pulledporky

Hands down......PV.

Cabo is two days, PV is two days PLUS one night.

This gives you the opportunity to do the Rhythm's of the Night excursion. 7 yr old will love this. About a 45 minute boat ride, dinner, and a show with lots of fire and animal characters. (This departs right from the cruise ship dock)

"Deck nine" coming from the elevator speaker (lido deck)

Y'all have given me some good ideas for my 4-day cruise.

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2. Sit by the pool at 2 in the morning, I should have best choice of seats" and I can also help "save seats" for the chair hogs as they come out at 5 AM to claim their recliners for the day.

 

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Here's an idea. About 4AM put something on ALL the loungers, then sit back and see the expressions of the 5AM chair hogs.

According to the internet, and we know it doesn't lie, :" It’s open seven days a week, from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. except on Sundays when it closes at two in the afternoon"

The blue line starts at the cruise terminal so my assumption is it's there for the cruise passengers. There are "blue shirts" (US and Canadian expats) on every corner to answer questions and provide directions. The area around the Cathedral and the Mercado is very active and vibrant.

Not in to light houses so no opinion.

Can't help with the mangrove tour, but...

Water taxi to stone island is about $3 R/T so don't lose your ticket. Runs every few minutes and you want the taxi closest to the cruise terminal (a few blocks vs. a mile or so).

Pulmonia from the Mercado back to the terminal area was $6.

Consider this (did this last February):

Walk out the gate at the cruise terminal and directly across the street you will see the Blue Line. You can follow that 10-15 minutes to the town square. The cathedral is just a few blocks from there, and the Mercado is just another few blocks. All extremely walkable, and "yes" you can go alone.

After visiting the Mercado take a pulmonia back to the water taxi ($6, agree on price BEFORE you get in, no meters). It's just a few minutes across to stone island. When you get off the water taxi go across the little berm directly in front of you and you'll be on the beach. Go left and walk down the beach to a nice palapa restaurant. Lety's is excellent, about a 10 minute walk down the beach. If you like coconut shrimp you'll be in heaven. White table cloths, fresh shrimp, ice cold Pacifico, with your toes in the sand.

You can do all this in about 5 hours without rushing. I'd do this again in a heartbeat.

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We went by the shrimp market about 5 years ago, I'm not sure how close it is to the Mercado. The shrimp market was a bunch of stalls/tables set up on a street where they all sell shrimp, wasn't really a lot to see.

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Another option is to grab a pulmonia at the Cruise terminal (they run about $20 an hour). Have him take you on a city tour for an hour and drop you off at the Mercado. Then walk to the cathedral, then to the square (not really a lot to see here during the day), then follow the blue line back to the cruise terminal. The water taxi is about two blocks from the terminal, then Lety's.

Google "Mazatlan blue line" and you can read up on it.

The blue line takes you to the plaza. From there it is a couple of blocks to the Cathedral, and then another few blocks to the Mercado. It's an easy 15 minute walk. Google Mazatlan blue line.

From the terminal to the plaza it's fairly quiet. From the plaza to the Mercado is very lively. Lots of people, shops, etc. Fun atmosphere.

you tube Mazatlan Mercado but be careful. You'll see vids of lots of taco stands and then you'll be hungry for tacos.

If you've never been to Mazatlan, absolutely do this. Pulmonias will be lined up at the gate and they run about $20 an hour. Always settle on a price BEFORE you get in, and ask a few questions to "test his English", unless you speak Spanish. Take a two hour city tour then get dropped off at the water taxi terminal.

He'll probably take you up to the top of the mountain right above the cruise terminal, drive thru old town and the shrimp market, run up to the north part of town thru the golden zone, then stop by the "cliff" divers, I think that's the typical itinerary.

Pulmonias are a lot of fun, just hang on. If you want, have him stop at a OXXO store (think 7-11) and you can grab a few beverages for your tour (and grab a soda pop for your driver!).

Victor's use to be our go to spot, really good food, and the platter mentioned above also has a few bbq ribs on it. Hadn't been there for a few years but was there last February. We usually just walk down the beach and when we got to Victor's we were shocked. Looked very rundown and no customers at lunchtime (not a good sign). We went next door to Lety's (have always read good reviews) and I was a convert. Coconut shrimp were huge and fantastic.

Maybe we caught Victor's on a bad day, I dunno.

You'll pass all the cattle pens (where the excursions are herded to) about half way down the beach. Lety's/Victors are at the far end, about a 10 minute beach walk from the water taxi.

When you get back to the water taxi dock on SI there usually is not a boat there. Just stand there, they will see you and send a boat over.

As a side note, before we went to SI we walked the blue line into town. It starts right outside the terminal gate (the blue shirts will explain it to you on the tram from the boat to the terminal bldg). The line takes you to the town square, the Cathedral is about two blocks from there, and the Mercado another two blocks. A great "locals" experience. We grabbed a pulmonia at the Mercado and paid $6 for a ride back to the water taxi. (you want the water taxi nearest the terminal, there is another one about a mile further inland.)

You have an interesting scenario. From my experiences, the pulmonias at the terminal are more tourist focused, while the pulmonias around the Mercado are for locals, meaning tour vs. transportation.

So you might grab a pulmonia at the terminal for a 90 minute tour and get dropped off at the Mercado. From there about 2 blocks to the cathedral, then a couple of blocks to square. From there it's about 10 minutes back to the ship following the blue line, or grab another pulmonia back to the water taxi think it was $6 from the Mercado to the water taxi. Transportation in Mztln and PV is usually dirt cheap.

Water taxi across is about $3/rt. Make sure to use the water taxi closest to the terminal, it's about 2 blocks away. Lety's on Stone Island is great, go ogle it.

Dial 7 has been the cheapest door to door option I've found for my NYC trips. About $35/each way. Be sure to get a coupon code on retailmenot.com (normally $5 off).

This is who we used on the Miracle repo a few years back. Easy to make reservations on line (get the coupon). Call their number after you collect your baggage and within a few minutes your car shows up. That easy.

Check your home bank. Most US banks offer foreign currency services. AAA also has foreign currency available. You can get pesos when you arrive but it may be more convenient for you to have pesos in your pocket when your feet hit the dock.

BofA has a fair rate but they charge $7.50 delivery fee (Fedex 2 day). Getting pesos ahead of the trip is part of the fun.

If your going to Mazatlan there is a cambio in the terminal that has a very fair rate and they buy back "excess" pesos if needed.

Or just use the good ol' USD.

In Mazatlan it's more of a big rock, nothing like the Acapulco divers you've seen on TV. (google images)

Timing kind of depends on how many tourists are standing around and how much $$ they have collected. Maybe 20-30 minutes between "performances"?

The blue line is about a 10 minute walk to the square. From there it's 2-3 blocks to the cathedral, then another 2-3 blocks to the Mercado. Pulmonia back to the water taxi was $6 (there are two water taxi stands, you want the one closest to the cruise terminal). The water taxi only makes one stop so as mentioned, when it stops, get out.

Was there last February and Victor's was all but closed down. Don't know why, it was always our favorite spot. But then we found Lety's, ....the best.

Use google maps and you can get a good overview of the area.

.... We try to be fair with the drivers because they are all trying to make a living. I don't want to short change anyone and feel I can afford the extra pesos more than they can...

Agree 100%

When we overnighted last year we did Rhythm's of the Night. If you haven't done this yet you might consider it. Good meal, good show, good time.

I've read before that we should get tender tickets early for Cabo...when and where to you line up to get an early tender ticket? Do I check the Fun Times for info or will they announce it over the PA?

Last time I had to get them it was on the lido deck forward by the stage. They will announce it. And pay attention, sometimes everyone in the group has to be there to get a ticket.

As mentioned above, there will be no problem finding a water taxi, when you get of the tender pier there will be no less than 30 people selling excursions. The price can range from $8 to $15 pp. Depends on the traffic and time. Maybe offer $30 for 4 people and see what happens. There is/was a $1pp dock "access" fee.

Try to find Tacos Gus, about 15 minute walk from Senor Froggs. Good grub. Excellent tortas and make sure to get the pineapple drink. We usually get a large asada quesadilla and split it along with tacos and tortas. Gus does not serve beer.

We really want to try Gardenia's. They're supposed to have a shrimpy-cheesy molcajete that's really good, but we never make it past Gus's. Maybe next trip.

Big thing: Cabo is a tender port and it can take several hours to get off the boat. Make sure to get your tender tickets early or be prepared to hang out (or get FFTF which gives priority tender boarding, if platinum no worries).

Just past Froggs there is a large "civic" looking building. It's an indoor patio area with clean restrooms. They have good free Wi-Fi there, you can get the password from the security kiosk inside.

There last February. It was great to go back to Mazatlan.

We walked the blue line to the square (free), went to the cathedral (free), walked over to the Mercado (free) and then took a pulmonia ($6 total) back to the water taxi ($3pp). Over to Stone Island then down to Lety's. Absolute best coconut shrimp meal in all of Mazatlan ($9), ice cold beers ($2?), a white tablecloth and toes in the sand (free).

Don't care much for the resort thing, seems they're all alike and just a larger scale of what's on the boat. That's just my opinion tho.

I don't think it's ever more crowded or less crowded - it normally sails full. What you will notice seasonally is the number of kids on board. Late Feb might be peaking at spring break.

PV we like to take the bus to old town, walk around, find a good place on or near the Malecon for food and brews.

Mazatlan this year we walked the blue line into town, then water taxi out to Stone Island. Go to Lety's for lunch if you can.

All three ports offer the standard beach breaks, zip lines, para-sailing, horse rides, atv's, jeeps, etc. Depends if you need action, or want culture.

We were there this past February, weather was fantastic, saw many whales from the ship. We've sailed this route every month from September thru March and now stick to either January or February, best weather for us.

In Mazatlan they were celebrating the last day of Carnivale. Part of the parade route is adjacent to the port and as we were preparing to leave there were several floats getting fired up to get the party started.

Sure.

We've been to SI 4 or 5 times, always on our own; last time was this last February. Here's what we did:

When you get off the boat in Mazatlan you'll take a tram thru the port to the terminal. Walk thru it and go out the main gate. From there we walked across the street and followed the "Blue-line" to the square (maybe 10 minute walk GOOGLE Blue Line Mazatlan and you can read about it). We then walked over to the Cathedral (about 5 minutes), then walked over to the Mercado (another 5 minutes). The Mercado is a huge 2 story shopping venue, very interesting. Then we took a pulmonia ($8) back to the water taxi. Except for the pulmonia this is all free.

If you don't want to walk into town:

When you walk out the terminal turn left and walk down the sidewalk about 2 blocks. You'll see a gravel road to your left that leads to the water taxi. I think it was $3 pp round trip over to SI, hang on to your ticket. When you get off the water taxi walk up the dock and over the little berm and you'll pop out on the beach. We really like Lety's, it's a 15 minute walk down the beach but well worth it. Huge coconut shrimp and ice cold beverages with your toes in the sand. Horse rides, ATV's, etc are all available, just ask your server. When time to leave walk back to where the water taxi dropped you off. If there's not a boat there wait a few minutes and they'll come get you.

This is all real easy to do. All along the blue line there are expats in blue shirts to answer any questions and help you get to where your going. The water taxi runs all day taking folks across and back. Takes a little effort and a little adventurous, but a great day for not a lot of $$.

Go past this post a few to Mazatlan Stone Beach Tour and you can read a little more about it.

We did the guided stuff the first time or two we went to the Mex Riviera. Found it's a lot more fun, less crowded/herded, and cheaper just to do it on your own.

Another idea if you have time, you can grab a pulmonia (golf cart on steroids) right outside the terminal for about $20-$25 an hour, agree on a price before you get in. They'll take you all around town to see the sights. There's about 18 million of these running around town so if you don't see one right in front of you wait about 4 seconds.

Everyone accepts US dollars. If you want to use pesos there is a currency exchange window in the terminal with a very fair exchange rate.

If you have any specific questions just ask.

We've only done SI on our own. Truly a great place!

(If you want on-your-own suggestions, just ask.)

Can't speak to the whale tour but:

PV. Take the bus to the Malecon. Several miles of beach. I suppose even cheaper is to get off the boat, walk out the gate and go the beach right there.

There is a cambio in the Mazatlan terminal. As you walk thru you will see it on your left. Very fair exchange rate and a good place to change you unused pesos back to dollars.

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What about that amazing looking shrimp meal... how much for that?

 

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Thanks :)

The shrimp plate was 130 pesos, so as the other poster stated about $10. They do have buckets but I don't remember the price. I looked at the menu photos I have and the beer prices are not listed.

The palapa structure of Lety's was destroyed by a storm last fall (I think he said). It has been rebuilt and is now a beautiful dining area. There are ample tables and chairs under the roof and more that extend out on the beach.

The shrimp were served with a tossed green salad and mango chutney dressing, a rice dish, and all were excellent. Also comes with chips, and a salsa that they need to bottle and sell.

The owner was there as the host making sure everyone was happy. His son was our server and we couldn't ask for better service. They have Wi-Fi but I think the whole neighborhood has the password - I could never get a connection.

We were there midweek and only one ship in port so it was not crowded at all. Son in law doesn't eat sea food, he had chicken quesadillas (w/salad and rice), and three beers each. I think the total was about $27US plus tip for the two of us (the girls were off doing the salsa/salsa thing).

We started the day walking the blue line to the square, saw the cathedral and went to the Mercado (all free except what you buy in the Mercado). Pulmonia back to the water taxi was about $8, water taxi is $3pp. We met the wives back in the terminal area at the green gazebo and had several buckets. Absolutely fantastic day in Mazatlan.

That shrimp looks amazing....

They were! And that's a full dinner plate - 4 shrimps cover the plate. And that is a white table cloth (with my toes in the sand).

Couldn't we just walk down to the 'ferry' spot and then take the 'ferry' across to Stone Beach on our own? (15 minutes walk?)

 

Then just pay for any food/drink without a tour?

 

gary

And you can also pick your own restaurant (Coconut shrimp at Lety's is fantastic. 130 pesos last Feb).

I think the water taxi is $3 round trip. 10 minute walk down the beach and your there.