On my trip to the small town of El Quelite, about an hour from where I live in Mazatlán, I noticed several things. Obviously, if I compared a small town in the countryside of Mexico to a touristy beach city, I would find many differences.
For example, El Quelite was much quieter all around. There weren't bands playing their instruments walking through the streets. There weren't Pulmonías and Aurigas whistling at you or blasting their music with a bunch of tourists partying in the back. I won't say it was silent. There were vendors and tour guides offering experiences and souvenirs to remember your visit right outside of the main restaurant, but they're not all over town. There are areas of Mazatlán like this, however, it is not nearly as common.
Another major difference is the greenery. In Mazatlán, it's not a secret that there is a lot of concrete from regular homes to the condos that line the beaches. But the main thing that caught my attention in El Quelite is the authentic feeling that has been preserved.