Excursions in Mazatlan

[cruznon]

We leave in a few days on Oosterdam and I have a question about excursions in Mazatlan.....Have any of you taken the Sierra Madre, Concordia & Copala tour?
It sounds interesting, but it mentions a "winding road" and I wonder about just how "rustic" the road might be . Is it an enjoyable trip or just a very long bus tour punctuated with opportunities to buy the usual touristy "stuff" ?
Is it worth the 7 hour committment?
Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Bill HaHa]

We did this excursion about 5 years ago on the Statendam. The bus ride was ok. Not bad at all. The brick stop was just ok. Nothing spectular. As I recall, the Copala part was the best. A nice little town with a good lunch. All in all, we enjoyed the excursion.

[cruznon]

Thanks, Bill. I appreciate your input.

What about STONE iSLAND? Anyone do that? Can you arrange this on your own?

[Krazy Kruizers]

We did a tour similar to that a number of years ago - but our Sierra Madre tour was about 8 hours - long bus ride. Enjoyed Copala very much - authentic Mexican lunch with that good old American apple pie for dessert.

The walk around the town itself is over cobble stones - the view from the church overlooking the valley is beautiful.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry - it took twice.

[Cauvet]

Did this tour in about 1983 while we were staying in a hotel in Mazatlan. It was very interesting and quaint. We ate in a restaurant that was owned by an American expatriot. The food was good and we had banana cream pie for desert! My TA says this trip has become much much more commercial and quite different than it was twenty something years ago. We have it booked for our cruise 3/6.

[1cruiselvr]

There's really nothing much on stone island. If you enjoy horseback riding, you can book Randi's Happy Horses. She picks you up at the terminal bldg and arranges transportation to water taxis that take you to the island where you are assigned a horse to your skill level. You ride thru a coconut plantation and the beach before stopping for lunch at a restaurant called Victors on the beach. But Stone Island itself is very poor and a throw back to the old Mexico. Happy Sailing!

[ROZO'SBEAU]

We took this trip in May. You see hand made brickmaking, furniture making (the rustic kind), visit Concordia (kinda historical and scenic), then to Copan in the foothills of the Sierra Madre for lunch. Not bad overall...it gets you away from the beach resort scene and you see Mexico in a different light.
It definitely beats going to the shopping zone in Mazatlan which is one big tourist ripoff and not as picturesque as Cabo.
The road is not so winding and the bus is comfortable.
Of course the ship excursion is overpriced but what's the alternative? The ship does not dock near the touristy area...it is at a commercial pier.
Beau

[dakrewser]

Of course the ship excursion is overpriced but what's the alternative? The ship does not dock near the touristy area...it is at a commercial pier.
Beau

The alternative is to take a taxi to the Plaza Principal, stroll around downtown then head out to the Malecon and walk along the shore. While the Zona Dorada does have all of the typical tourist traps, walking down side streets and alleys gets you to some little treasures.

[Sea Island Lady]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=124460&page=1&pp=25