By Brent Stumph
Mazatlán: Paradise with Growing Pains
What do you love most about Mazatlán? Is it the delicious food, awe-inspiring scenery, pacifying warm weather, or the friendly Mexican people? For those of us visiting every year from Canada and the United States, there are countless reasons why Mazatlán is our favorite getaway.
But despite all the good, there are a few less desirable topics that often come up—conversations overheard in bars, restaurants, or on the green bus heading to your next adventure. Over the years, some changes have become a bit disconcerting.
Mazatlán remains a favorite destination for many, with some visitors returning every year for decades. Yet, there are troubling shifts in the landscape, rising costs, and evolving expectations from service industry workers. This is not to disparage our beloved vacation paradise, but rather to share concerns about enjoying a few winter months on Mexico’s West Coast.
From Working Town to Tourist Hub
For decades, Mazatlán was a working-class town, not widely known for tourism. Shrimp and fishing boats were everywhere, supporting a large portion of the population. And of course, there’s the production plant for Pacifico beer, a local favorite.
Today, tourism dominates the area’s economy, and locals are still learning how to handle this wave of new income and prosperity. Mexico can now be described as an emerging market country with a large, diversified economy and notable regional inequality, but it can no longer be labeled a “third world country.”
Rising Costs
One of the most obvious changes is the skyrocketing prices, especially in grocery stores and restaurants. Grocery costs can be similar to those back home, particularly for Canadians, due to the peso’s tie to the U.S. dollar. Restaurants have also increased prices, sometimes dramatically.
Part of the problem stems from our own behavior. Visitors tend to be overly generous with tips and then complain about rising costs. Fair tipping—relative to the local economy—can help avoid unintentionally inflating expectations.
I spoke with a U.S. Vietnam veteran living frugally in a rented apartment near the Golden Zone. While he has strong words for “gringos,” his main concern is that our largesse harms the local lower-middle class struggling with high prices. Inadvertently, we have become our own worst enemy.
The Language Barrier
Spanish is a beautiful language, but many visitors still struggle to understand it. While translation apps help, nothing beats face-to-face communication.
As tourism grows, it would benefit service staff to learn English, making communication smoother and potentially increasing sales. But equally, we visitors should make an effort to learn more than just “cerveza por favor.” Even a shaky conversation in Spanish greatly enhances the experience—and locals often appreciate the attempt, even if they jokingly respond, “Ah, Italiano!”
Natural Beauty Under Threat
Mazatlán is a beautiful part of the world: perfect weather, incredible architecture, amazing food, countless activities, and spectacular beaches.
Yet, it’s heartbreaking to see how some beaches are left littered with beer cans, wrappers, oyster shells, lime skins, and more. Sadly, much of this comes from locals and often ends up in the ocean. While it may be cultural, it’s a concern for anyone who loves Mazatlán’s natural beauty.
Why We Keep Coming Back
If this reads like a rant from a grouchy ex-pat, know this: I love Mazatlán as much as anyone. I want to continue vacationing here for many more winters. I want Mazatlán to remain the best it can be while keeping it my home away from home.
Like many visitors, I cherish the food, people, and scenery, but I also hope for mindful tourism, cleaner beaches, fair pricing, and meaningful cross-cultural connections. Because for those of us who return year after year, Mazatlán isn’t just a vacation spot—it’s a second home.
