Mexico 2012 RV Trip - Day 78 - March 13, 2012 Teacapan - Mazatlan

This morning we sat on the beach watching for dolphins but didn’t see any. It was quiet and peaceful – almost hypnotic – and much different than Mazatlan! You can see there are no hotels or development of any kind – and NO beach vendors!

We packed up and got on the road about 10:30 and headed north. We passed through diverse agricultural areas – many workers picking the fields by hand – mostly peppers and tomatoes.

There were lots of large, centralized warehouses where the fruit and vegetables are deposited, then distributed. Near Rosario there were large chicken and sheep farms. We had read that they feed the chickens marigolds to make the yolks more yellow. This also results in the raw chicken in the markets and grocery stores having a much more jaundiced look than the chicken you see in the States.

We arrived in Mazatlan and were set up at the Mar Rosa RV Park by 2pm. We are paying $300 pesos ($23.80) for a third row away from the beach parking. The RV park is located just to the left of the concrete wall on the beach. There is a busy city street in the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) tourist region running along the other side of the park.

We walked about a mile down the beach and back then decided to take the bus into the Centro to check out the market and malecon. The bus was $9.5 pesos each (about $.75USD) and these little taxis wanted $8.00 USD to take us there!

We rode the bus! We took the bus to the far end of the malecon to the Playa Olas Altas and walked through the Historic District of Mazatlan. There were statues on the malecon and large properties along the hillside. 

We happened upon a cliff diver getting ready to jump in the water in the Bahia Olas Altas. Of course, they have another guy along the wall collecting “tips” for the diver.

We walked further into the Centro and passed by this quiet street. Many of the restaurants in the Plaza Machado were just getting set up for the dinner crowds, but they were so pretty and colorful.

We walked all the way to the Mazatlan Catedral which is located in the heart of the city. It was built in 1890 and became a basilica in 1935. There was a funeral in process so we did not go inside.

We crossed the street and walked through the Mercado Central and picked up some fresh fruit and vegetables.

I must be from the U.S. because I still can’t bring myself to buy meat in the markets … there is something about too much “open-air” for me!

You could also get sweets and gumdrops!

Today and yesterday we opted to drive the free roads as the Libre was a good road. We got to see more towns and enjoyed the scenery of the countryside. Today we drove 83 miles.

GPS 23.25696°N, 106.46075°W