I used to be lately in Mexico for the primary time in two years.
My go to to Mazatlan, a coastal metropolis within the state of Sinaloa, got here a few months after this columnist warned readers about visiting the nation. And sure, Sinaloa is the house of that Sinaloa — the infamous cartel and drug traffickers.
However what I beforehand wrote and the official warnings of the U.S. authorities, Mexico stays an extremely in style vacation spot for the sun-and-sand tourism demographic. Formally, Mazatlan isn’t topic to the federal government journey warnings. As an alternative, it’s simply in all places else in Sinaloa. That technicality apart, I wished to expertise firsthand what visiting Mexico is like today.
Whereas I may have gone to Cancun, Mazatlan was a more sensible choice.
Past the curiosity issue, given its location inside in any other case off-limits Sinaloa, the vibe that guests expertise — Mazatlan is really an genuine Mexican metropolis — is extra interesting than the ridiculously faux Cancun. You’ll be able to have the perfect of each worlds: resorts with seaside entry to the Sea of Cortez and a wealthy, centuries-old cultural scene. In different phrases, that is the actual Mexico.
My go to fell across the Day of the Lifeless, a Mexican vacation that mixes Halloween, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day with components of pagan indigenous traditions. Mainly, the Day of the Lifeless is to Mazatlan what Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday) is to New Orleans.
Over the course of some days, I stayed at two accommodations inside the identical Mexican chain, the Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan Seaside Resort and Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay. From a location standpoint, the Mazatlan Seaside Resort is the perfect because it’s inside strolling distance of the over 4-mile-long embankment (malecon). However discerning vacationers will in all probability want Emerald Bay, which carries a prestigious four-diamond ranking from the AAA.
On the finish of the day, overlook no matter Uncle Sam says about journey to Mexico.
Certain, unhealthy issues can and do occur when vacationers act stupidly and put themselves in unhealthy conditions.
The fact is a go to today to Chicago or Washington is arguably extra harmful than going to Mexico this fall and winter. I had no points in Mazatlan in anyway.
Should you go
Flying to Mazatlan will virtually definitely require a connection in Mexico Metropolis on Mexican flag provider Aeromexico, though the small airport does have just a few nonstops to and from just a few U.S. airports on American Airways.
If I needed to decide, I’d keep once more at Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay. Whereas it leans extra towards the timeshare set, the attractive Spanish colonial revival structure and manicured grounds make the property.
Contemplate visiting Gran Acuario, the brand new 300,000-square-foot aquarium, and the landmark Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Specifically, the Roman Catholic cathedral, situated at Republic Sq. (Plaza de la Republica), is a spectacular instance of Nineteenth-century revival structure.
Dennis Lennox writes a journey column for The Christian Publish.
Dennis Lennox writes about journey, politics and spiritual affairs. He has been printed within the Monetary Instances, Impartial, The Detroit Information, Toronto Solar and different publications. Comply with @dennislennox on Twitter.