Marina El Cid, Mazatlan, Feb 2003

Best Things Nearby:
On-Site Amenities:
- Pools (2) on site;
- Beach is across the Marina and is very nice however shuttle only runs from 8:30am to 6pm, which means no early morning or evening walks on the beach;
- Coin operated laundry is available near other retail;
- Small grocer on site (we went to Mega store near Sam's Club);
- Limited food on site with one restaurant and bar, plus pool food/drinks;
- Free shuttle 'til 11pm to the other El Cid properties, spa and, golf. Much more activity there if that's your thing.

Best Things About the Resort:
Quiet place with quiet beach (few vendors). Very relaxing. Very friendly people of all ages.

Resort Experience:
Our two-bedroom unit (two suites with connecting door) had two kitchens. The main unit has one bedroom with king bed, bath, living room, and kitchen. The connecting suite has two double beds, living room, and kitchen.

Maid service: Yes, daily. The unit was quite clean, with no bugs (always a good thing!).

Kitchens: bring a sharp knife, corkscrew, and dish soap. Our kitchens were low on bowls, etc., though it did have dishes for four people.

Snorkeling/Diving: The water isn't clear, so don't bother. We ran across a man-of-war on the beach--beware!

• Unit Type: 2 Bedroom
• Activities: Good
• Amenities: Good
• Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Good
• Service: Good

This place specializes in shrimp--any way you want it. Watch for coupons for free drinks. You'll get fantastic food in a casual environment. There's DJ music, too--we heard jazz and swing while we were there.

The cab fare from Marina El Cid is around $8 one-way.

Señor Peppers is within walking distance of El Cid Marina. Service was very good. There's live music most evenings. Watch for coupons for 10% off your bill. It's an upscale environment--casual shorts are a bit out of place.

The fantastic steaks (what they are known for) are grilled over charcoal. The Caesar salad is made table-side and is worth the cost ($12 for two people).

Here you'll find excellent Italian food in an upscale environment. The restaurant is connected to Pueblo Bonito (another condominium complex) and within walking distance of Marina El Cid.

The seafood soup ($8) was almost a meal in itself. Service was great. Save room for flambéed bananas for dessert--prepared table-side.

Check out the candles burning at the entrance--impressive!

Within walking distance of Marina El Cid, this cafe is open-air and has great Mexican food at good prices, and bottomless margaritas. It's a busy place! Two of us ate dinner with margeritas for $20 plus tip.

Known for their ribs, which I guess we should have had. Meals were average at best. The restaurant is undergoing renovation at this time. It's more of a sports bar with many TVs.

Cost was $375 for the boat (up to four fishing); add $10 for the fishing license.

We left at 6:15am and returned at 2:45pm.

You should bring lunch and beverages--and take Dramamine!! There are huge waves.

Captain and deck-hand work hard for the fish.

Our three-person boat caught two mahimahi and two marlin.

Staff will filet and freeze your fish for you to take home. An on-site restaurant will cook them for you.

This is where the locals shop. The market is inside a large building near the cathedral (check out the cathredral--it's beautifully renovated). Buy produce here. I would not recommend buying meat here (you'll see why!). This is a very interesting place to spend some time.

Basically, this is a guided shopping trip. You do learn a bit of history about the area. Here's what else made up the 4 hours (they told us it was 3 hours):

- See panoramic view of city from hill near lighthouse
- See shrimp market
- Leave bus at Cathedral and Market for 1/2 hour
- Eat buffet lunch at Sr. Frogs (cost of $8 plus beverage & tax)
- Go to Perdo Jewelers for 1/2 hour

Skip the tour or find a real one!!

This is a trimaran with free drinks and music along the coast of Mazatlan from the marina to the lighthouse and back to Deer Island (which is fairly close to the Marina).

Once at the Island, snorkeling, beach volleyball, sunning, and banana boat rides are available, as well as more drinks and lunch. There are more drinks on the trimaran back to El Cid. How could this NOT be fun?!

Wonderful massages for a cost of about $50 for 50 minutes. A manicure and pedicure are a total of about $30 and worth every penny! Check in and pay at the fitness center desk.