Mazatlán is known for its beaches and entertainment, and entices visitors with popular attractions including Teodoro Mariscal Stadium and Mazatlán Aquarium.
Culiacán is loved for its restaurants, and entices visitors with popular attractions including Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Forum Culiacán Shopping Center.
When the beach is calling your name, you might want to head down to Olas Altas Beach, located 3.8 mi (6.1 km) from central Mazatlán. If you want to continue walking by the waves, head to Los Pinos Beach located nearby.
Plaza Machado is worth passing through for a few pics when in Centro Historico. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is full of friendly people and has lots of nice beaches.
If you can't wait to get to the beach, you might enjoy a trip to Witches Beach located 6.2 mi (10 km) from central Mazatlán. Enjoy the sunset by the shore at Cerritos Beach, Playa Brujas, and Punta Camaron Beach.
Experience a world beneath the ocean with a visit to Mazatlán Aquarium, located 1.8 mi (2.9 km) from central Mazatlán. Hotels.com travelers also say the area is full of friendly people and has lots of nice beaches. If you'd also like to explore some of the parks in Mazatlán, Hector Guillermo Pena Tamayo Park is a short walk away.
You can catch an event at Teodoro Mariscal Stadium, located 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from central Mazatlán.
If you think Teodoro Mariscal Stadium is cool, you also might like Mazatlán Stadium, located nearby.
"Everything was great from start to finish! The resort was beautiful, clean, and such a great place for families. There were always fun activities going on, and Carlos with the activities team was the best — super friendly, and made the experience even more enjoyable. The entire staff was amazing and always helpful and welcoming. We had a great time and would definitely come back!"
"The staff was so nice. My cousin and I had two different rooms right next to each other. They did NOT have a safe. BIG disappointment, especially since my cousin's American money was stolen out of her room where she hid it. We think it was the maid. We did not eat on the property so I couldn't tell people whether that was good or not. We ate breakfast across the street at Gus Gus for two weeks and the food and staff were EXCELLENT. We ate dinner there a couple nights too, and I can honestly say, the fish and other types of food were ALWAYS fresh, tasty, and prepared exactly as we requested them. Everything was great and convenient at this hotel. They just should NOT rent out rooms WITHOUT safes, especially since they have a THIEF amongst their staff."
"We stayed for 7 days and overall had a mixed experience.
The positives first: the bell staff was extremely welcoming, both check-in out were efficient, housekeeping staff was wonderful.
The housekeeper did an excellent job. The beds were very comfortable, the water pressure was good, and the AC kept the room cool. Elevator reliability and wait times were good. The hotel felt safe and secure. Room keycards limited access to only your assigned floor.
Unfortunately, several aspects of the experience were disappointing. Poolside service was very poor. During our entire stay, we were only approached twice to ask if we wanted anything. Communication was difficult as I speak very little Spanish and the majority of the pool staff and lifeguards spoke little or no English.
The lifeguards did not appear to enforce posted pool rules. There was visible algae growth around the edges of the pool. On May 3 the pool heat was turned off, which made the pool much less enjoyable.
Getting pool chairs was difficult. There were no chairs on the beach. Beach access was not as convenient as expected for a property marketed as a 5-star hotel.
The minibar fridge in our room did not keep anything cold. Friends reported the same issue.
Overall, while there were some excellent staff members and positive aspects to the stay, the inconsistent pool service, maintenance concerns, and lack of amenities expected from a 5-star property mean I would likely choose a different hotel for a future visit."
"I stayed at the Hotel Riu Emerald Bay with my fiancé for 8 days. Up until the 5th day, we were having an amazing vacation — but unfortunately our experience took a horrible turn.
While we were out, someone entered our room and stole $1,500 USD cash from my wallet, which was inside my purse and packed in my luggage. We didn’t realize it until the next day because we had stayed in the room that evening and didn’t go anywhere.
We immediately filed a report at the front lobby and were told to wait 48 hours for an outcome. The following day we followed up with Anna from Public Relations, who told us she could not give us any information because it was “confidential.” She did say we could wait in the lobby on checkout day since our flight was later that evening.
On checkout day, we spoke with management and eventually with the hotel director, Daniel, hoping to get answers or some type of resolution. Instead, we were told there was “no proof” the money existed and basically nothing could be done.
What makes this even more frustrating is that these rooms require a key card to enter, and the doors lock automatically when you leave. Unless someone climbed through the balcony, access should only be possible with authorized entry.
And honestly, even if guests choose not to use the safe provided in the room, that still does not justify people being able to enter your room and steal your money or valuable belongings. Guests should feel safe leaving their personal items in their room"
Dreams Estrella del Mar Mazatlan Golf & Spa Resort - All Inclusive
6/10 Okay
"The resort overall is ok. They have a really high security. If you leave the resort they can call you a taxi and everyone that comes in they have 2 check points where they take their car plates and names and who are they taking from the resort and where are they heading to.
The resort is very close to the airport 15 minutes but to actually get to visit Mazatlán is about 40 minutes away and the taxi is $70. Because they know all this their shopping center prices are high.
The rooms are clean and the spacious shower is amazing. Room service is very fast but they don’t restock the minibar daily.
Breakfast is always at the buffet and they have a good variation of foods.
Now the restaurants who knows what is going to be open? They have Italian, Asian, Mexican, buffet as option but even if they say something will be open that they it might be not. They are good about asking about the allergy and the service is nice. Portion are on a smaller size but that gives you room to try multiple menu item.
They have entertainment every night which is nice for the kids. Their play are for kids is open 2:00pm to 4:00pm when I feel like most of the kids are taking a nap after the pool. Also not a lot of entertainment in that room( they have an Xbox and a few machines that are broken).
The pool is nice and they do clean it every day. Towels are a problem sometimes. Food at the pool includes nachos, pizza, burgers,hot dog.
Very bad selection in alcohol quality unless you are a premium memb."