A Month in Mazatlán: Life on the Malecón
We spent a month in Mazatlán and found it to be a great spot for a long, relaxed stay. Our apartment was on the 4th floor of a building right on the malecón — the long seaside walkway that stretches along the Pacific coast. The wraparound balcony gave us front-row seats to incredible sunsets and daily sightings of pelicans diving and frigatebirds gliding overhead (at least until many of them migrated).
The location was ideal. A 15–20 minute walk got us to the historic center, and we were just 5 minutes from a bustling local meat and vegetable market. The famous shrimp ladies were only about 10 minutes away. For everyday needs, there was an OXXO right downstairs — with friendly door-openers always ready to greet us, hoping, but not asking for a tip. Uber rides were cheap and reliable, and we never felt unsafe, even walking around at night. Unlike many touristy places, no one was begging for money, which made strolling the malecón feel more relaxed.
That said, staying on the malecón comes with trade-offs: the ocean views are unbeatable, but late-night traffic and music from passing Pulmonías can be noisy. It didn’t bother me, but earplugs helped Zhaoyang sleep better.
Mazatlán isn’t a food destination — dining options near us were mostly basic and Mexican, with limited variety. It’s not the place for foodies seeking cutting-edge cuisine. But for peaceful beach walks, great views, and easy access to local life, it’s hard to beat.
I doubt we will return to Mazatlán, but if we did, that location was perfect!
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