Tour Mazatlan’s Centro Historico – the Plazuela Machado
September 26, 2011
This is the first in a series of posts showing you around Mazatlán’s Centro Historico. Today I am going to show you the Plazuela Machado – which is truly the heart of Centro Historico. At the top of this post is a picture of the Casa Machado (circa 1846) – currently it houses several restaurants and stores on the main level and the Museo Casa Machado upstairs. You’ll see the view from the second floor a little further down the page.
I want to give you an overview of Centro before we get started. An aerial view is below. The area outlined in red is the general Centro area, and the fuschia is Centro Historico. This area was named a historic monument in 2001 and is protected under the supervision of INAH. (Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia) You can also see where the cruise ships and the shrimp and tuna fleet dock, Stone Island, the Baja Ferry, and some other landmarks.
The street map below shows the general Centro area with a circle around the Plazuela Machado.
This is the side view of the building that houses the Museo Casa Machado. The entrance is partway down the street. They are open from 10 – 6 daily and the fee is 20 pesos for adults and 10 for children and students. There is a 10 minute video on the history of Mazatlán and all the rooms are set up in period style. I recommend it! (UPDATE: this museum is now the very excellent restaurant Casa 46)Children’s bedroom – Museo Casa MachadoThe view of the Plazuela Machado from the Museo Casa MachadoThe upstairs patio at the Museo Casa Machado (Circa 1846). Can you imagine living here?Restaurants circle the Plazuela. On the weekend in the evening the streets are closed and tables and a stage for music are put in the street.There is always something going on here. Today there was a photography exhibit with a maritime theme.The kiosko in the Plazuela Machado.The kiosko in the Plazuela Machado many years ago. (Photo of a photo in the Museo Casa Machado)The Hotel Machado. This is a working hotel, and I believe it’s been recently redone.This side of the Plazuela isn’t wide awake yet!If you’re in the Plazuela, you can’t miss the Mazatlán Tourist Aide volunteers. Here, Alison and Ed are offering maps and advice to people who stop by.Centro Municipal de Artes at the Plazuela Machado. To attend the Tuesday Mazatlan Film & Theater showings, you will go right through the door by the man in the red shirt. This cobblestone area is pedestrian only.This is our beloved Angela Peralta Theater. It is a beautiful restored space that we are so lucky to have. Opera, dance, symphony, and other performances are well attended all year long.Angela Peralta, the “Mexican Nightingale” died in a yellow fever epidemic in Mazatlán in 1883.Cenaduria El Tunel – across from the Angela Peralta Theater. If you’d like a very nice, modestly priced cena (dinner) in a very old and traditional spot, I recommend El Tunel.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little tour of Mazatlán’s most historic plaza. There’s lots more to show you, so watch this space! I am making a new Category named Centro Historico Tour for this and the upcoming posts.
Great story, Nancy! We’ve been to Plazuela Machada a few times-love it there! We will have to try El Tunel. The night we ate there we went to Pedro y Lola. It was fabulous, very classy, and the food was excellent. There was an awesome blues band playing in our corner. Music, good food, lovely people-makes for a great evening.
Very touching tale about Angela Peralta. Our tour guide said she stepped out on the balcony, sang “La Paloma” for her fans, went back into the hotel and died.
If I had my choice of where to live in Mazatlan it would be El Centro.
Great Post Nancy and couldn’t have come at a better time for me as I will be flying in on Sunday Oct. 2nd arriving at 1pm. I will be sure to stop by with the tour guides to get some much needed info on the area. Thanks again!
Great tour & wonderful photos. Can you believe I did not know about the Museo Casa Machado. Somewhere between here and Olas Altas would be my choice of residence. Meanwhile I’ll just hang out on Stone Island aka Isla de la Piedra and often referred to by locals as the Isla.
Nancy — This is a great article. I know how much time needs to go into an artickle like this. In my stops at Mazatlan, I have yet to spend much time in Centro. I need to do that one of these days.
Reminds me of F’s and my vacation there during Semana Santa in 2011. We had a wonderful time. The only thing missing was meeting you all. Hope to do so next time.
Saludos,
Kim G
Boston, MA Where we have some nice photos of Mazatlán’s centro too.
Dianne
September 26, 2011GREAT series idea, Nancy! We sooooo need this kind of thing. Our city is gorgeous and rocks!
Paul
September 26, 2011What a great post!
Laura in Cancun
September 26, 2011Beautiful!!! It’s so well-preserved. The old buildings still look new!
Nancy
September 26, 2011Thanks guys! We love Centro! There will be a lot more coming, too!
Connie
September 26, 2011I have been to many places in Mexico, but never Mazatlan. Really enjoyed your tour and cannot wait to see more.
Marty
September 26, 2011Great story, Nancy! We’ve been to Plazuela Machada a few times-love it there! We will have to try El Tunel. The night we ate there we went to Pedro y Lola. It was fabulous, very classy, and the food was excellent. There was an awesome blues band playing in our corner. Music, good food, lovely people-makes for a great evening.
Very touching tale about Angela Peralta. Our tour guide said she stepped out on the balcony, sang “La Paloma” for her fans, went back into the hotel and died.
If I had my choice of where to live in Mazatlan it would be El Centro.
Chris
September 26, 2011Brings back memories…such a beautiful place. Always something interesting going on. Thanks!
judith
September 26, 2011Thank you for posting these gorgeous photos of the plazuela, Nancy. We are so lucky to be able to walk there every day!
Michael
September 27, 2011Great pictures of Mazatlan….looks like a beautiful place to live! Really enjoy seeing photos of where you live in Mexico.
Trinidad Garcia
September 27, 2011Great Post Nancy and couldn’t have come at a better time for me as I will be flying in on Sunday Oct. 2nd arriving at 1pm. I will be sure to stop by with the tour guides to get some much needed info on the area. Thanks again!
Contessa
September 27, 2011Great tour & wonderful photos. Can you believe I did not know about the Museo Casa Machado. Somewhere between here and Olas Altas would be my choice of residence. Meanwhile I’ll just hang out on Stone Island aka Isla de la Piedra and often referred to by locals as the Isla.
Steve Cotton
September 29, 2011Nancy — This is a great article. I know how much time needs to go into an artickle like this. In my stops at Mazatlan, I have yet to spend much time in Centro. I need to do that one of these days.
Nancy
September 29, 2011Thanks, Steve. Sometimes things come together quickly, and this was one of those ideas. Centro is wonderful, I’m sure you’d enjoy it!
Kim G
September 29, 2011Great Post!
Reminds me of F’s and my vacation there during Semana Santa in 2011. We had a wonderful time. The only thing missing was meeting you all. Hope to do so next time.
Saludos,
Kim G
Boston, MA
Where we have some nice photos of Mazatlán’s centro too.
Craig Zabransky
September 30, 2011Great photos, love old town in Mazatlan. Can’t wait to get back there.
stay adventurous, Craig
Nancy
October 1, 2011Kim, Yes, next time please give me a shout, it would be great to meet.
Craig, Thanks, you know we love old town, too! See you soon I hope.
Cabo
October 18, 2011Great pictures! The whole plaza looks wonderful. It looks like a really nice place to stay at a hotel and grab some food.