The best tour ever and I cannot say enough about the team that works with the tours. First, let me start with the integrity of the team. My husband was sitting on a bench while waiting for the tour guide, and his phone slid out of his pocket. Half way through the excursion, he realized he didn’t have his phone. We back tracked and went back to all spots with no luck. At the end of the tour, we went back to the main desk to check lost and found. Thankfully, one of the other tour guides found the phone and turned it in. Now, let’s get to the tour and my amazing tour guide Carlos. Carlos was set out for 100% satisfaction and even when we said he didn’t need to do something, he still did it. He made sure to check everything on our list that we wanted to do. Additionally, his positive attitude and patience truly made the difference. Great recommendations and overall an amazing day. I will absolutely be back. This tour allows you to explore the island on your own at your own speed verses feeling rushed or having to leave something out. Thank you Carlos for an amazing day!

We had a great time on our private van tour. Our driver, Oscar is very knowledgeable about the history of Mazatlan and took us to many places around Mazatlan that we enjoyed. We were on a cruise so we didn't have as much time as we would have liked to explore but we definitely would book again next time we visit Mazatlan!

Last month, May 2024, we embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Mazatlán, Mexico. The week-long vacation exceeded our expectations, thanks to the exceptional services and warm interactions with everyone we encountered. Despite a minor hiccup during our layover in Phoenix, our journey was safe and unforgettable. We embarked on our escapade, fueled by anticipation and the promise of adventure. Our ground transportation arrangements were in place, thanks to an acquaintance who assured us we were in good hands. Little did we know that these words would resonate so profoundly. We met Jose L. Velarde of Mazatlán Van Tours (mazatlanvantours.com)—a tour guide extraordinaire who would redefine our travel experience. Our first encounter unfolded at the airport, where he stood, a beacon of hospitality, holding a sign with our names. His smile was genuine, his demeanor warm. In that moment, we felt welcomed, as if reuniting with an old friend. Jose’s bilingual prowess bridged any language gaps. Fluent in both Spanish and English, he effortlessly connected with us. Our prior arrangements allowed flexibility—we could explore independently or rely on his expertise. And so, our journey began. As the sun set below the horizon, we stepped into the embrace of the Courtyard by Marriott Mazatlán Beach Resort. Its elegant façade promised a sanctuary—a haven where dreams become reality. Our room, a symphony of comfort and style, overlooked the beautiful Pacific coastline. In the passing days, Mazatlán revealed its secrets through Jose’s eyes. He wove tales of history, shared trivia, and breathed life into backstories. The astonishing cathedral, each cobblestone street, each historic plaza, held significance. He didn’t merely guide; he immersed us. Jose shared recommendations: hidden gems, local eateries, and muse-see spots. His patience was unwavering, his wit quick, and his knowledge—vast. We explored La Noria, a community nestled an hour away, where time seemed to slow, and authenticity thrived. We quickly realized Jose wasn’t just a guide; he was the heartbeat of our journey. His love for Mazatlán was contagious, and he transformed our vacation into an absolute dream. We laughed, learned, and savored every moment. In the end, at the airport, our farewell was bittersweet. Jose had become more than a guide; he was a friend. Gracias, Jose, for turning mere travel into a lifelong connection. Until we meet again, may your path be lined with sunsets and stories. And so, voilà—a chapter etched in our hearts, where Jose’s service and the Courtyard’s grace intertwined. Hasta la próxima, amigos!

They’ll take you in a van to places they obviously are in collaboration with to make money. Every stop is a trap to pressure you into tipping or buying something.

Melissio was the best tour guide. We stopped at all the main attractions in Mazatlan. He was very informative and helpful. He took good care of us. Highly recommend this tour. We are from Canada and this is our first time in Mazatlan

The ebike tour and guide (Sébastien) were phenomenal!!! It was just my husband and I, so we got a private tour! If you're interested in seeing the main highlights, history and understanding the local lifestyle, we would highly recommend this excursion. Score 10 out of 10!!!

Jesus was our driver. His English was great. He’s from Mazatlan. He knew everything about everything. We only had a vague idea of what we wanted to do and he found perfect things just from our description. He went way way way out of his way to drive my husband to a sports casino to watch March madness in rush-hour traffic and then rushed back to the rest of the group so that we could go onto our next event. He was so accommodating and kind and pointed out all the cool things about Mazatlan. The van was comfortable and he had cold beverages waiting for us. He was kind and chatty and it was a great great day. Thank you, Jesus.

Absolutely wonderful!!!! Hubby & I had Carlos Mendas as our personal guide. We could choose p/u time. Went to see Malpica, Concordia & Copala. Carlos extremely knowledgeable about history & culture. Provided beer, water, soda and a fabulous lunch. Very calm, relaxing tour we could do at our own pace... .HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Booked Carlos thru Nexus Tours. This is not your typical touristy thing

This tour took us to two villages we had not been before, Concordia and Copala. Visited a bakery and tile maker while in Concordia and toured the church and govt. bldg. then the curvy road ride to Copala. This Mtn village is small and had an interesting artisan shop. The old church happened to be closed that day. Lunch was done seaside back in Mazatlan. The big negative was the distance driving.

Lots of waiting due to a couple of cruise ships in port. Very friendly guide/driver but upon reaching stone island, very few lounge chairs. Communication for activities was sparse. Drinks and food were good. Service was attentive.

We learned a lot about the history of Mazatlan from Ricardo and we enjoyed it. We went to the cathedral downtown. It rivals those of Europe and is not to be missed! Lunch at the restaurant on the beach was very good. We spent a little too much time in the car, but there were several street closures making the roads full of traffic. Overall I would recommend it.

Friendly, informative tour guide, a fun tequila and liquor tasting and a final stop at a fantastic Mexican seafood restaurant right on the beach. I highly recommend this tour!

In February 2024 we got to Mazatlan on a cruise and did not have anything planned. In the port we met Jorge L, with Van#21, who offered a City Tour right on the spot. AC van, drinks/beer provided, sightseeing stops, nice personable narratives - all good.

We booked a private tour for 2 families with young kids. We booked a private tour so that we could tailor it to the attention spans and tolerance of our young kids. Our tour guide Jesus Valdez was friendly and spoke excellent English and showed us the best vistas of Mazatlan and made an excellent itinerary. We were able to see the Malecón, cliffdivers, vista of the lighthouse, driving through Old Mazatlan and the Plaza, stopping at the Cathedral, with time at the market and a stop for lunch. Old Mazatlan was colorful and charming and I’m glad we got to explore it. The market was chaotic but the kids loved hunting down a cheap souvenir there. We even had time for an afternoon visit to the Aquarium which was an unexpected treat. I highly recommend this tour for families.

We were supposed to meet the van at a pre-determined location at 9:00am, as per the text message I received. As we left to meet the van, we noticed the address we were provided did not match the pin drop on the map. We called the driver and he said the name of the hotel had changed, and we were to meet him at our hotel at 10:00. So we went back to the hotel where they met us promptly at 10:00. They were very courteous, and we were on our way. The trip description mentioned some stops at a village en route to the tequila factory. The first stop was at a candy factory, which appeared to be a woman's kitchen. It was a little awkward as several people were jammed into a small room and the woman making the candy kept handing out samples, obviously hoping we would make a purchase. I did not care for it myself and I don't think many others did either, so we left. The next stop was a "dancing horse" training farm. We were encouraged to give tips for the "performance" because the farm only got paid once a year for their training. While the horses appeared to be well cared-for, I did not consider it dancing. The horses were just quickly stepping around the whip and the spurs, which they tried to choreograph to music. I found it difficult to pay for this type of entertainment. The next stop was a rooster breeding ground, in which the roosters were bred and sold for cockfighting. We did not go inside the gates (thankfully) because it was hard enough seeing endless rows and rows of small houses with roosters tied on short chords. We finally got to the tequila tasting, and we were given a tour of the buildings and the process was explained via a large pictoral display. We were each given 3 tickets to use for 3 shots.It was a nice bar but it was a little crowded as other tours were there as well. Then afterward we went to lunch at a nice Mexican restaurant. The food was really good, but it was a long day, much of which I didn't feel was necessary to the tour - it was just a mechanism to get the patrons to spend more money. The tour was supposed to be from 9:00-1:00, but we didn't get back to our hotel until almost 4:00, and we were the first to be dropped off. I think if we had stuck to tequila tasting only, it would have been a more interesting and timely trip.