Mazatlan is an ancient word from the Nahuatl indians meaning “place of the deer,” and after 20 days here in the big city, we are longing for more deserted pastures. Since we are next headed to the Baja Peninsula, “desert” is exactly what we are going to get!

We have been all over this city, on bus and on foot. We have wandered from the historic center to the golden zone, and criss-crossed the inner city further inland. We have strolled the malecon with its bronze statuary and ocean breezes, and we have shouldered our way through hoardes of shoppers in the central mercado. We have jumped off and on buses, not knowing exactly how to get back home. Having faith in the massive and efficient bus system, the kindness of strangers and bus drivers, and our ability to converse and comprehend in very basic, baby Spanish, we have taken on the city and made it our own. Sort of, well, in a way. We pass some of the same people on our daily walk from the boat, and they talk with us. The dogs and cats don’t run away. We eat whatever we want and don’t get sick. All in all, we have really enjoyed being here. And this is important: at all times, we have felt completely safe. I really feel people are doing Mexico a vast disservice by being afraid to come here. Mazatlan is prosperous and vibrant and friendly, even when the cruise ships dump thousands of people onto its working streets.

The Mazatlenos have invested a great deal of time and money in the central historic area, restoring colonial buildings and plazas. The Golden Zone is just what it sounds like: the place where all the huge condos and grand hotels have perched on the shores. The recreational marinas are all located in an abused estuary on the edge of the Zone. We are anchored in the commercial harbor, where the fishing boats, shrimpers, container ships, industrial ferries and cruise ships venture in and out. A few of us frugal cruisers come and go as well, as do the regular folk of Mazatlan who own small fishing boats. They keep them anchored in the old harbor, or snugged away in covered garages. We are anchored off Club Nautico, a storage facility and center for recreational fishing. It’s not the main season, so it’s pretty quiet. Tying up our dinghy to their dock costs about $4 a day, and includes cool showers, Wifi, and a sense of security.

After waiting so long for good weather to cross over the Sea of Cortez to the Baja, it looks like  Christmas Day is going to be the starting date, which isn’t ideal. However, in this, the season of giving, we will take what the weather gives us!  That said, here are a few more pics from our time in Mazatlan!