What are some good things to do in mazatlan, mexico?

For a family of four. I already have hotel/flight/car but need some attractions and activities to do there. thanks!

Go sport fishing.

Just tell them you want to catch as many sail fish as you can.

Forget about catching a marlin.

Also look for a boat that uses string instead of hooks. It sounds totally bogus, but you will catch way more fish. The bill on a sail fish is really rough and the string grabs onto it really well. The fish hit the lure trying to kill it & instead it gets tangled in the fibers.

After that I would go out to eat for a nice meal at a sea food restaurant. Don't eat the sail fish, it taste really gross & is actually what they feed the prisoners in mazatlan (this is BTW where all the dead fish go).

If you want to eat something you catch tell the guys on your boat you want to catch dolphin (not flipper/sea world dolphin, this is a green fish that taste amazing).

Bring lot's to drink (alcoholic & otherwise), & bring plenty of sunblock & oil.

Take picture of everybody fishing & holding a fish they caught.

Also if you are staying in a hotel tell they you want a baby sitter for a night. Then take your husband to the "disco" (night club) for some dancing. There is only one worth going to & it is huge (think two super walmarts).

Only do this if you are at a respectable hotel (e.g. guards & guarded parking lots). There are a lot of kidnappings in mexico & it pays to use a little common sense.

This being said it is a major turist town & your should be able to let your kids wander the beaches in front of the hotels.

Also you could just plan on walking the beach for an afternoon/evening (or you might want to do this everyday) with your husband & visiting the little sand floored cabana bars.

This is generally a lot of fun & how I would plan on spending most of my time if I were in your situation.

Also if you roam the beach there are little clusters of catamarans that are avalible for rent. This can be a lot of fun, even if you don't know how to sail. Because there are usually local guys hanging out that you can pay to sail you around for a bit.

Good luck. Mazatlan is a blast.

PS - I would forget about surfing (it's not that kind of beach) & snorkeling (the amount of sand in the area really clouds up the water).

Just try your best to stay alive and dont drink the water...

Depending on your ages - we had a blast at Senior Frogs in Mazatlan.
www.seniorfrogs.com
It's a restaurant (wonderful food) and bar, and they have free entertainment. It was alot of fun.
There is also good shopping in the town square area. Take the open taxis from the ship - very resonable.

My girlfriends and I just got back....
we went on the tequila tour--- liked it very much
pacifico tour ---- boreing do not go
deer island--- very nice and relaxing
stone island---- HORRIBLE DO NOT GO
parasailing--- have to do i. It was awesome
rented quads--- fun culd live without
eat at
ernie tomatoes--- the best, very good
senor frogs is americanized it is ok
bars
go to bora bora
joes oyster shack was the best!!!
Have fun

almost forgot. Sundays there is fire works at the hotel playa and we also went to a fiesta one night at the hotel playa it comes with dinner and the show. We loved it...
There is a man who will be there on the fiesta night doing hand painted tiles. You have to get one. They are the neatest thing and he only uses his fingers to paint them.

For family fun in Mazatl谩n, I suggest: the Aquarium, the Gran Plaza shopping center (with movie theater and game arcade), a Sunday evening stroll around cliff divers' point, the hotel pool (of course), a motorboat ride to/from Stone Island (for beach, hike, horse rides), a hike up to El Faro lighthouse (pace yourself, parents) to view city panorama, a visit to El Mirador restaurant to watch sunset / cruise ship departure, La Casa Country restaurant (food with fun), the Fiesta Mexicana show, a Venados baseball game, and a city tour by pulmonia (open-air taxi). If you're lucky, a circus, a fair, or some other special event (i.e. holiday celebration, marathon / triathlon) may also be taking place during your stay. Just ask your concierge or cab driver.