From its rich history to its delectable food to its stunning beaches, cruisers can enjoy an amazing day ashore in Mazatlan, or the Pearl of the Pacific. For the adventurous, there’s a zipline over the ocean. Foodies can book a food tour. Those who want to lounge by the water can head to a beach club. It is a top port of call in Mexico. Here are the top cruise excursions in Mazatlan, Mexico.
Top Cruise Excursions in Mazatlan
Climb up to the Lighthouse Mazatlan
Walk Out on the Crystal Bridge
Zipline to the Mainland
Tour the Gran Acuario Mazatlán
Visit the National Whale Museum
Take a Food Tour
Lounge at Shekinah Beach Club
Tour the Historic Center
Venture to Deer Island
From the Aquarium to the Whale Museum: 25 Things to Do in Mazatlan
Climb up to the Lighthouse Mazatlan
The Faro Mazatlan, or Lighthouse, is located on Creston Island, south of the city and overlooking the port. Visitors can climb the hill for the views; however, do not enter the lighthouse. This is one of the top things to do in Mazatlan.
It started as a simple lamp in 1879. Then in 1892, a bigger building was added. Worth noting, the lighthouse building is just 7 meters high (22 feet), and it remains in use.
To get to the top, travelers hike up the switchback stairs and path. It is a challenging 1.4-mile hike with an elevation gain of 324 feet, including 336 stairs.
During whale migration, guests might see whales, especially if they bring binoculars. On top of Creston Island, there is a glass bridge over the water and a dramatic zipline.
Located on Creston Island. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. You can take a pulmonia, or a taxi, to get there. Bring bottled water, and the restroom is located at the base (additional MX$10). There are places to rest along the trail. It is free to hike to the top.
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Crystal Bridge
In the shadow of the lighthouse, the Puente de Cristal juts out over the water below. Near the top of Creston Hill at 515 feet, or 157 meters, is an observation deck, built in 2018.
After removing their shoes, visitors venture out in groups of 10. Each visit lasts about 3 to 5 minutes.
Located on Creston Island. It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. To enter, it is MX$30 per person, cash only. Paid at the entrance of Faro Mazatlan.
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Zipline from Faro Mazatlan
Visitors can hike back down Creston Hill, or they can fly through the air at speeds up to 35 mph (60 kph) on a .75-mile zipline at the Farolesa. Best of all, guests zoom over the water that connects Creston Island with the mainland. Zipliners arrive at the 1873 Observatory.
Located on top of Creston Island. Age and weight restrictions apply. Reservations recommended. It is $69 USD per rider and offered through tour operators.
The Gran Acuario Mazatlán
The Mazatlan Aquarium offers more than marine life. It is the largest aquarium in Mexico and is dedicated to the Sea of Cortez, or Gulf of California. Renowned explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau called the sea The World’s Aquarium for its diversity.
The aquarium dates back to 1980; however, its stunning aquarium building opened in 2023. The structure is poured concrete, designed by a Mexican architect.
In a series of indoor and open-air exhibits, visitors can learn more about marine life. Its largest tank is nearly a million gallons of seawater. The second-largest habitat is half a million, and visitors can see nurse, silkie and lemon sharks. The Mazatlan Aquarium is home to over 500 species
One of the best things to do at the Mazatlan Aquarium is an animal encounter. From the touch tanks with stingrays and pufferfish to a private Humboldt Penguin session, visitors can add an activity to their visit.
During mine, I met with the penguins, tried to feed the Love Birds, and walked through the Capybara exhibit. I also held a snake and pet a native deer, too tame to be released into the wild. There is a dolphin show, and I marveled at the diversity in the touch tanks, feeling the skin of a stingray and a puffer fish.
Located at Av. de los Deportes 111, Tellería, Mazatlán. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult tickets are MX$445 and kids are (4 to 11) MX$353.
Visit the National Whale Museum (MUNBA)
The MUNBA, Museo Nacional de la Ballena, or the National Whale Museum, is dedicated to cetaceans. From majestic whales to friendly dolphins, this facility features 29 whale skeletons, such as gray whales, blue whales and a sperm whale.
Perched on the side of Cerro del Vigía, a Mezatlan hillside, visitors can learn more about the part-time residents of Mexico, whales. They migrate to the Mexican Pacific to breed and raise their babies.
There are exhibits on the social groups that whales use to communicate, mate and survive. Another exhibit explains the skeletal features. Find a VR area where visitors can swim with sea creatures.
The facility utilizes recycled materials, like shipping containers, to guide visitors through its space. Each features the WWII black-and-white geometric pattern camouflage that confused the eye on a ship’s movement.
There’s a kids’ reading room. Outside, find water features with marine life sculptures.
Located at Del Mirador 42, Cerro del Vigía. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Adult admission is MX$300, students and kids (4 to 12) are MX$250.
Take a Food Tour
The Tomatl, a Mexican Culinary Experience Tour, was a highlight. Guided by Paola Osuna, she is a bilingual native Pata Salada, meaning born in the city.
During the tour, we learned about the shrimp industry from its docks. Then we sampled the dried shrimp sold in marketplaces and ate it as a snack with hot sauce. We also went to a fresh shrimp market.
We learned about Birria, traditionally a stewed old goat. Then we sampled a taco at Lalo’s Birria, a popular open-air place and open for breakfast and lunch.
Cenaduría Chayito is another local’s place for Taco Dorados, or fried tacos. They are filled with meat, then deep-fried. They are topped with lettuce, tomatoes, purple onions, cucumbers and queso fresco. Then you pour a rich broth over it; very unique to Mazatlán and muy delicioso.
She took us to the Pacifico Brewery to drink a 7-ounce Pacifico beer, brewed on-site. For a non-alcoholic drink, try ToniCol, a naturally flavored vanilla soft drink popular in Mazatlán.
Lounge at Shekinah Beach Club
For cruisers who want to lounge next to a resort pool and the beach, head to the Shekinah Beach Club. Visitors will find a spa, a large infinity pool overlooking the beach, private cabanas and more.
The Shekinah Beach Club serves food and tropical cocktails, like beef tacos and guacamole, both excellent when I sampled them. It is family-friendly, but adults can find pockets of peace at the cenote area.
Located at Ave Camarón Sábalo 702, Sábalo Country, Mazatlan. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Adults enter for MX$400 and kids (4 to 12) are MX$250.
Walk Through the Historic Center
The Historic Center is the Colonial Part of the city. Many of the buildings are from the 19th century and feature plaster walls and interior courtyards.
This area has been restored and features boutique hotels, restaurants and bars, plus shopping, like art galleries. It is walkable, and the narrow streets are from the horse-drawn days.
While there, visitors can see the Plaza Machado or visit the Market. This is also where the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is located.
Along the Malecon, or boardwalk, cruises can watch the waves roll in, or look for shells. Liverpool Alley, with sculptures of The Beatles, is another top spot in the Historic Center.
Excursion to Deer Island
If you are visiting outside whale-watching season, then I recommend an excursion to Deer Island. It features a 12-mile-long stretch of sand. This excursion also offers horseback riding, ATVs and Mexican food in palapa huts.
Book an excursion that guarantees your arrival back at your ship.
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. The writer went on a press trip to Mazatlan for research.
