Blissful, blissful sleep. At 9 p.m. last night I pulled the hand-loomed blanked up to my chin and sank into the two thin pillows doubled beneath my head. There was no television to distract me. My cell phone has no international service, so it wouldn’t be beeping every time I received an email. A few gringos conversed on the balcony outside of my hotel room door and street noises floated through the room’s only window, but I was so exhausted that I was asleep in moments and did not wake until morning. I have been existing on three or four hours of sleep per night for more than a month as I prepared for my four-month backpacking trip through Mexico, Central and South America and this 12 hours of uninterrupted unconsciousness was a balm to my sleep deprived condition.
Hotel Lerma is a typical family-owned Mexican hotel. The building is old and patched but charming, built in a rectangle around a large open-air courtyard. The entrance gate is locked at 10 p.m., providing additional safety for parked cars and guests, however since the owners live on site, there is always someone available to open the big wooden doors for guests who stay out late. My room is modest but clean, with terra cotta tile floors, heavy wooden furniture, and crazy colors – marine blue for the concrete walls and bright turquoise for the doors and windows. The bathroom is tiny but adequate: the toilet flushes, the sink has running water, and the shower, which sprays directly onto the floor in one corner of the room and drains through the tile floor, has hot water (although the water smells like a cross between shrimp and iron).
Apparently this property used to be a favorite with Mexicans vacationing in Mazatlan but over the past few years it has been discovered by gringos like me who travel on a budget. I met two of them last night as I dragged my backpack and small suitcase up to the second floor. At the top of the stairs I was greeted by two U.S. expats, a 40-ish man who came in January for carnival and never left, and a retiree who spends three months per year in Mexico. As we chatted my nose told me everything I needed to know. “A little Ganja going on here?” I asked. The younger man hesitated, then grinned. “A little,” he admitted. Although I no longer partake, I am not likely to forget the sweet smell.
After settling in, I wandered around the neighborhood a bit. While most tourists stay in the “Golden Zone” – the part of town with all the glitzy, upscale tourist resorts – Hotel Lerma is in the old section of the city. I much prefer this area of town, with its authentic restaurants and historic buildings. On the Malecon, a broad promenade bordering the ocean, I found one of those authentic restaurants and enjoyed my first Mexican dinner of fresh shrimp covered in three different sauces (spicy barbecue, thick cream sauce, and a green chile sauce), along with tortillas, a basket of chips and salsa, and a giant fresh pineapple juice and coconut milk drink. My bill came to about $10, and this was an expensive restaurant; later I discovered dozens of street stalls where I can eat for $3 or $4. With delicious, inexpensive food and hotel rooms priced at $12.50 per night, it’s not hard to understand why so many Americans are moving to Mexico.
I am traveling to mazatlan with a husband and two kids. We want to save money, I was thinking Hotel Lerma…but not sure because of the kids…
If you have a family, kids, do not stay at Lerma Hotel. This hotel is not safe for kids or women travelers. Stay at La Siesta more comfortable fairly inexpensive better for a family. Close to shopping and a beach.
After all your preparations in getting away it must be a relief to get a good night’s sleep – it looks a bit basic to me but at that price, you can’t complain.
It looks like you are making the adjustment to travel well! I like the colorful room. I always find the first few nights of traveling again is a bit shocking as I get used to budget living again. Glad you could get some good sleep…it makes a huge difference!
Sounds like you are up for one heck of an adventure. Looking forward to the updates.
You’re making me yearn for the buckets of shrimp we enjoyed during our Mazatlan stay many years ago! We, too, stayed in a hotel for locals outside the Golden Triangle & enjoyed the experience immensely – the local families were so friendly. Very glad you caught up on your sleep – been enjoying your pictures, too!
Hi Suzi! Posted a lot of photos on Twitter today – I assume that’s where you saw them. Much more coming in the next post. Thanks for reading along.
And this is EXACTLY why I want to retire in Mexico.
Britt, I must admit that has crossed my mind, too.
Barbara, Sounds like you are having quite the adventure. I live in Mazatlán and had been curious about the Hotel Lerma, so thank you!
Enjoy your stay – will you be here for long?
Hot water and a flushing toilet. Pretty good for those prices. Add to that a good night’s sleep. Well, that is priceless.
Have a safe journey, my friend. I look forward to reading your posts.
Glad to see you reporting in, Barbara. I’m looking forward to reading more about your trip as it progresses.
Hola, I tried to contact Carlos several times. por favor reserve a room . I stayed there many times. email [email protected]. 7325700807..Eduardo Vay mi amigo is Fermin Chavez a friend of Carlos. Plan to arrive. Dec. 21, 22, Gracias. Please confirm. EJV
BARBArA, i AM SO HAPPY THAT YOUR JOURNEY HAS BEGUN. (Darn computer) it doesn’t type as fast as I think. I love the pictures, they remind me of when I was in Merida, Mexico and also in Guatemala, we also live in a Casa much like in your pictures. I will be following and anticipating your further adventures. May the sun be in your face and the wind at your back and may you always be blessed with good fortune and safety. Love ya, C…