Sabine BaniSadr

Last month I had the good fortune of being invited by the Mazatlan Tourist Board and El Cid Hotels to come visit their beautiful city.

Remembering Mazatlan’s less than stellar reputation of the last 10 years or so, it certainly was not very high on my list of places to visit in Mexico. Gingerly, I accepted the invite and, along with 20 or so other travel agents, found myself Mexico bound within a couple of weeks.
Our group arrived underneath brilliant blue skies and we were met by El Cid staff at Mazatlan International Airport. The short, twenty minute drive into town was just enough to have a refreshing drink on the bus and getting my first glimpses of Mazatlan: Beautiful beaches, some interesting shopping malls, fairly clean roads and lots of gorgeous vacation home complexes complete with golf course, beach access and huge swimming pools.

Our home for the next four nights was the El Cid Castilla, one of three El Cid properties located in the El Cid complex. I enjoyed a nicely appointed room and my bed was one of the most comfortable beds I had slept in while in Mexico.
That night, our group enjoyed a fabulous welcome dinner at La Concha Restaurant, located on the El Moro side, right by the beach. Following dinner, the evening continued on at “Senor Frog’s” right next door!

On our first full day in Mazatlan, we enjoyed an amazing breakfast at  Pancho’s   Restaurant, a cute little Mexican cantina in Mazatlan’s golden zone, right  by the beach.
Then we were whisked away to the El Cid Marina Beach, where we boarded a     catamaran for a leisurely sail along Mazatlan’s beautiful coastline. Lunch was served on Deer Island, pretty much right across the bay from the El Cid, and we had the opportunity to spend the afternoon frolicking in the clear, warm waters of the Pacific ocean.
The evening brought a surprise transfer via Pulmonia along Mazatlan’s fantastic  malacon to the Historic District and a superb dinner at El Presidio, possibly the best restaurant in the city. The smoky flavored pork hogs were to die for, as were the deserts.
 

 

From there we walked through the amazing Historic District, where lots of old buildings have been lovingly restored to represent once again the glorious colonial   city that Mazatlan once was. We ended up at the Angela Peralta Theatre to enjoy a  performance that was part of the Jose Limon Dance Festival. The entire town was out   to support their dancers and it was a great show.

 

 

Day Two in Mazatlan was equally impressive: After a wonderful buffet breakfast at the El Cid Marina Beach, our group spend the entire day touring the beautiful country side. We sampled some blue agave tequila at the La Vinata de los Osuna Tequila distillery, learned to how make tortillas and fresh salsa in the home of a beautiful Mexican lady in the village of Puerta de Canoas and enjoyed a wonderful lunch in El Quelite in an old, Mexican hacienda, where the local band and some folklore dancers offered up excellent entertainment during our meal.

The evening brought yet another fantastic restaurant experience; this time at La Costa Marinera Restaurant, where amazing seafood is served right by the beach.





On our last day, we were treated to a lovely buffet breakfast at the five star, Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay, a truly exceptional resort located just on the outskirts of Mazatlan.

The rest of the day was spent leisurely poolside at the El Cid Marina Beach, where the hot Mexican sun melted all our worries away.
The evening brought an invitation to dinner at the Playa Mazatlan Hotel, a family owned hotel, now in its 3^rd generation. I tremendously enjoyed the atmosphere at this hotel, where guests are truly treated like family and the beach is the best in Mazatlan.
 
When our group left this beautiful city, I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by the way we were welcomed and treated throughout our stay. Not once did I feel unsafe or ripped off or uncomfortable in the slightest. Mazatlan showed itself in its best possible light and I loved the sophisticated flair that is present throughout.
I have no hesitation to return again in the future and this time, more than likely, with my family.
 
For more information on Mazatlan, it’s hotels and surroundings, please contact me at any time.