By Jed Vaughn
The El Faro coffee shop, known as Cafe El Faro de Mazatlán in the Historico Centro District of Mazatlán offers delicious blends of coffee, harvested just a few hundred miles south of here in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Veracruz. On the street corners of Mariana Escobedo and Heriberto Frias is where you’ll find the small bistro.
Cafe El Faro has been selling and serving coffee at this location for the last 13 years. It features freshly brewed coffee in addition to ground and whole bean coffee to go. Dark and medium strengths of this rich and aromatic coffee are available in the ½ kilo and one-kilo packages. A full kilo costs 200 pesos which is equal to about $10.
Included on their list of served items are hot coffee like Macchiato, Cappuccino, and Latte. And a variety of Frappé coffee (iced coffee). A small cup is 13 pesos (75 cents) and a large is 25 pesos ($1.25).
The beans are all roasted Italian style on site. Café El Faro offers coffee grown in Chiapas and Veracruz in both regular and decaf. You can also choose a blend of the two regions’ harvests.
The Centro Historico District in the Old Mazatlán is a great place to stroll around with a freshly brewed cup of this aromatic coffee. Just relax and take in the sights and sounds of a bustling local community full of friendly people. Local artist’s shops and interesting cultural structures are abundant in the neighborhood. I recommend a park bench in Plazuela Machado. It’s an iconic cultural and historical center just a block away from the coffee shop.
The logo and namesake for the establishment represents the El Faro Lighthouse. It is an iconic symbol of the area. It lights the way at night for ocean-going vessels entering and departing the nearby Port of Mazatlán since 1836. You can walk on a 45-minute trail uphill to the top of Cerro del Creston (505 feet above sea level) to the natural lighthouse. You’ll see amazing views of the area and the Pacific Ocean.
If you find yourself in old Mazatlán’s Centro Historic District looking for a great cup of coffee or roasted beans, be sure to look up Café El Faro. I found it to be of exceptional quality and a pleasant flavorful experience in this beautiful Mazatlán setting.
Note: The steep hike to El Faro Lighthouse includes 350 steps. You have to be in relatively good health to do the climb. Wear comfortable shoes, wear a hat and bring plenty of water.
Location: Mariana Escobedo 404, makeCentro Historico, telephone 669-985-5915
Phone: 669-985-5915
Before you leave for Mazatlán and other parts of Mexico, check out Lonely Planet’s Mexico Travel Guide.
