With its 2.5 miles of shimmering golden sands and gently lapping turquoise waters, Puerto Viejo Bay is perhaps the best choice for a day at the beach in Mazatlan, Mexico. The beach is within walking distance of the center of  town and convenient to many of the smaller upscale hotels located in this area. It is also quite near Mazatlan’saquarium, which is worth a visit.

Puerto Viejo Bay Beach

Shaped like a fishhook lying on its side, this endless ribbon is dotted with thatch-roofed beach palapas that serve up mounds of fresh ceviche or fresh grilled fish, washed down with the local cerveza or a lucious fruit smoothie whipped up from fresh-picked fruit. Vendors roam Puerto Viejo Beach, seeking customers for their handicrafts, but graciously disappear at a shake of the head. There is simply no pressure here.

Beach palapa at Puerto Viejo Bay

Most times of the year this beach is virtually deserted. However during carnival, Semana Santa (Holy Week at Easter), and on other holidays, locals from all over the country flock to this beach. Many are poor peasants from the interior who arrive with only the clothes on their back and huge bags of food; they sleep on the beach, swim in their clothes, and grill food over open fires. During these times, barely an inch of sand remains and strolling down Mazatlan’s Puerto Viejo Bay Beach is a feast for the senses.

Photo Credit: Barbara Weibel

Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels