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A cruise to the Mexican Riviera can offer competitive pricing, especially when compared to a land-based vacation in one of the resort towns along the coast. With the exception of Christmas and spring break, however, you may find fewer crowds onboard a cruise ship during these months. While land-based vacation is at a high in the winter months, you may find fewer guests onboard since school is in session. Booking a cruise to the Mexican Riviera can be an affordable way to discover Mexico’s Pacific coast, culture, and beaches. You’ll often find competitive prices on a cruise to the Riviera, especially when considering the cost of flying to Mexico yourself and staying in a resort for a week. The winter months will likely encounter nice beach weather while in port, but you’ll want to pack a few long sleeve shirts and jackets during this time of year for sea days.
Cruises
Crossing the Gulf of California from Cabo San Lucas will bring you to Mazatlán, a resort town known for its wide white sand beaches and charming Centro Histórico. Mazatlán is the most populous of the Mexican Riviera cruise ports, with around 500,000 people calling the city home. Puerto Vallarta is one of the busiest resort towns in Mexico and offers a mix of calm beaches and historic city streets. The town is known for its Zona Romántica neighborhood, a charming area of the city with bars, restaurants, and shopping. Progreso offers the easiest access to the world-famous Chichén Itzá ruins, so many visitors book a tour to visit this Wonder of the World while in port. Other activities in Progreso include visiting cenotes, taking a cooking class, and tasting local spirits and beers.
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Water sports and whale watching in winter are among the top activities in Ensenada for Carnival cruisers. For a local lunch in port, order fish tacos; Ensenada claims to have invented the dish. If margaritas aren't your thing, there are popular wineries in port worth checking out. Carnival Cruise Line's west coast Mexico cruises sail from the port of Long Beach, which is a fun destination in its own right, with beaches, water sports and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Night Ensenada Cruise
Several shore excursions take you to the island’s best snorkeling and diving spots, such as Palancar Reef, Colombia Reef, and El Cielo. You can also choose to snorkel or dive in the nearby Chankanaab National Park. For a taste of local culture, head to the San Miguel Church and the town square, also known as Plaza del Sol. Located in downtown San Miguel, these landmarks are a short walk from Punta Langosta Pier or a quick taxi ride from International Pier. The town square often hosts cultural events, live music, and local markets, making it a lively place to visit.
Cheapest time to cruise the Mexican Riviera
You can expect to see the total price of a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise on Navigator of the Seas between $900 and $2000 for two people in an interior cabin. Total costs will depend on the time of year, with summer months and holidays much more expensive than the off-season. There will occasionally be other Royal Caribbean ships stopping at ports along the Mexican Riviera. However, this only happens during longer repositioning cruises as ships make their way from the Caribbean to Alaska (and vice versa). These cruises tend to be between nights, departing from either Los Angeles or San Diego and ending in Florida.
Adrenaline-seekers will find plenty of adventurous activities to keep them occupied on a Mexican Riviera cruise. From zip lines to kayaking and off-roading through the countryside, you won’t go bored while in port. In Puerto Vallarta you’ll find RIU Palace Pacifico, RIU Jalisco, and Hotel RIU Vallarta, all of which offer unlimited drinks and food along with pool and beach access. Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlán tend to have stronger currents and conditions than Puerto Vallarta, which is located in a small bay as opposed to the open Pacific. You’ll want to visit the Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone) in Puerto Vallarta, a historic, waterfront old town neighborhood that is home to boutique shops, bars, restaurants, homes, and condos.
These town squares are the perfect place to watch and observe local culture and lifestyle. While some are more touristy than others, relaxing in a shady plaza can help break up a busy port day in Mexico. As your cruise ship sails into Cabo San Lucas, you’ll pass by Land’s End, a rock formation and iconic landmark of the city. The most well-known of the rock formations is El Arco, a 200-foot granite rock in the shape of an arch. The Mexican Riviera refers to cities and towns situated on the western coast of Mexico known for picturesque oceanfront resorts and tourist attractions. If you’re schedule is flexible and you can travel during the off-season (anytime kids are in school), you can find some great cruise deals to Mexico.
Best time to cruise the Mexican Riviera for fewer crowds
This same water taxi can also drop you off at romantic Playa del Amor — Lover's Beach. Watch the clear waters of the Sea of Cortez crash against the massive eroded granite rocks that rest on the shore. Discover what is considered the Mexican Riviera as well as what the Riviera Maya is known for and choose which is the best Mexico vacation for you. There's a more lax attitude about time in Mexico so factor in an extra half-hour to an hour when planning out your Mexico cruise itineraries. A cruise to Mexico is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe.
Cabo San Lucas Shore Excursions
San Gervasio, located on Cozumel Island, is a smaller archaeological site that offers a glimpse into the lives of the Maya people. Tulum, on the mainland, is a larger and more famous site with breathtaking ocean views. Both can be visited through organized shore excursions that include transportation and guided tours. Beaches and water sports, as well as eating and drinking, are the primary attractions on cruises to Mexico. The best Mexico cruises have lengthy port stops that provide plenty of time to explore, plus time on board the ship to relax and decompress.
Visitors to Cozumel will find no shortage of tours taking guests to nearby resorts, coral reefs, and beaches. Here, impressive arches naturally formed from rock frame white-sand beaches and crystal-blue waters. Snap a pic of the arch, and catch a glimpse of the sea lions that often pop up to get some sun on the rock formations. Mexican cuisine is beloved around the world, and the food you’ll find along the Mexican Riviera has a flavor all its own. From Sonoran specialties like machaca stew to Baja beach-day classics like shrimp and fish tacos, you’ll find plenty of crave-worthy flavors to savor during your Mexico cruise.
Watch: World's largest cruise ship rescues 14 people stranded at sea for over a week - Fox Weather
Watch: World's largest cruise ship rescues 14 people stranded at sea for over a week.
Posted: Wed, 06 Mar 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
As a recently amplified Voyager Class cruise ship, Navigator of the Seas boasts plenty of amenities, restaurants, lounges, and onboard activities to keep cruisers busy. 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises visit the ports of Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta. ATV tours are popular along the Mexican Riviera, allowing visitors to experience the countryside around ports by off-roading through vineyards, canyons, and deserts.
Once in downtown Ensenada, browse storefronts, restaurants, and bars on the main tourist street of Avenida López Mateos. Souvenir shops, artisan markets, and jewelry stores can be found here, and you’ll be able to taste delicious local food as well. Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta in particular are busy cities for spring breakers, leading to a heightened party atmosphere in these ports. Bars, beaches, and restaurants may be busier than what you will see during other months. Peak season in the Mexican Riviera ports of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán is during the dry season from December to April.
Cruising to Ensenada offers plenty of activities to choose from, including wine tastings, shopping at local markets, enjoying fresh cuisine, and visiting the second largest blowhole in the world. These all-inclusive packages are found throughout Mexico’s cruise ports and typically include unlimited food, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), beach chairs and umbrellas, and beach access. Some resorts may also have a swimming pool available whereas others may rent water sport equipment to visitors. Though visitors between January and mid-March will be treated to peak whale migration season, while summer offers sunny beach days and prime surf conditions.
Baja California has a dry, almost Mediterranean climate with a rocky and mountainous landscape. During the summer months whales are in northern Pacific waters near Alaska, so the odds of spotting whales off the coast of Mexico are slim to none. Ports along the Mexican Riviera vary quite a bit in latitude, so you’ll see lower temperatures in ports like Ensenada and Catalina Island compared to Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, and Puerto Vallarta.
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