Mazatlán Mexico, City of Art and Beauty--and the Perfect Place to View the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse

The beautiful city of Mazatlán will be one of the premier locations in the world to view the 2024 solar eclipse.

Mazatlán is one of Mexico's most beloved visitor attractions due to its natural beauty and colorful history. On April 8, 2024, it will also have the distinction of being one of the few cities on the planet to experience the best and one of the longest views of the upcoming solar eclipse.

Photo credit: Joanne DiBona

PUEBLO BONITO Mazatlán BEACH RESORT

Sunset view on the Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán Beach Resort

Both the Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán Beach Resort and the Pueblo Bonito Emerald Bay Resort & Spa are offering an exceptional wellness and relaxation experience in beautiful surroundings. The “SOLAR REBIRTH” allows guests to experience a unique alignment of cosmic energies, engage in rituals and meditations to release old patterns and attract new opportunities, and to connect with spirituality and nature. This program aligns with a recent trend report in Conde Nast Traveler that indicates that “astro tourism” is having a unique moment.

Photo credit: Tony DiBona


Immerse yourself in the Gran Acuario Mazatlán, the city's state-of-the art aquarium


Arrive in Mazatlán a few days ahead of the eclipse, or stay a few days after, to enjoy what this beautiful city has to offer the visitor. You'll definitely want to experience the new Gran Acuario Mazatlán, the largest in Mexico and a landmark aquarium in Latin America dedicated to the Sea of Cortez. 

Photo credit: Joanne DiBona






Did you ever see a smiling stingray?

If not, a visit to the Gran Acuario Mazatlán will definitely delight you.  Not only do friendly stingrays await you, but sea turtles, sharks, and many more creatures of the sea can be admired in stunning exhibits.

Photo credit: Tony DiBona


Discover Mazatlán's Historic Old Town

History buffs will definitely enjoy a stroll through Mazatlán's Old Town, which dates back to the 1500's. It is one of the oldest ports in the Americas and one of the most historically fascinating cities in all of Mexico. 

Marvel at Mazatlán's famous cliff divers

One of Mazatlán's most famous free attractions (though tips are appreciated) is a chance to watch the cliff divers fearlessly plunge from the ragged cliffs into the sea (which at times is only six foot deep!). It is definitely a thrilling sight to behold.

Photo credit: Joanne DiBona

Ship to shore

Mazatlán boasts a state-of-the-art cruise terminal and is a favorite port of call for several major cruise lines. The historic city center is .8 miles from the terminal, so passengers can easily discover the city on their own, or as part of a guided cruise shore excursion.

The majestic Holland America Line’s Koenigsdam, seen from the Observatorio Mazatlán 1873, makes regular stops in Mazatlan on its Mexico itinerary out of San Diego, California.

Photo credit: Tony DiBona








Outstanding Local Cuisine

To say the culinary scene in Mexico is exceptional is quite an understatement. Mazatlán, known as the "Shrimp Capital of the World" is famous for its many fine restaurants and bistros. Seafood, plucked fresh from the sea, is obviously a popular choice, but you will find all sorts of dining options, including meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes, prepared to perfection. For a special treat, book a reservation at Casa 46, where this photo was captured. This historic restaurant features an exhaustive menu of local Mazatlán specialties.

Photo credit: Joanne DiBona










Stroll along the famous Malecon

Mazatlán boasts a scenic 4-mile-long boardwalk, the Malecon, which is definitely one of the most photographed visitor attractions in the city. It's a popular place to take a walk, bike, or run along. Exquisite statues and artwork line the path, which compete with the amazing ocean views you will savor along the way.

Photo credit: Tony DiBona


visit THE HISTORIC Observatorio Mazatlán 1873

For a breathtaking view down on the ocean and the city, ride the funicular to to the top of the historic Observatory Mazatlán 1873. The cable car ride is an exciting travel experience in itself. Once above the hill some 246 feet above sea level, enjoy the ambiance of this historic site, originally built to protect Mazatlán from the regular invasions of enemy and pirate ships.

Once you reach the top of the promontory, you can explore the historic buildings and the lush gardens which house bird, deer and iguana sanctuaries. There is also a free presentation describing the process of making mescal and tequila. Enjoy a happy hour drink and hors d'oeuvres at the site's Skybar, where you can relax and soak in the amazing ocean views from this exquisite perch.

Photo credit: Joanne DiBona





Picture Perfect White Sand Beaches & Astro Tourism at its Finest

The calm waves along the pristine white beaches of Mazatlán are perfect for children and beach lovers of all ages. This photo was taken from the balcony of the Pueblo Bonito Mazatlán Resort, one of the city's most popular all-inclusive resort properties.

There's no doubt the total solar eclipse in Mazatlán, which sits squarely on the path of totality, will be among the best places in the world to glimpse the full glory of the sun's corona, visible only when the sun is completely covered by the moon.  

Eclipse or not, Mazatlán will remain a perfect place to combine nature, relaxation, science and history—all in one visitor destination.

We invite you to view our entire PHOTO GALLERY OF MAZATLAN on our photography website. We are always happy to answer any questions, so please contact us on our links below.

Photo Credit: Joanne DiBona

About Joanne and Tony DiBona

Joanne and Tony DiBona know a thing or two about creating photo galleries to share their personal travel experiences around the world with their readers.  Their articles have been featured on USATODAY10Best for the past decade, as well as in national and international print and online media. Their awards for photography and journalism fill up an entire wall in their office, the most recent being a top national award for their US and international galleries published on 10Best.

Follow their travel adventures on their scenic photography website and travel blog. Have a question about travel? Contact them on their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Read more about Joanne and Tony DiBona here.

Connect with Joanne and Tony via: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

 

WE DID IT AGAIN!!--WE WERE RECENTLY HONORED WITH NATIONAL PRESS CLUB AWARDS FOR OUR CRUISE COVERAGE

I am pleased to announce that my husband Tony and I have been honored again this year by the San Diego Press Club for our work on USATODAY and 10Best.com in the national 2023 Press Club Excellence in Journalism award competition. This nationwide competition honors the best of the best in travel journalism and we are thankful for this recognition of our efforts to bring original photos and first-hand narrative to our readers.

Come Aboard the Seabourn Venture on its Epic Cruise through Antarctica

Words can’t describe what your eyes will see on this epic voyage through the Patagonia Ice Fields as you make your way to the frozen wonders of Antarctica. Every day is a new adventure, which you can choose to enjoy from the comfort of your luxury cabin, or trekking through trails in search of penguin colonies, shipwrecks, waterfalls, and incredible natural wonders.

Photo credit: Joanne DiBona

On board Holland America’s Noordam, you can visit the CITY OF MURALS IN CHRISTCHURCH, NZ

Our Holland America cruise from Sydney, Australia to New Zealand brought us to so many fascinating destinations along the way. One of our most interesting ports of call was the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. The central city is filled with cutting-edge architecture, truly amazing street art, a not-to-be-missed botanical garden, a lovely river walk, thermal pools, great shopping, a free trolley through the historic city, and so much more!

Photo credit: Tony DiBona. This red brick mural, created by local artist Rone, is one of the most famous in Christchurch, the City of Murals.

Savor The Beauty of Europe's Rhine River on an AmaWaterways Cruise

Enjoy our photo gallery of a glorious cruise down the Rhine River on the AmaWaterways AmaMora, from Amsterdam to Basel, published recently on USATODAY 10BEST

In addition, check out our CRUISE PHOTOGRAPHY GALLERY to enjoy a detailed compilation of each part of this magical trip along one of Europe’s most picturesque rivers.

The medieval city of Strasbourg is one of the many excursions offered on this Rhine River cruise.

©Joanne DiBona Photography

AmaWaterways Unveils Longest River Cruise Aboard One Ship for 2024

There’s no question about it. Travel consumers are looking to book extended river and ocean voyages these days, probably for a number of reasons. Retirees with a passion for travel and unlimited time on their hands are looking to make the most of their cruise, and a 7-day trip doesn’t quite fill their longing for immersive travel experiences.

As for younger travelers still in the work force, it is possible now to combine business and pleasure. As a result of the recent pandemic, more and more people are working remotely and they realize they can do this from any part of the world—including from a relaxing cruise ship on a leisurely itinerary.

Cruising through the Iron Gates Gorge between Serbia and Romania, photo courtesy AmaWaterways

So the recent announcement from AmaWaterways that reservations are now open for its historic 2024 Seven Cruise Journey, offering an epic 49-night itinerary on board the luxurious AmaMora, is definitely of interest to the cruise lovers out there, no matter what their age.

“Since the debut of our Seven River Journeys in 2021, we have received tremendous demand from travelers who are looking to spend extra time immersing themselves in beautiful destinations throughout Europe,” said Kristin Karst, executive vice president and co-founder of AmaWaterways. “With the widespread popularity of these immersive longer itineraries, we are thrilled to announce that the 2024 Spring and Summer Editions showcase enriching itineraries on board a single, award-winning ship – making it easy for guests to sit back, relax and enjoy the unparalleled experience of cruising seamlessly between the North Sea and the Black Sea visiting the historical sites and rich culture of the 15 countries in between.”

Guests who reserve their spot on AmaWaterways’ Seven River Journeys for 2024 will have the opportunity to dive deep into each region’s unique history, cultural traditions, and savory cuisine and wine, while being treated to a variety of exclusive experiences along the way. For the first time, the 2024 journeys will include a 7-day exploration of the Danube Delta visiting six new towns along the way and showcasing a special folkloric event in a new port, Giurgiulesti, Moldova.

Seven River Journey: Spring 2024 Edition

Embarking April 22, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands and disembarking June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu, Romania, guests will explore the hearts of 15 fascinating European countries in full bloom while gliding through legendary rivers and canals during the Seven River Journey: Spring 2024 Edition.

Seven River Journey: Summer 2024 Edition

The Seven River Journey: Summer 2024 Edition is the reverse journey of AmaMora beginning on June 10, 2024, in Giurgiu, Romania and ending on July 29, 2024, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Guests will enjoy summertime sailing the complete length of the Danube before passing through the history-making Main-Danube Canal onto the Rhine, Main, Moselle rivers and finally enjoying the Scheldt, Maas and Waal waterways of Netherlands and Belgium.

In addition to the locally influenced fine dining and hand-selected wines that AmaWaterways’ is known for, the 2024 Seven River Journey itineraries will also include complimentary gratuities both on board and ashore; a variety of new, unique small group excursions; complimentary laundry services; commemorative gifts; and a dedicated Cruise Manager and the same attentive crew throughout the voyage. On board, guests will be delighted to find spacious staterooms with AmaWaterways’ signature twin balconies and top-notch amenities such as a relaxing sun deck, pool with swim-up bar, fitness room, complimentary bicycles and daily entertainment including cultural performances.

To book an AmaWaterways river cruise, contact your preferred travel advisor, call 1.800.626.0126 or visit AmaWaterways.com.


Join the Fun--& Win a Free Cruise by Participating in Windstar Cruises "Treasure hunt"

Are you good at solving puzzles? If so, you could earn up to $200 in onboard credits that can be used on a Windstar sailing. You'll also be entered in a contest to win a Windstar cruise for two, which the cruise lines describes as an "exotic cruise to a fabled port-of-call." The contest is also a celebration of the fact that Windstar is close to having its entire fleet of six ships back in operation!

The luxurious Star Legend docked in the picturesque port of Napflio Greece.                                                                                                                 © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

The luxurious Star Legend docked in the picturesque port of Napflio Greece. © Joanne & Tony DiBona Photography

Start the contest by going to the landing page at windstarcruises.com/treasurehunt

and have a wonderful time watching the picturesque cruise videos while you attempt to crack the code. No purchase is necessary to enter and you have until October 1 to try your luck! A winner will be drawn from all the people who cracked the code and that person (and a guest) embarks on a Windstar cruise to go find the REALLY BIG treasure.

As inspiration, you might want to travel with us on an oh-so memorable Windstar Cruise, which brought us from Venice to Athens on board the Star Legend.

View our USATODAY10BEST photo gallery on this unforgettable cruise experience.

Enjoy an entire PHOTOGALLERY of images of each port of call on this Windstar Cruise.

Good luck and have fun!

#Windstar180TreasureHunt @WindstarCruises