Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta
The three ports of the Mexican Riviera, one by one.
Get Riviera Cruise QuotesCabo San Lucas
At the tip of the Baja California peninsula, Cabo San Lucas is the most famous Riviera port. Ships anchor in the bay and tender guests to the marina, a short walk from downtown.
The essential Cabo experience is a boat ride to El Arco, the rock arch at Land’s End where the Sea of Cortés meets the Pacific, often passing sea lions and Lover’s Beach. Glass-bottom boats, sailing catamarans and snorkel trips all leave from the marina. Medano Beach, the main swimming beach, is a short walk or water-taxi ride away. In winter, whale-watching trips are the big draw.
Tender lines are the one thing to plan around: on busy days, getting back to the ship can take a while, so head for the marina early.
Mazatlán
Mazatlán is a working port city as well as a resort, which gives it a lived-in charm. Ships dock in the commercial harbor, from where taxis and open-air pulmonías run to Old Mazatlán, a historic center of restored 19th-century buildings, the Angela Peralta Theater and the Plazuela Machado. The long seafront malecón is great for a walk, and the cliff divers perform from a platform along it.
Popular tours include the climb to the El Faro lighthouse on its hilltop above the harbor, tequila and countryside trips into the hills, and beach clubs in the Golden Zone.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta sits on Banderas Bay, backed by the green Sierra Madre. Ships dock at the cruise terminal across from Marina Vallarta, north of downtown; taxis and buses run along the bay into town.
The malecón, with its bronze sculptures, the crown-topped Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the cobbled lanes of the Zona Romántica are the heart of the old town. Beyond it are boat trips to beaches reachable only from the water, snorkeling at Los Arcos, zip lines and botanical gardens in the hills, and winter whale watching in the bay.
Riviera Port Questions
Why does my ship tender in Cabo San Lucas?
Large ships anchor in the bay and run tenders to the marina, because there is no pier for big cruise ships. The ride is short, but lines can build when several ships are in port.
What is a pulmonía?
Mazatlán’s own open-air taxi, a cross between a golf cart and a pickup, found nowhere else. Agree the fare before you get in.
Can I see whales from the ship?
In winter, humpback whales are often seen in Banderas Bay off Puerto Vallarta and around Cabo San Lucas; watch from the deck as the ship arrives and leaves.
Ashore With Confidence
- U.S. dollars and cards are widely accepted, but small peso notes are handy for taxis, tips and markets.
- Agree taxi fares before you set off, or use tours that include transport.
- Stick to well-traveled areas and reputable operators; Cruising Is Safe explains sensible precautions calmly.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen on snorkel trips, and wear a hat; the Pacific sun is strong even in winter.
Cruise to Cabo, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta
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