Travel Guide Mazatlán

Nicknamed the "Pearl of the Pacific", Mazatlán was founded in May 1531 by twenty-five Spaniards. In 1821, its port was considered to be the "first deep-water port" on the Mexican Pacific coast, making it once again a major commercial destination. Briefly occupied by American troops in 1847, it also saw its port stormed in 1864 by two French frigates: the Cordelliere and theAssas. It was not far from here that the Mexican resistance to Maximilian's regime (supported by Napoleon III's troops) won the decisive victory against the invader.This port city has been an important tourist destination since the 1960s, not only for all Mexicans from the north of the country, but also for Americans and Canadians from the west who come to spend the winter months here; it is visited by more than a million people each year. Located 21 km from the Tropic of Cancer, it has temperatures ranging from 22 to 27°C and, to top it all off, it has a 17 km long beach. Like all beach towns, everyone wants a piece of the beach, so the town stretches on and on. But don't be mistaken, it is above all a seaside town, and it is finally its vast and magnificent historical centre that deserves a visit, although the presence of the beach is an undeniable plus. Fishing (tuna and prawns in particular) is the main activity, the fish is then packed in boxes or distributed fresh throughout the country.