Tucson Lifestyle Magazine and its Executive Editor Scott Barker kindly sent this young journalist to Mazatlan, Mexico, for her first trip south of the border to review the Estrella Del Mar properties, the Wyndham Las Villas Hotel, and sights specific to the area. Initially, her tour guide took a wrong turn, slighting marring the beauty of the newbie’s journey, but it was eye-opening due to the plight of this tourist city away from the resort.
Downtown Mazatlan and Off Property Bus Tour
Observing the rich history of Old Mazatlan and stopping seaside to watch cliff divers ranks as one of my favorite recent travel experiences. For several years, I worked as a CTA (Certified Travel Associate) within both the leisure and corporate travel sectors. One good rule of thumb was to never venture outside the resort property in any country with, subjectively speaking, a seemingly unstable government, unless escorted by a tour company or trusted affiliate. Another rule of thumb had many CTAs instructing clients never to leave the resort at all unless returning to the airport. Well-traveled and adventure-seeking clients often took the initiative to travel outside of the resort anyway, dressing down and in a style that they were unaccustomed to back in the US so as to avoid notice.
Whatever the chosen rule by the traveler, I had my own set of rules as well. It was to follow my intuition, and place my trust in a higher traveling power without relinquishing all control over my own ground transportation. In this case, I gave no thought to an escorted small bus tour with fellow journalists, until our guide took a wrong turn, no less than five miles form the resort. Static-filled, seemingly ominous radio transmissions, no cellular reception, and the slightly panicked-edge voice of our bus driver allowed me just the right amount of thrill-seeking I expected to endure and I was ready to return to the Wyndham property within minutes. It would take a few more trips to get used to relinquishing this small control of the wheel again.
New Appreciation for Ecotourism and Real Estate Opportunities
The flipside of getting lost was finding our way back to the resort and understanding just what the area had to offer. The Wyndham boasts the largest privately funded sea turtle preservation in Mexico, specifically dedicated to the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, an endangered species. One look at the baby turtles swimming around on site in a hatchling pool and I began to coo – immediately understanding the human reflex to care for another entity unable to care for itself.
For those able to care for themselves – and to care well – the real estate market in the area offers condo rentals and vacation homes with both beachfront and golf course properties at absolutely amazing rates. The prices available on such amazing real estate, lots, and properties will most likely interest individuals from all areas, ranging from seasoned developers to those just entering the market.
The Wyndham Itself Does Offer Sanctuary and Serenity
The rooms at this hotel are absolutely gorgeous. I toured each type of room: oceanfront, oceanview, gardenview, and all were met with the same rigorous attention to detail and design. Upon settling into my room, hotel staff came by to make sure to remind me of activities onsite (four restaurants, golf, horseback riding, spa, hot tubs, fitness center, tennis, all types of fishing. But what I really wanted to do was walk on the beach, watch the sunset, and remind myself of the tremendous amount of good in my life for which I could be grateful. Mazatlan’s Wyndham Las Villas Hotel is a perfect spot for families, couples, and even the solo traveler looking to expand writing horizons and expound on thankfulness.
Though I blame no one, perhaps only my own naïve tendencies, I am grateful for the wrong turn. I witnessed scarcity and poverty of such a level that was new to me - and also in such close proximity to wealth and abundance - that I took very little of this trip or anything else about my life in the US for granted once I returned.
Rhonda Baughman - Dr. Rhonda Baughman is a graduate of Kent State (Honors College), Antioch Univ. McGregor (Midwest), and Argosy University, Chicago.
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