Mazatlan

Once a well-kept secret among fishing enthusiasts, the small fishing village of Mazatlan has grown over the past 50 years into one of Mexico's principal resorts and the largest West Coast port facility between Los Angeles and the Panama Canal.

The port is built on a peninsula that juts into a natural harbor separating a large shrimp fleet and other boat traffic from the more than 10 miles of wide sandy beaches that extend northward along the coastal road. Its sheltered harbor is the meeting point for the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. The sea, known in Mexico as the Gulf of California, is famous for being the greatest fishing trap in the hemisphere, creating Mazatlan's image as a fisherman's dream.

What this bustling port offers is an absolutely superb winter season climate with mild to warm temperatures and virtually no rain from the end of October to June. Its beautiful beaches merge with waters that rarely get colder than 68 degrees F. or warmer than 75 degrees F. 

The most memorable feature of the town - home to about 500,000 friendly inhabitants - is the malecon, the combination sea wall, walkway, and avenue that winds around almost the entire city and puts about five miles of ocean beaches at your feet.

Each year since 1898, Mazatlan has hosted a carnaval, a five-day bash (just before Ash Wednesday) somewhat like New Orleans' Mardi Gras. As one of the country's most spectacular carnivals, with parades, floats, dancing, costumes, fireworks and satiric pageants, it is well attended, with hotel reservations usually made six months in advance.

Mazatlan's monthly bilingual newspaper, Pacific Pearl, is a handy guide to community events and activities of interest to visitors. Your hotel should have free copies available.