Moving to Mazatlán: A Guide for Retirees and Seasonal Residents

• Retirees who want a beach city with walkable neighborhoods, cultural events, and a large English-speaking community in winter. See retiring in Mexico and permanent residency for retirees.
• Seasonal residents who spend roughly November to April here. If you stay less than 180 days per visit, tourist entry may be enough.
• Remote workers on a budget; internet is generally good in the main areas. See digital nomads.

People who plan to drive around the region should read the travel advice below first.

Official advice for Sinaloa is stricter than for most of Mexico. As of its September 17, 2026 update, the Government of Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel to Sinaloa, but excludes parts of Mazatlán when reached by air or sea: the Centro Histórico south of Avenida Gutiérrez Nájera, the road between the Centro Histórico and the airport, and the main coastal roads from the Centro Histórico to Playa Delfines, including the Zona Dorada and Cerritos. Also read the Sinaloa entry of the US State Department advisory.

Compare any address you are considering with the wording of both advisories, and check again before you sign a lease. See the Sinaloa page and our safety guide.

• Centro Histórico. Restored 19th-century buildings around Plazuela Machado and the Ángela Peralta theater, with restaurants and galleries.
• Olas Altas. The old seafront next to Centro, with sunset views and an older, relaxed feel.
• Zona Dorada (Golden Zone). Hotels, condos, shops, and restaurants along the beach. Convenient and busy in winter.
• Marina. Condos and homes around the marina and golf courses north of the Zona Dorada.
• Cerritos. Farther north, with newer high-rise condos and quieter beaches.

Mazatlán is generally cheaper than Los Cabos or Puerto Vallarta. Beachfront condos and winter rentals cost the most, and some are listed in US dollars. Local food, transport, and services are inexpensive. Air conditioning drives summer electricity bills up.

Check the residency income or savings test with the solvency calculator, and read temporary residency, renting, and cost of living.

Mazatlán has private hospitals, including Hospital Sharp Mazatlán, as well as clinics, labs, and IMSS facilities. For some complex specialties, residents fly to Guadalajara or Mexico City. See IMSS health insurance and private health insurance.

Mazatlán International Airport (MZT) is south of the city, with domestic flights year-round and more US and Canadian flights in winter. Baja Ferries sails to La Paz in Baja California Sur. In town, buses, taxis, ride-hailing apps, and the open-air taxis called pulmonías are easy to use, and many residents of the Zona Dorada and Centro live without a car.

INM's main Sinaloa office is on Avenida Prolongación Aquiles Serdán at Playas Gemelas, in Fraccionamiento Playa Sur, near the port south of Centro. INM lists weekday hours of 9:00 to 15:00. Start the canje within 30 days of entering Mexico with a residency visa, and return for renewals and the move from temporary to permanent residency.

The foreign community is large in winter and much smaller in summer, with clubs, volunteer groups, and charity events. Spanish helps outside the tourist areas.

• Property: Mazatlán is in the coastal restricted zone, so foreigners buy through a fideicomiso; see buying property with a fideicomiso.
• Hurricanes: the season runs May 15 to November 30.
• First steps: get your CURP and a bank account after your card arrives.