My family just booked our first cruise- to the Mexican Riviera on Carnival. Anyone have any suggestions for sights to see in Puerta Vallarta, Mazatlan or Cabo San Lucas? I've heard the day excursions are very expensive- we'd like to explore on our own! Thanks!

If you like horseback riding - In Mazatlan there is an American lady who owns such a business there and takes you through a cocoanut plantation and then onto the beach for a very scenic and pleasant ride. Lunch is also included. The link is http://mazinfo.com/horsebackride/

Peter

If you go to cruisecritic.com, there's a message board just on destinations. There's also one on Carnival ships. You'll find tons of information.

We did this cruise in Feb on Princess and basically just went into each town and walked around. We had a great time and I'm sure you will too.

I can highly recommend Randi's Happy Horses in Mazatlan. Randi will meet you at the dock and take you by ferry/taxi over to Stone Island for the ride. Very responsive horses and if you have riding experience, you can set your own pace. She just asks that you keep her in sight. After the ride, you stop at a restaurant on the beach for a drink/lunch before she takes you back to the ship by ferry/taxi. BTW lunch is not included in the price (or at least it wasn't when we went), just your first drink.

In PV, we hired a van at the dock to take the 6 of us to a tequila factory, Chico's Paradise, and then drop us off downtown. Cost was $25 an hour.

In Cabo, we just walked over to Medano beach (about 20 minutes along the marina). There are bars/restaurants, watersports vendors on this beach. From the marina, you can also take one of the glass bottom boats around the Arch for around $10pp or less for a 40 minute tour. You can ask the boat captain to drop you off at Lovers beach or Pelican rock for some swimming/snorkeling and arrange a time to be picked up later. Bring your own snorkel gear and anything else you might need as there are no facilities here.

Any suggestions for PV?

What else beside horseback riding in Mazatlan?

What was Chico's Paradise like?

My husband and I were in PV on Princess last Feb. I enjoyed visiting Casa Kimberly at Gringo Gulch which was the house that Richard Burton built for Elizabeth Taylor. We purchased the shore excursion on the ship and I didn't feel it was too expensive.

We are going back next year and we are thinking of doing the Sierra Madre excursion but it's about 7 hours long.
That's why we're still thinking about it.
Lydel

Sorry, I have no other suggestions for Mazatlan as the horseback riding took most of the day and we didn't go into town.

Chico's Paradise is a restaurant that's perched over a series of beautiful waterfalls. There are several pools formed by the falls for swimming. It's a gorgeous location. I think everyone just refers to this area as Chico's Paradise even though it's really the name of the restaurant.

Patty

Thanks.

Any suggestions for Cabo San Lucas?

Starfish,
What are your interests? Do you enjoy beach/water activities or something else? How long will you have in port?

We will be in port 9:30 to 6:00.

A beach day may not be bad.
I like to snorkle but my husband has had both hips replaced and it would depend on what kind of boat. He may have trouble getting back in the boat.

I thought about taking that boat tour to see the seals and rock formation.

A ship tour mentioned a carriage ride through the historical district. I am not into ships tours and would consider doing this on our own. Know anything about this?

Any not to miss sites besides the rocks? I believe we may even see them from the ship.

Horseback riding and kayaking we cannot do.

Starfish,
Yes you should be able to see the arch from the ship and from the tenders to/from the dock. The glass bottom boat tours will get you closer and also to see the sea lions. In your case, I would not choose the option to be dropped off at the beach on this tour since getting in and out of the boat requires climbing over the bow and landing in the water. The tour itself is fine as you embark/disembark from the marina.

Medano, the closest swimming beach can be reached by walking from the dock for about 20 minutes along the marina or by taxi or water taxi. Many hotels sit on this stretch of beach along with lots of beach side restaurants and bars. You'll find watersports vendors and other beach vendors selling souvenirs. It's a busy area. There's not much in the way of snorkeling here.

The other beach that's close to town is the one in front of the Finnistera hotel facing the Pacific side, but there's no swimming here due to the undertow.

You might consider snorkeling from the beach rather than a boat. Santa Maria is a nice swimming beach outside of town along the corridor between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo. The snorkeling here is pretty good from the shore. Chileno beach is another one that is supposed to have good snorkeling but I have not been to this one. Both beaches will require a taxi or bus ride. Here's a map showing their locations: http://www.allaboutcabo.com/corrmaplrg.htm

I'm not familiar with the carriage ride. The www.allaboutcabo.com site lists virtually every activity available in Cabo so you may want to check that out. Hope this helps.

Thank you for the info.