Why You Should Consider Living in Mazatlan

Have you ever dreamed of oceanfront living that doesn’t break the bank?

Just look south over the U.S. border.

Mazatlan, Sinaloa, is one of the best places to retire in Mexico. The city’s beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, affordable living, and good facilities are making it attractive to many foreigners moving to Mexico

Population in Mazatlan

The city has over 500,000 people, including around10,000 expats. Some expats are snowbirds who spend part of the year in Mazatlan.

The population is diverse. You will meet foreigners and Mexicans from other states who’ve moved to Mazatlan. Since the city has a large shipping port, there’s also a continuous flow of cruise ship tourists.

Weather in Mazatlan

The weather is excellent for outdoor activities all year long. But keep in mind the summers are hot and humid, with daytime highs of around 90F. The warmer months are from May to October.

You can enjoy mild temperatures from December to March. The average temperatures are around or below the 70F range, with highs of around 80F. Don’t forget to keep a sweater nearby for the mornings and evenings.

Cost of living in Mazatlan

Mazatlan is one of the most affordable places to live in Mexico. Even considering it is on the ocean. You’ll find more attractive prices here than in other coastal cities like Puerto Vallarta. Plus, you’ll have beautiful ocean views and some of the best seafood in the country!

Let’s take a look at some examples:

Cost Of Living Examples:

(Sources: Numbeo, Vivanuncios, and information from our customers)

Rent

On average, the prices are around:

1-bedroom apartment in the city center – MXN 12,000 or USD 600
3-bedroom apartment in the city center – MXN 16,000 or USD 800

But you can find 2-bedroom, 2-bath apartments within walking distance from the beach for around USD500-600.

2 bed 1 bth rental in Mazatlan for $12,000 Pesos a Month. Fully furnished

Local real estate agents are the best source to find hidden gems that suit your budget and lifestyle. Check out the Mexico Relocation Guide for a list of trustworthy agents.

Utilities

The utilities for two people can cost you around USD60-100, depending on your usage:

Water – MXN200 or USD10
Gas – MXN400 or USD20
Electricity – MXN500-800 or USD25-40
Internet – MXN500 or USD25

Some rentals include internet or certain utilities. Always check what comes with the price.

Groceries and eating out

Some typical costs:

3-course dinner at a mid-range restaurant (for two) – MXN450 or USD22.50
Budget meal at a cheap restaurant – MXN150 or USD7.50
Pint of domestic beer – MXN30 or USD1.50

The monthly groceries can cost around MXN5,000-7,000 or USD250-350 for a couple if you shop at supermarkets like Walmart and local shops.

Expect to spend more if you have pets because pet food is expensive in Mexico.

Transport

Mazatlan is ideal for walking. The city also has safe public transport and taxis. The average costs are:

Local bus fare: Around MXN12 or USD0.60 each way
Taxi: About MXN22.50 or USD1.13 per kilometer.

Total monthly cost

A couple can live comfortably for around MXN30,000 or USD1,500 a month. But you can easily spend more, depending on your lifestyle.

To see what type of life you can have for USD $1,500 a month, watch my interview with Diana, who’s loving her retirement in Mazatlan.

YouTube video

Healthcare in Mazatlan

Many expats who want to retire in Mazatlan (and Mexico) are curious about the healthcare quality.

The city has excellent healthcare options. This includes private hospitals like Hospital Marina and Hospital Sharp, as well as public hospitals.

Hospital Marina is one of the best private hospitals in all of Sinaloa

Healthcare is affordable, like in other parts of Mexico. So, it’s common for expats in Mexico to pay their medical bills out of pocket. But I always recommend my clients get private health insurance if they qualify. Hospital bills can pile up very quickly during an emergency.

Read my article: What Are Your Healthcare Options in Mexico? for more information.

You can get treated for most health conditions in Mazatlan. But sometimes, you may have to visit a bigger city for complex treatments. Or you can take a short flight to the U.S. So, retaining your U.S. Medicare plan can be useful.

Getting to/from Mazatlan

There’s an international airport with convenient flight options to the rest of North America- such as Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Edmonton, Mexico City and more!

And if you’re up for a road trip, the U.S. border is around 15 hours away.

If you don’t have a car, there are also long distance buses like the TIM premier, Primera Plus, or Turistar. You can easily take a bus to places like Puebla, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City and more. Not only is this the most affordable way to travel in Mexico, but it is also very comfortable!

Things to do in Mazatlan

Whether you’re retiring in Mazatlan or simply starting a new life, one thing is certain: You’ll never get bored in this beautiful city.

Here are a few (among many) things to do:

Immerse yourself in the local culture

Visit the recently refurbished Centro Historico (Historic Center) to soak up the atmosphere. It has beautiful colonial buildings, museums, and many restaurants and places to hang out.

The city has live music and events to keep you entertained year-round. Don’t forget to see a theater show at the famous Angela Peralta Theater.

The ocean awaits you!

Living in a coastal city means swimming, watching sunrises and sunsets, and relaxing by the water as you please. There are nearby islands that make for beautiful getaways.

Take a long walk along the Malecon (a path along the coast) to enjoy some great views across the Pacific Ocean.

You’ll feel at home if you love surfing, snorkeling, diving, fishing, and other water sports.

Enjoy the flavors of Mazatlan

There’s a range of affordable restaurants and street food options.

And seafood is big in Mazatlan. You’ll never be short of fresh seafood due to the city’s location. In fact, some people would argue that there is no better seafood than the variety in Mazatlan. But even if you’re not into seafood, there are also great steaks and plenty of vegetarian options.

Safety in Mazatlan

The state of Sinaloa is famous for the bad stuff. So, many foreigners wonder if it’s a good idea to live in Mazatlan. But as many expats will agree, you can have a very normal and safe life here.

Having said that, you should take general precautions as you would anywhere. If you’re visiting other areas in Sinaloa, check the safety levels in advance.

Plan Your Move to Mazatlan

Hearing all the positives about Mazatlan might make you want to pack up and move there immediately. But first, you must make sure it is the best place for YOU.

Our Mazatlan private relocation tours guided by local experts are a great way to learn more about the city and its lifestyle. We customize these tours to suit your interests, meaning it will be just you, your family, and a private tour guide. You can spend a few days (or however long you want) to see if living in Mazatlan is right for you.

Mariana Lange

Mariana Lima-Lange was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. when she was a child. She spent every summer visiting family throughout Mexico and is very knowledgeable about Mexican culture, lifestyle, and traditions. She is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Miguel Salas says

    Pickleball played in Mazatlan?

    • Mariana Lange says

      Yeap! There are pickle ball courts and meetups

      • Carol says

        Hi I’m looking for a two bedroom 2 bath I’m a senior on a fixed income

  2. Miguel Salas says

    $375 monthly rent is my max.

    • Mariana Lange says

      You can find a rental for $70000 pesos a month but it may be very basic and probably unfurnished

      Although, they do exist. You’d be better off checking with the local community than working with a realtor

      • Rich Minaya says

        I think you meant $7000 pesos, although (I’m here now) prices are starting to go up. It’s inevitable for growth and the benefit of locals. Rich Minaya

  3. Peggy Peralta says

    Thank you so much for your timely and critical information. My question is, are there any facilitators in AZ to help get an appointment to start temporary citizenship procedure. I’ve been trying on my own for 6 weeks with no answer from anyone. I had all the paperwork together 6 weeks ago but can’t get appointments. Than just you for any help you can provide. Peggy (86 yrs old)

    • Mariana Lange says

      Hi Peggy
      All immigration facilitators live and operate in Mexico. Because the bulk of what they offer is on the Mexican side. Having said that, if you are willing to travel outside of Arizona you may have better luck getting an appointment

      For example in Las Vegas
      [email protected]

  4. Gerry Hembry says

    How about La Paz

    • Mariana Lange says

      Search “La Paz” on our website and you’ll see videos and breakdowns for La Paz 😉

  5. kenny says

    what are the best marinas in Mexico?…I plan on having a small fishing boat for pleasure and business fishing trips for expats or tourist.

    • Mariana Lange says

      That’s a great question but unfortunately that is not my area of expertise

  6. Sarah says

    Are there good 55+ and/or senior citizen living facilities with assisted care in Mazatlan? I’m trying to get my folks to move down there where they can get a little help in their senior years.

  7. James Otto says

    We are looking to relocate to Mazatlán. My question is, where is the highest concentration of expats located ?

    • Mariana Lange says

      There aren’t specific areas where expats move to in Mazatlan

      • Leonard Rosen says

        Hi.. 70’s male on $2000/m with car looking to check out Mazatlan for long term stay or retirement.. what’s a realistic available rent for something clean and safe.. any feedback is welcome or someone I can have a conversation with 🤗

        • Mariana Lange says

          Realistic is very subjective. It depends on your lifestyle, your needs, and your wants.
          Rentals can start as low as $7,000 pesos a month and go up to $60,000 pesos a month in Mazatlan.
          The ranges depend on location, size, amenities, age of building, furnished vs unfurnished, etc.

  8. Michael M says

    Do you happen to have a list of top rated bi-lingual schools in Mazatlan for kindergarten age. My initial research led me to go private, but bi-lingual because I want my son to quickly learn Spanish. My hope to to find a school first, then housing close by – in a perfect world in. neighborhood where we can walk more than drive.

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