Guest Post by Sophia Boccard.
Over the last 10 years, Mazatlán has seen many incredible changes and a transformation from a city of laid-back surfers and timeshares to a city rich with culture, music, art and gastronomy. No longer would we allow Mazatlán to be pigeon-holed as a singular destination, but rather a city with beautiful depth. Mazatlán is revisiting its traditions and roots by wholly embracing the new with the old, thus creating a revival rich with juxtaposition.
History is consistently in preservation within the Historic Center; one of Mexico’s few operable 19th century theaters is Mazatlán’s neo-classical gem, the Angela Peralta Theater. Built in 1874 originally as an opera house, it went through many manifestations, such as a circus, a cantina, a cinema and a boxing arena. Today, incredible productions are performed at the landmark, and consist of anything from a ballet to a musical revival, proving that Mazatlan has established itself as a destination for high-quality acts.
Additionally, one of the oldest plazas in the city — the Plaza Machado – was built in 1837, and it’s a thriving cultural center today. Years of neglect caused the plaza — known as the heart of Mazatlan’s Historic Center – to fall into disrepair. In 2002, several organizations joined forces to enact the Historical Center Project to facilitate the restoration of the Plaza Machado. Today, visitors and locals alike can enjoy some of the finest sidewalk cafes, bars, art galleries and museums. Next, Mazatlán’s week-long Carnaval – which is considered the world’s third largest Carnival, after Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans – begins February 23, 2017. The sheer magnitude of the celebration has grown exponentially in the last 10 years; 300,000 visitors attended in 2006, and 750,000 people are expected this year. In 2018, Mazatlán’s Carnaval will celebrate 120 years, having been around since 1898.Finally, foodies and critics are making their way to Mazatlán to taste the city’s “new Mazatleca cuisine.” Mazatlán’s thriving food scene features flavors completely unique to the region, and an abundance of local produce lends itself to the farm-to-table craze. From the best street food tacos to spectacular fine dining, food is respected and revered in Mazatlán.
Mazatlán will always be our favorite place to be (we know, we’re biased!), and we’re passionate about sharing our home with others. Perhaps 2017 will be the year you add Mazatlan to your bucket list.
Tip: For accommodations in Mazatlan, try Casa Lucila Boutique Hotel.
Related: Mazatlan will host Mexico’s Tianguis Turistico in 2018