Frequently Asked Questions

Yes and there are few pointers to keep in mind when it comes to using an ATM machine in Mexico:

1. Stick card into the slot on the machine as indicated.
2. Press Enter/OK (there will be a sign talking about the importance of not sharing your PIN number).
3. Enter your PIN number and press OK/Enter on the screen of the machine.
4. Enter the amount of money you wish to withdraw (most machines only allow up to $4,000.00 - remember that this is pesos and your account will reflect the withdrawal in its currency equivalent).
5. Say OK to the charge fee (it should be the equivalent of $2.00 - $5.00 US dollars pending on your bank).
6. Say "NO" to the donation question unless you wish to donate.
7. It will ask you if you want a printed receipt (Yes/No).
8. Retrieve your cash from the receptacle.
9. Keep your eye on the slot for your card, it will reject it without warning and you only have a certain amount of time before it sucks it back in.
10. In the case that you lose the debit card in the machine, immediately take note of the location of the machine, bank it comes from; write down the phone numbers that appear on the top of the machine for.

Contact and request assistance at the front desk!

Hotel Playa Mazatlan let you print your boarding passes FREE of charge. Please contact the Concierge Department.

To calculate what time you should arrive at the airport (and at what time you must leave the hotel) must take into account two factors:

1. The destination (domestic/international). You should check the airline’s website to check the time limit of acceptance.

2. The method chosen for the check-in. If you have checked in online, the boarding pass is already printed and then you will save the time for the queue at the check-in, but if you does the check-in at the airport, you have to consider the time of the line at the check-in.

The trip from the Hotel Playa Mazatlan to the airport takes about 35 to 40 minutes, so we recommend you leave the hotel at least two and a half hours prior to departure (for international flights).

When you first enter to the Mazatlan Airport you’ll need to go through the Mexican Immigration process. During your flight you will be given a visa form to complete (one per passenger), and a customs form (one per family). Complete these forms on the plane prior to your arrival. Immigrations will process your visa and stamp your Passport. They will return a stub from the visa form. DO NOT LOSE this stub; you will need it to exit Mexico.

After immigrations, you will immediately enter the baggage claim area. After collecting your luggage you will exit through a customs line where they will view your luggage through a scanner. After your luggage has been scanned, you will be requested to press a button and to surrender your customs declaration. If a green light appears, you are free to leave, if a red light appears, they will want to look inside your luggage. The red light is used about 20% of the time, and is nothing to be concerned about.

After you leave customs you enter and enclosed area of the airport that is used to try to sell TIMESHARE condominiums to the tourist. Be polite, but try to get past the sales pitch. You will then exit through the doors into to public part of the Airport.

Children under 14 years old stay for free in existing bedding when accompanying an adult.

We do not offer a complimentary shuttle service. You may arrange shuttle service through an agency. Please contact the concierge or reservation department for further transportation assistance.

Yes we do and is open to hotel guests from 7:00 am to 3:00 pm (Monday – Sunday).

Check in time is at 3:00 PM and check out time is at 12 noon.

Business services are available 24 hours/day for any on site administrative needs. The cost is $3 USD ($30 pesos) for an hour.

Hotel Playa Mazatlan offer free WiFi Internet access in common areas such as the lobby, pool area, restaurant and bar; and free Wireless internet access in our meeting rooms and in a select number of guest rooms.

Cellular providers offer supplemental services and plans to enable customers to bring their cell phones in foreign countries. Other options include using local SIM cards to make calls while traveling or residing in another country. Some basic guidelines and tips will help you effectively use a cell phone and smartphone abroad to save money.

1. Contact your cell phone provider to activate international calling, rent an international cell phone or purchase an unlocked phone and SIM card for use in another country.

2. Check the voltage requirements for the desired country and bring a power converter for the phone charger, if necessary.

3. Type frequently used telephone, emergency contact, hotel and transportation numbers on the phone and save them in the phone's address book. Make sure to enter the telephone numbers using the international dialing format: for example, calls to the U.S. should be entered with the prefix "+011" followed by the area code and telephone number because calls made abroad will initiate from the local phone carrier.

4. Turn off the function for "Automatic" checking of emails, if you're using a smartphone such as a BlackBerry or iPhone. Instead, change the email settings to "Manual" to reduce data roaming charges. During your trip you can choose when to check for email messages when you're connected to a free, wireless Internet connection, such as in a hotel lobby or Internet cafe.

5. Consider signing up for Skype and activating a Skype to Go number or downloading and installing the Skype mobile application for smartphones. A Skype to Go number is a local number that serves as a gateway to call outside the country to save money on roaming charges and providing a number for calls to be forwarded to your cell phone. The Skype Mobile application uses the smartphone's data plan or wireless Internet connection for calls to Skype members or other telephone numbers.

References: USA Today Travel Tips

Yes, Hotel Playa Mazatlán has its own purified water system and all of our water—from your shower to the ice cubes—is perfectly safe. Elsewhere in Mazatlán, many hotels, restaurants and bars have internal water purification systems as well. When in doubt, however—ask! ("Agua purificada?") You will also find bottled water readily available

Mazatlán, Mexico lies just a few miles below the Tropic of Cancer and shares the same latitude as Honolulu, Hawaii. It is due east of the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, about 720 miles south of the Arizona border.

Mazatlán enjoys a mild, year-round climate, with an average temperature of 80° F (26.7°C.) Check out today's Weather

A passport is by far the most convenient and widely accepted form of identification for customs officials, especially for changing money (where a photo I.D. is required.) However, your original, U.S. or Canadian birth certificate is also considered legal I.D. For further questions on proof of citizenship, please check with your travel agent or the Mexican Consulate.

Mazatlán is in the Mountain Time Zone and observes daylight savings. Check out Mazatlán’s Local Time.

Yes, Hotel Playa Mazatlán has a bilingual (English/Spanish) staff, as do most resorts and restaurants in the Golden Zone. Don’t let this stop you from practicing some Spanish—a little effort goes a long way with the locals!

Mexico’s currency is the Mexican Peso. As a traveler, your main concern will be getting the most favorable rate possible. Generally credit cards offer the most favorable exchange rates for changing money, since credit card companies have access to better rates than individuals. If you would rather not carry large sums of cash, ATMs are a convenient way to obtain local currency at a reasonable exchange rate.

Keep in mind that The Mexican Peso is a "free floating" currency in Foreign Exchange Markets and like other similar currencies, its value fluctuates daily. At the Hotel Playa Mazatlan the exchange rate is $11.50 mexican pesos per dollar.

Check Today’s Exchange Rate.

For your convenience, money changing is available at the front desk of Hotel Playa Mazatlán’s main lobby. Elsewhere, casas de cambio (money changing stations) and banks will change U.S. dollars and traveler’s checks for pesos. While casa de cambio rates may run a few pennies higher than banks, they are found everywhere, open longer hours and usually have much shorter lines. Some of the larger restaurants, hotels, and shops may accept U.S. dollars.

Important. As of June 21st, 2010 the banks will change only US$300.00 daily and up to US$1,500.00 in one month, that is per person and you have to show your passport to the teller.

Yes, Hotel Playa Mazatlan accepts Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. Most other large hotels, shops, and restaurants also accept credit cards. Your purchases will charged in pesos, and your bank will convert the amount back to the equivalent in the local currency where your account is held and charge it to your account.

However, smaller establishments often do not. It is a good idea to carry (or have access to) either cash or traveler’s checks, as well. All banks will perform cash advances from a credit card, and many have ATM machines on site for after hours cash.

For restaurants and bars, 10-15% is standard. Be aware there is a national consumer tax of 15%, known as I.V.A., added to food and most other purchases—it is generally included in most prices. Any extra or exceptional service welcomes your gratuities.

Hotel maids, although often providing "invisible" services during your stay, can and should be tipped for good service. Tip: $2 per day in a moderate hotel, $3 to $5 per day in a deluxe hotel (Tipping daily rather than when you check out ensures that the tip will go to the specific person who cleaned your room).

Yes, we offer complimentary safety deposit boxes to all of our guests. They are located at the front desk inside the lobby.

Electricity in Mexico is 110 volts/ 60 cycles (same as U.S. and Canada) so your 2-pronged appliances (electric razors, hair curlers, etc.) will work just fine without a converter.

From Hotel Playa Mazatlán, you´ll find most restaurants, bars, shopping and banks only a short walk or taxi ride away. Mazatlán famous mode of transport is the Pulmonia, an open-air taxi resembling a golf car and usually playing colorful music. Just like regular taxis, they will take you anywhere within the city. For only $7.00 pesos, the city´s air conditioned buses will take you downtown (Route: Sabalo Centro) or to the mall for shopping and groceries (Route: Cerritos-Juarez). For more information, check with our Concierge

Generally speaking, Mazatlán is very safe. Hotel Playa Mazatlán´s location in the heart of the Golden Zone—a popular, tourist district—is readily patrolled by the local police force with friendly, English-speaking officers. Most restaurants, bars, shopping and banks are just a short walk or taxi ride away from the hotel. As with any vacation, do exercise your common sense and personal safety.

To find out what´s going on around town, check out the Event Calendar. To receive e-mail updates on special events and activities happening each month in Mazatlán, join Club Playa. It’s free—and you won’t miss a thing!. Also visit Cultura Mazatlan that lists all the cultural events mazatlan offers its tourists

Conveniently, both the United States of America Consulate and Canadian Consulate are located on the premises of Hotel Playa Mazatlán.

Hotel Playa Mazatlán has an on-call, English-speaking doctor available 24 hours a day for our guests. There is also a First-Aid Station and small pharmacy located on hotel premises. Pharmacies are generally well-stocked and staffed by knowledgeable, English-speaking staff. There are two, large hospitals in Mazatlán (Clinica del Mar and Sharp Hospital), both with excellent facilities, doctors and specialists. For more information, contact the Front Desk.

Yes, marrying in Mexico is legal, official, and a popular destination to "tie the knot" for hundreds of couples each year. Check out Requirements for Marrying in Mexico.