Write On!

              schedules ( I was told that the people who ride know where they go) but just
ask anyone which bus goes to any specific place. Don't be surprised if
musicians get on and entertain you enroute and be sure to show your
appreciation with a few pesos. You can flag a bus just before any intersection
by putting your arm out. Don't throw away your ticket until you get to where
you're going as inspectors often board and ask to see them. If every
passenger does not have one, the driver can get in trouble as it is assumed he
transported those passengers free.
There is good taxi service. Always negotiate price before you get in.
There should be a zone map at your hotel to give you an idea of what you
should pay. You will see many Pulmonias, small open taxis built on a
Volkswagen base and peculiar to Mazatlan. The Eco Taxis ( regular cars) are
cheaper than the open Pulmonias, but not as much fun.
If you want to phone or write home there are a couple places to seek
out. Check with Mail Boxes Etc. They sell stamps and stationery, rent
mailboxes and offer fax, photocopy and Email service. There are Internet
cafes all over the place. Phones in the hotels are very expensive so, if you
want to make a long distance call, go to a little place just a couple doors north
of Dairy Queen with Larga Distancia on the door. Get the country codes from
Telus before you go so you can dial direct and avoid Mexican operators.
Pick up a copy of the Pacific Pearl paper from your hotel for news of
what's happening, where to find things ( maps), restaurants, for rent and sale
ads and helpful hints. There is also a paper called Viejo Mazatlan with lots of
great info. I believe it is available at El Cid Mega Resort or Hotel Pueblo
Bonito. They are both published monthly, free and in English.
There are accommodations to fit every taste and budget. The El Cid
is expensive, but offers everything from movie theaters to golf courses right on
the premises. Less expensive, but lovely, is the Playa Mazatlan where beach
view rooms are higher priced than those overlooking one of the four pools or
luscious gardens. We choose a small family run hotel, with kitchenettes, about
a half- mile south of the big tourist areas called Suites Del Real. All rooms have
balconies with a great view of the ocean and the spectacular sunsets. There
are, of course, many more choices such as condos, apartments and hotels;
too many to mention. Wherever you choose to stay, you can be sure to find
great service and friendly people.
When in Mexico, I usually eat Mexican food, but there are great
Chinese, Italian and North American places, too. I will mention a few I really
like, but don't be afraid to explore. There are many small beach side cantinas,
cochinas ( kitchens) that offer cheap Mexican food only during the day and, of
course, some of the chains such as Dairy Queen and ( yes) McDonalds!
Las Canoas, offers a floor show of Mexican Folkloric on Mondays
and showcase a wonderful mariachis band the rest of the week. Ask the band
to play El Nino Perdito ( the lost child), a hauntingly beautiful piece of music
written by the local Banda Sinaloense. It depicts a lost child ( a horn in the
distance) and a group searching for him ( the rest of the band).