The Mexican Riviera lies in the western coast of Mexico; these are several cities that are grouped. These cities are Ensenada in Baja, California Sur, Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur, Mazatlan in Sinaloa, Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, Manzanillo in Colima, Zihuatanejo and Acapulco in Guerrero Mexico.  Most of the tourist likes to have a cruise around the Mexican Riviera due to its weather that is mild all year round and its locations which is just a close proximity from each other and is very accessible. Each of these cities provides attractions for tourists.

In Ensenada, this city is only hours away from the borders of California and Mexico, it has a spectacular coastline. This city is also famous for its geyser, the La Bufadora, which is the second largest marine geyser in the world. Tourists often come and see its geyser. There are also famous wineries that you can visit in this place such as the Cavas Valmar and Bodegas de Santo Tomas.

The wines that are produced here in Ensenada are one of the best wines in Mexico. Ensenada is also famous for its sixty-foot waves; it has a great surfing spot, the Todos Santos Island which is two hours by boat on the west part of Ensenada. The surfing competition of the world known Billabong was held here numerous times already; also in the south the beaches are famous for windsurfing.

You can also watch the grey whales on the coasts of Ensenada migrate from Alaska to the Baja California Sur from December to March and April and May. And also visit the mountain range of Sierra San Pedro Martir and its National Park. This is also known to be a fishing ground; commercially caught fishes are being exported to Asia, such as tuna, shrimp, lobster, sea urchin, abalone, sardine, mackerel and seaweeds. Also an ideal place for sports fishing in your short day trips you can catch barracuda, cod and yellowtail. Next to Ensenada is the Cabo San Lucas, which is the tip of the Baja California Sur.

This is a famous place for a spa and a vacation getaway. Parasailing, snorkeling and scuba diving are the things that are best to do in this place, with some of the best beaches and an excellent place for sports fishing and also known for its world-class Marlin Tournament. You can also watch the grey whales migrate from the north and give births to its calves in the waters of Cabo San Lucas in between the months of December to March. The El Arco of The Arc is famous in Cabo San Lucas. It is a rock formation where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meets. This is also where the famous Lovers’ Beach is located.

You can see the sea lions on the rock formations. The famous MTV show, Laguna Beach, this is where they have their spring breaks. Mazatlan has the second largest carnival or the second largest Mardi gras in the world, second to the celebration of Rio de Janiero, Brazil. This celebrated usually before Ash Wednesday. With the largest port in the Mexico’s Pacific shoreline, an ideal place also for scuba diving, sailing, surfing and sports fishing. Golden Zone is the best place to shop in Mazatlan and stroll around its historic town which you will can find the Plaza Republica, its marketplace and its cathedral. Take the Pulmonias to get around the place; this is its trademark open taxi. In Puerto Vilarta, you will find the one of the largest bays in the world, the Bay of Banderas.

This bay has also been breeding grounds for the grey whales that migrate during winter season in the north, in the bays you can also see dolphins that are all year round in the bay, you can even swim with them or even kayak going to the lagoons. In the southern coastline you can do snorkeling and marvel at the view of its inlets and gorges, this is in Mismaloya, Yelapa and Las Animas Quimixto. The best beach for swimming and sports is Playa de los Muertos. You can also trek its mountain the Sierra Madre Mountain and its vegetation and waterfalls and visit the tequila factories in the place. In Manzanillo, you will find the sailfish fishing competition which they held every year, this part of the western coast of Mexico is abundant in sailfish. This is one of the busiest ports in Mexico and also the best place for deep fishing.  

The place is also world known for ‘the green flash’ sunsets, where you can see a distinction of the color green every time the sun sets. In Zihuatanejo is one hundred forty five miles northwest of Acapulco, it is the fourth largest city in Guerrero Mexico. Here you can see the rock barrier at Playa Las Gatas, which is a nice place for swimming. It is believed that the whiskered sharks used to be found in the Playa Las Gatas. Lastly Acapulco, this is the main city and sea port of Guerrero Mexico. 

This is has famous beaches such as the Condesa, Los Hornos, Caleta and Caletilla, this offers a wide range of water sports and also sailing. Acapulco is also famous for its cliff diving at the La Quebrada. You can also shop at Zona Dorado which you can have the best bargains from the shops. You can also find the eighteenth century fortress in the Old Acapulco, the El Fuerte de San Diego.

Mexican Riviera cruises are popular due to the wide range of diversity which you can see and which the western coast of Mexico can offer. There are cruise lines which offer a three-night cruise and some offer a four-night cruise that has a stopover at the Catalina Island. These short cruises are best to those who are on family gatherings, weddings and for the first time cruisers.  There are also some cruise lines which offer longer cruises along the Mexican Riviera, like an eight-night cruise, a ten-night cruise, an eleven-night cruise and a fourteen-night cruise

Ports of Destination:

• Los Angeles
• San Diego
• San Francisco
• Long Beach

 

Ports of Call:


• Puerto Vallarta
• Mazatlan
• Cabo San Lucas
• Acapulco
• Manzanillo
• Ixtapa
• Zihuatanejo