r/Mazatlan • u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 • 15d ago

Need Help How is Mazatlan at the moment?

It's my first trip to Mexico and I'm wondering what the safety situation is right now at Mazatlan. I'm aware of the ongoing cartel war and Im wondering if I should hold off my trip until the violence dies down. Me and my buddy are mainly interested in checking out the beaches, interacting with the local and exploring the city and definitely checking out nightlife especially along the golden zone.

We'll be at Mazatlan at the last week of November and will be staying there for a week.

I'm Filipino / Canadian -mid 30's while he is Indo / Canadian -late 20's

11 Upvotes

69% Upvoted

50 comments sorted by

9

u/cabowabo510 15d ago

I just came back last week everything was fine i stayed at the Holiday Inn

2

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 15d ago

We're still looking for places to stay at. Nothing fancy because we'll be out and about. Any reco??

3

u/cabowabo510 15d ago

go on the app hoteltnight you will find awesome deals

3

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 15d ago

Will do thanks for the tip đŸ‘đŸœ

1

u/Ap701 14d ago

I went solo in july for a few days and stayed at the doubletree hilton hotel. It was a pretty nice hotel with ocean views. It probably wasnt smart of me going out so much and meeting with a girl i met out there but i stayed vigilant and kept ny mouth shut and nothing happened

1

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

Ngl, my buddy and I might end up doing the same thing lol

1

u/Srbond 11d ago

How was the beach? Was it closed due to the high tides?

4

u/anarpi Unas chelas? 15d ago

Its fine, come and enjoy

3

u/Gatocatgato 15d ago

Just went. I was super nervous. It was great. No issues. Awesome weather food and people.

2

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

Amazing, my colleague told me its a palce mexicans go to for vacation. Im trying to stay away from commercialized resort towns for my first visit hence why I picked this one. Any must places to check out?

1

u/Adventurous_Lab4249 14d ago

The aquarium is beautiful, and from what i recall the guide said it was the largest in Latin America. If you can, take a ferry out to deer island too. El centro is beautiful as well, and thats where the market is.

Youre spot on as well, people in mexico go there to vacation. You'll see plenty of Mexican tourists alongside other nationalities. There are a ton of hotels to choose from in all price ranges.

And if youre worried about safety, there is a pretty large police presence. Its a slight culture shock because they have rifles and car mounted guns though lol

1

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

I grew up in Philippines for the first half of my life so Im used to it. Our mall guards are armed with shotguns and my buddy has been to Philippines as well and have seen the ugly side of it as well. He adapts well

3

u/Actual_Result_7648 15d ago

Here right now, feels pretty safe, lots of army guys around. Downside is the beach, is rough.

1

u/alexsintrabajo 14d ago

Wdym about the beach?

1

u/Actual_Result_7648 14d ago

It has been closed for the past couple of days due to rough waves.

5

u/Geaston123 15d ago

It’ll be fine. Random stuff is extremely rare. The war is real and might be wrapping up, but it is all targeted. Don’t be a target. I’ve been in Mazatlan for 5 years.

1

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

We'll try our best to be incognito. We do want to get back home in one piece

3

u/Geaston123 14d ago

Spend a night in centro. Check out playa bruja. Mazatlan has a lot. Enjoy.

1

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

Any must visits?? - i'll be there for a week

2

u/CurrentCar2331 15d ago

stay out of red dragon

0

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 15d ago

Is it a cartel hide out?

1

u/CurrentCar2331 15d ago

its a dangerous strip club for foreigners. I wouldnt be surprised if it had cartel ties.

1

u/anarpi Unas chelas? 15d ago

Lol i wonder how tf a tourist will end up in la Madero and inside the red dragon

1

u/CurrentCar2331 15d ago

hehehe you know

0

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 15d ago

Is that the poor part of the town?

1

u/Hourly_Passion604 11d ago

In Sinaloa I dont think theres a strip club that isnt cartel affiliated

0

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 15d ago

My classmates called me Pedro back in highschool because I looked mexican to them. I wonder if that's enough for me to blend in lol 😆

1

u/CurrentCar2331 15d ago

test it out

1

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

I kid, better not risk it. Not really into playong russian roulette

1

u/Dear_Inevitable7093 14d ago

I’ll be there in 10 days.. hope the storms stay away

1

u/veryshortname 14d ago

I’ve been going for almost 10yrs now and was just there last week. Lots of army and police presence right now but it’s safe if you are respectful. I recommend Centro over the Golden Zone but both areas are worth checking out. Uber can be cheaper over taxis but the taxi drivers can sometimes be insightful and give good recommendations. Stone island is a fun beach if you don’t mind taking a small boat ride.. Centro has a few nice local type beaches while the Golden Zone is one big stretch of resorts. Lots of nice pools and sometimes rooftop pools at those resorts. All depends on what you’re looking for

1

u/Ok-Occasion2070 13d ago

Uhmm tbh at this time there was a huge shootout shootout

1

u/PowerfulPlantain9044 13d ago

The mayor of the town said: “stay home in the evening, I can’t guarantee your safety “.

1

u/proactivecaptive 11d ago

Don’t believe the negative hype. Most of the people warning of the dangers in Mexico have no clue how lovely and safe it is here.

1

u/Impossible_Project88 11d ago

It's super fine, amazing place, i stayed in Marriott Courtyard and was very nice experience, zona dorada has a lot of things to enjoy, it's safe, don't worry

0

u/carcaj9999 14d ago 
It's horrible—don't do it. There are many better and safer beaches; go to La Paz or Puerto Escondido. Don't say later that no one warned you.

1

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

What makes it horrible?

0

u/Exact-Newt4364 14d ago

Don’t come to La Paz. Go to CancĂșn. Or Tulum or Puerto Vallarta.

2

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

Too touristy and commercialized for me

0

u/Exact-Newt4364 14d ago

But you’re a tourist.

2

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

Bruv, you dont get it. I prefer to go to places where I can actually experience the culture and interact witht the people.

-2

u/Exact-Newt4364 14d ago

Ok but have you ever stopped to think that many of these places that aren’t “touristy” like it that way? Mazatlán being one of them (not overly Touristy anyway the way Cancun is) If you have no cultural or family ties to said place, you are and will always be a tourist.

2

u/Ch1ld1shBambin0 14d ago

You got some internal issues that obviously needs to be addressed, this is not the place for that. Be civil and act like an adult. You throwing a tantrum will not solve any of things you're beefing about. Chill out.

-1

u/Exact-Newt4364 13d ago

Got it. Still a tourist.
When did being labeled a tourist become an insult?

0

u/CADMUSLARS 13d ago

Tan grande que es MĂ©xico y ustedes derecho a meterse a un narco estado...

1

u/Optimal-Syrup-69 6d ago

There is a lot of security out on the streets and patrolling the roads.
I have heard of a lot of violence, but I do go out and about and have not seen it.
Personally, I do choose to stick to the main areas. Most of the big dance clubs have closed down in the area, but there is still a ton of live music and events every night.