Happy Holidays from Mazatlan
23 December 2007
Heather
Happy Holidays to everyone from Mazatlan!
Our southern crossing to Mazatlan was an absolute blast! We made the crossing with 3 or so other boats at the same time which made for some good camaraderie (over the VHF) and safety in numbers. Winds averaged 20 knots for the entire day which made for some fantastic sailing. Seas were a bit rolly the first few hours with 8ft waves on our port beam but those settled down by mid afternoon. By late evening the wind had died and we had to turn on the engine but we had managed to sail most of the distance so motoring through the night wasn't too disappointing.
We arrived here with mixed reviews from fellow cruisers, some raved about the city and others chose not to stay more than a few days. Within 24 hours we had decided we absolutely enjoyed what Mazatlan had to offer. Everyone at Marina Mazatlan has been fantastic, this has to be the friendliest marina we've been to yet. Mazatlan has 2 large marinas at the north end of town and a public anchorage at the south end of town. With the public anchorage downwind of the city's sewage treatment plant it was an easy decision for us to splurge and stay at a marina.
While we tend to avoid the touristy hotel zone we have been utilizing the city's excellent bus system to explore the area. Pulmonias are also a great transportation option. These are more expensive than the bus but they are more fun. They resemble open air jeeps about the size of a golf cart. Our favorite area is Old Mazatlan/Historic District as its full of culture .We absolutely enjoy walking the plazas and neighborhoods. This area of Mazatlan reminds us a lot of the neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Here plazas are lit up at night, musicians perform on corners and outdoor cafes offer great evening meals.
Wishing everyone a festive holiday season and a very Happy New Year!