Traveling to Mexico Again in 2008
Camping and Touring in and around Mazatlan
For pictures of Historic District of Mazatlan click here
We are now in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. 81 days and 3600 miles into our journey.
Going back the dirt road to the toll road out of the Celestino campground was slow and bumpy. At one place Alfie and Willie formed a V the dip was so bad. Once on Mexico 15D it was easier driving - excellent road. And only one toll booth but expensive - US$20. Passed from the Tropic of Cancer into the Tropics as we drove south.
Got off 15D at the Playas Mazatlan exit. It sneaks up on you fast and doesn’t look like an exit until you are right where you have to leave the highway. You exit on to a stretch of gravel road then immediately come to construction. From there almost to the first circle the road is a very narrow two-lane (if it’s only a car coming towards you) newly paved black top road. Eventually it will be a nice four-lane road. When a truck came Bill just stopped until he was past us.
Found Las Jaibas RV Park with no problems. I had read that the Wi-fi only worked in the front of the park not in the back where the big spaces are. The manager told Bill the Wi-fi worked in back too, in fact told him there were two wireless systems that ran in the park. The spaces in the back are quite large with cement patios. We have 30 amps, water and sewer. I managed to get on-line for about 60 seconds - once. It says Connected but No Signal - now that’s helpful. There is a desk with a plug in the office and going on line there is easy. The Wi-fi is very fast. Can also sit outside and go on line.
After we got settled in we took off in Willie and went out to eat. Bill wanted a steak. Found a neat steakhouse the manager was from Orange County, CA. Had a good meal then on to Wal*Mart. Also saw a Sam's Club, Home Depot, and an Office Depot. Always need a couple of things and we needed to go to an ATM. Peso is up to 14 to 1 now.
We can walk across the street and down the beach to one of the restaurants in one of the hotels for meals, there is also a little restaurant at the RV Park. We went to the Zona Dorado (Golden Zone) where all the shopping is and walked around for awhile. Years ago a cruise ship brought us here and we took a tour, one of the stops on the tour trolley was this shopping area. There were a lot more shops here then, now half of them are closed and the rest all sell the same items.
Going back the dirt road to the toll road out of the Celestino campground was slow and bumpy. At one place Alfie and Willie formed a V the dip was so bad. Once on Mexico 15D it was easier driving - excellent road. And only one toll booth but expensive - US$20. Passed from the Tropic of Cancer into the Tropics as we drove south.
Got off 15D at the Playas Mazatlan exit. It sneaks up on you fast and doesn’t look like an exit until you are right where you have to leave the highway. You exit on to a stretch of gravel road then immediately come to construction. From there almost to the first circle the road is a very narrow two-lane (if it’s only a car coming towards you) newly paved black top road. Eventually it will be a nice four-lane road. When a truck came Bill just stopped until he was past us.
Found Las Jaibas RV Park with no problems. I had read that the Wi-fi only worked in the front of the park not in the back where the big spaces are. The manager told Bill the Wi-fi worked in back too, in fact told him there were two wireless systems that ran in the park. The spaces in the back are quite large with cement patios. We have 30 amps, water and sewer. I managed to get on-line for about 60 seconds - once. It says Connected but No Signal - now that’s helpful. There is a desk with a plug in the office and going on line there is easy. The Wi-fi is very fast. Can also sit outside and go on line.
After we got settled in we took off in Willie and went out to eat. Bill wanted a steak. Found a neat steakhouse the manager was from Orange County, CA. Had a good meal then on to Wal*Mart. Also saw a Sam's Club, Home Depot, and an Office Depot. Always need a couple of things and we needed to go to an ATM. Peso is up to 14 to 1 now.
We can walk across the street and down the beach to one of the restaurants in one of the hotels for meals, there is also a little restaurant at the RV Park. We went to the Zona Dorado (Golden Zone) where all the shopping is and walked around for awhile. Years ago a cruise ship brought us here and we took a tour, one of the stops on the tour trolley was this shopping area. There were a lot more shops here then, now half of them are closed and the rest all sell the same items.
We’ve also been exploring the older historic part of the city. Really neat place with the old churches, buildings and plazas but with very narrow streets. Have to really pay attention when driving as most of the streets are one way. The arrows indicating the direction of traffic are painted on the side of the corner buildings. Sometimes they are very hard to find and/or to see. At unmarked intersections the first person to honk when approaching has the right of way.
Many of the buildings have been restored to their original grandeur by North Americans and Mexicans from the Interior who have moved there. One section we drove through had a lot of homes that had ceramic tile exteriors. Different colors and designs, quite pretty. Most of the homes that are two-stories have wrought iron balconies in front of the upper windows. And almost all of them had wrought iron grills covering the street level windows and doors.
Tucked in amongst the homes are tiny stores selling everything from pastry to mops and meats. Most are only about 12 feet wide, but they are long. When you look inside you usually can’t see to the back because there is very little in the way of lights. The stores that were still closed had metal rolling shutters closing them off.
A couple streets in the areas around schools had the old style topes - half buried metal balls. They are ROUGH to go over and don’t seem to be used any more in the newer areas.
We found the big Cathedral and its accompanying plaza with gazebo. The church has a very interesting herringbone tile design in its entrance. Did not go in as I had on shorts. The gazebo was built up high and underneath of it was a restaurant. Lots people sitting around on the green wrought iron benches just watching the people passing by and reading their papers.
The plants and trees are beginning to be more tropical. Lots of palms, banana type trees and beautiful plants. Lots of color.
After leaving that plaza and driving around some more we discovered another huge church. But it looked like it was abandoned! At one time it was white with turquoise trim but now most of the paint has worn off. On the front wall were two high windows. The paint had worn away in streaks beneath it’s two front windows giving the impression that the church was crying. It still had its bells in the towers but there was graffiti all over it. How sad.
We drove back to the Plaza Machado where all the outdoor cafes were, parked and had lunch. Mazatlan is a great city to just explore.
Many of the buildings have been restored to their original grandeur by North Americans and Mexicans from the Interior who have moved there. One section we drove through had a lot of homes that had ceramic tile exteriors. Different colors and designs, quite pretty. Most of the homes that are two-stories have wrought iron balconies in front of the upper windows. And almost all of them had wrought iron grills covering the street level windows and doors.
Tucked in amongst the homes are tiny stores selling everything from pastry to mops and meats. Most are only about 12 feet wide, but they are long. When you look inside you usually can’t see to the back because there is very little in the way of lights. The stores that were still closed had metal rolling shutters closing them off.
A couple streets in the areas around schools had the old style topes - half buried metal balls. They are ROUGH to go over and don’t seem to be used any more in the newer areas.
We found the big Cathedral and its accompanying plaza with gazebo. The church has a very interesting herringbone tile design in its entrance. Did not go in as I had on shorts. The gazebo was built up high and underneath of it was a restaurant. Lots people sitting around on the green wrought iron benches just watching the people passing by and reading their papers.
The plants and trees are beginning to be more tropical. Lots of palms, banana type trees and beautiful plants. Lots of color.
After leaving that plaza and driving around some more we discovered another huge church. But it looked like it was abandoned! At one time it was white with turquoise trim but now most of the paint has worn off. On the front wall were two high windows. The paint had worn away in streaks beneath it’s two front windows giving the impression that the church was crying. It still had its bells in the towers but there was graffiti all over it. How sad.
We drove back to the Plaza Machado where all the outdoor cafes were, parked and had lunch. Mazatlan is a great city to just explore.
Had another couple of interesting days. The cruise ships are in Mazatlan on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday so all kinds of things happen then.
I saw in one of the flyers I picked up that the Voladores de Papantla (Papantla Fliers) put on shows here. We saw them years ago in Mexico City. Five men dressed like “exotic birds” climb a pole 105 feet high then one stays on top while the other four fly around the pole with a rope attached to their ankle. The pole revolves and the men eventually unwind right to the ground. Any way we kept asking around - “Where are the Voladores?” Finally someone knew and told us they perform in the Zona Dorada on the days the cruise ships are in - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
We also discovered that ONLY the cruise ship tours can watch the performance. You cannot buy tickets to watch. But…After Bill talked to security we found out that we could stand in one of the little shops that had a good view of the stage and pole and watch the whole show. So we did just that.
The show was interesting, in fact it was more than we thought we were going to see. There were Folklorico dancers, some dancers doing Latin dancing to promote Carnival, the Danza del Venado (Stag Dance) this dance is the state dance of Sonora and is featured on their license plates. Also a rope twirling demonstration by a Charro (who was a boy of about 14.) And then something I’ve never seen before and don’t know the name of. Four men climb on a wooden structure that then spins like a ferris wheel. Finally the Voladores. But here because of space restraints the pole was only 60 feet high. Still spectacular. Glad we got to stay.
I saw in one of the flyers I picked up that the Voladores de Papantla (Papantla Fliers) put on shows here. We saw them years ago in Mexico City. Five men dressed like “exotic birds” climb a pole 105 feet high then one stays on top while the other four fly around the pole with a rope attached to their ankle. The pole revolves and the men eventually unwind right to the ground. Any way we kept asking around - “Where are the Voladores?” Finally someone knew and told us they perform in the Zona Dorada on the days the cruise ships are in - Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
We also discovered that ONLY the cruise ship tours can watch the performance. You cannot buy tickets to watch. But…After Bill talked to security we found out that we could stand in one of the little shops that had a good view of the stage and pole and watch the whole show. So we did just that.
The show was interesting, in fact it was more than we thought we were going to see. There were Folklorico dancers, some dancers doing Latin dancing to promote Carnival, the Danza del Venado (Stag Dance) this dance is the state dance of Sonora and is featured on their license plates. Also a rope twirling demonstration by a Charro (who was a boy of about 14.) And then something I’ve never seen before and don’t know the name of. Four men climb on a wooden structure that then spins like a ferris wheel. Finally the Voladores. But here because of space restraints the pole was only 60 feet high. Still spectacular. Glad we got to stay.
The next day we were driving around and I mentioned “I wonder if the divers dive when the cruise ships are in?” So Bill headed out to the platform. Got there just as two young men were getting ready to dive. One after the other they dove. Then swam to the rocks and started climbing the rocks to do it again. They don’t get paid just do it for tips. And when they dove this time it was low tide. We could see the rocks through the water.
Then we went to Applebee’s, yes Applebee’s, for late lunch. Would not recommend it. Just okay.
Our air conditioner has stopped working. The compressor is gone. It is now in a shop being rebuilt and won’t be ready until at the earliest next week. And the weather has been getting warmer - got up to 90 yesterday and it is only the beginning of February.
Then we went to Applebee’s, yes Applebee’s, for late lunch. Would not recommend it. Just okay.
Our air conditioner has stopped working. The compressor is gone. It is now in a shop being rebuilt and won’t be ready until at the earliest next week. And the weather has been getting warmer - got up to 90 yesterday and it is only the beginning of February.
We ended up spending a total of three weeks in wonderful Mazatlan. Both of us have decided that if we were going to move to Mexico that would be where we’d move. It is a very modern, clean and friendly city. In fact one day we stopped and looked at a condo right on the marina. Very, very nice place. Only 20 condos in the building. Seemed to be pretty well built. Two bedrooms, two baths, all built in appliances in kitchens, four air conditioners. Pretty roomy 1700 square feet. US$300,000. We were just curious not interested. But this would be a nice place to spend winters.
Our air conditioner was repaired and works better than it ever did. We also had the spoiler removed from the front of the Alfa and the dings and nicks in the fiberglass in the front repaired. Both jobs were done very professionally and much cheaper than it would cost in the U.S.
One day we drove down the free road to visit the town of Rosario. It was a nice drive there. Through lots of farming land. Tomatoes, corn, agave and napole (cactus). And many many mango orchards. Checked out the church in Rosario. Nice but new - It was built in 1933. Has an impressive altar though. All carved and gold painted. Drove around the town but didn’t stop any where else.
One night we ate dinner at an outdoor restaurant - nice ambiance. Good food. Then walked around and looked at the ticky-tackys near by. Bought a magnet in the shape of the little taxies. They are called pulmonias which translates to pneumonia. Bill thinks that is pretty funny. Guess they could get pretty cold riding around in them.
Carnival started Feb 19th. Mostly the festivities were along the Malecon - boardwalk- in the older section of the city. We were impressed with all the set up that was going on. Tents, viewing platforms, band stages and portable bathrooms. Gates were put up to keep the cars out and to keep the revelers from the neighborhoods. The rest of the city was pretty much unaffected.
Friday night, the 2nd night of Carnival, in the late afternoon, we drove to the Historic District to the plaza we had visited before. To our surprise it was completely blocked off with tables and chairs from all the restaurants in the street. Decided to stay for the evening, found a parking lot and left Willie. Walking back to the plaza to have dinner we found the surrounding streets packed with vendors selling everything from jewelry to candy apples. There were bands playing at the gazebo. We continued to walk around until we found the central market. I love the central markets, they are so interesting to us Gringos. Lots of produce, meat and all kinds of clothing and toys for sale. This market was exceptionally clean and organized. Returned to Machado Plaza for dinner. Very enjoyable evening. Lots of music and interesting people watching. Where we were the celebrating was more family orientated then right on the beach where it was more boisterous.
Come Saturday a.m. we packed up and drove away from Mazatlan. We will miss it and heartily recommend it for any one thinking about traveling or visiting in Mexico.
Our air conditioner was repaired and works better than it ever did. We also had the spoiler removed from the front of the Alfa and the dings and nicks in the fiberglass in the front repaired. Both jobs were done very professionally and much cheaper than it would cost in the U.S.
One day we drove down the free road to visit the town of Rosario. It was a nice drive there. Through lots of farming land. Tomatoes, corn, agave and napole (cactus). And many many mango orchards. Checked out the church in Rosario. Nice but new - It was built in 1933. Has an impressive altar though. All carved and gold painted. Drove around the town but didn’t stop any where else.
One night we ate dinner at an outdoor restaurant - nice ambiance. Good food. Then walked around and looked at the ticky-tackys near by. Bought a magnet in the shape of the little taxies. They are called pulmonias which translates to pneumonia. Bill thinks that is pretty funny. Guess they could get pretty cold riding around in them.
Carnival started Feb 19th. Mostly the festivities were along the Malecon - boardwalk- in the older section of the city. We were impressed with all the set up that was going on. Tents, viewing platforms, band stages and portable bathrooms. Gates were put up to keep the cars out and to keep the revelers from the neighborhoods. The rest of the city was pretty much unaffected.
Friday night, the 2nd night of Carnival, in the late afternoon, we drove to the Historic District to the plaza we had visited before. To our surprise it was completely blocked off with tables and chairs from all the restaurants in the street. Decided to stay for the evening, found a parking lot and left Willie. Walking back to the plaza to have dinner we found the surrounding streets packed with vendors selling everything from jewelry to candy apples. There were bands playing at the gazebo. We continued to walk around until we found the central market. I love the central markets, they are so interesting to us Gringos. Lots of produce, meat and all kinds of clothing and toys for sale. This market was exceptionally clean and organized. Returned to Machado Plaza for dinner. Very enjoyable evening. Lots of music and interesting people watching. Where we were the celebrating was more family orientated then right on the beach where it was more boisterous.
Come Saturday a.m. we packed up and drove away from Mazatlan. We will miss it and heartily recommend it for any one thinking about traveling or visiting in Mexico.
For pictures of lovely Mazatlan Click Here