[Unsound]

The discussion going on in the northern neighbours thread made me think this mught be a good oplace to ask... I'm heading to Mexico for the first time on friday, and kinda looking for tips(haha) on what's an appropriate amount to tip for what services, and whether american dollars or mexican pesos are best?

Any advice on that, or on things to do in mazatlan, would be appreciated.

[Brenda]

I have NO clue, but HAVE FUN!!! (and watch your back...)

[DrCaleb]

If 'Pedro' want you to bring back a package for his sick mother, say 'no'.

Oh, and no jumping off balconies in a cocaine induced fit.

[Gunnair]

Unsound Unsound:

The discussion going on in the northern neighbours thread made me think this mught be a good oplace to ask... I'm heading to Mexico for the first time on friday, and kinda looking for tips(haha) on what's an appropriate amount to tip for what services, and whether american dollars or mexican pesos are best?

Any advice on that, or on things to do in mazatlan, would be appreciated.

I was in Mexico this summer - go with Pesos and get them from the exchange machines (I'm told you get a better exchange rate)

I did the 10 - 15% tip and based my extra on the quality of the food as Mexican service is attentive but rather slow (order two Coronas at a time)

Do not drink anything but bottled water and do not have drinks with ice unless your ideal is to take your chances of shitting through the eye of a needle for a week (as some of my sailors found out)

Beach is a pain because of the people selling their shit unless you're at a private resort then you should be alright.

Stay in the touristy parts of town.

Have ID in your boot in case you get beheaded! (just kidding)

Oh, and when taking a cab, decide the price up front and ensure they don't try to fuck you out of a few more pesos.

[BartSimpson]

The best thing to do in Mazatlan is to go a little south of town (other side of the harbour) and hit the beach where you get (IMHO) probably the best surfing outside of Waikiki. Nice 3' to 4' waves in the afternoon that break from the west and southwest. You get a good ride, too.

There's a little 'trolley' bus for tourists that's not a bad idea. For like $10-$20 you get a tour and they take you to the 'Golden Zone' which has a lot of jewelry and other types of shops and is probably the safest place in all of Mazatlan.

Don't trip out on seeing truck loads of police and soldiers with guns at the ready. DO WORRY if you're in a place where you don't see any at all. That's not a good thing.

The Pacifico Brewery is not bad, if you like beer with the consistency of pee.



Oh, yes: drink Coke and beer exclusively. DO NOT buy bottled water from anyone - even from a vending machine. The Mexican 'thing' is to recycle water bottles by just refilling them with tap water or water of uncertain origins and adding a fresh cap.

[Gunnair]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

The best thing to do in Mazatlan is to go a little south of town (other side of the harbour) and hit the beach where you get (IMHO) probably the best surfing outside of Waikiki. Nice 3' to 4' waves in the afternoon that break from the west and southwest. You get a good ride, too.

There's a little 'trolley' bus for tourists that's not a bad idea. For like $10-$20 you get a tour and they take you to the 'Golden Zone' which has a lot of jewelry and other types of shops and is probably the safest place in all of Mazatlan.

Don't trip out on seeing truck loads of police and soldiers with guns at the ready. DO WORRY if you're in a place where you don't see any at all. That's not a good thing.

The Pacifico Brewery is not bad, if you like beer with the consistency of pee.



Oh, yes: drink Coke and beer exclusively. DO NOT buy bottled water from anyone - even from a vending machine. The Mexican 'thing' is to recycle water bottles by just refilling them with tap water or water of uncertain origins and adding a fresh cap.

Glad I stuck with Corona - lots and lots of Corona.

[BartSimpson]

Gunnair Gunnair:

Glad I stuck with Corona - lots and lots of Corona.

I forgot to add that tequila is typically a-okay to drink but if anyone asks, don't let them put ice in the drink!

An odd little thing I discovered on my last trip was when they offered to put ice in my tequila and I declined I'd say that I wanted to taste the tequila. That apparently plays a note of pride with Mexicans and, pretty consistently, they'd pull out the good tequila and pour me a glass.

They take a lot of pride in their national liquor and adding ice, it seems, is a sleight.

[Brenda]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Oh, yes: drink Coke and beer exclusively. DO NOT buy bottled water from anyone - even from a vending machine. The Mexican 'thing' is to recycle water bottles by just refilling them with tap water or water of uncertain origins and adding a fresh cap.

JEESH!! Ya just can't trust anyone anymore...
I would definitely have bought a bottle of water, since that is usually what I drink, assuming that is safe...

[Unsound]

Thanks for the tips.

I had planned on sticking to beer mostly, not out of fear of eye of the needle thing, but because that's what I do on vacation lol It is a little worrisome about the bottled water tho as I do like something in the morning before another beer, old age must be catching up with me.

[Unsound]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Gunnair Gunnair:

Glad I stuck with Corona - lots and lots of Corona.

I forgot to add that tequila is typically a-okay to drink but if anyone asks, don't let them put ice in the drink!

An odd little thing I discovered on my last trip was when they offered to put ice in my tequila and I declined I'd say that I wanted to taste the tequila. That apparently plays a note of pride with Mexicans and, pretty consistently, they'd pull out the good tequila and pour me a glass.

They take a lot of pride in their national liquor and adding ice, it seems, is a sleight.

lol if they let me drink tequila they had better be able to take pride in their security guards as well. That stuff makes me a little unclassy.

[Regina]

Why?

[DVC185]

We were there last year for a bit and there was a rather large market under canvas on Camaron Sabalo between the two two El Cid hotels. We picked up some decent stuff for a good price there.

I normally just get cash from a Banamex machine...been doing that for over 10 years now with no problems. While I didn't see one in Mazatlan, there are Bank of Nova Scotia outlets in Mexico. They're pretty safe also.

As for tipping, pesos equivalent to 2 bucks went a long way when left for individual resort staff but if you head to American style resturants, normal 15% should allow you to keep your head.

[Barilko]

You'll probably be spending all your time in a tourist zone designed to separate you from what's in your wallet-Relax and Be Happy!

Mazatlan is unique in that it has the Old Town quite unlike most tourist hell holes.

The further you go from the tourist zone and the more Spanish you speak the more unique the experience.

The idea of heading to the beaches south of town is an excellent one-some decent fishing that way too if you know what you're doing.

[martin14]

Regina Regina:

Why?

I don't know, but I have the same problem.. can't touch the stuff.


18 year old kids with fully loaded machine guns takes a bit to get used to.

What the others said, don't drink the water, even in the shower,
stay with the tourists, don't try to close the bar, get home early.
Spend pesos only.


Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil.. just keep walking.



I drove in 1996 from Van to PV, my how things have changed.

[xerxes]

I've heard good thing from coworkers about Puerto Vallarta. Nice resorts, further away from the crazy parts of Mexico. Plus it's not an isolated resort town so you can go into town and meet the real campesinos and the bella senorasp.