I just returned from Mazatlan and fell in love with the Plaza Machado.
What a find. The resturants are great and the buzz is electric. Spent every night at the Jazz bar which has a great atmosphre and live music, Not you usual bar. Also great for coctails. A must visit. Just a few blocks off the plaza the Royal spa where my wife and I both had a one hour masage for only $15 each. Another must do. If you are staying on the gold zone a cab, one of the white VW things without doors costs $5 or 500 peso,s to get there. Another place I would recomend is a visit to the top of the Freeman Hotel just a few blocks away by the beach.It has a pool which is geat for kids as well as adults and has a 360 Deg view of the historic City as well as the best place to watch the sun set. I was hesitant about giving this information as not to many people go there and most the time we had it all to ourselves.

I just returned from a trip to Mazatlan and had a great time. One of the more interesting parts of the resort is the historical center in which Plaza Machado is a big part. Set between Teatro Angela Peralta and the Casa de los Portales, the square was beautiful and full of life. The resaurants surrounding it server great food from great tacos at El Tunel to dinner and conversation at Pedro y Lola. I think this is a can't miss especially for breakfast or dinner.