2011 Gran Fiesta Amigos de Mazatlán

Gran Fiesta Amigos to Kick Off Fall Travel Season in Mazatlán

October 31st to November 3rd!

Nicknamed “The Pearl of the Pacific”, Mazatlán has long been a favorite Pacific beach destination for me, as well as many others who want to get away from the tired over-crowded tourism centers around Mexico. Many of those who celebrate the uniqueness of this seacoast town have gathered there annually for 17 years as Mazatlán spotlights its cultural heritage... its authentic cuisine... its beaches... and its world-class fishing and surfing. The event is the annual Gran Fiesta Amigos de Mazatlán and it will electrify the town from October 31st to November 3rd, 2011. While the 2011 Gran Fiesta Amigos (Big Festival of Friends) is intended to welcome and thank Mazatlan’s travel partners such as wholesalers, tour operators, airlines (American Airlines just launched daily non-stop flights to Mazatlán from Dallas-Fort Worth for an estimated upswing of $15,000,000/annually in tourism revenue and another option for the over 2,000,000 visitors a year), incentive companies, international journalists and tourism dignitaries... but it is the perfect time of the year for all sun-seekers to visit Mazatlán.

Mazatlán has become a world-class surfing destination.

The sunsets in Mazatlan are unmatched anywhere else! 

The 17th Annual Gran Fiesta Amigos de Mazatlán is jointly presented by the City of Mazatlán, the Mazatlán Hotel Association and the State of Sinaloa.



“Mazatlán’s rich culture and unrivaled hospitality sets it apart from other destinations.” says Carlos Berdegue, vice president of Mazatlán Hotel Association and Tourism Board. “Visitors here enjoy beautiful weather and Pacific coast sunsets alongside a lively historic center, renowned cuisine and premier resorts. There are also top-ranked spas, championship golf and year-round events. We are committed to showcasing the many sides of Mazatlán and look forward to making the 2011 Gran Fiesta Amigos the best ever.”

Pulmonias are Mazatlan's trademark transportation found only here!

Among the highlights of this year’s celebration are:

Angela Peralta Theater

Old Mazatlán’s neoclassical Angela Peralta Theater and Plaza Machado will be hosting performances and special dinners. There will be displays of Day of the Dead altars, walking tours of Old Mazatlan, boutiques, jazz clubs and art schools.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Cruise ships line up in this popular cruise destination

Cliff divers perform several times a day on the malecon.

There will be tours and excursions of nearby colonial towns such as Copala, El Quelite and La Noria. Visitors can also savor authentic regional cuisine (including some of the best seafood in the world), visit local artisans’ workshops, archaeological museums, churches and historical sites dating back to the 1500’s.

It’s not bragging if you’ve done it... and Mazatlan is recognized worldwide by sportsmen (including me) as a first-class sport-fishing destination. We’re talking about big trophy fish like Marlin, Tuna and Sailfish. Golfers recognize world-class golf resorts and courses such as El Cid Golf and Country Club’s Lee Trevino championship course; the Robert Trent Jones-designed Estrella del Mar (which I set out to play... but it played ME like a fiddle); and the new Marina Mazatlán Golf Course designed by David Fleming. Among events at this year’s Amigo’s celebration will be a keynote breakfast presentation on November 1st honoring distinguished travel industry guests and a featured speaker. The breakfast, along with other events at Gran Fiesta Amigos de Mazatlán will be at the state-of-the-art Mazatlan International Center, a destination in itself for business meeting and conventions in Mazatlan.

For more information on attending the 2011 Gran Fiesta Amigos, you may visit http://www.GoMazatlan.com.