Side Trips
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Just 30 minutes northeast of Mazatlán, a deserted
agave ranchhouse and tequila distillery has been transformed
into a tasteful, tranquil guest ranch. The 3,000-acre
ranch is a refuge for both humans and animals, from miniature
horses to exotic pure-white peacocks. A small white chapel
sits atop a slight ridge overlooking the property, with
the Sierra Madres rising in the background. The original
stables, hacienda, and tequila-factory buildings have
been completely renovated with attention to detail, and
several new casitas are filled with classic Mexican touches.
To honor the privacy of their guests, drop-in visits are
not allowed, but tour groups and individuals may visit
for lunch and a horseback ride, with advance reservations.
The ranch is a peaceful, completely secluded hideaway
with accommodations that make you feel like you're staying
in a luxurious private home. The 11 casitas have air-conditioning
and fans, kitchens and bathrooms tiled in bright yellows
and blues, upholstered equipal chairs and couches in
the living rooms, and carved wooden armoires and dressers
in the bedrooms. Each
casita has a large porch, where guinea hens tend to
roost in the window boxes among blooming flowers. The
chef prepares superb regional Mexican cuisine with breads
baked daily in a wood-burning beehive oven. Guests are
welcome to ride the horses up the mountain foothills
and into towns that still lack automobiles and electricity.
There's a pool and tennis courts, and plenty of space
to roam in complete solitude.
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Click here for the full information.
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2.
Boat Dock and Parking Area (Boat Ticket, less than $1
U.S.)
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A. You purchase your boat
ticket at the ticket booth and save your ticket as it is a round
trip ticket. They may ask for your ticket on return and if it
is lost you could be asked to pay again.
B. There is a women and
a men's toilet cubicle to the left of the ticket booth.
C. There are normally vendors
selling snacks (pastries etc.) at the Ticket Booth area.
D. When you're ready, walk
down the gang plank to the dock and choose an available seat
on the outboard motor boat (normally 16 foot boat).
E. The boat ride takes
about 10 minutes.
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There is a covered open sitting area directly in front of the
exit from the dock. To the right of the sitting area is a small
cafe. To the left is a women and a men's toilet.
A. Easy Way: You may take
the Stone Island Special, tractor pulling a wagon with seats,
or pulmonia to the beach and cafe area; or
B. Long Way: You may walk to the
right following the tire marks on the road (you can't get lost)
circling the town and it is 1.5 miles to the beach and cafe
area on this route; or
C. Short Way: You walk
straight ahead past the covered seating area crossing the vacant
lot, cement playground. When you reach the street at the other
side of the cement, turn left and stay on this somewhat winding
main street (dirt type) through town (people, house, chicken
etc. watching) and it is .7 mile to the beach and cafe area.
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4.
Beach
Cafe Area: Relax and enjoy the beautiful beaches, warm
shallow water, and palapa cafe cuisine at the recommended
Carmelita or Lety's cafes, (there are other beach cafes).
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Facing the
cafes with your back to the beach you will see a sign "Carmelita".
Move until you are to the left of the sign while facing the
cafe. This is Carmelita's Cafe, Lety's is the one on your right.
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