Plazuela Machado — Attraction in Sinaloa

Visiting this plaza was one of the highlights of my trip to Mazatlan. After reading reviews I knew this was one location we should visit on our vacation. Not knowing much about the area we took an Uber to the plaza on a Wednesday late afternoon. We didn't realize that the restaurants didn't open until later and that there wasn't much to do on the week days. We ended up walking around to the nearby basilica and the market down the street. We decided to try visiting again on Friday night. I am so glad we decided to come back. Friday night was like being in a whole different place. We arrived around 4:30 and all of the restaurants were setting up for the evening and a few vendors were set up to sell items. Restaurants were already trying to tell us about their restaurants and trying to bring in customers. While walking around we found a stand that was making thread bracelets. A very nice lady said she could customize a bracelet in 5 minutes. I wrote down my son's name and she allowed me to pick out the colors I liked. While we waited we decided to have drinks and an appetizer at one restaurants. They were having specials on 2 daiquiris for 80 pesos, who can pass that up. After enjoying our drinks we went back and paid for the bracelet. She did a great job and my son loves his bracelet. We walked around the plaza for a few hours (no there is not that much to do, but vendors continually set up). The final vendors were set up around 7 so there was a good amount to see. We stumbled upon a gentlemen and his son who were making journal time books. The gentlemen would use a wood burner and inscribe any message in the back of the book. He added great illustrations as well as the message. We ended up spending over half an hour alone at this table and bought 6 books from him. Everyone loved the books as much as we did. It was truly a unique find. Overall we had a wonderful time and it was one of the highlights of my trip...

This vibrant weekend market is a treat for all of your senses in the very cute, refurbished, Centro area. The stalls have various items made by true artisans rather than the other wares you see in Mazatlan. The restaurants are more expensive and do cater to English tourists, but the location and atmosphere is excellent. Brownie Mania had fantadtic, genuine, service and even better coffee cake & brownies. Great americano as well. I went here with my 5 and 7 yr old nieces along with my family. It was great for all ages. The Merchado streets are blocked off for the weekend market, which is perfect. It would be super for them to block the street off permanently, as it is nice to eat without cars, and better for the kids to have fun without cars. But, there is a centre Pavillion that people love to dance in. Live music sets the wonderful vibe; changing as you walk. I went back without the market on a Monday evening, and the cars driving by change it a bit, but still very pretty with lights and trees dressed up! Free - no entry fee. Women travellers; I hace explored many places and feel very safe here, and everywhere in Mazatlan. ...

Walking amongst the historic area of Mazatlans' beginnings was like to be taken back in time. The architecture of the area and small cobblestone street only large enough for a single car gave you a sense of what life was like in the beginning. Disclaimer: Oct is a very humid time of year to visit, and you will be Walking alot where ever you go in Mazatlan Mexico. With that said at this time, 2024, Mazatlan has a lot of history to explore and is currently in the process of expanding the vacation experience, many new hotels currently being constructed, and infrastructure being updated. Do your homework before visiting. As a tourist, you will be taken advantage of when buying trinkets or accruing transportation, but if you're prepared and always negotiate cause, if you don't, it can become a costly visit. Most of everyone speaks English, but knowing the indigenous language is a great plus! Hope...