Before visiting Mazatlan for the first time, I had no idea how big the city actually was, especially compared to similar coastal cities like Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas.
Because of this, we decided to stay in two different areas on this past trip – and I’m glad we did!
Mazatlan is quite spread out so you’ll want to choose where to stay based on what type of trip or vacation you’re after.
In this article, I’m recommending my 11 best places to stay in Mazatlan based on my most recent visit.
At the end of the post, I also share what I think are the best neighborhoods to stay in and explore around.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase I may make a small commission. I only share information about things I know, love and trust!
Don’t have time to read the whole post? All good! The number one hotel I would recommend is the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort (it was my personal favorite).
Quick Guide: Best Places to Stay in Mazatlan
Best Beachfront Hotel in Mazatlan: Courtyard by Marriott ($$$)
Best Budget Hotel on the Beach in Mazatlan: Hotel La Siesta ($)
Best All-Inclusive Hotel in Mazatlan: Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan Beach Resort ($$$)
Best Hotel with Authentic Charm: Villa Serena Centro Historico ($$)
Best Adults-Only Hotel in Mazatlan: The Xperience by G ($$)
Best Hotel in Mazatlan’s Golden Zone: Courtyard by Marriott ($$$)
Best Hotel in Mazatlan Centro (historic downtown): Casa de Leyendas ($$)
Best Hotel for the Malecon in Mazatlan: Best Western Posada Freeman ($$)
Best Hotel for Families in Mazatlan: El Cid El Moro Beach Hotel ($$)
Best Airbnb or VRBO: Camino Al Mar ($$$)
Top 11 Places to Stay in Mazatlan
Below you’ll find a list of the best places to stay in Mazatlan, whether you are looking for a hotel with the best beach, pool, location, views, charm or a little bit of each.
1. Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort (best golden zone beachfront)
Perfect for: couples, families, friends, solo travelers, business travel
This is the best beachfront hotel located in the Golden Zone in Mazatlan.
Choose an oceanfront room and you’ll have incredible views from your private balcony.
My favorite part was the incredible infinity pool with a swim-up bar. It’s heated, too!
There’s also a massive sun deck with plenty of loungers as well as a hidden overlook where you can see the entire coastline of Mazatlan.
This is also a newer hotel, so everything felt fresh and modern.
They also have a new fitness center and a kids club with daily activities for kids.
There’s a restaurant onsite and a breakfast buffet every morning.
This hotel is located on Gaviots Avenue, which has lots of great restaurants, bars and shopping.
Check availability and prices for Marriott Mazatlan Beach Resort
2. The Xperience by G (adults only)
Perfect for: an adults-only escape in a newer hotel by the Marina
Some of my favorite features of this hotel are a rooftop pool and bar, a quieter ground floor swimming pool and the fact that it’s walking distance to Golden Zone.
This is one of the most lively hotels in Mazatlan (some even consider it a party hotel).
The rooftop turns into a mini-club at night, so if you’re looking for nightlife in Mazatlan, The Xperience by G is your best choice.
Check availability and prices for The Xperience by G
3. Hotel La Siesta (best budget friendly choice)
Perfect for: budget-conscious travelers
If you want an affordable hotel, on the beach in the historic district, Hotel La Siesta might be the perfect choice.
I think it’s located in one of the best spots in town.
Not only can you watch amazing sunsets from your balcony, you can also walk 3 minutes in either direction to fantastic Malecon bars and restaurants.
Or, walk exactly 4 blocks east and you’ll be at Plaza Machado, the best plaza in Centro.
There’s also a pool and a lovely interior courtyard.
Check availability and prices for Hotel La Siesta
4. Villa Serena Centro Historico (most charming)
Perfect for: a relaxed & quiet stay – great for longer term rentals too.
Villa Serena is in the heart of Centro, only one block from Plaza Machado and is surrounded by coffee shops, art galleries and lovely restaurants.
This hotel was a personal favorite of mine because of the location and the peaceful mornings spent on the rooftop terrace overlooking the neighborhood and the cathedral in the distance.
This is a hacienda-style accommodation – so it’s a large property with a small courtyard and many levels of terraces, patios and smaller courtyards.
Each room here is a mini-apartment, so you’ll have a full kitchen.
And many rooms are large, 2-bedrooms with king beds so you’ll have lots of room to spread out.
Perfect if you’re staying for the winter!
There are two pools – an unheated plunge pool and a heated pool with jacuzzi jets.
If you prefer somewhere with authentic Mexican charm, complete with terracotta roofs (instead of something modern that lacks character), this is definitely your hotel!
Check availability and prices for Villa Serena Centro Historico
5. Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan Beach Resort (all-inclusive)
Perfect for: families and couples
I rate the Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan Beach Resort as the best all-inclusive resort in Mazatlan because of its beach and location.
It’s walkable to many of the attractions in the Golden Zone and has a large, calm beach right out front of the hotel.
Check availability and prices for Pueblo Bonito Mazatlan Beach Resort
6. Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay (all-inclusive)
Perfect for: an all-inclusive vacation in a quiet area on the beach
If you love walkable all-inclusive resorts situated on beautifully maintained grounds, you’ll love Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay.
There are 3 pools here, with one of the pools being adult-only.
It’s located a little further north of the golden zone, but that means it’s quiet around the resort at night, and they do offer free shuttles to the golden zone.
There are 5 restaurants and 4 bars to enjoy, and guests who stay at this resort can use the amenities at the sister Pueblo Bonito property.
Check availability and prices for Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay
7. Best Western Posada Freeman (best Malecon hotel & sunset viewing)
Perfect for: accessing the Malecon and the best sunset views in all of Mazatlan
The Best Western Freeman hotel is located right on the Malecon in one of my favorite areas of Mazatlan – Olas Atlas.
It’s the older part, but ultra charming and provides easy access (3 minute walk) into the historic centro neighborhood.
The best part about this hotel is the heated rooftop pool!
And the rooftop patio is the best place to catch the sunset. There’s also bar and food service up here too.
And the menu is quite reasonable considering the amazing views.
Check availability and prices for Best Western Freeman Hotel
8. Hotel Playa Mazatlan (All-Inclusive)
Perfect for: a classic Mazatlan stay
Hotel Playa Mazatlan is one of the original all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, so it boasts one of the best locations in the golden zone.
It’s an older resort, but very clean and more charming than some of the newer tower-style hotels.
The best part of this hotel is the 5 pools – including the infinity jetted-hot tub!
Check availability and prices for Hotel Playa Mazatlan
9. El Cid El Moro Beach Hotel (Best for Families)
Perfect for: families and multi-generational family vacations
El Cid El Moro Beach Hotel is consistently rated one of the best places to stay for families in Mazatlan.
The pools are always a hit with kids (small waterslides and climbing features) and the staff always offer engaging kids activities.
While the kids hangout, mom and dad (or the grandparents) can enjoy the adult-only pool or play tennis or pickleball.
I wasn’t a fan of the food, but the price to stay here is affordable enough that you can easily walk to nearby restaurants in the golden zone for great eating.
Check availability and prices for El Cid El Moro Beach Hotel
10. Casa de Leyendas (Mexican-style boutique hotel)
Perfect for: couples, solo travelers
For the complete Centro experience, book a stay at Casa de Leyendas.
It’s a small, Mexican style boutique hotel that gets rave reviews from guests. If you’ve never stayed in a hacienda-style of accommodation in Mexico, let this place be your first experience.
This property is like the perfect mix between a small hotel and a bed and breakfast.
Enjoy beautiful traditional decor, a courtyard pool, delicious breakfast and 5-star service from staff.
Only one block from the Malecon and the beach and a few blocks to Plaza Machado, the most beautiful plaza in Centro.
Check availability and prices for Casa de Leyendas
11. Camino Al Mar
Perfect for: couples or long term stays
This 2-bedroom 2-bathroom condo is located in the heart of the golden zone in a secure & modern building.
Enjoy unobstructed ocean views from your balcony terrace, air conditioning, a well-stocked kitchen and a large pool.
Book this vacation rental here
Best Neighborhoods in Mazatlan (Best Areas to Stay)
Now that you know some of the best hotels in Mazatlan, you might be interested in knowing about the different neighborhoods (it is a big city after all).
Even if you only choose to stay in one area of Mazatlan, it’s easy and quick to get around to the other neighborhoods (which I recommend).
Mazatlan does have a bit of a safety reputation, so it’s best to stick to the following neighborhoods I’ve outlined below.
Centro Histórico (Downtown Mazatlan)
Staying in Mazatlan’s Centro neighborhood is truly a unique experience unlike anywhere else among Mexico’s coastal cities.
You’ll be surrounded by restored neo-classical buildings, beautiful plazas and the stunning cathedral.
It’s extremely safe here and has actually become more of a ‘fancy’ place to come for dinner. It’s very walkable and is still close to the Malecon and Beach.
In this neighborhood, you’ll find many boutique hotels, hacienda style hotels (once colonial mansions) and smaller, family-run budget hotels).
Best neighborhood for:
- History
- Sightseeing/photography
- Local markets
- Art
- Chill nightlife
- Plaza-lined restaurants
- Romance
- Local vibe
Olas Altas
Olas Altas is the adjacent beach area to Centro, and is regarded as the older, original part of Mazatlan’s tourist Malecon.
Even though it’s older, it’s beautifully maintained and because it’s built up into the hills, it almost resembles a mini-tropical French Riviera.
Olas Altas is my favorite neighborhood to catch the sunset from.
In this neighborhood you’ll find mostly older, small towered hotels and many beachfront restaurants.
Best neighborhood for:
- Sunsets
- Nightlife along Malecon
- Cliff divers
- Budget accommodations
- My favorite spot to enjoy a local beer (Pacifico)!
Playa Norte
Moving a little north we have Playa Norte – this area connects the Centro/Olas Atlas area of the Malecon to the Golden Zone.
In Playa Norte, there aren’t many accommodations for tourists, mostly some commercial businesses and newer condo buildings.
However, this is one of the main areas where you’ll find some great beach bars and seafood restaurants.
Best neighborhood for:
- Beach bars
- Seafood restaurants
- Swimming/hangouts on the beach
Zona Dorada (Golden Zone)
The Zona Dorada is one of the most popular areas to stay in Mazatlan for first-timers and many other types of tourists.
The beach is great, there are many resort-style and smaller hotels and it’s all surrounded by restaurants, bars and shopping.
Best neighborhood for:
- First timers
- Families
- Beachfront hotels
- Nightlife
- Local restaurants
- Shopping
- Walkability (very compact)
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