Fun For the Whole Family at Hotel Riu Emerald Bay, Mazatlan, Mexico

At the Riu Resort:

• Watch the nightly fireworks! They appeared right outside our room.

• Listen to the mariachi bands — there were 3 of them playing simultaneously — a bit cacophonic, but great singing.

• Beach, not just the part directly in front of the hotel; feel free to explore on either side, especially the restaurant and stores to the right when looking out to sea.

• Pool — OK, not pool — pools, with swim-up bars, aqua exercise, ping pong tables, slides for little kids, with a kid activity area, tons of gentle, shallow wading, fun slides and water dropping on you!

• Waterslides (meant to scare teenagers, btw — these were beyond my 9-year-old daughter, but thrilling for young teenagers)

• Drink service around everything, quick taco and burger type food in the middle, great buffet and full-service restaurants.

• Fine dining - the Italian and the Chinese restaurants were sit down; be served by attentive waiters. Wonderful food and wine.

• Nightlife - a free nightly entertainment show, complete with open bar!

Day Trips:

In Mazatlan itself:

• The bus or the taxis depart from right outside the front gates, opposite side of the hotel from the beach — get on the bus, be a local!

• Ask anyone which bus goes straight down the Malecon and then returns — Riu is at one end, almost the very end of the loop; Old Mazatlan is at the other end.

• Get off in the middle — what? Explore, walk around, eat at one of the palapas on the beach, sink your feet in the sand, have a shrimp cocktail and ice-cold cervezas, talk to vendors and pop your head into stores.

• Old Mazatlan is wonderful, some great cathedrals, stores — you are REALLY a local here!

• The Aquario was fun, packed in with everybody!

• Now be a tourist, take a boat tour! We went on one that covered the shoreline and saw some magnificent properties on the hillside. The Stone Island Tour is the most popular, and a great deal — they pick you up at the hotel, drive you to the pier; cruise on the water, drive you to the area; you pick from a variety of adventures, horse ride on the beach, snorkeling, banana boat, etc. — $42 for adults; $23 for kids!

• You can book everything and anything from one of the Activities desks in the lobby at The Hotel Riu Mazatlan, and they will come and pick you up!

The Riu Emerald Bay resort in Mazatlan is a 5-star, all-inclusive resort - so you can eat anywhere!

I will add a note about tips. Although they are not required, I recommend having some $1 bills handy to tip waiters, bartenders and other staff, as it not only helps to contribute towards their typically low wage, but it can also go a long way in terms of service and getting extra special treatment.