Mazatlan Pearl of the Pacific

Mazatlán, also known as the Pearl of the pacific, is located on the west coast of Mexico, directly across from the Baja California peninsula. “Mazatlán”- the name- means land of the deer in ancient Nahuatl, and it has a population of approximately 400,000. It is a resort destination with excellent accommodation facilities, golf courses, Marina, and anything else you could ask for. However, what sets Mazatlán apart from other destinations is the diversity of its economy and the cultural richness of the city: it is much more than a tourist destination.

Fishing and Agriculture are some of the most important economic activities in the region. This contributes to the freshness and delight of the local cuisine. Fishing in particular is an activity that attracts many foreigners to visit Mazatlán and participate in fishing tournaments- including a yearly catch-and –release tournament. In the past few years, Mazatlán has experienced a cultural transformation. The historic center of the city has undergone a restoration process featured by the Angela Peralta theater and the Plazuela Machado which host most of the cultural events. The Angela Peralta was built in 1860 and reopened its doors in 1992 after a five year restoration project. The theater neighbors the Municipal School of Arts on the Plazuela Machado- the main town square- which is lined by restaurants, cafes, and bars that are located in historic buildings. In 2001, the Mexican Federal Government declared the “Centro Historico” of Mazatlán as a Historic Monument site and a National Heritage site.

There are several yearly events in Mazatlán, but perhaps the most important – for which the city begins to prepare months in advance- is Carnaval. Carnaval has been celebrated since the 1800s when Mazatlán was no more than a small fishing village, and has grown into a series of parades, parties, firework presentations and concerts that take place during the month of February. http://www.carnavalmazatlan.net/ If you cannot visit Mazatlán in February, don’t worry, almost any other time of the year is just as inviting due to the warm and sunny weather, as well as the different cultural and sporting events (such as the annual marathon in November-December). It is only during the summer months, notably August, that the temperature is the highest and there can be heavy rainfall. Other than that, the weather offers perfect sunny days most everyday. If you have not traveled to Mazatlán yet, you must come to discover all that it has to offer. For further information on visiting and living in mazatlán please visit these helpful sites: maztravel.com, mazinfo.com, and pacificpearl.com

Real Estate

Mazatlán has experienced a construction boom in the past few years, especially towards the North of the city: on the Marina and along the northern beaches on what is becoming known as New Mazatlán. There are plenty of condominium towers and housing developments to choose from, and at least a dozen more are on the drawing board. You may find homes and condos from 100,000 USD to upwards of a million. Most of the new developments offer special pre-construction prices. The North end of the city is not the only area that would-be homeowners look to for property. The historical center of town, on the southern end also holds an important place in the Real Estate market, albeit a smaller one due to the size of the area. Ever since the center of town began to revive culturally, people became interested in buying and restoring the old heritage homes (or newer homes) for residential and commercial purposes. The beauty of this area is that it is walking distance from all the cultural events, the restaurants and bars of the Plazuela Machado, the city market and only a few blocks from the beach. Property on the surrounding hills has also become more popular as the revival of the center has opened the door to rediscovering the magnificent views of from the homes on Cerro de la Nevería ( ice box hill) and Cerro del Vigia.

Locals and foreigners live side by side in most neighborhoods in Mazatlán, although the ratios vary through out the city. Some of the nicest areas, which lie between the center of town and New Mazatlán are (from North to South):   Sabalo Country: This used to be an area populated mostly by Mexicans. However, it has become much more popular among foreigners (and therefore more of a mixed bag) in the last few years because it is one of the last residential areas in Mazatlán where new homes are being built and resales are available only a few blocks from the beach at very reasonable prices (3 bedroom homes typically from 110,000 USD to 400,000 USD).

It is mostly families who live in this area, as there is a school in this community. El Cid: Is a residential development built on a golf course and on a marina. It is a gated community with 24 hour security. The residents of El Cid are Mexican, American and Canadian, some of which live in Mazatlán full time and some live here part time. Some of the older homes and condos on the golf course sell from approximately $100,000 USD. However the larger houses on the golf course as well as the homes on the Marina have much higher prices starting from $250,000 USD and upwards. The Marina area has many lots available to build on, and there are new housing complexes and condominium complexes being built. El Dorado: El Dorado is next to El Cid, and is a predominantly Mexican neighborhood. There are nice homes in this quiet area, some of which are quite large and it is possible to find new 3 bedroom homes for approximately $150,000 dollars and up. Gaviotas and Lomas de Mazatlán: These areas are attractive because of their proximity to the Golden Zone. Prices are similar to El Dorado, and often lower because the homes are older. There are several schools and pre-schools in this area.   Estrella Del Mar: Another excellent and quiet option a few kilometers south of the city is this residential development built on a beautiful seaside golf course. There are many other residential areas in the city. Many of them quite nice and less expensive, but the ones mentioned above are the ones with the best locations. The neighborhoods and developments are quite different and the best thing to do is to visit them or enquire further about them to find which suits you best.