Cruising to the Mexican Riviera

With temperatures hovering in the teens and snow covering the ground, it’s no surprise that residents of the northeast are looking to flee to warmer climates, even if it’s just for a week long cruise.  While most people think of the beautiful Caribbean Islands as the perfect cruise getaway, for those that don’t mind leaving from Los Angeles or San Diego, Mexico is a wonderful alternative!

Port cities on Mexico’s west coast are referred to as the Mexican Riviera and although each itinerary may be slightly different, the ports you are most likely to visit are Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. Each promises an abundance of sun, sand, snorkeling, sightseeing and shopping.

Acapulco has been Mexico’s most famous destination, and one look at the breath-taking physical beauty of Acapulco Bay and you’ll see why! The snorkeling and scuba diving here are supreme and there is nothing as thrilling as jumping on a jet ski and riding at full throttle across the beautiful bay! Unless of course you’re watching the cliff divers!  For more than four decades, daring locals have been risking their lives by free climbing the natural clefts in the cliff walls to reach the highest point, then diving into the ocean pool below! Crazy!

Cabo San Lucas began as a small fishing village, but today is famous for sports fishing and plays host to a gala of marlin fishing tournaments each year. Whether you’re looking to surf, launch a kayak or wave runner, or watch the whales up close and personal, there’s a beach in Cabo just for you! The Dolphin Center in the marina offers guests the opportunity to swim with the dolphins; a favorite activity for kids of all ages. Prefer sports on land? Golfers will love the many world-class championship golf courses in the area.

Do you prefer sun and sand or culture and history? In Mazatlan you don’t have to choose. With 11 miles of soft sand, huge waves for surfing and a long boardwalk for strolling, a day in Mazatlan is the perfect cure for the winter doldrums. In Old Mazatlan or the Centro Historico, life carries on as it did before the tourists arrived. Explore the markets and churches, sit in quaint cafes, and wander within the shady plazas of traditional neighborhoods.

Puerto Vallarta is a sports lover’s paradise offering an endless array of outdoor adventures. Choose from every imaginable activity from kayaking and sailing, to water skiing and surfing. The bountiful marine life in the warm Pacific waters of Banderas Bay offer some of the best snorkeling, scuba diving and deep-sea fishing around. Those in search of land adventure can go mountain biking, opt for a jeep safari or go horseback riding.

A large dose sunshine paired with warm crystal clear waters and a sprinkling of soft, golden sand are the perfect remedy for a severe case of the winter blues. Why suffer when all this and more are available without a prescription on a Mexican Riviera cruise.