Packing List, Mazatlán

Luggage and bags: If you have a small bag, you can take it on the plane. Make sure you have a suitcase that is sturdy and with wheels.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Don't forget your HAT!! Bring some light runners, as the cobblestone streets are broken and old in places..any form of high heel is impractical, and even sandals if they are flimsy will break. You will do alot of walking in Mazatlan. Be prepared.Be sure to bring a sweat shirt, and some long pants, not all shorts and tops...it was very cold in Feb 2001 and I lived in my sweatshirt at night. There is no heat in the rooms and when it is cold, it is damp too.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: The pharmacies have almost everything. One thing I did hear on one of the email lists I am on, is that there isn't alot of makeup for lighter skinned people. Bring your own. Also small travel sized hand sanitizer, I used this before every meal, just incase, and never got sick. Travel sized toothpaste and soap are good too.

Photo Equipment: I brought film, but there is lots there.Bring your pics home to get developed. Quality is not that great in Maz, and it is expensive.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: I brought a foam beach mat...it was great! I rolled my clothes in it on the plane, I wore my clothes in layers....took some off going down as it was hotter..and put on more coming home as it got colder!..and rolled them all in the beach mat!

Miscellaneous: Someone mentioned a paring knife and ziploc bags..good plan!
Join the Mazatlan Info group on Yahoo..an email group with lots of info..it is called MAZINFO..check for it on Yahoo groups. If you are going to stay for an extended period, pack a few of your favourite dishes and cutlery, and useful kitchen items with you, as you can't find alot of things there.

Luggage and bags: load up your suitcases!

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: Sandals and beach wear! It can get kinda chilly at night from December-March, so bring some sweatshirts and pants! Great nightlife in Mazatlan, so bring your clubbing gear as well!

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: Any of the hundreds of local pharmacies have anything and everything you need in regards to both medicine and toiletries. You will find much what you use back home!

Luggage and bags: hard sided luggage is better. I've experiened having the softsided type slashed and items removed at the airport when leaving for home. Don't put anything valuable in checked luggage.

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: comfortable shoes, sunblock, sunglassess, a sweater for the evenings. If you want to go to a nice restaurant take suitable dressy clothing.

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: immodium, tylenol,

Photo Equipment: telephoto lens, 400ASA film

Miscellaneous: Take your own ground coffee as the coffee in Mazatlan does not taste the same as the coffee at home. Many hotels provide a coffee maker in the rooms. You can take milk in a tetrapack or buy it there because here canned milk is generally used for coffee. Coffee cream is not available.

If you're going to cook your own meals and think pasta may be in order, take it with you in non breakable containers (ie. purchase your sauce in a plastic container or can). Want bagels? take them with you and freeze them when there if you have a suite with a kitchen. You can buy cream cheese there but again its different than at home. Take prepackaged meals (not frozen) and any favourite treats, which may not be readily available here.

Wash your fruits and vegetables in bottled or filtered water as the water is often the source of Montezuma's revenge.