By taxi
Besides normal taxis, the tourist areas Zona Dorada and Centro Historico always have many small white open-topped taxis called pulmonÃas that look like dodgem cars. These are unique to Mazatlan. Although you'll never have to wait long for one they're always whizzing back and forth ask the price before you get in and then bargain. The correct price will usually be about 30% less than the original quote. Don't overdo the haggling, though. It'll cost you less than $4 US to go between downtown and the tourist district. You may want to give the driver a little tip as appreciation for a safe and enjoyable journey.
By car
Mazatlán is approximately on the intersection of highway 15 and highway 40. In-town transportation is mainly motorized, except for the Centro Histórico, which is a very nice walking district. For tourists, cabs can be found in sparse supply compared to the number of pulmonÃas in town. PulmonÃas are essentially open-air taxis, many of them old Volkswagens. They're as safe as any cab, just as cheap, and offer a far better view of the city on a nice day.
AGA Rent a Car
Av. Camaron Sabalo #312-A, Zona Dorada, (http://www.agarentacar.com). AGA Rent-A-Car has been renting vehicles to travelers and local renters since 1989. Their first location opened in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico and they have since expanded to serve Los Mochis and Culiacan, with locations both at the the airport and in town. There are the usual competing companies Hertz, Avis, etc, but AGA may be the least expensive.
By bus
There are two different types of public transport buses that run in Mazatlán. The larger green ones run along the main tourist strip right along the water and either turn off at Rafael Buelna Anvenue or continue on along the Malecon to downtown. These are the equivalent of coach buses, they are very well air-conditioned and in great shape. They cost around $.70 US 9 pesos per trip. The city is also served by regular local buses which are cheaper and only cost around US $.45 per trip 5 or 6 pesos. Be sure to check the windshield of the bus as the bus route is typically written on it. These buses serve the entire city well but can be confusing without a thorough knowledge of the system. The buses that go along the Malecon between downtown and the tourist district are the "Sabalo-Centro" buses.