Mazatlán is a multi-faceted town. We have a huge shrimp fleet. We are the home of Pacifico Beer, Café Marino and Coppel. But tourism is a large part of what sustains the town, and part of those tourists are visitors from cruise ships that visit the port.
Usually on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday there are cruise ships in town. This month there are 24 cruise ships expected. That’s great, because for every cruise ship of 3,500 passengers, approximately 80% leave the ship to explore the city. Of those who visit, the average spent for the day is $80 USD. That adds up!
The cruise ships arrive in the early morning and people debark around 8 or 8:30. There are swarms of taxis and pulmonias at the terminal, offering basic transportation or full city tours. The taxis are the only vehicles allowed into the terminal because the cruise lines have deemed pulmonias unsafe since they don’t have seatbelts for the passengers. But most people wanting a taste of Mazatlán should try one if only to experience having your hair blown in the wind while driving along the malecon. It is great!
Today I ran up to the mall on an errand and took the pictures that accompany this post on my way home. You can see the cruise ships from a long ways away. The picture at the top I’ve marked with a few of the local landmarks. The middle one is a closeup of the cruise ships on the other side of downtown, and the one below is a two-fer. Two pulmonias filled with happy cruisers heading back to the ship after a day of fun!
Terry
November 4, 2009Nancy,
Great pictures of old town from the gold coast. I am glad that you labeled some of the different landmarks. I am always amazed to see that the cruise ships are taller than the steeples on the cathedral, which is a tall structure.
I will be in town for 2 weeks – is there anything suitcase sized that you need brought down that you can’t get down there?
Steve Cotton
November 4, 2009Your post could not be more timely. Guess what? I am coming to Mazatlan next week. On a cruise ship. I move to Mexico to take a cruise to Mexico.
Nancy
November 5, 2009Terry, Thank you so much for your offer to bring something! But I am heading to Mexico City this weekend and plan on getting a few things at the grocery store – kalamata olives, vegie sausages, gourmet sausages, real cheddar cheese. But I really appreciate the offer! Please let us know when you’re in town, it would be great to get together.
Steve, You’re cruising with a group of friends, right? Have you got a plan for how you’re going to spend your day? If you’d like to stop by we would love to meet you all… when are you here?
Jackie
November 7, 2009Why ride enclosed in a stuffy taxi when you could be in a pulmonia with the wind blowing your hair? They look like a fun way to see the town.
Zoe
November 10, 2009This was an especially interesting addition. My brother in law and wife (so TOTALLY anti cruise) are coming in here on Dec. 8, so fun to show them your site. Of course, where we are now, it appears the ships are in our back yard!! Nice to see your bright smile on the malecon the other day, amiga (y amigo, Pual. Zoe
Zoe
November 10, 2009Oops, PAUL…
PB Blog
December 22, 2009Hello Nancy, this is my first time visiting your blog and I have to say it’s really great! Your insights on living in Mazatlan are really fun and interesting to read about. Not to mention the photos. Seeing this great city from a citizen’s point of view is wonderful. Keep up the great work!
We also have a blog on Mexico travel and we often write about things to see and do in Mazatlan. Would love to have you do a post or maybe just reference your blog. Let us know what you think! 🙂
Alex
PB Blog
http://www.mypueblobonito.com
Nancy
December 27, 2009Alex, Thanks for coming by my blog! (And of course the compliments!) I wouldn’t be interested in doing a post for your site but if you have a list of Mazatlan links feel free to add a link to my site.
Let’s keep in touch!