Mazatlán

Mazatlán is a Pacific city on the coast of Sinaloa in Mexico that spreads across a long bay with multiple beaches and a densely built historic core further inland. The harbor receives cargo ships and cruise vessels while residential neighborhoods and resort areas line the southern and northern coastal sections.

The city emerged in the early 19th century as a small fishing port and grew into an important trading hub after European merchants arrived. It became the state capital briefly in the mid-century before that function moved back to Culiacán.

The name comes from a Nahuatl word meaning land of the deer, while the cityscape divides between the old colonial center with plazas and churches and the modern beachfront zones. Families walk along the waterfront boardwalks and fishing boats return each morning with fresh catch to the harbor inlets.

The international airport sits about 20 kilometers (12 miles) south of the city center and offers regular connections to several Mexican cities and some destinations in the United States. Visitors will find lodging from simple hotels to beachfront resorts scattered across different neighborhoods.

A lighthouse from the 19th century rises on a rocky point and is still in operation to guide ships through the coastal waters. Climbing to the top offers an open view over the entire bay and the surrounding islands offshore.