Mazatlán Horse Parade
Watching the January annual cabalgata or Horse Parade held in Mazatlán.
MEXICO
The Cabalgata, held annually in Mazatlán in January, is a magnificent event where hundreds of riders showcase their horses along the beaches and streets of Cerritos. With approximately 500 horses participating in this year's parade, the spectacle spans a 17 km route, adding to the grandeur and excitement of the occasion. The event not only celebrates the equestrian culture but also serves as a significant tourist attraction, drawing visitors from far and wide to witness the spectacle firsthand.
To witness the riders we drove up to the bridge at Playa Delfin. Here we had a view where we could look well up the beach to watch the mass of riders come down both the road and beach. We learned about the ride from some locals and the Mazatlán Facebook page listed a map of the ride. We started our day by having breakfast at Surf's Up Beach Café and then drove another 1.5 km up the road to an open area after the bridge for a good spot to view on the beach.
Men, women, children, couples, families, and singles participated. The riders started to come by at around 11:30 am and took about an hour to trot past.
If you’ve never witnessed a cabalgata, it’s worthwhile taking the opportunity. Sinaloa is a farm country and raising horses is part of the daily life and heritage of the people on the ranchos here. Cabalgatas are a great cultural event to witness. Happy exploring!
At first Aliya needed to be held as she wanted to run towards the horses. She then got used to seeing them and went back to playing in the sand. Maybe seeing so many cowboy hats made her want to wear my hat but she seemed to enjoy wearing mine versus her usual bucket hat.
