Write On!

              VIVA MAZATLAN:
A Short Visitor's Guide
Marilee Kosik, Darwell Wl
3rd Place, Travel
" Buenas dias senora y sefior; bienvenido a Mazatlan. Good day
madam and sir; welcome to Mazatlan." Thus you are greeted at the airport, at
the hotel, when you enter any business and by people everywhere and you
really do feel welcome. The predictably wonderful weather, beautiful beaches,
friendly people and inexpensive prices make it a true vacation paradise.
Although English is commonly spoken in the tourist area, there is still, of
course, a very definite cultural difference. Please try not to insult or hurt the
feelings of these wonderful people. Common politeness is appreciated and
they are pleased if we try to learn at least a few words of Spanish. One ex- pat
I know says she has managed quite well with her two key words, banos and
cerveza ( bathrooms and beer). People are complimented when we greet them
with hola ( hello), Buenas dfas ( good day) or Buenas tardes ( Good evening)
and say gracias ( thank you), DOT favor ( please) and de nada ( you're welcome).
We are guests in their country, lets show our best manners.
Employees are sadly underpaid ( approximately $ 4 Canadian per 10-
12 hour day) so do tip them, as a few dollars goes a long way in helping them
support their family. In restaurants and cantinas 15% is minimum. Your main
waiter shares the tip with his helpers, the busboy, hostess and drink mixer. I
tip taxi drivers only if they give extra service. The little kids who bag and carry
my groceries get 2 or 3 pesos; bellboys, 3 pesos per bag; and room service,
10 pesos. The bus driver who brings you from the airport expects 10 pesos
and, to tip hotel maids, leave 5 pesos on your bed each morning. Give tour
guides whatever seems to be the going rate and give 2- 5 pesos to washroom
attendants ( who keep it clean). Keep small change on you at all times for
tipping and bus fare.
Exchange rate is about 6 pesos to the Canadian dollar. You get a
good rate at almost any of the little casas de cambio along the street but check
them out as they vary. If you have travelers cheques go to Banamex and
there are bank machines all over the place. Don't change your money at the
hotel nor exchange any more money at the airport than what you need to get
into town, as the rates in both places are always very low.
When you enter Mexico, a copy of your visitor's pass is stamped and
returned to you by customs. It is yeiyjmportant that you don't lose thisl You
need it to leave the country and it will cost you a whole day ( or two) of running
around and $ 30 Cdn to get a replacement.
The city bus service is wonderful. The fare is three pesos and they
run about every fifteen minutes ( or so) from 5 am until 11 pm. There are no