• About
  • Blog
  • Working together
  • Testimonials
  • Contact

Girl Gone Travel

Girl Gone Travel

North America, Travel
/
February 7, 2014

Photographing Mazatlán, Mexico

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share

It’s been a few months now since I visited Mexico, and I have tons of images of Mazatlán, the coastal town on my last trip there.

It was the kind of place that I think I will have many stories to tell for a while, and I have worked on a piece where I will tell you even more about the area.

In the meantime, I wanted to share some photos just because when I think about some of my favorite places to photograph recently, France was definitely one of them, as was Dublin, but so was this destination.

I hope that through this images I can bring a bit of the experience to you.

Day trip to El Quelite in Sinaloa

40 minutes out of Mazatlán is the rural town of El Quelite, known for its color buildings and play life and for its traditional and historic feel.

Mazatlan_girlgonetravelMazatlan_girlgonetravelMazatlan_girlgonetravel

Mazatlan_girlgonetravelMazatlan_girlgonetravel

The El Quelite church dates back to the 1800s. It is a pillar of faith in the community, housing a collection of icons and artifacts that honor and celebrate the community’s religious traditions.Mazatlan_girlgonetravelMen from El Quelite play the ancient game of Ulama, where a 7-pound rubber ball is passed along from player to player trying to get it through a hoop without ever using your hands. El Quelite is the last towns to still play the sport.

One of the best restaurants in the area is El Meson de los Laureanos. Not only is the food authentic and delicious, but you are also treated to some fun entertainment. Pictured here a lasso performer with his dancing horse.

Mazatlan_girlgonetravel

El Meson de los Laureanos in El Quelite_girlgonetravelA meat platter looks very different at El Meson de los Laureanos with its choice of stewed goats, pork, and steak. Amazing.

El quelite_girlgonetravelStepping out from behind the camera for a bit to pose with the awesome performers that entertained our group at El Meson.

Having the opportunity to witness the community prepare for El Dia de Los Muertos is incredibly touching. The celebrations take place in two days. On November 1 El Dia de Los Santos is celebrated and it is when the children who have passed are remembered. Their tombstones are decorated with toys and candies among other favorite items that they might have enjoyed. On November 2 is El Dia de Los Muertos. This is when most of the flowers are offered at the tombstones and the largest of the festivity days.

What I saw a day before all of it were family members sweeping the dirt around and off the tombstones. The would hand wash the stone and paint it so that it was as fresh as new. They would even hand paint any letter on the gravestone. In a community such as El Quelite, members come together to make sure that everyone can afford to have a place to rest for their loved ones. It is one of the most moving and emotional experiences I have ever had around this tradition and a beautiful way to honor the ones we have loved and lost.

Dia de Los Muerto_girlgonetravel Dia de Los Muerto_girlgonetravel Dia de Los Muerto_girlgonetraveldia de los muertos_girlgonetravelFlower vendor puts together arrangements to sell for the Dia de Los Muertos.

Las Labradas Petroglyphs

Off the fisherman’s village of Barras de Piaxtla, about an hour or so from Mazatlán, is the beach called Las Labradas and there visitors will see petroglyphs carved along the coastal rocks of the beach. These carvings date as far back as pre-Hispanic times to the Toltec Indians (800-1000 CE). It’s a peaceful place, an archaeological site preserved for exploration and observation, providing moments reflection and serenity.

Las Labradas_girlgonetravel Las Labradas_girlgonetravel

Las Labradas_girlgonetravelPerforming a Pascola dance in worship of the sun god.

Centro Histórico (Old Town)

Old Mazatlán dates back to the 19th century and though there are still signs of years of abandonment, the area has started to prosper from the effects of revitalization. Many restauranteurs, shop owners, and artists have invested in the area with the encouragement and some support from the local government. It has become a popular meeting destination for festivities, cultural events, and casual social gatherings. Still, it’s a wonderful area to walk through as old clashes with a refurbished newness that honors to support the history and culture of the city.

Mazatlan_girlgonetravel

Mazatlan_girlgonetravel Mazatlan_girlgonetravel

Mazatlan_girlgonetravelThere are a few wonderful galleries in the area owned by artists committed to the area and the community it serves.

DSC03525Basilica Inmaculada_Mazatlan_girlgonetravel

The Basilica de la Inmaculada Concepcion, completed in 1899, sits in the center of Old Mazatlán and is often called The Pearl of the Pacific.

Mazatlan_girlgonetravelOld Mazatlán has become a favorite place for locals and visitors to take in some of the best of what the culture has to offer.

Olas Altas Mazatlan_girlgonetravelMazatlan_girlgonetravelOlas Altas (tall waves) beach, a favorite for surfing, is next to the historic center and one of the perfect spots to watch the sunset.

Mazatlan_girlgonetravel Mazatlan_girlgonetravelMazatlán is the shrimp capital of the world thus a visit to the shrimp market, if only to see how massive they are, is a must.

I loved the people, the food, the views and all the fun Mazatlán has to offer. My heart goes out in thanks to all the wonderful people who shared their country and traditions with me, and more so, let me capture it to share with you. You can see more faces and smiles from my trips in “Friendship and a smile“. To read the stories behind the two photographs below, please check them out on my Instagram.

Mazatlan_girlgonetravel Mazatlan_girlgonetravel

All photography is property of Girl Gone Travel and may not be used without direct consent of the publisher.

Disclosure: I was invited as a guest of Mazatlan, Mexico tourism for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own.

Related

Enjoyed this post? Give it some love and share!
Share
Pin this Post
Share this Post
Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

You May Also Like...

Christmas Tree Hunting in Long Island, NY

December 12, 2008

Fort Tryon Park, Washington Heights, NY

December 10, 2008

Winter afternoon in the Bronx Zoo, NY

December 16, 2008
4 Comments
  • Shana
    February 8, 2014

    Beautiful photographs! I've travelled to many places throughout Mexico and thought I'd seen it all: Taxco, Acapulco, Mexico City, Cancun, but you have managed to reignite my desire to go back! Great work!

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Shana
      February 8, 2014

      Thank you!

      Reply
  • Sand In My Suitcase
    February 8, 2014

    Beautiful photos! Mazatlan has been getting somewhat of a bad news rap lately – your pictures and post show Mazatlan in a different light :-).
    My recent post New reasons to visit Kauai (Part 1)

    Reply
    • caincarol
      Sand In My Suitcase
      February 8, 2014

      I'm so happy to hear it. I feel like the news loves to sensationalize and focus the negative. Coming from NYC, I have witnessed how that is easily done to the point that it clouds anything positive in the area. So thank you. I'm glad I can offer a different perspective.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Shana Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Previous Post
Romantic Getaway to Rhinebeck, NY
Next Post
Figuring Out Where I Belong

About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons and 2 puppies. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

Categories

  • Asia5 Post(s)
  • Caribbean17 Post(s)
  • Central America4 Post(s)
  • Europe53 Post(s)
  • North America316 Post(s)
  • Oceana1 Post(s)

Contact

  • carol@girlgonetravel.com

Follow @girlgonetravel

Photo dump from our first day out and about in Ber Photo dump from our first day out and about in Berlin.

Last time I stared up at these gates I was left with tears in my eyes. It was my last day in the city, a beautiful spring day and the sunset was perfect. In fact, the whole city was and I was left with this overwhelming sadness to not be sharing it with my family. And for the first time in my years as a travel blogger, often times alone, I felt an aching pang of loneliness. This moment would be the motivating factor to figure out another way. To travel in a way that made ME happiest and truly fulfilled me.

For a lot of people solo travel is their thing. And I think the courage and lessons gained from doing so are powerful and life changing. I am glad to have learned from all the years I did so.

But I really most enjoy traveling with my kids or husband. Not necessarily because it’s easier or even cheaper, but because I love watching them navigate these new experiences. I love the easy willingness with which they will practice a local language they’ve never studied on an unsuspecting local just trying to ask them if they are paying cash or card…or the confidence in learning how the local transportation works…or the willingness to try new foods…or the ease with which they roll with mishaps or getting lost or plans not working out, but most of all, I look forward to watching them fall in love with places that I’ve falling in love with, like Berlin, or when we fall in love with a new place together.

All this to say, how you travel, how often you travel, where you go, what you spend - these are things that should matter to only you. No one is better or worse, or luckier or less fortunate for doing it differently.

I have been to Berlin 3 times. But this moment, with these people, was a dream in the making for years because as great as this city is, they were really the missing link to making it absolutely amazing to be here for me.

Can’t wait to share more photos from our shenanigans here!

#berlin #germany #familytravel #summertime #returntoberlin #imonvacation
Celebrating some of the best of this first year in Celebrating some of the best of this first year in the Finger Lakes! More on my blog, GirlGoneTravel.com. 🎉

#fingerlakes #lifeintheflx #myflx #thisissoflx #soflx #relocation #upstateny #lifeinupstateny
NEW ON GIRLGONETRAVEL.COM: It's hard to believe by NEW ON GIRLGONETRAVEL.COM: It's hard to believe by it's officially been one year since we moved to the Finger Lakes! So much has happened, I really couldn't put it all into words! If my latest blog left you wondering,  I am happy to answer any questions you may have about life here or a move like ours! Thanks for reading!

#relocation #Lifeinflx #movetoflx #fingerlakes
Hello world. I’d like to introduce you to a new Hello world. I’d like to introduce you to a new angel to this world, my beautiful little niece, Solénn 🥰

Did I cry? Of course. She is precious and as the oldest of 10 kids, I got to carry almost all of my siblings when they were this age too and care for them as they grew up. So, it is surreal to now have my “first babies” having babies! ♥️ It’s so sweet and beautiful and man, I can’t wait to see them give it to their parents as much as their parents gave it to me 😂. Being a Titi is the best!

#titi #auntie #iwanttoseethebaby #cutebabies
One of the coolest brewery vibes I’ve experience One of the coolest brewery vibes I’ve experienced has been in @bigalicebrewing in Brooklyn, NY (they also have an Queens location). So you know I was excited when they opened up a spot in the Finger Lakes (Geneva)! 

It’s been a minute since I’ve visited and they’ve expanded their outdoor space (shown here) and now regularly host music as well as a food truck to pair goodies with your brew.

The sunsets here are pretty epic too, and it’s such a cool place to chill and be with friends. The staff is also super friendly. Definitely add them to your list of places to check out! Also, kinda have to have a special place in my heart for fellow city-folk who fell in love with this magical place too and are doing awesome things here. 🍻

#flxbrew #fingerlakes #brewery #myflx #beer #geneva
To think I went so much of my life unaware of all To think I went so much of my life unaware of all the beauty right at my finger tips. I will forever to my core be proud to be born and raised in New York City, and for a moment I thought nothing could ever be greater. Turns out the world is filled with endless pockets of beauty and breathtaking spots. Some of them don’t always make it onto TikTok or Insta but they really are special.

I was out and about shooting for work in Tompkins County, and love that I get to experience beautiful places daily. 

I didn’t filter, and I edited only to fit this video, a glimpse into a day in the life here. I wish and hope people appreciate how this truly is a wonderful place to be. 

Featured are: Views of Dryden Lake (in the rain!), scenes from @underhill.farm (for a country stay, blueberry picking, and sheep!), @hopshirebrews (for photos but also a drink to cool off!), then we stopped at the super cute @thebigsbymarket where we got the sweetest peaches ever! 

#fingerlakes #myoffice #worklife #photographer #fingerlakes #drydenny #tompkinscounty

Copyright © 2022 Girl Gone Travel | Privacy Policy | Copyright Notice