Mazatlan and Stone Island

 We arrived in Mazatlán to another warm, sunny day—perfect weather for exploring. Since Mazatlán is a working port, you hop on a short shuttle from the ship to the little market area you pass through before reaching the main road. Our plan for the day was one of our favorite DIY adventures: heading over to Stone Island.

Once you walk out of the terminal and reach the main road, turn left. You’ll be approached by plenty of people offering tours and taxi rides, but here’s how to do Stone Island the easy (and cheap!) way. Walk about two to three long blocks until the street ends. Cross over onto a gravelly road and keep walking until you reach the second pop-up shack. This is where you buy your round-trip ferry ticket across the canal. The price went up from a whopping $2 to $3—still the best deal in town.

You’ll hop into a tiny motorboat for a quick 3–5 minute ride across the water. When you get off, politely skip the offers of rides to various restaurants. Just turn left, walk a few hundred feet, then turn right down the driveway toward the beach. And just like that, you’re on Stone Island—lined with restaurants, loungers, and beach activities.

The first restaurant usually has a few enthusiastic guys trying to get you to sit down, offering free loungers and umbrellas. It’s actually a great deal, but we always head a little farther down to “our spot.” It’s right next to Coco’s, and though I always forget the name, there’s a masseuse set up out front. We grab a table in the sand so I can kick off my sandals and settle in.

Drinks and snacks are a must. Chips, guac, and cold drinks appear within minutes. My husband and our friend opt for the beer buckets—10 beers for $25. I go straight for a Mango Margarita. Our entire bill? Thirty-two dollars. You can’t beat that. I also snagged some adorable pink earrings for $10 from one of the beach vendors (don't worry, they come right to your table).

After relaxing, sipping, and laughing with friends and family, we take a stroll down the beach and slip into the warm ocean for a refreshing dip. It’s the perfect Stone Island moment.

As the day winds down, we head back to the little boat for the short ride across the canal. This time we treat ourselves to a $5 golf cart ride back to the ship. If you still need souvenirs, the shops near the port have good prices and plenty of variety. 

Back onboard, it’s a quick shower before dinner and the evening entertainment. Tonight’s show was Silk—a beautifully done production with puppeteers, storytelling, and incredible vocals. It was honestly amazing.Here's a peek of the show. Silk show

Another perfect day in Mexico.

Mazatlan Mexico

 We arrive to Mazatlan in the morning with no particular plans, but to wander around the city, watch the high divers than go over to Stone Island, which is literally a stone throw from the ship. 

The 4 sisters 

• Cathedral Basilica & Plaza Revolución

  Moorish and Gothic architecture at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, then we head across the way to the popular Plaza Revolución with its charming gazebo and street vendors. I pick up skin care, incense and something cold to drink. 

High-flyers divers perform acrobatic and dangerous plunges into rocky surf from a 59-foot high ledge. They accept tips as you are watching them for free, and they are risking their lives. 

The 4 of us walking through town to get to the high divers and stopped by vendors selling jewelry. It's hard to say no. 

We go back to the ship, change, grab our swim suits and towels and head over to Stone Island. Plenty of cart will take you there for about 5 dollars. Then you  take a little boat across the water to get there. You can either walk along the sand to find a place, or wait for a van to take you to one of the restaurants, which is what we did. You can lay out on the sand and order your food for the beach. 

Stone Island is less crowded and not as developed as the mainland, a haven of sunshine and ocean, with glistening sand, crashing waves, and rustling palm trees and plentiful coconuts. 

Of course we contribute to get a pic of the lizard.

 And who can resist margaritas and nachos on the beach.

 Sister Time 

 There is no shortage of vendors and buying things. My sister gave a dollar to the little boy because he was sooooo cute. 

#Mazatlan #Mexico #StoneIsland #Travellife #Vacaylife