OVERVIEW
Mexico travel destinations are valued very high by many travelers for
their beautiful scenery, magnificent beaches, diverse and abundant
wildlife resources, numerous historical sites, local souvenirs and
crafts. Many popular
Mexican resorts
are situated along the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, which gives a
cruise vacationer an excellent opportunity to see most of the country's
tourist destinations.
Mexico cruises are available all year round. As to sailing options, you can choose between a
dedicated cruise to Mexico, or visit a port of call in Mexico as
part of a
Western
Caribbean cruise.
So you want a vacation filled with excitement and surprise, foreign
flavors and fascinating things to do. But you also want leisure and
relaxation. Obviously, you want Mexico. A different world? Absolutely.
But faraway worlds? Emphatically no. Be swept away by Mayan ruins,
golden sands, crystal clear water, snorkeling and perpetual warmth and
sun.
MEXICO
CRUISE LINES
Recommended cruise lines for cruises to Mexico include:
Celebrity
Cruises,
Carnival
Cruise Line,
Crystal
Cruises,
Holland
America,
Norwegian
Cruise Line,
Princess
Cruises and
Royal
Caribbean Cruises.
For details also check out our
Cruise
Lines and
Cruise
Reviews pages.
SEARCH
MEXICO CRUISE DEALS
WHAT TO SEE ON A CRUISE TO
MEXICO
Acapulco
Situated
on shores of the Acapulco Bay with its beautiful sandy beaches,
Acapulco is well-known as a "nightlife capital" of Mexico.
A vibrant and bustling town with never ending parties, magnificent
views, modern American-style hotels, some of the best silver jewelry
stores in Mexico- this is all about Acapulco. Here you can swim
among dolphins, take a glass bottom boat ride, watch performance of
famous Acapulco divers jumping off 100-feet high cliffs into the
sea, explore historical buildings: Fort of San Diego, Cathedral of el Zocalo, Chapel of las Brisas, Hotel
Casablanca, House of Diego Rivera.
Cabo San Lucas
This popular Mexican tourist destination is well-known for its clear
water, abundant marine life and beautiful beaches. One of the best
places in Mexico for scuba diving, snorkeling and sportsfishing. It
also has some nice art galleries and boutiques. Recommended onshore
tours:
Baja Jeep Safari, Cabo Carriage Ride, humpback whales watching.
Cancun
Cancun is a coastal city, an extremely popular resort in Mexico
featuring world-class resorts, hotels, clubs, and malls. Here you will
find something for everyone, from an all-day fun party beach to an
isolated, tranquil island. Scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing,
boating, submarine tours, watching bullfights, sportsfishing, golfing,
excursions to Mayan ruins,... You will not have enough time to discover
all attractions that Cancun offers.
Cozumel
An island in the Caribbean Sea with white sandy beaches and one of the
largest coral reefs in the world offers plenty of opportunities for
divers.
Ensenada
Some cruise ships use Ensenada, just 50 miles south from the border
with the USA, as a port of call. The area provides excellent
fishing and shopping
opportunities.
Ixtapa
Ixtapa is a luxurious resort spraweld on a beautiful white-sand beach.
Close to Zihuatanejo - an old fishing village, with cobblestone narrow
streets, numerous restaurants, shopping areas, and art galleries. Good
for water sports. Abundant fish resources including sailfish, marlin
and rooster fish.
Manzanillo
Manzanillo is a historic port city. The area has beautiful
beaches, abundant marine life and first-class golf resorts.
Best marlin fishing season is from November through March. An
international fishing tournament is held each November.
Mazatlan
isone of the fastest growing resorts of the Mexican Pacific. This
is a popular tourist destination, its beaches lined with resort hotels.
Every year Carnival is celebrated during the week before Ash Wednesday
(46 days before Easter). There are a lot of festivities, including the
election of a Queen, parades, and balls. This is the third largest
Mardi Gras in the world, behind the celebrations held in Rio de Janeiro
and New Orleans.
Puerto
Vallarta
Cobblestone streets, stunning beaches, plentiful marine life, lush
Sierra Madre Mountains, exceptional restaurants, fine Gourmet Festival,
new golf courses and vibrant culture, Puerto Vallarta is a vacationer's
paradise that has maintained its unique Old Mexico charm. Attractions
in Puerto Vallarta
include first-class golphing, fishing, windsurfing, paragliding,
horseback riding, tours to tropical forests and lots of sightseeing.
Tampico
Tampico is an important Mexican port, an industrial city. Playa Miramar
is a popular beach destination for residents of Monterrey. The beach is
safe and clean. A cultural center was opened in 2004, featuring
international ballet and symphony. The center of town, 'El Centro', has
an old colonial square with nearby market, beautiful old cathedral, and
very good shopping. Tampico has
a few lovely beaches bordering resorts, several historical landmarks
and friendly locals.
Veracruz
Veracruz is a large city in Central Mexico, one of the country's
major commercial ports. It boasts the best nightlife in the state, and
its spacious downtown area near the harbor (zocalo) comes alive with
music and dancing with a strong Cuban influence. Main attractions
include annual carnival celebrations around February when the party
atmosphere is particularly raucous, Veracruz Aquarium, a historic
fortess, and a few marine museum. Local craft shops line the
bustling Malecon where tourists go for pots, shawls and blankets
and listen to street musicians.
To learn more about popular Mexican travel destinations, visit our
Mexican resorts page.
MEXICO
CRUISE LENGTH
Most cruises to Mexico last from seven to ten days, although you
can also find 3 and 14-day long Mexico cruises. In
our opinion, seven-day long cruises offer the best opportunity to
explore such popular Mexican coastal resorts as Cabo San Lucas,
Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, and to relax at sea. Longer cruises
wlil let you sail further south and explore Manzanillo,
Acapulco, Ixtapa and other Mexican destinations as well.
WHEN
TO CRUISE
Cruise ships sail to Mexico vacation destinations all year round. The
best (and the most expensive too!) season to visit Mexico lasts from
December until the end of April. The weather is dry and warm.
May is low-season, best for bargain seekers, as well as October and November- the hurricane months.
June, July and August are good for cruising familes with children. The summer months are usually humid and rainy in Mexico.
MEXICO
CRUISE TIPS
It is always recommended to compare cruise fares and itineraries before
you book. Do not forget sunscreen lotions and sunglasses. For cruising
during the summer months an umbrella would be a good item to pack if
you plan onshore excursions. Choose clothes depending on the cruise
season. Consider taking comfortable
walking shoes if you expect a lot of sightseeing. For more
tips on packing for a cruise visit our
Cruise
Packing List.
USEFUL
LINKS
