Mazatlan: The wonderful

Mazatlan: The wonderful "Pacific Pearl"

Overview

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Mazatlan is a great place to go and relax. It is not as busy as Cancun nor Acapulco, but definitely a spot to enjoy the sun. Tours to Stone, Bird and/or Deer Island are a must, these are the best spots to really enjoy a dip in the ocean, do water sports and go seashell hunting. Don't miss a nice evening walk on the Malecón on Olas Altas Blvd. You can find really great restaurants for dining (check my dining journals), and I don't know if it was just luck or what, but I can honestly say I did not have a single bad dinner while in Mazatlan. Quick Tips: 1) Before you travel, log on to www.allaboutmazatlan.com or www.pacificpearl.com to get discount coupons that come in hand...Read More

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Mayan Sea Garden

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Hotel

Living room / kitchen area Photo - Mayan Sea Garden, Mazatlan, Mexico

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I had a one-bedroom one-bath unit on the 12th floor with a great ocean view (Not all units have ocean view so you might want to request it before travelling directly to the resort). The bedroom was a little small for my taste with a king size bed, the T.V.'s a little small as well, but the living room/dinning room area were very comfortable. The living room has two single pull out sofa beds. You have a partial kitchen with electric burners (you have to give them at least 10 minutes for them to heat up enough to boil water), a mini fridge, a sink and a cupboard, and of course kitchen utensils. Just make sure you don't buy too many perishables, as the mini fridge is truly mini, and it does not cool as w...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Mayan Sea Garden
Av. Sábalo Cerritos s/n
Mazatlan, Mexico 82100
+52 (669) 988-0045

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Mayan Sea Garden

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Hotel | "Mayan Sea Garden Mazatlan"

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Best Things Nearby:There is really nothing nearby the resort, you're best off renting a car or using taxis' if your wanting to go to the Golden Zone or the Downtown area. The resort is locted about 15 min. from the Zona Dorada, which is where most hotels, restaurants, shops and nightclubs are. I did enjoy the tranquility of the area, and since all the beaches in Mazatlan are public property, it less likely you'll find people who are not staying at the resort wandering on the beach, plus less people means more SEA SHELLS!!!! Best Things About the Resort:The resort has 2 pools, although the large one is definitely the best, with a nice waterfall at one end. I enjoyed the buffet ...Read More

Best Things Nearby:
There is really nothing nearby the resort, you're best off renting a car or using taxis' if your wanting to go to the Golden Zone or the Downtown area. The resort is locted about 15 min. from the Zona Dorada, which is where most hotels, restaurants, shops and nightclubs are. I did enjoy the tranquility of the area, and since all the beaches in Mazatlan are public property, it less likely you'll find people who are not staying at the resort wandering on the beach, plus less people means more SEA SHELLS!!!!

Best Things About the Resort:
The resort has 2 pools, although the large one is definitely the best, with a nice waterfall at one end. I enjoyed the buffet breakfast in the morning, and as a shop-aholic, the resort boutique had a midnight sale 30, 40 and 50% off, which I couldn't resist!!!! The pool area has a snack area where you can get a light bite to eat or a refreshing drink. Everyone is really nice and attentive, and although some of the sales reps are trying to get you to go to a timeshare presentation, they are not that pushy, so you really don't feel harassed. They have a good activities program which I really took advantage of. I participated in aquaerobics in the morning (11:00 a.m), during the afternoon they had card and dart tournaments for adults, beach volleyball, and games for children. The pool bingo was fun, and the person who called out false bingo got thrown into the pool (with the person's consent of course). Everyday, they'd set up a crafts center where young and old could pick a ceramic figure and paint it as you wished. They provide the paints and brushes for this and everyone can become an artist by making your own creation. The prices for the ceramic figures range based on size, very reasonable, and I found it to be a great way to relax even more, as well as have fun. The mini mart on site is VERY well stocked. You can find from eggs to licor, almost at the same prices as at a supermarket. There is a play center with a large screen T.V, dart boards and pool tables which were fun to have; and also a gym which I never went to see though.

Resort Experience:
The Mayan Sea Garden, formerly Vidafel Mazatlan, is rated as a Gold Crown resort, and although it is nice and comfortable, I personally believe it could use some work to really earn that rating. I saw a few problems, such as only one working elevator during my week long stay as the other was being repaired, better working A/C's, newer furniture, larger TVs, better working kitchen facilities; things that I consider as necessary to feel more than comfortable during my stay, but that at the end of the day, are not a first hand necessity. I saw some minor remodeling being done, which did not affect my stay at all, so it looks like the resort is trying to get its act together to really wear their Gold Crown status well. The Mayan Sea Garden wouldn't probably be my first choice on my next visit, but I wouldn't mind going back.

Unit Type: 1 Bedroom
Activities: Very Good
Amenities: Good
Unit Satisfaction: Fair
Family Friendliness: Good
Service: Good

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Mayan Sea Garden
Av. Sábalo Cerritos s/n
Mazatlan, Mexico 82100
+52 (669) 988-0045

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El Shrimp Bucket

Restaurant | "El Shrimp Bucket"

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El Shrimp Bucket is a great place for seafood. It is part of the Anderson's chain of restaurant's (Carlos N'Charlies, Carlos O'Brien, Sr. Frog's.) The food there is EXCELLENT!!! Per the restaurant's specialty (which you can garner through the restaurant's name), I asked for the shrimp platter which is for 2 people. It combines several pieces of jumbo shrimp prepared in different ways. I could not get enough of the coconut shrimp. They were GREAT!!!!

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

El Shrimp Bucket

Mazatlan, Mexico

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The Broadway Café

Restaurant

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The Broadway café is a very quaint and romántic place to dine, with live music in the evenings, set in a very 40's style ambiance. It is a wonderful place to experience with friends or your better half, as you dine with candle light, and it is very romantic. The food is extraordinary and the waiters and hostess are very attentive. The Land and Sea platter is amazing, and I truly recommend it, as well as the shrimp wrapped in chicken bathed in lobster sauce. Drinks are a little pricey, but if you accompany your meal with a nice bottle of wine, it really does the trick.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

The Broadway Café
Camaron Sabalo Ave.
Mazatlan, Mexico

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Los Arcos

Restaurant

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Los Arcos is a wonderful seafood restaurant which is actually a chain you can find in other states within Mexico. It is set in a very Mexican style ambiance and it was a great experience for me one evening in Mazatlan.

Prices are very reasonable, especially for seafood, and I highly recommend the clam chowder, which was excellent. Take advantage of the coupons found on www.pacificpearl.com or www.allaboutmazatlan.com and get a free drink with your meal.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Los Arcos
Avenue Camaron Sabalo
Mazatlan, Mexico

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Stone Island

Attraction | "Tour to Stone Island"

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You can tour Stone Island on your own, or go to one of the tourist modules on Camaron Sabalo Ave. (next to the Dairy Queen) and buy a tour package. They pick you up at your hotel at around 9am and take you to the marina to shove off towards Stone Island. The catamaran ride to Stone Island was great, though I don't know if I liked it better than the island itself. Once there you can do water sports like kayaking and snorkeling, ride the banana boat, etc. Normally two activities are included in the tour package you get, as well as lunch and domestic alcoholic drinks, although you might want to stick to beer (and the lunch is not all that great). One last tip, beware of the beach vendors that try to s...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Stone Island
Main Port
Mazatlan, Mexico

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Parasailing

Attraction

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The last time I had parasailed was about 10 years ago, so I had forgotten what a great experience it is. Make sure to take your camera up with you, cuz you're not gonna want to miss getting a shot of the beautiful view and keeping a printed reminder. During high season, you can pretty much find the guys with the parachutes anywhere on the beach, but during low season, you will usually find them on the beach in the area of the Zona Dorada.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Parasailing
Beach
Mazatlan, Mexico

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Valentino’s Disco Club

Attraction | "Valentino's"

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Valentino's is a great place to go dancing. Drinks are pretty much what they should be price wise. They play all types of music, but mainly it is a club scene. It is located in the area called "Fiesta Land" because right in the same vicinity, you'll find other bars, nightclubs and discos, so you can hop from one place to another.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Valentino’s Disco Club
Golden Zone
Mazatlan, Mexico

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Bora Bora

Attraction

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Bora Bora is a wild place!!!! People dance on anything they can stand on (chairs, tables, the bar, etc). It's more of a young scene, and has good music to dance to. It's an outdoor disco, so you can enjoy the evening breeze, although during the summer it tends to get very hot, so make sure you wear just enough clothes to feel comfortable. Bora Bora is also located in "Fiesta Land" and you can get discount coupons for the Bora Bora souvenir store on www.pacificpearl.com or www.allaboutmazatlan.com

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Bora Bora
Downtown Mazatlan
Mazatlan, Mexico

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Mr. Tony's

Attraction

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I went to three different places for drinks in the evening during my stay, and I have to say this was my favorite. It is a bar with live music where you can also get dinner like hamburgers and the like. Drinks and food are reasonably priced. I recommend the shrimp tacos. (Yummy!!!!) What I really enjoyed though was the live music. They have a different band every night from 8 to about 1:30 a.m. The band that played the evening that I was there, was really good (La Flaca). I only went 1 night, but every time I would go by there, I could see everyone having a good time.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Mr. Tony's
Camaron Sabalo Ave.
Mazatlan, Mexico

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Mexican Fiesta at El Cid

Attraction

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Well.... I've been to many Mexican Fiestas all over Mexico, and I must say this one was pretty good. First of all, it is located in the beautiful El Cid Mega Resort complex on Camaron Sabalo Ave. The cost of the ticket includes a buffet dinner and alcoholic beverages. It lasts about 3 hrs., and if you get there early, you can start having dinner before the show starts. The show starts off by having all the kiddies go up on stage and whack the heck out of a piñata filled with candy. You can also enjoy several of Mexico's regional dances and typical music which are very colorful.They also hold a Mexican style scream contest with people from the audience, which was very entertaining.

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on June 28, 2004

Mexican Fiesta at El Cid
El Cid Mega Resort
Mazatlan, Mexico

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Mazatlan: The wonderful "Pacific Pearl"