Top 5 Mazatlan Helicopter Tours: Reviews & Recommendations
So, you’re looking for an incredible way to see Mazatlan? That’s quite alright! Getting up into the air can, it’s almost fair to say, offer you a view unlike anything you’ve seen. A helicopter tour is very much the thing that could make your trip really memorable, and it might even be one of your top travel stories that you share for years. Very naturally, though, with a good handful of choices on tap, figuring out which tour is just right can feel like… well, work! That’s basically why I’ve gathered some info here on the top 5 helicopter tours in Mazatlan. These, to be clear, are some really awesome ways to soak up the gorgeous sights and some cultural nuggets of the Pearl of the Pacific from up in the sky.
1. Mazatlan City & Coastal Highlights Helicopter Tour
Alright, this one’s often suggested as being pretty good for getting a solid overview. It’s very much a “greatest hits” tour! The route just about always covers both the famous historic spots plus some of Mazatlan’s best seaside panoramas. You’ll get a glimpse, and usually quite a good one, of places like the Malecon, the Golden Zone, and also the historic downtown area. In many cases, the tour operators provide some commentary while you’re zipping through the air. This sort of thing definitely helps give context to what you’re actually seeing. As I was saying, tours tend to be about 30 to 45 minutes, but I mean, that totally depends on the company you go with and what package you choose, right?
Read our full review: Mazatlan City & Coastal Highlights Helicopter Tour Full Review and Details
So, the cost, depending on, to be honest, who you go with, might well range quite a bit. Yet, I will just say, shelling out a bit extra might get you perks like longer flight times, guaranteed window seats, or possibly even pickup from your hotel. Keep an eye out for these details, basically, so you end up getting what you want. Oh, I nearly forgot! What might also sweeten the pot could very well be a post-flight champagne toast, so there is that, too! You could always celebrate an experience you will likely never forget! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mazatlan City & Coastal Highlights)
2. Stone Island & Southern Beaches Helicopter Tour
Unlike your bog-standard city tour, this choice has, I guess you could say, a bigger focus on natural beauty. Just to be clear, you’ll fly over Stone Island (or Isla de la Piedra), an, well, island. This area provides a nice contrast with the urban areas because, just to be clear, it has lagoons, tons of coconut plantations, and expanses of just unspoiled beaches. The cool thing is that a lot of these tours add a pass over some of Mazatlan’s beaches that people really love but are really kind of far from town! I’m thinking, basically, about places like Playa Brujas, for example. That said, these beaches offer a good dose of tranquility and some great scenery too. You can almost think of these tours as ideal for those that want to basically check out nature without having to spend hours traveling, if that is okay?
Read our full review: Stone Island & Southern Beaches Helicopter Tour Full Review and Details
Often, tours will take, what is more or less, about half an hour, and the price sort of hangs on flight duration plus specific routing. To tell you the honest truth, going in the morning is typically preferable since that gives you less heat shimmer for photos. Also, it might get you away from any afternoon winds. In fact, make sure to verify the kind of windows that the helicopter has. Honestly, clear, bubble-type windows are arguably much, much better for photos and really help you have unhindered viewing. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Stone Island & Southern Beaches Helicopter)
3. Sierra Madre Mountain Adventure Helicopter Tour
Alright, want a complete change of pace? Then look at a tour aimed at the Sierra Madre! These tours, it seems, ditch the beach and ocean views, very well turning their eyes to the stunning landscapes more inland. When it comes down to it, the views consist very much of mountains, canyons, and some teeny remote villages too! Most operators fly, in other words, a path which highlights areas basically untouched by your bog-standard tourism. These, it turns out, are often combined, too it’s almost unbelievable, with insights as regards local culture plus ecology in some cases. That noted, you might see routes that add, what one might call, a quick landing in a remote place where, just maybe, you get the possibility of chatting with locals, arguably making that so worthwhile.
Read our full review: Sierra Madre Mountain Adventure Helicopter Tour Full Review and Details
Alright, these can possibly extend beyond one hour. Yet, arguably, because they head a bit farther out from Mazatlan, they often may be more expensive compared to city tours. I probably should make a point of saying: Verify that your pilot and/or the tour company offers, well, insights regarding the ecosystem. The reason I say this is that it can actually dramatically up the quality of that flight for people who, unlike me, like this sort of thing, if that is okay? So, to reiterate: You may want to plan the excursion when it’s nice and dry. It’s, it seems, much safer and might very well deliver views totally unobscured by fog or clouds! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Sierra Madre Helicopter)
4. Sunset Over Mazatlan Helicopter Tour
Here you’re talking about timing your helicopter excursion with, like, the golden hour! These are generally short, though pretty darn sweet! You’re usually looking at, like, 20 to 30 minutes or so to just soar over the town, the coast, or maybe even a mix of each, just as that sun begins to set. Basically, it can be super memorable, witnessing the fading light cast warm tones right across all the beaches, buildings, and water surfaces below. Quite honestly, for those trying to ramp up the romantic angle, very few helicopter tours can match a sunset flight when it comes to ambiance, and I will die on that hill.
Read our full review: Sunset Over Mazatlan Helicopter Tour Full Review and Details
Honestly, I might be a bit biased since I am, honestly, all about sunsets, but this can cost about as much as your half-hour tours elsewhere. Truthfully, don’t leave your reservation to the final second since sunset slots, usually, are in high demand. At this point I probably need to state something important: Try to ask whether you can use camera gear, to do so with, like, specialized lenses so the shots can do the stunning colours justice. Now, the real trick? Bring a good pair of polarized sunglasses; even at sunset that sun glare down on the water still can actually be a challenge! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Mazatlan Sunset Helicopter)
5. Customizable Private Helicopter Tour
Quite alright, for a luxury experience you are just about able to, in many instances, hire helicopters privately. With that option, to be clear, you get a say about just where you’d wanna head plus the chance of lingering longer over some hot spot. That means everything’s much more flexible than just grabbing a seat in an existing offering, by and large. Want some more time capturing footage along Stone Island? Perhaps some extended views along the coast? With these, it’s possible!
Read our full review: Customizable Private Helicopter Tour Full Review and Details
Now, this will typically cost more since it is the equivalent of fully chartering an aircraft plus pilot, for all intents and purposes. Truthfully, inquire whether the charter group could perhaps facilitate some requests so that, very possibly, you can commemorate some, like, important occasion. I am talking, naturally, about banners for a wedding, specific snacks or beverages inside the helicopter, etc., which, arguably, adds that personalized touch which can possibly create something memorable! As I was saying, clarify maximum luggage allowances ahead of take-off because most choppers have small compartments for storage; too it’s almost unfair if there is not that much storage! See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Private Helicopter)
For your reference, this is just about always a great checklist to help with having, very arguably, the ideal and absolutely safest experiences:
- Security Comes First: What you will absolutely have to have is certified tour groups which carefully stick to standards for upkeep on their helicopters plus good pilot training practices, no exceptions!
- Examine Consumer Feedback: Take your time looking into what other clients feel about tour services or even the helicopter company in question before sealing any deals, just so that everything is top-notch.
- Check What Insurance Covers: To reiterate: Make really, really sure that one should ideally possess adequate policy coverages during that aerial ride; don’t overlook it under any circumstances!
- Keep an Eye on The Weather: Under poor meteorological outlooks be prepared that sessions get postponed unless operations have proper instrument navigation technology onboard their crafts (though ideally no take-off would happen then.)
- Be Aware of Guidelines and Restrictions: At that point ensure following the tour guides guidance throughout that flight while closely obeying restrictions for personal items such as phone cams lest endangering travels in this mode too!
Have a safe, unforgettable experience!
