Isla de la Piedra

Ditch the somewhat commercialized sands of Playa las Gaviotas and experience some true R&R on this skinny peninsula just a five-minute ferry east of southern Mazatlán. The Isla de la Piedra is  rustic, but according to a Virtual Tourist, "It ends up being very inexpensive and is a very relaxing day away from the downtown crowds." 

Several tour companies run excursions to and from Isla de la Piedra (for fares starting around $35 USD per person), but previous vacationers say they aren't worth the money. "Don't take the tour!" says an IgoUgo.com user. "We grabbed a brand new city bus for 70 cents that took us all the way to the end of the line. We got off and walked down a dirt path and paid $1.50 to get on these little green ferry boats that took us on the 5 minute ride across the channel." Once on the "island," you could try horseback riding, fishing, or just sunning yourself on the expansive beach. 

Inexpensive ferries and water taxis depart from either the La Paz ferry terminal or the docks near the Pacifico Brewery every 15 minutes from sun up to sun down.