I don't spend a lot of time in the tourist zone. Some, just not a lot. I have seen very few of the sharks circling this year. I did get approached by a 'real estate' salesman in Sam's club a couple weeks ago. He asked why I was laughing so I told him I was a real estate broker and had been doing it longer in Mazatlan than he had been shaving. But he took it well and went on his way.

I got the impression that he was not 'planted' in Sam's, just doing some shopping and saw what he thought might be a customer. Times are hard in real estate too.

Last year I remembered to tell my server at Gus y Gus to make sure the timeshare lady didn't come sit down at my table. I'll say it's my biggest turn-off and a large reason I'm not the fan of Gus y Gus like most.

Right on BJ.

I have told waiters that if a shark pesters us at our table they will not get a tip.

Problem solved.

I found the TS sharks to be way less present and imposing than I found them to be just nine months ago. They are still present, particularly the ones for La Jolla, but not as bad walking through the Golden Zone. I think Bob's suggestion is brilliant though!

Time share approaches are way, way down. Both on the street and elsewhere you'll notice a marked change in volume at least. Be aware that while there are also less TS salesman at the airport, but they are no longer limited to the one area. Now they can be inside the airport building itself, however that won't matter if you just keep walking until you get completely outside where the taxis are.

So far our impression is that TS sharks are down in numbers, but the ones that remain are the tough ones that don't give up easily! For as long as we have been coming to Mazatlan, they have always been inside the airport building for the arrival of the international flights. What changed two or three years ago is that they now get still further inside so they can be right next to the exit from immigration....very disconcerting to travellers who are wrestling with the whole paperwork stuff.

They are still out and about in the GZ.

When we were in Cabo last year & then in Zihuatanejo this year we ran into people we had seen hocking timeshares in Maz. in the past.

It must be slow in Maz. right now, when the tourist flow picks up, they'll be back. ; )

I recently read that new timeshare regulations were established which are supposed to be harder with timeshare resorts and sales reps due to the lately increase of scams and harassment: (timesharescam.com/blog/…). Anyway, i think cabanabob's idea is brilliant, ts sharks shouldn't be an obstacle for you to enjoy Mazatlan