5 Reasons to Make Mazatlan Your Next Family Vacation

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I’ve gone skydiving, hitch-hiked to get where I needed to be in Hawaii, studied abroad for 3 months throughout Europe. I never minded dining alone, or seeing a movie solo. I drove across counties and states to get where I needed to be, no problem; and all of this before I was 21. Then I got married and was blessed to have someone with whom to do all of this. My husband became my partner and adventure buddy, my go to when problems arose. He made the calls I never wanted to make, and in a lot of ways did the dirty work (like driving for hours on hours) so I didn’t need to anymore.

Throw a kid or 4 into the mix and I am almost never alone, I rarely do crazy adventurous things, and the hubby willingly (or so I tell myself) does much of the stuff I don’t want to do simply to make my life easier. The adventures have continued but my dependency has increased. Through it all I got a little “soft”.

So, when an opportunity recently arose to travel down to Mazatlan, Mexico with a group of “strangers” (i.e.: travel writers) I decided to attend for a number of reasons. First of all, we moms need a break too. I was feeling burnt out and this sounded like a LOT OF FUN! The few days and absolute quiet was eagerly welcomed by this tired mom (I even looked forward to the downtime in the airport). And although I know a lot of people hear solo Mexico trip with strangers and write it off, I saw it as an opportunity to do something that stretched me a bit and allowed me to be the woman I was before marriage and kids. Also, honestly, saying yes is fun! You sometimes don’t know what is coming your way, but there are opportunities to live life all around us, and I don’t want to miss out on them because it sounds a little scary. And, I am so glad I went. Because I met strangers who became friends, I had amazing opportunities in a beautiful country, I ate goooooooooood, and had time to sit back, relax and take in the surf and culture of a new place. In essence, I lived!

Now don’t get me wrong, I missed my family A TON! In fact, I have no doubt I was totally “that mom”. The one who talks about her kids and family the entire trip because I know I did. As I sat on my balcony watching other families laugh, splash, ride the slides, jump off the rock pool and simply enjoy their time together I was secretly planning my return trip with my own crew. Because what I learned on this trip is that Mexico and specifically, Mazatlán, is a great place to take a family vacation.

So, if you are looking for your next family vacation here are

5 reasons why Mazatlán makes an incredible family friendly vacation destination

1 All-inclusive resorts galore!

I was lucky enough to stay in the El Cid El Moro resort and was so impressed with my experience. The staff was incredibly friendly, and the rooms, restaurants and all common areas were super clean. There were 2 amazing pools with slides for kids and parents alike to enjoy. And just steps from the pool is a small staircase that leads straight to a secluded beach with warm water and incredible views. And they are all designed with your family in mind. With the all-inclusive package you can use the boogie boards and kayaks to enjoy the water courtesy of the resort. They also offer a shuttle that takes you to the sister resorts where you can enjoy pools with iguanas lounging near you in the sun, tennis, spa treatments, and golf (unlimited games— don’t tell my husband or I might lose him for multiple days). I toured other resorts in the city and found they too had similar amenities and each offered something unique and desirable. And this is all offered at an incredible rate! Mazatlán proved to be super affordable; which is awesome when you are trying to plan a vacation for a large family like mine. In fact, this is one of the most affordable beach towns in Mexico! The rooms were large and meant for families. Plus, I was quick to ask about a kid’s club for a night when the hubby and I could sneak away for a romantic dinner right on the beach. And of course, they have it! Gotta keep the fire alive even when traveling with 4 kids; we like to have a little getaway and time to ourselves too you know.

2. Food!  

Did you know Mazatlán is known as the shrimp capital OF THE WORLD? Since Mazatlán processes over 40 tons of shrimp every year, every restaurant you go to will likely have shrimp on the menu. And boy was I happy about that fact! I love shrimp and ate it in many of the wonderful dishes I enjoyed. However, I also tried new foods like machaca, which is a dried beef, and it blew my mind. I am from Southern California and have had some wonderful Mexican food in my life. However, the street food I enjoyed on one of my excursions in a small village outside of the city might have been the best Mexican food I have ever had. And if you haven’t had a good homemade horchata (rice/milk/cinnamon drink), I am sorry. I also had the first ceviche I have ever actually loved. I have always felt very “eh” about it, but here I went back for thirds because it was that good.

Because so much of the fishing and farming is done right there in the city and round about areas it is fresh and cheap. There is no importing the food thus making it more affordable and definitely adds freshness and deliciousness. Mazatlán is known internationally for it’s amazing cuisine.

3. Views and natural beauty:

From the moment I left the airport I was shocked at the scenery of the vast green surrounding me. I had always assumed Mexico was dry land and cactus; but it was more similar to a forest. Then I stepped onto my balcony and took in the amazing views of the ocean (12 miles of beaches) and city; it was then I knew Mazatlán would not disappoint. The natural beauty of the area is breathtaking and yet, somehow it has not been overtaken by crowds and maintains a lot of peace and tranquility. Many people who have visited and even live there are unaware of the mangrove forest around Stone Island right off the coast. We took a boat cruise to learn a little history of the area and explore the “jungles” there. We saw exotic birds and found a secluded beach where we swam in the warm surf all while a delicious, traditional meal of smoked fish, beans and rice was being prepared. Don’t let the simplicity of this meal fool you. It was scrummy.

Mazatlán also boasts having the tallest natural lighthouse in the world called El Faro. You can hike up to the peak and walk the new skywalk (glass bridge) where you enjoy magnificent views of the coastline, and take in the sprawling city below. Mazatlán is a unique city because it is definitely a beach town, but it has a laid-back vibe and is missing all the tourists you might find in similar destinations. On top of that it is rich in culture and history. Thus, giving you the best of both worlds. You don’t sacrifice one for the other when you vacation here.

4. Culture and history:

Like I mentioned before, you do not have to sacrifice the beach to take in “real Mexico”. Founded in 1571, Mazatlán is considered the only colonial city on the beach. The city has done an excellent job maintaining and restoring its historical district. Where there is a theater providing top live entertainment, excellent dining and tons of culture and architectural richness in the downtown area. There is also The Malecon, or boardwalk, which is one of the longest in the world! Walk, bike or enjoy a ride on the famous Mazatlán Pulmonias (open air golf cart taxis; which again as I watched these pass me I could only think about how much my kids would love a ride on one) and enjoy the more than 4 miles of boardwalk while taking in the coastline views,  and the amazing scenery surrounding it. I plan on trying out the large waterslide built into the ocean to be enjoyed during low tide. I mean, how cool is that?!

I would have liked more time in the newly remodeled historic district to take in the amazing cathedral and markets. The one evening I spent in the square reminded me of Europe (or at least New Orleans Square at Disneyland). I loved the colors, sounds, smells and lights. There were couples holding hands walking the streets and live music pouring from windows. It was beautiful, romantic and definitely a place I wish I had more time to explore and breath in the life.

5. Adventure:

For those who grow tired of lounging by the beach or pool, or maybe you have only one day on a cruise stop and are looking for an adventure, Mazatlán has this covered as well. Remember, I was riding solo here so I knew I had to take advantage of all the adventures I could without a baby in tow. Veraneando Adventure Tours will shuttle you from the Mazatlán cruise port or your hotel to the village where an adventurer’s paradise awaits. You can choose from a number of options which I will mention below. I chose an ATV ride that takes you to the base of the Sierra Madre mountains. You enjoy breathtaking views and stunning vistas all while riding on a rugged ATV ride. I loved this adventure; it was truly fun on wheels. I was a little nervous as I had never before ridden one of these and had no idea how to operate a manual clutch. But luckily, with good instruction, and good vehicles, it was easy as pie. I realized on my ride that under my mask I had a huge smile on my face for like 15 minutes straight. Then I had a good laugh at myself and kept on riding and smiling. It was an amazing way to take in the beautiful landscape and have fun doing it.

The other highlight of my adventure day was the zipline course. It included 12 ziplines and the scenery was astounding. One course took us over large cacti surrounded by blooming flowers. No real skill was involved and even the most timid members of our group were high fiving by the end. It was an amazing experience, and while it was my first time on a zipline course, I will guarantee it will NOT be my last! The tour also included lunch (remember the amazing meal I mentioned above…. This was it!) Legitimate, homemade, street Mexican food. I will dream about this meal I loved it so much! The tour ended with a glimpse of a tequila factory where samples were provided for those interested. And if you have someone in the group who has not had enough relaxation time, there are natural hot springs found here where you can lounge and enjoy. Great for the cooler winter weather or those from Canada looking to escape the snow.

Other optional activities Mazatlán has to offer include boat and kayak tours, a banana boat ride (which I think my family would love), parasailing, surfing, paddle boarding (a favorite of ours), and river rides. There is no shortage of fun to be found!

Mazatlán will make the best Mexico vacation with kids. There is a reason this city is known as the Pearl of the Pacific and you are missing out if you don’t find out for yourself. It’s a city full of charm, color, fun, and history all at an affordable price. Enjoy the beauty of the Mexican coast without the commotion, but with all the comfort. Take in the golden coast of Mazatlán. There is truly something for everyone!

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You can fly round trip directly from LAX to Mazatlan through American Airlines.

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Links to the companies I went through below:

El Cid El Moro Resort

Kind David Jungle Cruise

Veraneando Adventure Tours

Mazatlan