Mexican Riviera - Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Cabo

[NJ Cruisers]

I just returned from a Carnival Cruise to the Mexican Riviera - Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo. I thought I'd share what we did in port for those of you lucky enough to be heading that way this spring and summer. We didn't do any excursions from the ship. We were a family group of 8, ranging in age from 5 to 80.

Puerto Vallarta - we went to the Krystal Hotel (walked). WONDERFUL. There are loungers (and umbrellas) on the beach, two great pools (with swim up bar, tables and loungers in the pool, slide, bridges), a playground and good food at the restaurant. Three of our group got the day pass - $15 per person but you get $15 credit towards the food and drinks. Two paid nothing. DH, DS5 and I gave the lounge chair guy $10. There was a big sign that said "welcome cruisers”. None of us were hassled or questioned.

Mazatlan - we went to El Cid Castilla by taxi - $3 per person, but we didn't bargain so maybe could have gone cheaper. Another great place. Nice pool with a great slide for DS5 and a "cliff" to jump from. Big push here for you to take a time share tour - free taxi to the resort if you do. When you get there they keep trying. We just said "no thanks". We asked about day passes and were told $30. I explained that "someone" (another site) had told us we could stay for free if we ate and drank. They said okay and no one bothered us. Spent time at the pool and then found great seats at the restaurant overlooking the ocean. Enjoyed a Mexican Lunch and some Mexican beers. (Pacifico is brewed in Mazatlan and it was great). My 80 year old mother and 50 year old brother both did para sailing – even though the cruise line recommended against it AND they had just watched a guy go into the water when his rope broke. They really enjoyed it.

Cabo – we went separate ways in this port. Two took a kayak excursion that they enjoyed except getting on/off the kayak at Lover’s Beach. They said it was crazy with kayaks, power boats, swimmers, snorkelers and rough water. My parents did the 45 minute glass bottom boat ride for $10 each – my father is the best bargainer!! The other 4 of us did the glass bottom boat ride, water taxi to/from the beach – for $15 each. The boat ride takes you past a school of fish (that’s all you see from the glass bottom), pelicans, caves, the Arch and seals and sea lions. It was fun. We enjoyed the beach for 4 hours, but it was crazy with vendors. The other ports had some too but not so many. The cruise line had also recommended against the water taxis. It wasn’t too hard getting out, but getting in was horrible. You should be agile and somewhat athletic to jump on and off the boat with the waves pushing the boat around.

We didn't do any other sight seeing or much shopping. Each port had a little shopping area at the port where we picked up some souvenirs.

Diane

 

[GrumpyMom1]

Thanks for the info. We plan on going to the Krystal Vallarta in PV and doing our own thing in Cabo so it's good to hear from someone who has done it recently.

 

[GoofyontheHiSeas]

Diane, thanks for the info. We will be on the July 17 cruise and had the same idea as you regarding planned tours. We will only be visiting Mazatlan and Cabo (6day cruise) with DDs 10 and 4. I read on an other site about El Cid, which the gave me the email address to contact. (reservat@elcid.com.mx) I emailed them telling them we would be in Mazatlan and heard that we could use their pool and beach. Below is the email that I received back:
Thank you for your e mail.

I want to let you know that you can use the beach or the pools in the hotel (except the grotto pool at El Moro), you only need to make consumptions at our restaurants.

In case you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Silvia Ovando
Customer Service

Taking my email response with me so we are not questioned about any day pass. Any futher comments on the resort would be appreciated.
roger

 

[windermerejudy]

Thank you so so much for your info. We have cruised many times and although DCL takes great care of you we too have done our own in many ports as we were planning to do in Mazatlan and Cabo. We booked Las Calletas for PV.

 

[TootyJane]

We did the Mexican Riviera in March on the Diamond Princess. Basically this was a relaxing cruise and the only excursion we did was in Puerto Vallarta. We did the Canopy Tour and it was fabulous. I was a bit leery since I am afraid of heights but I wasn't afraid at all. Dh and our three boys loved it as well. I highly recommend this excursion.