Zona Dorada from the Mazatlán cruise port

Beachabout 25 minutes by taxi2-4 hoursFits a typical call

The resort strip that grew north of the old city from the 1970s, with hotels, beach bars, silver and craft shops along Avenida Camarón Sábalo and Rodolfo T. Loaiza. Playa Gaviotas and Playa Sábalo here have jet skis, parasailing and banana boats.

Getting there from the ship

From
Mazatlán cruise terminal
Travel time
About 25 minutes by taxi · 6.5 km
Allow about 20 minutes to get off the ship first. Mazatlán taxi fares.
Cost
Free beaches. Pulmonía from the port about US$12 per cart (older figure); parasailing about US$40 (2025).
Time to allow
2-4 hours

Will you be back for all aboard?

Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm Mazatlán call you have up to 6 h 20 min at Zona Dorada, enough for a visit (allow 2-4 hours), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship docks
    Allow about 20 minutes to get off and through the terminal.
  2. 2
    8:45 am · At Zona Dorada
    About 25 minutes by taxi from Mazatlán cruise terminal.
  3. 3
    3:05 pm · Leave Zona Dorada by
    That gets you back to the ship an hour before all aboard.
  4. 4
    4:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for Mazatlán; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

Ask to be dropped at the Hotel Playa Mazatlán, near the centre of the strip. Fix your return ride or pickup time before you start, and allow at least 30 minutes to get back to the terminal. The Monumento al Pescador and the 'Mazatlán' letters on the way make good photo stops.

Mazatlán cruise port: Zona Dorada FAQ

How far is Zona Dorada from the Mazatlán cruise port?

From Mazatlán cruise terminal it is about 25 minutes by taxi, about 6.5 km.

How much does it cost to visit Zona Dorada?

Free beaches. Pulmonía from the port about US$12 per cart (older figure); parasailing about US$40 (2025).

How much time do you need at Zona Dorada?

Allow 2-4 hours. Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm Mazatlán call you have up to 6 h 20 min at Zona Dorada, enough for a visit (allow 2-4 hours), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.

Can you visit Zona Dorada on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is about 25 minutes by taxi from Mazatlán cruise terminal. Ask to be dropped at the Hotel Playa Mazatlán, near the centre of the strip. Fix your return ride or pickup time before you start, and allow at least 30 minutes to get back to the terminal. The Monumento al Pescador and the 'Mazatlán' letters on the way make good photo stops.

More things to do near Zona Dorada

All 11 places
  • Deer Island · Snorkeling · about 25 minutes to the Zona Dorada, then a boat from the pier · 2.9 km from Zona Dorada
  • Gran Acuario Mazatlán · Attraction · 20-25 minutes by taxi from the pier · 5.2 km from Zona Dorada
  • Cliff divers · Attraction · a 26 minute walk from the pier · 7.4 km from Zona Dorada
  • Mercado Pino Suárez · Food & drink · a 18 minute walk from the pier · 7.9 km from Zona Dorada