Explore the heart and soul of Mazatlan and be amazed by Mexico´s ancient culture and Post-Hispanic era. Your tour will begin by stopping at Vigia Hill for a perfect view of the world’s highest natural Lighthouse, offshore islands and Mazatlan’s scenic coast line. Then, ride through the city’s historic center for a visit to the 19th-century cathedral. Take a short drive to see the famous cliff divers. Next, enjoy a show at the Spectaculare Theatre, the history of Mexico with a semblance of Mayan rituals and their prophecies combined with the most representative folkloric dances. A complimentary drink will be offered at the show venue. After the show, you’ll have some free time to shop in the Golden Zone.

OVERVIEW

Ride an open-air trolley through Old Town and hop off at attractions where the city’s history comes to life. Being on the coast, Mazatlán has long revolved around the sea as you will discover at the Monument to the Fisherman, a statue by the large, multi-colored letters that spell “Mazatlán”. Nearby, you will see street vendors selling freshly caught shrimp and pause to watch daring cliff divers leap into the crashing ocean 50 feet below. Playa Olas Atlas – Mazatlán's Old beach front (not recommended to swim)– helped fuel its early tourism in the 1950s and is still a popular draw. Even so, Old Town’s attractions aren’t all water related. The trolley will also allow time for shopping and to visit the twin-spired 19th-century Immaculate Conception Cathedral. From Watchman’s Hill, you will see why the Spaniards found Mazatlán's natural harbor so appealing when they established a settlement there nearly 500 years ago.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride through Old Town on a trolley for an outstanding overview of Mazatlán.
• Drop by the Fisherman’s Monument and pass by the city’s Old Beachfront..
• Admire architectural treasures such as the 19th-century Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
• Watch cliff-divers perform death-defying leaps into the sea.
• Snap a selfie at the sign that spells “Mazatlán” in large colorful letters by the Fisherman´s Monument.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes and a hat.

A day of tranquility on the unspoiled Stone Island awaits you. Board a catamaran for a 25-minute cruise to Stone Island and pass by the Pacifico Brewery, the naval base and the fishing and shrimp fleet along the harbor. Upon arrival, you’ll be transported via a typical tractor-pulled cart, that will take you, on a bumpy ride, to the soft waves, and natural landscape which makes Stone Island an isolated and relaxed environment.

For nearly three hours you’re free to enjoy its unspoiled beaches that stretch for over 12 miles. For included optional activities, when available, you can take a relaxing trek atop a carriage pulled by horse or ride a horse while admiring the abundant palm trees cultivated by ejido farmers or just enjoy a swim in the clear Pacific Ocean.

An island style lunch of fish, chicken, quesadillas served with refried beans, Mexican rice, salad and Mexican sauces, is served in a rustic thatched roof restaurant. Beer, soft drinks, bottled water and domestic drinks are included.

Your tour begins with an interesting ride along Mazatlan’s oceanfront for a view of the lighthouse and offshore islands. Continue into the heart of the old downtown for a short visit to the imposing cathedral before a stop at a waterfront rocky promontory to view the brave cliff divers.

You’ll have time to browse or shop at the Golden Zone before heading for a resort for an afternoon of swimming, sunning and relaxing, where you’ll also enjoy a delightful lunch with a colorful Mexican folkloric show. Your escort will guide you to a place to change and show you where lunch will be served.

The return to your ship will be by taxi in groups of four.

Are you ready to try Mexican salsa, margaritas and learn how to dance the Salsa? Then this tour is for you. Upon arrival at one of Mazatlan’s beachfront resorts, you’ll learn the art of making the best Mazaritas “Mazatlan Margaritas” in town and experience a hands-on cooking class. You’ll learn about spices and make a variety of sassy salsas while snacking on fresh cheese quesadillas and chicken taquitos. After your cooking lesson, get ready for some real fun. A salsa instructor will show you step by step, the moves and swings of the salsa. By the end of the tour, you’ll be ready for the dance floor and armed with fantastic recipes. After the class, you’ll have the choice to relax on the beach, enjoy one of the hotel’s pools, or shop at the stores of the Golden Zone which is just a short stroll from the resort.

Your journey starts with a short "Auriga" ride, an open-air converted pick-up truck, to the city’s main square. Your walking tour begins at the site of the Post Office and the 19th-century Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Explore into the heart of the Historical Center of Mazatlán, strolling through its narrow streets, while your guide informs you about the area’s history and learn about old houses along the way. See where once the “Grand Hotel” was and now the House of Music. Visit the magnificent and recently restored to its original European style “Angela Peralta” Opera House, named in honor of the world-famous Mexican opera singer. Walking through these cobblestone streets, you´ll arrive to the Old beachfront called “Olas Altas” aligned with bars, coffee shops and restaurants. As you continue your way to a rocky promontory to watch the local cliff divers who jump into a scant 8 feet of water, you’ll learn about several monuments on this beach promenade.

Your walking tour ends at one of the local restaurants, where a complimentary refreshment and some salsa & chips will be served, before proceeding back to your ship. You have the option to return directly to your ship on a complimentary transportation or take a taxi at your own expense to the Golden Zone for some shopping. If you decide to go to the Golden Zone, it will be your responsibility to get back to your ship on time.

Enjoy a day of fun in the sun at one of Mazatlan’s most well-known beach resorts set right in the heart of the Golden Zone. Take an approximate 30-minute bus ride to the Golden Zone where your resort and all its amenities await. At the resort, your tour escort who will show you all the facilities that are yours to enjoy for the day, including the resort’s five swimming pools and beautiful beach. Learn about the myriad of optional activities that the resort has to offer. Enjoy two complimentary beverages and a delicious Mexican buffet lunch prepared by the resort’s chef.

If you would like to get the best view of all of Mazatlan, you’ll find it at this magnificent lighthouse, 515-feet (157 m) above sea level. This is the highest natural working lighthouse in the world and at night, light can be seen more than 30 miles out at sea. Your invigorating day starts when you board your transport for a five minute ride to the foot of El Creston hill, where the lighthouse is located. Soon after, your challenging hike will take you up the winding path to the world’s highest natural lighthouse.

If you’re a nature lover, don’t miss this opportunity to see iguanas, tropical birds, butterflies and some exotic varieties of cactus and flowers along the way. Arriving at the top, your reward is the stunning view, which includes the Pacific Ocean, your ship by the harbor below and miles of Mexican coastline to the south and north. You’ll have 25 minutes to relax, have a drink and take photos. Pass by the Historical Center before on the way back to your ship.

OVERVIEW

Watch a highly entertaining Lucha Libre wrestling show much like the flamboyant performances of the mid-20th century, the heyday of this classic Mexican sport. To prepare for the fun that follows, you can take advantage of the open margarita bar on arrival there and snacks at the venue. You can expect the performance that follows to be wild and woolly. Lucha Libre means “free fight,” although there are some rules to keep the fast-moving action from getting out of hand. Most luchadores wear colorful masks – even in public when not wrestling – that conjure up images of ancient Aztec warriors and spiritual figures. A wrestler that removes an opponent’s mask in the ring is instantly disqualified. The luchadores will execute high-flying aerial maneuvers throughout the show, moves similar to those in mixed martial arts. It will be easy to get caught up in the action, so feel free to cheer loud and long.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See a wild, gravity-defying performance by masked Lucha Libre wrestlers.
• Be awed by the wrestlers’ acrobatic, high-flying maneuvers.
• Enjoy the open margarita bar and traditional Mexican snacks at the venue.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing and a hat.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Spend hours relaxing however you please at the Shekinah Beach Club, a resort setting in northern Mazatlan that will seem worlds away. On the way there, you will ride past the popular Malecón promenade that hugs the coast and on into the Golden Zone, a bustling hub for shopping, dining and entertainment. The atmosphere at the beach resort is more refined and serene, which will encourage you to completely relax. You might lie back on a lounge chair and bask in the sun, ease into the refreshing infinity pool, and let the swirling waters of the jacuzzi soothe both body and soul. There is even a private adults-only pool with a temazcal sauna said to have healing benefits. If you are looking for more physical activity, you might join a game of volleyball. The sand court is right in front of the two restaurants where you will dine.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Take full advantage of the amenities at the Shekinah Beach Club.
• Enjoy the laidback atmosphere meant to soothe both body and soul.
• Swim in the pools, bask in the sun and relax in the jacuzzi.
• Dine on traditional Mexican dishes or another tasty option.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and biodegradable sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore the observatory atop Watchman’s Hill and the surprising number of attractions surrounding it. The views from the summit are spectacular, which is why the military initially chose the site as a lookout for pirate ships. It didn’t become an observatory until 1873, as you will learn while watching a short film on the history of Mazatlan. To reach the top, you will ride a railed funicular up the steep slope. The higher you go, the better the view. While you will be free to browse the observatory, there is plenty more to do at the summit. Birders will enjoy the El Nido aviary – home to dozens of indigenous birds – while plant lovers may gravitate toward the xeriscape garden of agaves and cacti. Both tequila and mezcal are made from agaves as you will discover in the distillery exhibit. As its name implies, the observatory’s SkyBar 360 is the place for a drink while taking in the panorama, before your Mexican snack at the garden terrace with a lighthouse view.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride a railed funicular to the observatory atop Watchman’s Hill.
• Enjoy the 360° views of Mazatlan and beyond from the summit.
• Browse the observatory, the aviary and the xeriscape garden.
• Relax over a drink at SkyBar 360, a setting that also offers sweeping views.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Learn more about tacos than you ever imagined during an all-you-can-eat taco party at a hacienda-style home in the historic district around Machado Square. The home offers a wonderfully relaxed setting to delve deep into the history of tacos as they are being prepared for your meal. Traditional Mexican music will be playing to set the fiesta-like tone for this immersion into the world of tacos. Now a staple, the taco is pre-Columbian creation being made by hand, you can sample as many varieties of tacos as you like. The options include ones made with corn mushrooms, pork rinds, shrimp and even prickly pear cactus. The go-with salsas will be just as varied. They typically range from a fresh tomato-based pico de gallo to a fiery tatemada, a salsa made with charred tomatoes and hot chili peppers.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Eat a variety of homemade tacos – as many as you care to – at a hacienda-style home.
• Learn about the history of tacos and how they became such a well-known staple.
• Watch tortillas being handmade and filled with your favorite ingredients for lunch.
• Sample handmade salsas that can be served alone or to complement your tacos.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.