Cabo vs Mazatlan for Jan/Feb

[Jwerking]

Hey All - Retired couple from the East Coast - just wanting some warm beachy weather in the winter. No interest in nightlife. We went to Cabo about 10 years ago and liked it because we stayed very close to the downtown area and was able to walk into town for some relatively reasonable food. However, few resorts are within a reasonable walking distance from the downtown area. The beaches were okay and water not particularly clear. Hard to walk on the beach as the sand was very soft and mussy.

How does Mazatlan compare to Cabo with regards to beach and reasonable local food? Are the winter temps about the same? Any comments on the Pueblo Bonito Resort at Emerald Bay? What is your favorite timeshare there?

Thanks for any assistance.

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[rpennisi]

Pueblo Bonito at Emerald Bay is a beautful resort. We stayed at their other (now gone) resort for a week (lots of nearby restaurants) and then Emerald Bay for a week. Emerald Bay was somewhat isolated in terms of going off site to other restaurants. That was a few years ago, so there may be more restaurant choices now(?).

 

[Passepartout]

How does Mazatlan compare to Cabo with regards to beach and reasonable local food? Are the winter temps about the same? Any comments on the Pueblo Bonito Resort at Emerald Bay? What is your favorite timeshare there?

They are at just about the same latitude, so temps will be similar. I 'adopted' Mazatlan some 40 years ago and have never bought in. We have stayed at most of the resorts and hotels there. Emerald bay is quite nice, but is some distance from the 'Zona Dorada', Golden Zone tourist area. I'd only stay there if I wanted a self-contained resort. The older, more centrally located PB is better (IMO). Our favorite TS there is Torres Mazatlan, but it is associated with Vacations Int'l and while they release units to RCI and some rentals it's not the easiest to book. There is a Vidanta 'resort' there, but it's older, and landlocked. Close in, Inn at Mazatlan or even Costa d' Oro are preferable. We generally book one of those TSs for a week then a 'Boutique' hotel in the 'Centro' (historic downtown) area of the city for another week or two. Green air-conditioned buses around town are about a buck and taxis are honest. Just settle on a price before you get in.

Maz is home to the largest shrimp fleet on the west coast, so seafood is outstanding. It's reasonably safe to be out and about- though I wouldn't wander alone late at night. Walmart is fairly handy for groceries and the beach is nice, but the ocean is a bit cool and can have warnings- heed them- It isn't the Caribbean.

 

[Passepartout]

Pueblo Bonito at Emerald Bay is a beautful resort. We stayed at their other (now gone) resort for a week (lots of nearby restaurants) and then Emerald Bay for a week.

I didn't know the original PB had closed. Darn. It was a nice- and well located- place.

 

[easyrider]

How does Mazatlan compare to Cabo with regards to beach and reasonable local food? Are the winter temps about the same?

In the winter, Cabo is kind of cool compared to Mazatlan. Cabo has a cool breeze off the Pacific and lower humidity. Mazatlan is more humid and tropical than Cabo which makes it seem warmer even though temps are similar. In the evening a light jacket works in both destinations.

Cabo has the California vibe. Mazatlan has the Mexican vibe. Mazatlan has better beaches. Mazatlan has nice sunsets. The food is more of a local Mexican flavor and cost in Mazatlan. Most locals don't speak English in Mazatlan. Almost everyone speaks some English in Cabo.

You can still buy seafood from the fisherman at the beach in Mazatlan.

I like both destinations but would choose Cabo over Mazatlan because in Cabo many of the resorts are newer and there is a Costco.

Bill

 

[Jwerking]

Thank you everyone for your comments - very much appreciated! Took a look at pictures, locations, and availability. Surprisingly, trades do not require a lot of TPUs versus winter HI weeks - where we have been going each winter for 10 years since retirement and sorta getting old. The problem is that all the MX resorts only allow exchange of 2 weeks due to 1 in 4 rules. So does the Golden Zone have access to lots of local restaurants that are walkable?

So looks like the Inn at Mazatlan is probably a good choice which has availability thru Dec 2026. Any predictions on when they will load units for Jan/Feb 2027? Are 2 BR units usually available via an ongoing search? Also, beach palapas and pool chairs seem somewhat limited at this resort given several large towers - is that true? How early does one have to get up to grab some beach chairs?

Maybe we will visit both Cabo and Mazatlan - but search shows no direct flights - ugh!

 

[buzglyd]

Thank you everyone for your comments - very much appreciated! Took a look at pictures, locations, and availability. Surprisingly, trades do not require a lot of TPUs versus winter HI weeks - where we have been going each winter for 10 years since retirement and sorta getting old. The problem is that all the MX resorts only allow exchange of 2 weeks due to 1 in 4 rules. So does the Golden Zone have access to lots of local restaurants that are walkable?

So looks like the Inn at Mazatlan is probably a good choice which has availability thru Dec 2026. Any predictions on when they will load units for Jan/Feb 2027? Are 2 BR units usually available via an ongoing search? Also, beach palapas and pool chairs seem somewhat limited at this resort given several large towers - is that true? How early does one have to get up to grab some beach chairs?

Maybe we will visit both Cabo and Mazatlan - but search shows no direct flights - ugh!

If you like boat rides:

The Ferry From La Paz To Mazatlán Just Debuted A Huge New Ship – What It Means For Cabo Travelers

A massive new ferry now connects La Paz with mainland Mexico. Here’s what Cabo travelers need to know about the huge new "Cabo Star" and how to plan your trip to Mazatlán.

thecabosun.com

 

[Jwerking]

Thank you Buzglyd - an overnight ferry would be great - fare is $275 with a sleeping cabin - great price. Just have to get to La Paz from Cabo - will check out bus that is in the news article. This winter we are spending a month in a timeshare in West Palm Beach and 3 weeks in the Cayman Islands - see how to like it??? Last time we tried FL for winter it was too chilly for beach but nice walking weather - which is fine since we seldom go into the water anyway. We do save some some rental car $$ by driving to FL, but car rental in Cayman's was pricey for 3 weeks and have to pay to park at MIA for our flights.

If we do west coast Mexico, we would likely spend a few weeks in Sedona afterwards hiking in Feb - which was great last time we went there in the winter. But costly airfares and car rentals - but no more than to HI - just different. Ugh, too many options!

 

[easyrider]

Ugh, too many options!

Have you considered Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta or the Yucatan for winter ?

Bill

 

[Passepartout]

Thank you everyone for your comments - very much appreciated! Took a look at pictures, locations, and availability. Surprisingly, trades do not require a lot of TPUs versus winter HI weeks - where we have been going each winter for 10 years since retirement and sorta getting old. The problem is that all the MX resorts only allow exchange of 2 weeks due to 1 in 4 rules. So does the Golden Zone have access to lots of local restaurants that are walkable?

So looks like the Inn at Mazatlan is probably a good choice which has availability thru Dec 2026. Any predictions on when they will load units for Jan/Feb 2027? Are 2 BR units usually available via an ongoing search? Also, beach palapas and pool chairs seem somewhat limited at this resort given several large towers - is that true? How early does one have to get up to grab some beach chairs?

Maybe we will visit both Cabo and Mazatlan - but search shows no direct flights - ugh!

Consider an apartment rental in Maz. There are many- both in (near) The Golden Zone and in Centro. Many Canadians consider Maz their 'Winter Home'. It is probably not the simplest, but googling Apartment Rentals, Mazatlan, Mexico will show you the plethora of availability at any price level. Some working knowledge of Spanish may be helpful, but google is your friend on that.

 

[Janann]

The problem is that all the MX resorts only allow exchange of 2 weeks due to 1 in 4 rules.

Are you sure? Its possible that the two week limit per year is separate from the 1 in 4 rules. I've only run into a very small number of resorts in Mexico that have a 1 in 4 rule.

 

[Bourne]

Have you considered Puerto Vallarta, Nuevo Vallarta or the Yucatan for winter ?

Bill

My fav is further down.. Puerto Escondido .. that and Yucatán coast are the only places with 80+ temp and water temp in Jan/Feb

 

[easyrider]

My fav is further down.. Puerto Escondido .. that and Yucatán coast are the only places with 80+ temp and water temp in Jan/Feb

The Ixtapa area is on our list. Maybe Acapulco too. I'm not sure about timeshares in Puerto Escondido. Where do you stay ?

Bill

 

[Bourne]

In Puerto Escondido & Huatulco, it’s mostly Airbnbs.

Of late, we tend to spend ~5 months south of the border in the winter. If timeshares are available, then yes, else it’s monthly Airbnbs.