Mazatlan from a Cruising Standpoint (Wednesday 12/30/09)

The Faulkner Family has been to Mazatlan before... in 2006... a road trip we took in our Chevy longbed truck with a nice camper aloft. We had a wonderful 5 week trip down the coast as far as Melaque. We stayed in Mazatlan on the way down. And then we stayed in Mazatlan on the way back up, but only because we had to. Mazatlan was high pressure time share pushers, expensive gringo priced fare, and gang-type males that jumped on your hoods as you came to the stop lights to wash your windows with dirty water squirted from recycled coke bottles that didn’t understand the word “no” in English or in Spanish. Yikes!

We had planned to skip Mazatlan altogether and head to San Blas or Isla Isabela. A larger boat for sale that peaked our interest deterred us, and we decided to give Mazatlan another chance from a cruiser’s perspective. Maybe it’s because we’ve lived in Mexico for a year and a half now... maybe it’s because we’re not on ‘vacation’, but our life. Whichever it is, Mazatlan has a new appeal that I can totally appreciate.

Food prices are very reasonable here, and there are so many stores to choose from. My Spanish has improved tremendously, so I don’t feel bad telling a taxi driver or pulmonia driver that his fare is too expensive for me. I tell them what I’m willing to pay... if they don’t like it they leave. If they agree, I get a cheap ride back to the boat. Restaurants all over town with tasty entrees at very reasonable prices. The color and history of Mazatlan is delicious in its own right, but as a no- nonsense cruiser I feel more a part of the culture and less a part of the tourist faction. I can see the appeal of living here... not just visiting. I certainly appreciate the “choices” that any large city has to offer, but the flavor of Mazatlan... the friendliness of the locals... the politeness... the beauty... the fact that we have friends all around us... all of that has made Mazatlan a most memorable place and one that holds my affection.