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Mazatlan is truly a destination like no other, offering the comforts and conveniences of a large city - major shopping facilities, state-of-the-art hospitals, a variety of sporting and entertainment options - while maintaining a friendly small town atmosphere. Mazatlan’s ex-pats enjoy an active yet relaxed lifestyle and an affordable cost of living, as well as access to quality medical and dental care. And magically, only forty-five minutes away, nestled in the Sierra Madres, the ex-pats can avoid the summer heat in quaint colonial and silver mining towns where the hands of time seem to stop, but somehow the cerveza is always icy-cold.
In the 1950’s and 1960’s, when Mazatlan and Acapulco were Mexico’s only Pacific resorts, the city was a favorite haunt for Hollywood stars John Wayne, Errol Flynn, Robert Mitchum and Rock Hudson, all of whom enjoyed world-class deep sea fishing, warm weather, cocktails and relaxing in anonymity in small Olas Altas beachfront hotels. |
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As more visitors arrived, additional hotels were built on a stretch north of the city in an area called the Zona Dorada, or Golden Zone. Many of Mazatlan’s hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, and nightclubs are still located there, within easy walking distance of one another.
An increasing number of Mazatlan’s new residents are drawn back to the Historic District near Olas Altas where the movie stars once unwound. The Centro Historico is anchored by the beautifully restored 130-year-old Angela Peralta Opera House, the gracious Plaza Machado, and the Catedral Basilica de la Immaculada Concepcion, a 109-year-old Roman Catholic cathedral that curiously features 28 Star-of-David stained glass windows purportedly donated by Mazatlan’s Jewish community during its construction in 1898. Today, neglected Tropical Neo classic architectural masterpieces from a bygone era are being passionately restored by new owners amidst the 479 buildings that have been designated as national historical monuments. Evenings find the district vibrant, bustling and alive with throngs of people meandering amongst the museums, shops, galleries, bars and cafes. |
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While everyone appreciates the eclectic atmosphere in the historic district, many ex-pats feel privileged to be able to affordably purchase a property on the beach, and wouldn’t think of living anywhere else. For them, an array of luxurious oceanfront towers have sprung up in the sand in front of the blue Pacific, altering Mazatlan’s skyline and ushering in a new era of residential living Others may wish to indulge their passion for boating, or golf and desire to purchase a home with a slip, or on a fairway. For these aficionados, Mazatlan will soon boast 4 championship golf courses, as well the largest marina in Latin America (1200 slips).
Mazatlan’s development community is blessed with pro-active government. Sinaloa Governor Jesus Aguilar Padilla has created a new cabinet level position and appointed Mr. Antonio Ibarra Salgado as the State’s first Secretary of Tourism. Sec. Ibarra is not only interested in promoting Mazatlan as a two-week-at-a-time vacation setting; he is convinced that Mazatlan has a bright future as a second home destination.On his watch, the state has sponsored retirement events in Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, Houston, and the Canadian cities of Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. Seattle and Portland are popular baby boomer enclaves, Los Angeles and Houston are home to many Latinos (8.9 million Mexicans and 14.4 million Americans of Mexican descent live in the U.S.), and the citizens of the Western Canadian cities are purchasing properties in Mazatlan in large numbers. Clearly, Mazatlan’s future as a retirement Mecca is bright. |
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