El Cid resorts in Mazatlan

[DebBrown]

We are thinking of visiting Mazatlan because we've never been. Can anyone compare the area to other parts of Mexico? We've been to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo.

What about the El Cid resorts? II has more than one listing. Are the El Moro and Marina units part of the same resort? Any reason to pick one over the other?

Finally, what is the weather in the winter? Is it warm in January?

Deb

 

[Passepartout]

We are thinking of visiting Mazatlan because we've never been. Can anyone compare the area to other parts of Mexico? We've been to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo.

What about the El Cid resorts? II has more than one listing. Are the El Moro and Marina units part of the same resort? Any reason to pick one over the other?

Finally, what is the weather in the winter? Is it warm in January?

Deb

Deb, Maz is a favorite of ours. Compared to the places you mention, Maz is a big city that happens to have a resort area as opposed to being a resort city. You can either stay in the 'Golden Zone' (Zona Dorado) and compare the 'feel' of it to the hotel zone of Cancun or venture into the larger community. We use it all.

We've never stayed at any of the El Cid's, but have wandered through them. They are nice. El Moro is more of a high rise tower- 25+ years old where the Marina complex is just a little farther out and newer. El Cid also has the closest-to-the-resort area golf, if that's important.

Weather in January will be 80's daytime, cooling to 50's/60/s at night. I don't know how much surf swimming I'd do at that time, but people do.

For activities, etc, either ask, or check www.mazinfo.com , It's an active ex-pat community who can help you line out medical/dental care and has fairly current listings of restaurants etc. One thing, you won't need- or want- a car. Public transport is good and there's no place you'd want to drive to.

Jim Ricks

 

[deedman]

Mazatlan is great, it is unlike any other city in Mexico I have been to. You truly have the best of both worlds, a wonderful retreat on pacific waters and an old downtown section that's more like Europe than Mexico. I enjoy Cabo, but I find it too touristy, Mazatlan gives off a completely different vibe. The golden zone is nice to visit with all the stores, but definately visit the old downtown.

El Cid Marina and Moro are the same resort complex, however have two very different vibes. Moro (which has been recently renovated!) seems to be a younger crowd (think 20's and 30's), and is a lot more energetic. You are also right by the beach and in the golden zone (zona dorada). Marina seems to be an older crowd (think people with families that want it quieter or older folk). One downside I find about staying at the Marina is that you must either take the shuttle to el moro or a water taxi to the beach, and they only run from 8am to 8pm, so early morning walks on the beach are out. But either way, both resorts are awesome. Make SURE you take the tour to stone island, as it's a blast. Here is a link to great discounts for tours and all sorts of stuff. Oh by the way, the resort offers free one way transportation from the airport to the resort. Taxi's all operate on a fixed zone scale, but make sure to ask the price of the ride BEFORE you travel. You will not need a rental car, everything is just so convenient. Mazatlan is probably my favorite place in mexico to visit, and cozumel is a close second, or maybe its the other way around, I dont know they are both fantastic! btw, if your DH likes to fish it is definitely a great place for that too!

http://www.mazatlantours.org/

 

[John Cummings]

I have spent a lot of time in Mazatlan as well as the other destinations you mentioned. We do not like Mazatlan at all. The only reason we visit there is my wife has family living there. Our favorite area is the Riviera Maya followed by Nuevo Vallarta and Puerto Vallarta. We don't care for Cabo.

Mazatlan is a few degrees cooler than Puerto Vallarta in January. The January temps in Mazatlan average 77/58 vs 80/62 for Puerto Vallarta.

http://weather.yahoo.com/climo/MXSA0084_f.html;_ylt=Au7wUBOB39fYO.k7ZCwLgDSLYDIB?woeid=133233

Prices in general are cheaper in Mazatlan than the others.

A lot depends on what your preferences are. We like the cultural attractions which are much better at the Riviera Maya. Mazatlan and Cabo don't compare.

This is my opinion based on our preferences. Many others will disagree. There is no right or wrong. It just depends what you are looking for.

 

[rynker]

We stayed in Mazatalan at El Moro Cid during Christmas and New Years 2009-10. It was our first time there and we've been to NV, Cabo, and Cancun. We loved Mazatlan as much as we do the others. Each has it's unique qualities that we love and respect. We love the resort because it was on the beach(fantastic beach). It was the only resort on the golden zone that had beach chairs, the others had their chairs by the pools. It was a great walk during low tide. The units are old but big and very comfortable. Resort is extremely clean and staff is awesome! We didn't think Mazatalan was as commercialized as the others which was nice. We're looking forward to returning a.s.a.p. but we'll return to the other areas of Mexico also! We're very simple though.......beach, sun, water is our concern.

 

[DebBrown]

Thanks, everyone! You've all really helped. We are ready to explore a new area. I like that each city is a difference experience.

So I tried to think what would be the deal breaker between the two resorts. I like a good view and a quiet pool. In regards to the pool, I mean that I don't want to sit by the pool and listen to loud music or bingo numbers all day. I want to read my book in peace.

So which resort are we least likely to get the parking lot/dumpster view? And which would have the quiet pool?

Deb

 

[deedman]

both resorts will have great views. From your questions you sound like my mom (im 25), and I believe you would prefer the Marina hotel atmosphere and pool. but look at it this way, you can always go back and try the other! There is a complimentary shuttle that takes you to all the sister resorts and the ride to the hotels are only a few minutes away, so if one pool seems too busy, you can always go to the other

ps - regardless of where you stay be sure to eat at the Moro restaraunt La Concha, the food is good, but the view is spectacular.

 

[am1]

If you are on the north side of El Moro you will look at a large lot that has a foundation but has been owergrown with weeds. If you have a south facing room you will have one of the best views in Mazatlan. The link below is what the view is from the higher floors in El Moro tower facing south.

http://www.sunquestvacations.ca/destinations/mazatlan.asp

The pool at El Moro and the one at Castilla, which is an el cid hotel next door can be very crowded with bingo every day. I doubt you would be able to read a book there. There is an owners pool on the north side of El Moro Tower which is usually quiet.

El Cid Marina is pretty far from everything else. It is hard to walk anywhere (especially in the summer). If you are taking tours every day, fishing, plan on staying at the resort, do not mind taking a taxi wherever you go, all-inclusive or a combination of the above staying at EL Cid Marina may be alright. If you want to be right on the beach and be able to walk to restaurants, stores, bars then El Moro is the only choice.

Food is great in Mazatlan and the locals are very friendly. Although everyone wants to sell you stuff on the beach.

 

[Conan]

We checked into El Moro El Cid (about 5 years ago) and our two-bedroom was on a lower floor with a poor sideways view and in rather beat condition. I'm not the complaining type but fortunately the front desk phoned to ask if we were OK so I told them we'd expected better. They were sympathetic and moved us to an upper floor direct oceanfront room, newly renovated.

There's a free shuttle that runs from El Moro to the Marina property so we spent a day there. It's in much better condition and lowrise, but being another mile or so out of town it feels more like Florida than Mexico (for better and worse). Mostly a poolside scene since it has next to no beach (hence, "Marina")

 

[DebBrown]

I showed DH the pictures and he picked El Moro. We both definitely prefer to be in the city and walking distance of restaurants, shopping, etc. My understanding is that the units have been refurbished. We're not overly picky so we should enjoy ourselves.

Thanks much!

Deb

 

[Deer Path]

We are owners of El Cid points and really like Mazatlan best of all the other El Cids (Cozumel, Riveria Maya). We stayed at the Towers for 3 years and then started to stay at the Marina. We love it the best. they have 2 pools and a hot tub. One pool is warmer (no warm ones at the towers). The shuttle does run past 8PM in the evening. We take it to the towers to eat at LaConcha and as someone said....a great view. You can do AI if you want to from only 24 hours up to the whole week. Fairly reasonable also. there are several places to walk to from the Marina to eat. We found a really cool place in March just down the road. It was called Los Zarapes. Wonderful service, and the best home made at our table Salsa! We had fantastic grilled snapper. We will go back next year when we are there. the Purple Onion is also not too far to walk. Las Arcos is a seafood place across from the towers and there are also a few others near the towers. Sometimes we will walk to the towers and take the shuttle back. We also spend the day at the towers for a change of pace and at their beach also. The beach near the Marina is across harbor and you take a boat shuttle across. The beach if fairly quiet with few vendors but they have a beach club there where you can order food and get towels. We usually go fishing so the Marina is ideal for us also. Another thing one can do from Mazatlan if you are into bass fishing is get lined up with a day at Lake El Salto. It is catch and release but one can catch up to 100 fish in a day with 2 people in a boat. My DH does it every year and loves it. He has the best luck with Hono who has this website:
http://www.basselsalto.com/
There is a photo of my DH holding up a 12 or 13lb. bass on the site. He is wearing his big Cabo hat.
The El Cid at Riveria Maya is beautiful and pretty new but it is Mandatory AI and we do not like that so will not go back again. We go to Cabo in Nov. for 2 to 3 weeks and have gone to Cozumel in January. Cabo and Mazatlan are our favorites. No matter where you stay you will like Mazatlan and with the shuttle you can try both resorts.