Mazatlan, known as the Pearl of the Pacific, is a commercial, fishing and tourist port. Located in the southern region of the state of Sinaloa, on a 15-mile stretch of land that juts out into the Pacific, it is a charming old town that offers a glimpse into how life in Mexico was a century ago. The port offers ferry service to the state of Baja California Sur. It is also a stopover point for major cruise lines, including Carnival, Norwegian and Princess, as many ships continue on to the Mexican Riviera, or other ports in western Mexico and the United States. For visitors, Mazatlan offers long beaches of fine sand, the second tallest lighthouse (135 meters) in the world on the Cerro del Creston and one of the most festive carnivals in Mexico. You can also do some sportfishing on the high sea.

Mazatl?n is a Nahuatl word meaning "place of the deer". The city was founded in the 1820s. By the mid-1800s, a large group of immigrants had arrived from Germany. These new citizens developed Mazatl?n into a thriving commercial seaport, importing equipment for the nearby gold and silver mines. It served as the capital of Sinaloa from 1859 to 1873. They also influenced in the music, Banda, which is an alteration of Bavarian folk music. Every year, Carnival is celebrated during the week before Ash Wednesday. There are a lot of festivities, including the election of a Queen, parades, and balls. This is the third largest Mardi Gras in the world, behind the celebrations held in Rio de Janeiro and New Orleans.

Visit some other highlights of the area: The Majestic Cathedral, The Market, The High Divers, The Dolphin Monument, The Mermaid and Cupid Monument, The Cave of the Devil, The Lighthouse, The City University and "Old Mazatlan Section" where you will see the fantastic Angela Peralta Theater, built in 1863.