Mazatlan Beach Hopping

One of the greatest attractions in Mazatlan is the opportunity to enjoy the beach and soak up the tropical sun. While in Mazatlan, you will have numerous beaches from which to choose. Whether you want to focus your vacation on one particular beach or sample all of the beaches in the local area, you are certain to find a variety of beach settings to suit your tastes.

The beaches along the coast near Mazatlan offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sun as well as the surf. Other popular activities at many of the local beaches include wind surfing, body boarding and skimboarding. If you want to take a sailboat ride or even go parasailing it is usually quite easy to find someone willing to hire out. Many beaches in the Mazatlan area also feature quaint and charming sidewalk cafes where you can have lunch or simply soak up the tropical atmosphere.

Playa Norte offers an expansive strip of clean white beach that stretches along the coast for about three miles. This beach is quite popular with the locals; however, it is usually not that crowded. The waves break gradually and gently on calm days. Near the far north end of the beach, near Valentino's Disco, visitors will find excellent spots on the rocks for casting your line and fishing, a quiet and easy way to spend an afternoon.

Playa Camaron and Playa Gaviotas provide gorgeous strips of crystal sands, gentle rolling waves and breathtaking sunsets. Playa Camaron and Playa Gaviotas represent two of the most popular beaches in the area, with the most popular, and crowded section of the beach beginning around the El Cid Mega Resort area.

Playa Olas Atlas begins near the malecon or seawall and was actually the first tourist beach in the area. The name of the beach means big waves and this is readily visible based on the large number of surfers that descend on the beach during the summer. This beach offers the perfect spot to catch the waves, watch the surfers or relax at one of the nearby sidewalk cafes.

Playa Brujas and Cerritos- two of the most relaxing and isolated beaches in the area. Enjoy open air restaurants as well as horseback riding on these gorgeous beaches. Also an excellent place to simply soak up some sun.

Isla de la Piedra, also known as Stone Island, offers what is perhaps one of the best beaches in Mazatlan. Visitors can take a five minute boat trip to reach the island, which is surprisingly less crowded than many of the other local beaches. Visitors can take a taxi to the ferry, located near the cruise ship docks, and travel to the island from there. A variety of activities are offered on the beach, all beneath the soothing fronds of tropical palm trees. Whether you want to swim, surf or simply soak up the sun, the beach on Isla de la Piedra offers the perfect place to enjoy a tropical beach setting.