Shopping in Mazatlan offers many of the kinds of souvenirs and handcrafts you find throughout Mexico – ceramics and pottery of all sorts; silver, gemstones, and jewelry; basketwork and blankets; leather crafts and paintings; religious and decorative arts; sombreros, clothing, and, of course, tee shirts. For a true Mexico shopping experience, head to the Centro Mercado (Central Market), set in a classic colonial Victorian building dating to 1899. Here you can find stalls selling everything from the shrimp (camarones) that appear on the menus of just about all dining spots and fresh caught fish to fruits, vegetables, spices, pottery, clothing, and typical Mexican handcrafts. Look especially for colorfully dressed ceramic and papier-mâché Day of the Dead Catrina dolls.

Other good places for shopping in Mazatlan include the boutiques, shops, and art galleries around beautiful Plaza Machado, also in the Centro Historico. This square, which dates to 1837, has been wonderfully restored, and many of the former elegant mansions now house museums, art galleries, and boutiques,. This is the central focus of the city’s cultural life, anchored by the opulent nineteenth-century Angela Peralta Theater and many excellent dining spots.

Once you’ve had enough of the pristine beaches and great nightlife in the Zona Dorada (Golden Zone) district, you can find excellent shopping here, primarily for Mexican handcrafts. Look for the Zona Dorada specialty: decorative items artistically covered in sea shells. You’ll also find Senor Frog’s here. This is a wildly popular souvenir store and dining establishment that is part of a chain with locations across the Caribbean as well as Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Myrtle Beach. The restaurant serves a variety of Mexican and Mazatlan specialties as well as hamburgers and other sandwiches. The store specializes in handbags, beachwear, and very popular Senor Frog’s logo items.

Mazatlan Map