Mazatlan anybdy?

Gofirstclass

Gofirstclass

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Apr 20, 2010
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Tri Cities, WA
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GW and I are considering a trip to Mazatlan for our anniversary. I've been to Mexico a couple of times but never been there. We're looking at the Pueblo Bonita Emerald Bay Resort and Spa for our accommodations. pueblobonitoemeraldbay.com

Anyone familiar with what to do in Mazatlan or anyone familiar with that hotel?

I'd appreciate any info you share on places to go, things to see and do while down there, and any comments on the hotel.
 
If you go to the pyrimids get a taxi and go alone. Leave as early as possible as the tour busses show up at 10 or so and it like a mall on December 24. Set the price before you start out and get the taxi through your resort. So said some we know who went last year.
 
Be careful where you go off the resort. There was a travel advisory for that area but I'm not certain if it is still in effect. Things have quieted down in MX but anyplace near the border is still dangerous. I enjoy the Cancun area and I have never had any problems there. We have a time share valid at several resorts in MX but we have avoided Mazatlan due to the travel warning. Just be careful where you go off the resort and don't look like a wealthy american if you can help it. I would leave all the bling at home and keep cash to a minimum.
 
It does not sound like a relaxing vacation spot to me. But maybe it has changed ?
 
We drive to Baja each winter for 4 months, we go throught TJ and have never had any problems. As one person put it there are more people killed in LA than in TJ I never confirmed this. We feel safe here and the food is good, schotch is expensive but every thing else is less.
Do not travel at night is the only advice we ever got. Not because of bandids but because of animals on the road. Take the money you need for the day and carry a photo copy of your passport when off the resort. Get a spanish/english dictonary. If you need to ask a big question type it out on your lap top and convert it to spanish then get the front desk to print it for you. Most place do not take US money. Most banks will not convert US dollars to pesos. ATMs will give you a good rate. Tip 10 to 15%. Get small bills at the bank 20, 50, 100. ATMs give out 500 and the small shops and resteraunts have problems making change. When changing at the teller write down what you want. Give them 500 and write down 5X100 and so on get lots of 20ies as that is about $1.80 That makes a good tip around the resort.
Put on sun screen as it is hot and you will get sun burnt. We normally wear long pants and shirst when not in the water. I feel it is cooler.
They X-Ray all your bags entering and leaving the country. They will take your batteries if you carry them on the plane most times.
Have fun. drink bottled water.
 
I with KayKook and blaster on this one... not settled down enough in Mexico yet for a vacation.
 
We haven't been to Mazatlan, but we've been to Cancun once and Cabo twice. We won't ever go back to Cancun but really liked Cabo. Never felt uncomfortable unless it was because we ate too much of the good food. We just went to Cabo this past January, it's nice and the marina is something to be seen, a lot of money sitting it it.
I think Mazatlan is one of the places that does have some drug problems.
Our next trip that we're planning is either going to be Tahiti or the Cook Islands, with the Cook islands being the better bargain.
 
Amazing how fast plans can change. I read some of the travel advisories for MX and we changed our minds. We're heading to LAX & San Diego for a week. Plenty to do in both towns and less likely to end up in a ditch somewhere.
 
Gofirstclass said:
Amazing how fast plans can change. I read some of the travel advisories for MX and we changed our minds. We're heading to LAX & San Diego for a week. Plenty to do in both towns and less likely to end up in a ditch somewhere.
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We've owned a timeshare at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay since 2001 and we LOVE it! Been there at least 10x. The area is VERY safe and the resort is spectacular. There is a long private entrance and the entire property is guarded by security 24x7. It's a huge resort and they guard the outer perimeter on the outside of the fence and they are never in sight of the guests. The whole place is fenced but the fence is not visible anywhere. We bring our 9 & 11 year old boys and we've never had a concern at all. In fact, we own Week 52 which is New Year's week and we're headed back this year and taking my wife's family (her parents, 2 brothers and their families). Our nephew will be 11 mos. old by then....none of us would bring a baby if it was that bad. PB Emerald Bay is about 20 minutes north of the hotel zone (Zona Dorado) and the beach is huge and private and there aren't any of the trinket dealers pestering you all day. They have a free shuttle into town and there has never been an incident or a safety concern with the shuttle.

The fears about Mazatlan are completely overblown. Yes, there are drug cartels in the state of Sinaloa but they are not roaming the tourist areas and gunning down innocent people. A lot of ex-pats live in Maz and they are not getting killed. We were last there in 2010-2011 and I took the boys into Old Town by myself and I'm here to tell about it. There were armed guards driving the streets but The violence occurs in the small towns far from tourists. Drug violence in Mexico is a fact but it's no worse in Maz than anywhere else in Mexico.

Go and have a blast....I'm not a spa type of guy but that spa is amazing....love that place.

Here's the advisory for Mazatlan from the Dept of State....this is the same advisory as every other place in Mexico:

Sinaloa: Mazatlan is a major city/travel destination in Sinaloa: You should defer non-essential travel to the state of Sinaloa except the city of Mazatlan where you should exercise caution particularly late at night and in the early morning. One of Mexico's most powerful TCOs is based in the state of Sinaloa. With the exception of Ciudad Juarez, since 2006 more homicides have occurred in the state's capital city of Culiacan than in any other city in Mexico. Travel off the toll roads in remote areas of Sinaloa is especially dangerous and should be avoided. We recommend that any other travel in Mazatlan be limited to Zona Dorada and the historic town center, as well as direct routes to/from these locations and the airport.
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We spend 2 winter months in Mazatlan every year. Emerald Bay - Pueblo Bonito is a wonderful, beautiful place to stay and for a week or so is perfect. The disadvantage is that you are at the mercy of their 3 or 4 different eating choices - expensive and eventually boring. A shuttle runs to the original Pueblo Bonito hourly (free) at which point you can take the local busses (6 and 10 pesos) into different places in Mazatlan - ie: Plazuela Machada + good to great Mexican restuarants, Cathederal, old Mexico urban living.....Fresh market (square block of fresh (and sometimes disgusting looking) meats and food where nationals do a lot of their daily shopping. We stay near the local bus lines at the Marina El Cid (not quite as deluxe as Emerald Bay but much more convenient to other restuarants and transportation) where I can also get my 'boat fix' (marina-pleasure, fishing, cruising). No matter where in Mazatlan the beaches are beautiful and great for walking, the beer is cold and cheap, and the weather is warmer and breezy
 
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Ray 40 said:
The disadvantage is that you are at the mercy of their 3 or 4 different eating choices - expensive and eventually boring.
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Just a correction.... they have 5 restaurants and 2 deli's plus 4 bars. The food is actually fantastic now. It was mediocre when we bought there but they have stepped it.

They also have an all-inclusive plan that is very reasonably priced -- $60/day per person. That's worth it for the drinks alone. You can eat anything at any restaurant and get any drink at any bar...all included. It's not limited to watered down tap beer and the menu is the same whether or not you participate in the all-inclusive.
 
Cancun is some of the best beachfront you can find anywhere.

You want a romantic trip -- Le Blanc in Cancun for a week will spoil you to the 10th degree..
 
You guys are a bit too late with your info about that resort. We've already bought the tickets to LAX and reserved the rental car.
 
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