If you’re planning a Mexican Riviera cruise — whether it’s Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian or any other line — this post is for you. Three incredible Pacific coast ports, warm sunshine, incredible food, and shore excursions that will absolutely blow your mind. But only if you plan ahead!

I’ve put together everything I learned planning our own Royal Caribbean Mexican Riviera trip into one complete guide. Consider this your cheat sheet for making the most of every single hour ashore.🌊

What Is the Mexican Riviera?

The Mexican Riviera refers to the Pacific coast ports that make up the classic 7-night cruise itinerary sailing from Los Angeles. The three main stops are:

Cabo San Lucas — dramatic rock formations, turquoise bays and a lively marina at the tips of the Baja Penisula

Mazatlán — colonial Old Town, golden beaches and the best food tour in Mexico

Puerto Vallarta — cobblestone streets, the famous Malecón boardwalk, and the stunning Marietas Islands

Most cruises spend 1 full day at each port — so every hour counts!

The #1 Thing Most Cruisers Get Wrong

Here it is — the tip that can save you serious money:

Do not book your excursions through the cruise ship.

I know, it feels safer. But here’s the truth — the cruise line charges 30–50% more for the exact same tours run by the exact same local operators. When you book through Viator directly, you’re getting the same experience for significantly less.

The only reason to book ship excursions is if you’re worried about the ship waiting for you if something goes wrong. But with Viator’s reputable operators, that’s rarely an issue. And if you’re nervous, just choose tours with “cruise friendly” or “guaranteed departure” in the description\ for extra peace of mind.

Cabo San Lucas: Port Day 1

Port type: Tender port — you take a small boat from the ship to shore Time ashore: Approximately 12:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Cabo is stunning but it’s a tender port, which means you need to account for extra time getting on and off the small boats to shore. Don’t book any tour with a tight departure time here!

Best Things to Do in Cabo

• Catamaran to El Arco — the iconic rock formation at Land’s End where the Pacific meets the Sea of Cortez. Non-negotiable! This is the Mage you picture when you think of Cabo.

• Glass Bottom Boat — perfect if you want to see the marine life without getting wet. Great for mixed groups!

• Snorkeling at Santa Maria or Chileno Bay — protected calmer bays, clear water, no high-energy full-day commitment needed. This is actually what we we're planning for our trip!

• Medano Beach — the main beach right in the marina area, easy to access independently

• Lover’s Beach — only accessible by boat, one of the most beautiful beaches in Baja

Cabo Packing Tips

• Bring cash in small bills — vendors at the marina prefer pesos

• Sunscreen is a must (reef-safe mineral sunscreen only please!)

• Water shoes are handy for rocky beach entries

• Leave extra time for the tender boat back to the ship

• Previous vist tip from us: if you're near Todos Santos, Tequila's Sunrise Bar & Grill is worth the stop!

Mazatlán: Port Day 2

Port type: Dock port — walk right off the ship! Time ashore: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Mazatlán is the underrated gem of the Mexican Riviera. Most cruisers skip it in favor of Cabo or Puerto Vallarta, but honestly? Mazatlán has some of the best food, most authentic culture and most authentic culture and most interesting history of any port on the Mexican Riviera.

Best Things to Do in Mazatlán

• Golden Zone + City Sightseeing combo⭐— this is the one to book. Covers Old Town, the Malecón seafront promenade, the stunning Cathedral Basilica (with its unique Star of David stained glass windows!) and the famous Golden Zone beach area all in one.

• Mazatlán Food Tour — incredible local food scene, great guides, definitely worth it for foodies. Tacos, ceviche, fresh seafood and local sweets.

• Tequila Villages day trip — head into the Sierra Madre mountains to visit the charming “Pueblos Mágicos” of El Rosario and El Quelite. Cobblestone streets, traditional architecture and authentic cuisine.

• Stone Island — a quieter, more local beach experience accessible by water taxi. A nice alternative to the busier Golden Zone.

Mazatlán Tips

Never drink tap water — always ask for bottled

The old town (Centro Histórico) is absolutely gorgeous and walkable.

The Cathedral Basilica has stunning Star of David stained glass windows — unique in all of Mexico! Early birds get the best of this port — dock time is 8 AM so get moving!

Puerto Vallarta: Port Day 3

Port type: Dock port — walk right off! Time ashore: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM — your longest port day! Puerto Vallarta is many people’s favorite stop on the whole itinerary. With 10 full hours ashore, you have time to really explore. The Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone) is one of the most charming neighborhoods in all of Mexico — colorful buildings, amazing restaurants, the famous Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and a vibrant art scene.

Best Things to Do in Puerto Vallarta

Marietas Islands Catamaran— pristine uninhabited islands with world-class snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, dolphins, sea turtles and mantas. Open bar and lunch included. Reviewers call it their best cruise excursion ever done. ⭐

Zipline through the rainforest — one of the most elaborate canopy experiences in Mexico, with 14 platforms and a Tarzan swing and views 90 feet above the ground.

Downtown PV Food Tour — award-winning small group food tour through Puerto Vallarta's incredible culinary scene. Tacos, ceviche, local sweets and cocktails.

Walk the Malecón — completely free! The famous beachfront boardwalk with sculptures, street performers and incredible sunset views in Mexico. Don't miss the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe right nearby.

Puerto Vallarta Tips

• The Malecón walk is completely free and one of the best things you can do

• Back by 5:15 PM at the latest — ship departs at 6:00 PM!

• Zona Romántica is about a 10-minute taxi ride from the cruise terminal

• Shop for hand-blown glass, silver jewelry and handmade pottery at Mercado Municipal Rio Cuale

What to Pack for a Mexican Riviera Cruise

Here’s my complete packing list for each port day:

In your day bag:

• ✅Reef-safe mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide)

• ✅Waterproof phone case

• ✅Small cash pouch with pesos in small bills

• ✅Reusable water bottle (fill on the ship before you go!)

• ✅Light cover-up or linen shirt

• ✅Comfortable walking shoes (cobblestones are real!)

• ✅Snorkel gear if you have it (saves rental fees)

• ✅Small crossbody bag — leave the big purse on the ship

• ✅Motion sickness meds if you’re tender-boat sensitive (Cabo)

• ✅Your printed guide or guide on your phone!

Leave on the ship:

• ❌Expensive jewelry

• ❌Your cruise card (keep a photo of it though)

• ❌Anything you can’t afford to lose

The Smart Way to Book Shore Excursions

As I mentioned — skip the cruise line and book Viator directly. Here’s why it works:

1. Same operators, lower prices — 30–50% savings is typical

2. More options — Viator has tours the cruise line doesn’t even offer

3. Reviews from real travelers — thousands of verified reviews help you choose

4. Easy cancellation — most Viator tours allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before

5. QR codes for easy booking — our printable guide has a QR code for every single excursion

Get the Printable Guide

All of this information — port times, ranked excursions, Viator QR codes to scan and book right from your phone, back-by reminders, packing tips and a quick-reference cheat sheet — is organized into a beautiful 7-page printable PDF guide available in my Etsy shop PlanTheMagicGuides.

Print it before you sail or pull it up on your phone — no Wi-Fi needed once it’s downloaded!

[Get the Mexican Riviera Cruise Guide on Etsy →]

Have questions about the Mexican Riviera? Drop them in the comments — I’d love to help you plan the perfect cruise!🌊⚓

Want to follow along on our actual trip?

[Read our personal trip planning page here →]

RetiredWife