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Mazatlan is safe, just ask the dead people
Crime in Mexico has had a big impact on tourism, causing everything from a US Department of State travel warning to major cruise lines canceling calls at Mexican ports. Gadling has been covering the story all along and readers have been quick to respond both for and against travel to Mexico. To make sense of it all, we went to Mazatlan, once a bustling Mexican cruise port, to see for ourselves.The occasion was last week's Fiesta Amigos, an annual four-day event that invites people in the travel business to experience all Mazatlan has to offer.
"What better way for visitors to experience the vibrant spirit of our beautiful city than during this lively fiesta," says Carlos Berdegué, vice president, Mazatlán Hotel Association and Tourism Board. "Mazatlán presents a truly unique travel destination, with a charming, historic core alongside premier resorts, international sporting events, gourmet cuisine, year-round events and much more – all at great value. We invite Fiesta Amigos guests to immerse themselves in all that Mazatlán has to offer."
OK, sure, but is it safe?
That was the big question so we jumped right in, sampling a number of local restaurants, walking the streets both day and night and engaging in activities common to tourists.
Everyone lived to tell about it.
What we found was a safe, friendly community, steeped with tradition and geared to handle massive crowds of tourists. Yes, drug trade and gang-related crime problems are still very present in Mexico but happen in the northern part of the country, far away from Mazatlan.
In a test of safety, we walked the streets of Mazatlan on November 2nd during the Day of the Dead stroll and festivities. Held in Mazatlan's old historic district, the centuries-old tradition, also called All Souls Day, honors those who have died with a walking procession through town in a Mardi Gras sort of way, celebrating life.
During the day, a visit to Mazatlan's cruise port revealed a modern facility prepped and ready to go when cruise lines return.
Mazatlan is in it for the long-run and has taken steps to insure the safety of cruise passengers too. A 20-foot security wall supplemented by a guard tower overlooking operations insures passenger safety but a new 1300 foot pier that can accommodate up to four ships sits empty. When we visited the port, a lone cargo ship occupied the facility while workers continued an ongoing remodeling and construction project nearby.
The port boasted over 200 ship visits last year which quickly went down to about 30 this year after highly-publicized crime events chased cruise lines away. The port authority anticipates about a dozen calls next year.
But things are looking up for Mazatlan with Princess Cruises recently announcing a return in 2012 and other lines expected to follow. That's good news to local merchants and service providers who rely heavily on tourism income and look forward to sharing a year-round calendar of events that includes international sporting tournaments, culinary fairs, eclectic cultural festivals and holiday celebrations.
The Quiksilver Surf Clásico Mazatlán is an international surf, music and fashion festival that happens in June. Mazatlán's International Bike Week 2011 is an annual spring event when more than 15,000 Motorcycle fans gear up for five days of high-octane fun and adventure. Since Mazatlan is recognized worldwide as a first-class fishing destination, the Marina Mazatlán Fishing Tournament draws top anglers from around the world.
Mazatlan has a lot to offer visitors coming by land, sea or air. Surely, travelers looking for trouble can find it anyplace on the planet. But in Mazatlan, they're going to have to look pretty hard.
Photos/video: Chris Owen
In a test of safety, we walked the streets of Mazatlan on November 2nd during the Day of the Dead stroll and festivities. Held in Mazatlan's old historic district, the centuries-old tradition, also called All Souls Day, honors those who have died with a walking procession through town in a Mardi Gras sort of way, celebrating life.
During the day, a visit to Mazatlan's cruise port revealed a modern facility prepped and ready to go when cruise lines return.
"We highly value our long-standing relationships within the cruise industry, and are dedicated to ensuring that Mazatlan remains among the top cruise destinations on Mexico's Pacific Coast. Mazatlan has hosted nearly 1.5 million cruise passengers since 2008 and is widely regarded as one of the safest destinations in Mexico." said Julio Birrueta, spokesperson for the Mazatlan Tourism Trust last February.
Mazatlan is in it for the long-run and has taken steps to insure the safety of cruise passengers too. A 20-foot security wall supplemented by a guard tower overlooking operations insures passenger safety but a new 1300 foot pier that can accommodate up to four ships sits empty. When we visited the port, a lone cargo ship occupied the facility while workers continued an ongoing remodeling and construction project nearby.
The port boasted over 200 ship visits last year which quickly went down to about 30 this year after highly-publicized crime events chased cruise lines away. The port authority anticipates about a dozen calls next year.
But things are looking up for Mazatlan with Princess Cruises recently announcing a return in 2012 and other lines expected to follow. That's good news to local merchants and service providers who rely heavily on tourism income and look forward to sharing a year-round calendar of events that includes international sporting tournaments, culinary fairs, eclectic cultural festivals and holiday celebrations.
The Quiksilver Surf Clásico Mazatlán is an international surf, music and fashion festival that happens in June. Mazatlán's International Bike Week 2011 is an annual spring event when more than 15,000 Motorcycle fans gear up for five days of high-octane fun and adventure. Since Mazatlan is recognized worldwide as a first-class fishing destination, the Marina Mazatlán Fishing Tournament draws top anglers from around the world.
Mazatlan has a lot to offer visitors coming by land, sea or air. Surely, travelers looking for trouble can find it anyplace on the planet. But in Mazatlan, they're going to have to look pretty hard.
Photos/video: Chris Owen
Filed under: Festivals and Events, South America, Mexico, Cruises, Travel Security
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Doug Parker Nov 9th 2011 1:20PM
I agree. I've been to Mazatlan and have never felt unsafe. It seems like the US media lumps Mexico as one big area when in fact most of the non-sense happens by the borders and North Mexico. Great article and an eye opener.
Mark Skofield Nov 9th 2011 3:07PM
Nice article that points out what those of living here in Mazatlan know - unless you are either part of the drug cartel culture or unusually unlucky you are perfectly safe. I do, however, find the title unfortunate as those that only scan the header do not know it was NOT what you are saying.
Anonymous Nov 9th 2011 3:30PM
May I suggest you monitor www.borderlandbeat.com? Don't be fooled by the name - this site references ALL of MX and the drug cartel war. Be warned - the pictures are often quite graphic.
nicole Nov 9th 2011 5:51PM
Great piece - deeply unfortunate title. It is sensationalist moves like these that perpetrate incorrect or disproportionate views - views that have a very real fiscal impact on local communities.
jimp Nov 14th 2011 11:31PM
I also have never felt unsafe on my trips down to Mazatlán in the past. Today is different. People are getting killed weekly by the cartels at this point in time. On Nov 8th Mazatlán's Mayor Alejandro Higuera and the truck carrying his bodyguards were attacked by gunmen on the north/south lane of the Mazatlán-Culiacán autopista at night. No one was reported injured. The article is a nice PR piece that is all. The killing by the cartels are happening all over the country.
otto Nov 9th 2011 7:43PM
We have wintered in Mex since 1999 and have the motor home packed going about 100 miles passed Mazatlan for the winter. US tourist ass don't like to see the money
go south.
have a good safe winter
JIM_P#2 Nov 9th 2011 10:27PM
To JIMP
I have spent the last 6 winters and Mazatlan and feel safer walking
around there than I would downtown at night in my home town of
Edmonton Alberta. There is violence but as pointed out it is drug
related and if you are not part of that culture you have no worry.
I will be down for 5 months starting in 3 weeks...looking forward to it !!
Mike Nov 11th 2011 1:06AM
Based on the content and the message of the article - this might be one of the most misleading titles I've ever seen. You're saying it's safe in the content, then you titled the article with something that comes off as trying to be ironic, or what? There actually has been a lot of drug related deaths there. I honestly have no idea what you're trying to say in the title that relates at all to the article.
Bonno Bernard Nov 12th 2011 8:06PM
The title obviously refers to the Day of the Dead stroll. Edgy and kinda disruptive. I love it.
Roger Culbertson Nov 20th 2011 12:32PM
The MOST important thing to consider, including what you see on the Internet, what you see on TV, or what you may read anywhere, is the number of tourists killed in Mazatlan due to the cartel war or for any other cause is this. Z E R O ! Not a single tourist has been killed here despite what it may seem.
Roger Robertson Nov 21st 2011 6:07PM
I was one that had the good fortune to be in Mazatlan for tyhe Day of the Dead Celebration. Not once did I sense any security issues, not once was I not treated with great respect. Everytime I enjoyed fine food, excellent service and a sense I want to come back again and again. Thank you, Gerry Lopez, Mexico Unlimited.