This booming resort town is rapidly expanding along the coast of
the Mexican state of
Sinaloa. As a major commercial fishing port it boasts Mexico's largest shrimp fleet and superlative sports-fishing. Mazatlan, "The Pacific Pearl", has a life of its own, with an old town atmosphere sitting by a headland which firmly separates harbor and tourist activities. Its position due east of the southern tip of Baja California, at the confluence of the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, endows it with warm waters, a constantly balmy climate and abundant year-round shoals of marlin and sailfish.
Description
The first settlers in Mazatlan werent permanent but nomadic Amerindian tribes that traded with the Aztecs at some point. The Aztecs were the ones who gave the place its name Mazatl, meaning place of deer. The Spanish settled some years after the conquest and founded a port from where trading ships were dispatched to and from Asia and Europe. The 19th century brought German and French immigrants attracted by the gold fever in the Californias. After the Mexican Revolution the port activity grew and it wasnt till the early 60s when the tourist activity started.
Mazatlan distinguishes itself from the rest of the Mexican
beach destinations
because of its rich history, and because it
is a city
concerned about itself and its culture. This
extraordinary
combination of beautiful beaches, awesome natural attractions and luxurious hotels, together with a truly preserved historical center, a variety of cultural events and the warm hospitality of its people gives Mazatlan a unique balance of colonial-like atmosphere and golden beaches.
The Pacific Pearl has a modern and progressive face: it is the second port city in Mexico because of its size, after Acapulco, and the second because of its port activity, after Veracruz. It also bears the biggest shrimp fleet in Mexico, thus acquiring its second nickname, the Shrimp Capital.
Traditions
Mazatlans inhabitants life pleasantly goes by among great celebrations such as the Mazatlan Carnival, considered the third one in the hemisphere, the local baseball team Venados (deer) matches and their passionate fans, the bullfights and the callejoneadas, public parties on the streets to which everyone is invited. More than a tourist, in your Mazatlan vacations you will be an endeared neighbor during your stay.
So if you want to find all the best of Mexico in one place, get to know the history and culture of a colonial-style city, and at the same time spend a matchless vacation in the beach, you just have to visit Mazatlan, because Mazatlan has it all!
Fishing Mexico 
