MAZATLAN MEXICO CRUISES

Tthe name Mazatlan is based upon the Nahutal Indian word Mazatl meaning the place of the deer. Warm and beachy Mazatlán is located a short 8miles south of the Tropic of Cancer. This is the Me-hee-co you come to when all you want to do is lie back on the sand, tip that sombrero way down over your chin and soak up the relaxed coastal rays.

 As well as being a prime resort area, Mazatlán is Mexico's principal Pacific coast port for fishing and trade. It's famous for sport fishing, with thousands of sailfish and marlin tagged and released each year, and is home to Latin America's largest fleet of commercial shrimp vessels. considered newer than other places in Mexico.

Sailors called the place the Islands of Mazatlan because of the many hills, lagoons and estuaries in the vicinity of the natural harbor there. The place where Mazatlan exists was officially founded by Nuno de Guzman and 25 Spaniards who more of less burned their way to this region in 1531. This temporary settlement was founded on Easter Sunday in 1531. Spanish galleons departed the harbor laden with gold taken from the inland mines in the region. Mazatlan was first mentioned about 1602, but it did not refer to the Mazatlan of today. It refered to a small village of San Juan Bautista de Mazatlan which is actually 30 miles South of the current city of Mazatlan. Mazatlan has suffered the plagues of cholera and yellow fever along with the repeated occupations by foreigners.

After World War Two, there were further port improvements and new highways. Modern Mazatlan as we now know it came into existance in the 1960's on as the tourists discovered the beautiful white sand and beaches. The city limits expanded to cover this area and the rich resort hotels and tourist attractions that followed up the beach line. The tourist industry and the great fishing industry that was established have provided increasing jobs and the population is expanding rapidly towards 3/4 ths of a million inhabitants. This has become Northwest Mexico's major tourist population that brings in nearly as many tourists  as the population of the city. 1974.  The city of Mazatlan is a major destination for travelers from America, both land and cruise travelers love the beach and fun in the sun.