Mexican Riviera

[LUVCRUISEN]

Hello,
We are going on the Dawn for the Dec23-Jan3 sailing . Any shore excursions that are a must ? Any to miss? We are in our late 30's and fairly active.

[penny3333]

What ports will you be visiting?

[LUVCRUISEN]

I guess that would help?! Mazatlan, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, pt Vallarta and Cabo then back to SFO

[penny3333]

There's a good review under Holland America, titled Mexico, where a couple moderators had some advise for these ports. Hope this helps.

[skbnwinters]

Are you going on the GOLDEN 4/22 out of SF?

So are we. 1st-timers! Age, interests?

Originally posted by LUVCRUISEN:
I guess that would help?! Mazatlan, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, pt Vallarta and Cabo then back to SFO

[HeyEliza]

We have fav restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo. Amazing restaurants, off the beaten path, cheaper than eating in the tourist areas, none of us got sick which is a plus:-)

Find my review on the Diamond, should post in a day or 2.

[LisaP]

We loved the Sierra Madres tour out of Mazatlan. We visited several small villages, with stops in a brick-making yard, tile shop, and fabulous bakery, and also saw a very good cultural show. The tour was about 5 hours long and well worth it. Then again, we are very much into history and culture and not so much into adventure tours. But, I hope this helps somewhat.

[SanDee]

When we did the Mexican Riviera it was our first cruise. We chose to just walk around and shop at the ports. When we got off in Mazatlan we met a couple from Hawaii. We were approached about doing a time share tour. NO plans to buy a time share but they assured us we would not be pressured and what we would get would be worth the 90 minutes of our time. We all decided...why not?

Let me tell you...it was! All our transportation was provided to and from the ship. We were taken to a beautiful Hotel for a tour that lasted only 45 minutes. We were then seated at a table and offered a drink. It was only about 10:30am but I chose a Margarita. Let me tell you, this was the stongest Margerita I have ever had. I gave it to my husband. I should have ordered a Coke. We politely told them we were not interested in buying and that was it!

We were then given a wristband and told we would be taken to another hotel for our reward. I thought...oh here we go. Bring us to the nice hotel and now they are going to take us to a dump. I was wrong. The next hotel was even better. There we were allowed to enjoy this beautiful hotel and everything it had to offer. All the drinks and food we wanted FREE! We had a wonderful time! We were seated at a beautiful table overlooking the beautiful beach and ocean. The 4 of us had several rounds of Margeritas, appetizers, main course and dessert and oh yes...one more Margerita for the road!

We found out that the landscapers make 60 pesos a day to keep the grounds beautiful which is about $6.00 a day. We wondered what the waiter makes then. We left him a $25.00 tip. I wonder if he had to split it with others. If not, then the waiters have a much better income. We came prepared to enjoy the beach and swim but the other couple did not so we decided just to shop. We shopped for T-shirts and they shopped for diamonds!

When we were finished shopping we grabbed a taxi with the pesos we had been given at the hotel for our trip back to the ship. The sun was setting and the views were beauitful! We had a wonderful time and had spent a total of maybe $30.00 for the day. So if you are approached in Mazatlan about doing a time share tour do not be afraid to do it. You will have a wonderful day. Make sure you bring your things for the beach.