Mazatlán Swaps Flip Flops for Feathers as Carnival Beckons

Mazatlán, the Pearl of the Pacific, is catching its breath after a whirlwind holiday season. Sun-kissed bodies have faded to their winter tans, suitcases unpacked, and memories of sandcastles and margaritas tucked away for colder days. But fear not, for the rhythm of this vibrant city doesn't skip a beat, just a shuffle step or two, as it prepares for its next grand waltz: Carnival!

Like a schoolyard playground after recess, our hotels currently echo with a hushed 55-60% occupancy. The backpack-toting brigade has returned to textbooks and classrooms, leaving behind an air of bittersweet serenity. Mark your calendars for January 18th — 20th, when winter whispers back and Carnival explodes in a riot of sequins, feathers, and samba beats. Expect occupancy rates to sashay towards a 70%, and keep those piña coladas frosty until Easter's grand finale.

Speaking of grand finales, the Great Mazatlán Mar de Cortés Aquarium ended 2023 with a flourish, welcoming over 743,944 visitors. Turns out, even fish find Mazatlán irresistible. Our national tourists, particularly those from the Northern Economic Corridor, Mexico City, and Guadalajara, proved the aquarium's biggest fans, with July's 169,241 visitors and one record-breaking day of 8,482 fishy admirers. It seems Mazatlán's marine magic transcends even the barriers of gills and scales.

Meanwhile, on dry land, Mayor Edgar González Zatarain is channeling his inner superhero to clean up Mazatlán's security picture. Three neglected police booths are about to be resurrected — Jabalíes, Loma Bonita, and a mystery guest (Monteverde needs a complete makeover, so it gets a patrol point for now). Let's hear it for a mayor who understands that fighting crime starts with a sturdy phone box, not just a cape and tights.

But even superheroes require clean streets to swagger their stuff. And speaking of clean streets, Mazatlán's daily 700-ton garbage symphony swells to a 1,050-ton rock opera during peak season. That's a lot of salsa cups and churro crumbs! Our trusty landfill, currently an open-air maestro of waste disposal, is starting to hum a slightly off-key tune. Perhaps it's time to revisit the lyrics of this environmental ballad?

Now, let's switch gears and crank up the carnival confetti! The Mazatlán Carnival 2024 has announced its theme: “Baroque Eclipse.” Imagine golden galleons waltzing with jeweled jellyfish, or Marie Antoinette in a seashell bikini. The possibilities are as endless as the glitter supply! The decal sticker event was a glittering taste of things to come, with tourists and locals alike catching the carnival fever. Those beautiful candidates and Kings of Joy, pasting decals on cars with infectious enthusiasm, were like sunshine-fueled paintbrushes decorating the streets with anticipation.

And finally, for the thrill-seekers among us, let's talk about soaring above it all, literally. Mazatlán's iconic parachute rides offer a bird's-eye view of paradise, and during peak season, that bird's-eye view can cost you around a thousand pesos for 8–9 minutes of adrenaline-pumping freedom. Think of it as an investment in breathtaking panoramas and bragging rights that will last a lifetime (or at least until your next Facebook update).

So, Mazatlán, as we navigate the post-holiday lull and gear up for the dazzling spectacle of Carnival, remember, there's always sand between our toes and sunshine in our hearts. Let's keep the music playing, the margaritas flowing, and the glitter flying. This Pearl of the Pacific is just warming up for its next act, and the world is watching.