A cruise to Mexico is not only one of the most popular cruises but is also one of the most rewarding with the combination of culture and natural beauty. There are quite a few popular ports of call that major cruise lines call home and allow easy access from Los Angeles, San Diego, Miami and others as well. While a cruise to Mexico is beautiful any time of the year, it is advisable to go during the dryer months which are from November to April. The summer months can be quite beautiful and provide a different side of nature, just be aware that this is the wetter season for travel so make sure that your itinerary plans as well as attire that you are bringing will accommodate the weather. Keep in mind as well that when you choose to travel is going to have a direct impact on the price points of your cruise as well.
As you may already be well aware of, there is quite a bit of rich culture in Mexico. The architecture, the food, the vibrant people ready to share their culture, are the things, besides the weather that makes a cruise to Mexico so popular. If you are wanting to get a little more of the local culture, seek out reputable tour guides or tour companies that will be able to provide a more in depth experience into the culture other than just the tourist areas right at the cruise ship ports. When it comes to the natural beauty, there are some natural iconic landmarks that you may have seen before and one of these areas includes the beautiful arched rock formations along the beaches of Cabo San Lucas. This is one of the most popular as well as most photographed areas in all of Mexico for locals and tourists alike.
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas is one of the most iconic picturesque locations in all of Mexico. Odds are, you most likely have seen the iconic arched rock formations, El Arco, in a photograph, movie or piece of art. This famous resort city sits on the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California peninsula and is part of the cruise itinerary for many major cruise lines. The area is not only known for its water activities and beaches but also for the vibrant night life. Playa El Medano & Playa del Amor are the famous beach areas.
Mazatlan
If you are on a western Mexico cruise then you are most likely going to stop at Mazatlán. The historic downtown area of this city will amaze with its architecture that revels in neoclassical and French Baroque. Once here, tourists love to experience Traversing Machado square that allows you to soak in some of the local culture as well as the beautiful gardens in the area. This is a beautiful Mexican city that provides a little something for everyone to enjoy and is a stop on many different Mexican cruise routes.
Ensenada
Once a sleepy fishing village, this popular Mexican port for cruises as transformed the area. No matter if you are looking to just walk along the shops of Avenida Primeraor or you want to venture in further to the local wineries, this port of call is a likely stop if you are returning from a longer round-trip cruise to Hawaii. While this is not a bustling fast paced Mexican city, you will still get to experience quite a bit of culture as soon as you step of your cruise vessel and explore the local grounds right at the port.
Manzanillo
Manzanillo is Mexico’s busiest port. The city is known as the sailfish capital of the world and has hosted a variety of different national as well as international fishing competitions. Not only is this area in Mexico popular for its fishing destination appeal, the tourism from cruise ships as well as made this area full of vibrant shopping, restaurants and excellent hotels. While in the area, for a little fun in the water, make sure you head to Santiago Bay which is popular for snorkeling and scuba diving.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most well-known travel destinations in all of Mexico. If you are doing a West Coast United States cruise then you are most likely going to be making a stop here. If you have been waiting to get your party on at a port when you are on your cruise, this is going to be that location. There is quite large nightlife action here as well as popular beaches and shopping fun to have during the day. Local vendors can be seen throughout the port area so you can find a little culture immediately.
Cozumel
If you are doing a cruise on the Eastern side of Mexico then stopping at Cozumel is almost a definite. The waters make this destination perfect for swimming, diving, snorkeling, sailing and scuba diving so this destination is perfect for those that love to spend as much time as possible doing water activities. There is no shortage of wonderful restaurants with over 300 and growing on the island. Due to the vast array of activities and local culture, Cozumel continues to be one of the most popular choices among tourists.
Separate Experiences
Depending on the cruise line that you choose or the length of cruise you are seeking, you’ll be able to determine the ports that are going to be available. While some itineraries may include a few different stops along the Mexican coast, some cruise routes will only include one port of call in Mexico. Take the time to see which routes are going to offer you the places you would like to travel to before you look at booking a cruise. If you want to do a couple ports along the coast, a longer cruise might be necessary.
Longer Cruise Itineraries
If you are looking at doing a spectacular cruise to Hawaii or a West Coast cruise from San Francisco or Seattle, then a stop at a port in Mexico might be an option as well. For example, many of the major cruise lines do a stop at a port in Mexico when they are headed back from Hawaii if you are sailing round-trip from Los Angeles, California. If you choose a cruise like this, keep in mind that the shortest time frame is about 2 weeks, so make sure your travel plans can accommodate this length of time.
All Options Are Great
When it comes to deciding on which cruise to Mexico you should choose, there is not really a right or wrong selection. Most of the decision might come down to the port that you need to leave from. If you live in the eastern region of the United States or are visiting there, then selecting a cruise to the Cozumel region might be the best choice.
However, if you live in or are visiting the beautiful west coast of the United States, then selecting Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta might be the obvious choice. As most travelers will tell you however, if you live on the east coast but have your heart set on exploring the famous arched rock formations in Cabo San Lucas, then plan for it further in advance and make it happen. In today’s world, no matter where you want to go, it’s only a hop, skip or flight away.