About Mazatlán   |  Location  | Weather  |  Event Calendar  |  Explore Mazatlán    Unlike most resort destinations in Mexico, Mazatlán bears a rich, complex history tracing back centuries. Great herds of deer once roamed the land and the area’s name emerged from the Nahautl words, mazatl (deer), and tlán (land of)—the ancient language of the Aztecs. Over 500 years ago, the Indigenous Totorame Indians also thrived in the surrounding area, leaving behind exquisite, polychrome pottery and other remnants of a highly developed, artistic culture.    In 1521, Hernando Cortés touched off Mexico’s Spanish Colonial era with his invasion of the Aztec capital. A decade later, his arch rival, Nuño de Guzman, marched 25 explorers into Mazatlán, eager to claim more land for Spain. Lucky colonists struck gold and silver in the nearby Sierra Madre mountains by the late 1500s. Mining towns sprang up and pirates soon swarmed the surrounding waters, pillaging gold-laden galleons.    Officially incorporating in 1806, it would be another thirty years before Mazatlán formed its municipal government. From 1859-1873, it even served as the Sinaloa state capital. But the real boom to Mazatlán’s growth was the expansion of the railroad down Mexico’s Pacific Coast. New trade channels brought enormous success to the local fishing industry and boosted the town’s population with an influx of workers. Today, Mazatlán boasts some of the largest tuna and shrimp fishing fleets in the world.    It wasn't until the 1950s, when Hotel Playa Mazatlán first opened on Gaviotas beach, that Mazatlán grew into a popular tourist destination. The city now enjoys a reputation for offering many exciting attractions, in addition to its spectacular location and near perfect climate.