Cruises to Puerto Vallarta Mexico

Arriving in Puerto Vallarta

Knowing that cruise ships bring an immeasurable amount of business to the area, Puerto Vallarta is well-equipped to handle even larger vessels. Ships dock at the Puerto Vallarta Marina, just a few miles north of the city’s downtown shopping district. While it is possible to walk to downtown from the dock, taxis are plentiful. As with most cruise port areas, the immediate vicinity is filled with typical tourist boutiques and craft stalls as well as ready access to beaches.

Necessary information about Puerto Vallarta:

• Naturally, Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken, particularly in tourist areas.
• The official currency is the nuevo peso which is roughly equivalent to a U.S. dime. Vendors gladly accept U.S. currency.
• Vendors can be mildly aggressive and many stores offer similar merchandise; savvy shoppers would do well to bargain before agreeing on a final price.

Cruise Ship Shore Tours in Puerto Vallarta

As with all tropical ports, cruises to Puerto Vallart Mexico offer a variety of nautical shore excursions in Puerto Vallarta, including snorkeling, certified scuba diving, and different sailing tours. Other popular excursions include dolphin encounters and swims, horseback riding, and golfing. In recent years, eco-tourism has gained notoriety near Puerto Vallarta and a variety of adventurous tours are available, including canopy excursions, mountain biking, and kayaking. For the culturally inclined, highlight tours are available and many culminate in a mock-bullfight demonstration.

Cruises to Puerto Vallarta Mexico: Sightseeing

Many guests prefer to take a taxi to the center of town, and once there Puerto Vallarta offers a wide range of attractions within walking distance, from public art displays to museums and celebrity remnants. Puerto Vallarta’s most popular attractions include:

• The Malecon: This seaside downtown promenade is exquisitely decorated with public art from end to end, from romantic scenes to wacky modern sculptures by renowned Mexican artists.
• Museo Rio Cuale: This tiny museum on nearby Isla Cuale (accessible by pedestrian bridges) offers visitors a rare glimpse of pre-Columbian figures and other artifacts from Mexico’s ancient civilizations.
• Pink Bridge: Not an official attraction, this monument is a highlight for celebrity fans: its delicate arch once connected Richard Burton’s and Elizabeth Taylor’s homes.
  

  

  Tequila: Bottom's up!
• Huichol Collection Museum Gallery: Located near the city’s main square, on the corner of calle Galeana and calle Morelos, this museum has an excellent collection of Huichol Indian art including intricate beadwork on masks, wall hangings, and carved animal shapes. An on-site artist is often working on the painstaking pieces.
• La Casa del Tequila: Perfect for imbibing cruisers, the highlight of this unique shop is a tasting room where samples of different tequilas are available.
• Beaches: Puerto Vallarta is well known for delightful beaches, but those located near the cruise terminal are overcrowded and less enjoyable. South of town, smoother, wider beaches are available for public use with access through various hotel lobbies, and many watersports and rentals are available.
• Shopping: No cruise would be complete without souvenirs, and shopping in Puerto Vallarta is a wild blend of tacky trinkets and authentic art. Dedicated shoppers can easily find silver jewelry, leather products, clothing, crafts, and much more.

Cruises to Puerto Vallarta Mexico: Necessary Precautions

Because the main attractions in Puerto Vallarta are several miles from the cruise terminal, visitors need to be aware of taxi fees (generally less than $10) or be prepared to walk into town. To avoid heatstroke or sunstroke while strolling through the many shopping districts or bumming on the beach, always wear appropriate sunscreen and drink plenty of water. Puerto Vallarta’s many winding streets and hidden attractions can be quite confusing to new visitors, and cruise ship passengers are encouraged to bring along local maps (available on the ship) to avoid becoming lost.

Puerto Vallarta, once the hidden treasure of celebrities and Hollywood starlets, is now a thriving cruise destination offering everything from extensive shopping to eco-tourism. Because of the port’s appeal, many cruise ships offer extended stays (nearly a full day) in Puerto Vallarta to allow passengers to fully experience the culture and ambience unique to this Mexican Riviera destination, and it is a day that most passengers will not soon forget.