El Cid Mazatlan

[Mulli]

We have 3 nights extra to round out our stay in Mazatlan in March 2023. We have heard of El Cid's All Inclusive but never stayed at one. We are thinking of booking our last 3 nights in
Mazatlan at an El Cid. There are 3-4 options of resorts and wondering what might we like the best. No golf for us. I believe we can get a one bedroom AI for about $200 a night.
Any thoughts from people that have experienced what we are thinking? Thank you,

 

[Passepartout]

We have 3 nights extra to round out our stay in Mazatlan in March 2023. We have heard of El Cid's All Inclusive but never stayed at one. We are thinking of booking our last 3 nights in
Mazatlan at an El Cid. There are 3-4 options of resorts and wondering what might we like the best. No golf for us. I believe we can get a one bedroom AI for about $200 a night.
Any thoughts from people that have experienced what we are thinking? Thank you,

I 'adopted' Mazatlan some 30+ years ago. And we've never stayed at any of the El Cid places. There are just too many other options. We like to have a week somewhere in the Golden Zone tourism area (I don't own any Mexican TS- just exchange or rent) then if we want to stretch it out a little we'll get a hotel room or B&B in Centro Historico. You'll save enough to be able to afford to eat well at any of the huge number of restaurants in the city. We use a taxi for the transfer and use King David for airport transport both ways. I know this is a timeshare site, but sometimes hotels and B&Bs are better located. Here's 1 I can recommend, but there are tons more. Google or tripadvisor are your friend. CASA DE LEYENDAS $77 ($̶8̶9̶) - Updated 2022 Prices & B&B Reviews - Mazatlan, Mexico (tripadvisor.com)

 

[b2bailey]

After 20+ trips to Cabo San Lucas, I decided to try Mazatlan a few years ago. I've made 3 trips, staying 2+ weeks each time. I stayed at one of the El Cid timeshares once. Have never done all-inclusive. Have also stayed in hotels for a couple nights to try different locations.

You didn't mention where you will be staying for first part of your trip.

Passepartout is definitely the Mazatlan expert here.

 

[simon63]

I rather Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay than El Cid, but if I have to choice inside El Cid resorts, will take El Cid Marina because is smaller and has private beach. They have shuttle to other resorts if you want to visit them o go to the Golden zone

 

[simon63]

Another choice in the hotel side is Hotel RIU AI at Emerald Bay, very nice but a bit expensive

 

[b2bailey]

I rather Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay than El Cid, but if I have to choice inside El Cid resorts, will take El Cid Marina because is smaller and has private beach. They have shuttle to other resorts if you want to visit them o go to the Golden zone

I agree with this about El Cid Marina. Seems to be newer.
Disagree about Emerald Bay location. Too far out for me.

 

[petenjen]

We stayed at the El Cid Beach resort in Matzalan a few years ago. The location was convenient for going downtown and lots of restaurants nearby. The food was so so. My wife and I aren't AI fans... My 2 biggest complaints: the bed was as hard as a freaking rock and the nightclub across the street was booming until 0200 on the weekend. We walked down to the El Cid Marina one day and it seemed nicer.

 

[Passepartout]

Another choice in the hotel side is Hotel RIU AI at Emerald Bay, very nice but a bit expensive

I also feel this hotel is too far from the city- unless one REALLY wants the 'stay at the resort' experience. Even that, I think PB Emerald Bay is the better choice. Another AI choice to consider is the Inn at Mazatlan. They have a Zona Dorado location as well as one in Centro Historico. The 10 peso air conditioned Tourist Bus runs every few minutes between the two areas. There is a good Soriana & Mega & Walmart stores near each area. The BEST seafood is still to be found in/near Centro not in an AI buffet.

 

[rpennisi]

I agree with this about El Cid Marina. Seems to be newer.
Disagree about Emerald Bay location. Too far out for me.

Do you know if Emerald Bay still does the free bus to the other Pueblo Bonito on the hour? Is the other site still a Pueblo Bonito TS?

 

[easyrider]

We have 3 nights extra to round out our stay in Mazatlan in March 2023. We have heard of El Cid's All Inclusive but never stayed at one. We are thinking of booking our last 3 nights in
Mazatlan at an El Cid. There are 3-4 options of resorts and wondering what might we like the best. No golf for us. I believe we can get a one bedroom AI for about $200 a night.
Any thoughts from people that have experienced what we are thinking? Thank you,

For us, we like an ocean view and most of El Cid isn't ocean view. The El Cid's on the beach are the two El Cid in Mazatlan I would pick.

Bill

 

[Mulli]

Thank you all. Helpful. We have been to Mexico over a dozen times first going west coast Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa mostly and then Playa Del Carman and south lately. Major factor was the high air fares to west coast. Fortunately we live in Mn where Sun Country is based and highly recommend if you can as their prices are great and they are non-stop. We went to Mazatlan for a wedding last year staying at Estrella del Mar and then Raices del Mar in Centrol. Enjoyed Maz a lot so decided to go back 2023. Our biological travel clock is ticking and at 70ish the past couple of years have been greatly slowed liked most people. We have seemed to like several resorts during our 2-3 week vacations because each stay is different. The 2023 trip will include Raices, The Inn at Maz, Luna Palace, and probably end with an El Cid. We generally are not AI but after 2+ weeks we figure we have been to many of the great eating places in Maz and don't want to menu surf so much. Also we are burning up RCI points accumulated the last couple of years. At the end of the day, it will be wonderful. Thank you again, gm

 

[bjones9942]

I've heard varying reports on the El Cid's - people who like to be pampered don't seem to care for them as much, but their locations are good and as noted they have transportation between the properties so you can do marina and beach without much trouble no matter which property you're staying at. Personally I think they'd be a good choice to burn a few RCI points on Yes, airfare is crazy (and has been for several years) to/from Mazatlán. I try to schedule my trips to the USA after spending a week in Puerto Vallarta where the airfare is a lot more reasonable, even though it's further away. I did a bus trip down the Pacific Coast of México a couple of years ago - it was amazing how different each city I stayed in was. Zihuatanejo was beautiful. I'm enamored with Acapulco though, but Zihuatanejo is definitely on my list of places to revisit. Enjoy your time here next year - the weather is still usually perfect in March.

 

[b2bailey]

Thank you all. Helpful. We have been to Mexico over a dozen times first going west coast Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa mostly and then Playa Del Carman and south lately. Major factor was the high air fares to west coast. Fortunately we live in Mn where Sun Country is based and highly recommend if you can as their prices are great and they are non-stop. We went to Mazatlan for a wedding last year staying at Estrella del Mar and then Raices del Mar in Centrol. Enjoyed Maz a lot so decided to go back 2023. Our biological travel clock is ticking and at 70ish the past couple of years have been greatly slowed liked most people. We have seemed to like several resorts during our 2-3 week vacations because each stay is different. The 2023 trip will include Raices, The Inn at Maz, Luna Palace, and probably end with an El Cid. We generally are not AI but after 2+ weeks we figure we have been to many of the great eating places in Maz and don't want to menu surf so much. Also we are burning up RCI points accumulated the last couple of years. At the end of the day, it will be wonderful. Thank you again, gm

Raices del Mar in Centrol.

Loved this place.