85 a night, right on the 13-mile-long boardwalk, or a cozy Hotel Kavia in the heart of Zona Dorada, for as little as $42––looking to splurge a little? All-inclusive overnights start at only $211 at Pacific Palace Beach Tower Hotel.
Based on Budget Your Trip, the median cost of a one-week trip to Mazatlan for one person is $603, excluding flights.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
