Things to do in Mazatlan

Three things to do in Mazatlan:

1. Mountain-biking with Fernando Kelly. Fernando sells and rents bikes from Kelly's Bicycle Shop, Av. Camaron Sabalo #214 Local 16. He has built some very nice trails in the hills to the east of Mazatlan, and does a guided tour for 275 pesos. Email kellybikeshop@hotmail.com.

2. Kayak to Isla de Pájaros. Ocean kayaks -- the unsinakable plastic ones -- rent for US$10/hour. There's a rental place on the beach outside of the Pueblo Bonito hotel, towards the north end of Camaron Sabalo. It's maybe a kilometer across the strait.

3. Hike to top of Isla de Venados. There's an operation just south El Cid Castilla Beach Hotel that will take you over to the island for about $10 and pick you up at a pre-arranged time later. Once on the island head south from the beach and find the trailhead towards the top. I'm not sure if you can get to the very top (I couldn't find a path), but you can get pretty close. Don't forget to take water with you on the hike. When I went they sent a jet ski to pick me up. Take a plastic bag with you to collect trash.

jd