Driving our RV in Mexico and Latin America: El Malecon

“EL MALECON”

El Malecon the la ciudad de Mazatlan is a boardwalk that expands for about 10 miles long, in parts goes up to about 50 feet wide, the Mazatlenians call it “the place to blade”.
El Malecon borders the Pacific Ocean ,stretching from the Centro Historico to the Golden Zone Mazatlán's waterfront avenue, connects the old city to the new. this walkway bustles with joggers, blade runners, cyclists and sight seers.
When in Mazatlan, most peoples will head for the Malecon. Why not? This is the area with all the great restaurants, hotels, beaches, and shopping. The beach seems to run forever along the Malecon. Placed every so often is a beautiful statue or monument , as if the ocean itself was not beautiful enough. The best shopping is done in this area as well, with jewelry, silver, and mexican articles for sale on every block in the nearby Golden Zone (Zona Dorada). This are some of the beautiful Monuments along The Malecon

"El Venadito" This monument symbolizes Mazatlán and the city's Indian heritage. The name "Mazatlán" derives from the Nahuatl Indian word "Mazatl," which means "deer." Therefore, "Mazatlán" is the "Land of the Deer."

The Immaculate Conception
At the foot of the harbor in the south end of town, between the cruise ships and the ferries to La Paz, a golden, serene-looking madonna figure stands out in the skyline. This monument, often referred to as "The Virgin of the Point," is always surrounded by fresh flowers. An inscription at her feet identifies her: "Mother of the church and queen of the sea and universe."

Pacifico Monument

Homage to the Pacifico Beer Factory. This monument was unveiled on March 14, 2000, the hundredth anniversary of the day the brewery first began producing Pacifico beer. The Pacifico brewery was founded by three German immigrants, Germán Evers, Emilio Philippi and Jorge Claussen. The brewery was acquired by the Modelo group in 1954. The monument was is a huge copper cooking vat capable of holding (6336 gallons) of beer.

López Sáenz Monument
Created as a millenium gift to the city from the artist, this monument is a stylized Sinaloan family looking towards the future.

The Shield of Sinaloa and Mazatlán
Even further south along the malecón, the colorful "Escudo de Sinaloa y Mazatlán" has been on display since December of 1959. One side of the monument shows the Sinaloan crest, while the other side shows the Mazatlecan crest, both which date back to 1831. The Sinaloan crest, or shield, depicts four important historical cities of the state: Culican, El Fuerte, Mazatlán and El Rosario. The Mazatlán shield depicts an anchor to symbolize the port, a crab because Mazatlán is on the Tropic of Cancer, islands called the "Two Brothers," a sun representing Mazatlán's climate and two mermaids. One mermaid holds a mask to symbolize Carnaval Mazatlán and the other holds flowers, representing the Flower Games.

The Siren
Not much seems to be known about this mermaid ("La Sirena") who sits on the rocks overlooking the ocean. The cupid next to her seems to be ready to strike the lover she is searching or waiting for.

Fisherman's Monument
Perhaps the best known monument in the city, the "Monumento al Pescador" is a symbol of Mazatlán which began as a fishing town. The man in the monument represents the strength of the fishermen.. The woman represents both the beautiful women of Mazatlán and the beauty of the city itself. In the middle of the monument is a lighthouse And the ribbon that entwines the monument symbolizes the Tropic of Cancer, which Mazatlán almost sits right on. This monument is Mazatlán's oldest.

Further down the malecón, south of the Fisherman's Monument, is Mazatlán's largest monument, "La Continuidad de la Vida." The monument-- a naked couple on a huge seashell overlooking a school of dolphins-- is meant to represent life's continuity in harmony with nature. The man, who points to an infinite horizon, offers the future to the woman, a future where they will search for happiness together and protect living things. The snail shell on which the couple stand is particularly important because the snail traditionally represents continuity and eternity of life in the universe. This monument is particularly impressive at night, when it is all lit up.