downsized

Monkey Business Bar is one of my favorites. Everything is hand squeezed, it takes a bit to make one, but they are delicious. They are huge, if the price is the same, they are $7.00 USD.

 

They are not near the tender pier but one street back from the marina on Marina Blvd on the same side of the street as Diamonds International. Head towards Giggling Marlin, if you don't know where that is, ask someone. Once you pass Giggling Marlin, look for a Dollar Rental Car, Monkey Business Bar is behind that, it's a horseshoe shape.

 

Here are some of their reviews:

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g152515-d6219632-Reviews-Monkey_Business_Bar-Cabo_San_Lucas_Los_Cabos_Baja_California.html

Everyone has his/her favorites.....mine is Rip's. Just before Giggling Martin. Ten feet from Rip's is Taco Loco, our hand's down favorite taco joint.

Never had a bad Maggie at Rip's, or a bad taco at Taco Loco.

Perfect, thank you! I wonder if taking a smaller boat through an excursion would allow an unobstructed picture without other boats in the frame?

You will find lots of glass bottom boats at the cruise docks that will take you by the arch, Pelican Beach, Lover's Beach, Divorce Beach, and the sea lions (all great photo ops). Most will offer you fish food (well....tortillas) that you can feed the fish that will swim right up into your hand. About $20US. You can also ask to be delivered to Medano Beach (the only "swimmable" beach in Cabo), for 2 or 3 dollars more (ask about that before you board the water taxi.) Medano Beach is a great place to spend some time "hydrating" and snacking. Afterwards, I would suggest that you take a land cab back to the cruise docks. That way, you can see some of Cabo that you might otherwise miss. The land cab should cost you $10-12US total, for up to 4 pp.

We are sailing the Mexican Riviera in October and we received a recommendation to try a restaurant called Blue Shrimp. My question is....does anyone know if this restaurant is walkable or easily accessible from the cruise port? I've tried to look on Google maps, but I am having trouble identifying exactly where the ships dock or tenders come in. Thanks for any responses.

Unlike Hlitner, my bride and I are only able to stay in PV three weeks at a time, twice a year. Our Spanish is poor, to say the least, and we all too often have jumped on the wrong bus (although we love riding the buses, even though we sometimes we take the "scenic route".) When arriving at the cruise docks, you can, like another has suggested, walk out and grab a yellow cab, and it will save you $2-4US, but if it were me, I would just grab a cab at the dock, ask them to deliver me to the "new pier", and then I would wander back north along the Malecon. You will find lots (and I do mean lots) of great cantinas and restaurants, Dacquiri Dick's and Blue Shrimp included. Find one that you like. After that, just keep wandering back North. You will find a lot (IMHO) of great places to shop and enjoy and re-hydrate. If (when) you tire, just grab a $6.00US cab back to the cruise docks.

geez what a PA answer. She asked about a day pass. Not to be told that's a lame thing to do. Everyone likes different things. I'd like a day pass too ;-)

Sorry, but I have no idea what a "PA answer" is. This is a two year old post, and I made my best attempt to provide not only an answer, but a suggestion as to an alternative. On our first cruise to Mexico, we literally did not wander out of the view of the cruise docks, as we had no idea as to what else there was to see, let alone where we should explore! 17 trips later (usually spending 2-3 weeks at a time), we know better!

Frankly Linda, your response is entirely why we do not post as often as we used to.

I heard Tabascos has new ownership and is charging for loungers now? Is this the case?

Don't mind paying if it's still a good location...

 

 

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I'm not certain about that. I've heard that they now charge for loungers, but we guys sit at the tables in the sand and under umbrellas. The ladies like to sit closer to the water. Several times we've sent buckets of beer out to the Ladies, and they were afforded free lounges and even portable umbrellas, but not certain that that is always the case. I suspect that (as at a lot of places) if you spend money, they wave the lounger fee, but that is speculation on my part. Either way, the cost of the lounger (if any) should not bankrupt you. The food, and the beverages are reasonably priced, and the location is one of our favorites.

Regarding Tabasco's, it has fallen out of favor because they now charge to use a lounge chair. The local gringo population has pretty much abandoned it for the Sand Bar.

 

I loved Tabasco's also, but seems new management is in place and things have changed, not for the better.

Good post! I've heard that before about Tabascos, but we typically just sit the chairs (in the shade) and laugh as our chairs slowly sink into the sand! (We obviously spend too much time in our chairs!) You're correct, of course, but the great thing about Medano is number of Cantinas. We've occasionally just wandered up the beach until we've found a Cantina that we like. Our draw to Tabasco's is that it was always a bit "tamer" than others...no wet t-shirt contests, and the "college crowd" seemed much less. I would always suggest that folks find a place in the sand that they are comfortable with.

Absolutely! Just grab a water taxi at the cruise docks to see Lover's Beach, the Arch, Pelican Rock, and Divorce Beach. It is a great tour, we've done it several times. The boat captain will normally have food (tortillas) to feed the fish. They will swim right up into your hands to be fed.

I might also suggest that you have the boat drop you off at one of the many cantinas at Medano Beach (Tabascos is our favorite). You can sit with your toes in the sand, drinking inexpensive "beverages" and enjoying "pretty darned good" food. If it were me, at the end of the day, I would grab a land taxi back to the cruise docks. Taking the land cab will afford you a view of much of Cabo that you might otherwise miss.

$7-15 per person (depending upon your bargaining skills, and the demand) for the water taxi, $12-18 total (for up to 8 people) for the land taxi return.

At Medano, you will have to jump out into calf-deep water, but even with a fake knee, I've had no problems.

Enjoy Cabo, you will love it there!

I have to agree with cruisinitaliano. Grab a cab and have them drop you off at the "new pier". From there, wander North on the Malecon. There are so many places to see, cantinas, restaurants, flea markets, and sand sculptures.

I agree too, wander the cuale island. A charming and wonderfully shaded place, full of trinkets and treasures that you probably don't need, but still a truly fun adventure. When you tire, just grab a cab back to the cruise docks. There are lots of cabs on the Malecon, and although they are a bit more than the bus, you will not have to worry about grabbing the wrong bus and ending up somewhere other than your expected destination. I say this because even though my Bride and I travel to PV twice a year, we still have been known to jump on the wrong bus....not a problem...but we don't have a timeline to catch a ship!

This sounds great. How is the swimming at Tabascos? the kids want to swim.

As Melcoug suggested, the entire beach at Mecado suffers not only from being Pacific Ocean water (think "chilly") but also as having a steep drop off.

My kids and grandkids swim there, but my Bride and I are quite content to sit with our toes in the sand, and watch.

By far our favorite place to swim is PV. Grab a cab (or for the more adventurous) take a bus to the "new pier". The water there is normally warmer, the beach extends way out into the ocean, and the waves (being the fact that you are in a huge bay) are much less. You can also find lots of Cantinas with umbrellas or Pallapas offering shade. We have found that the food and the drinks to be slightly cheaper there, as well.

Oh, yes, there are a lot of Cantinas along Medano that are within walking distance of each other. We like Tabascos because it seems to be a much quieter place (read that to mean far fewer partying college kids) than some of the others.

If you have never taken the water taxi trip out to Pelican rock, Lover's Beach, the Arch and divorce beach, I would have to recommend that, and then have the taxi drop you off at Medano. (It should cost you $8-12US pp.) The water taxi will have food (normally tortillas) that you can feed to the fish (which will swim right up into your hand.) After spending time at Medano, we always grab a land cab back ($12 total for up to 4 folks) to the Marina. It will be cheaper than the water taxi, and you will be afforded a view of Cabo San Lucas that you might miss otherwise.

After 12 visits to Cabo, my personal favorite is Tabascos. It has shaded tables, is right on the beach (toes in the sand), the drinks (and the prices) are very reasonable, and we very much like the food there. That being said, there are a lot of places on Medano Beach. If you've never been there, and if it were me, I would just wander the beach until I find a Cantina that appeals to me. Have a drink, and maybe then just wander on to the next Cantina.

Hey everyone,

 

Going to be on the Carnival cruise in a few weeks and we're looking forward to Cabo and PV.

 

Are there any tours and small "companies" selling tours and excursions at the piers? Or is it recommended I get the tours on the ship? In particular I'm looking at the sea lion, glass blowing, lover's beach, etc in Cabo. PV not sure yet.

 

Just trying to see if I can avoid the Carnival "markup."

 

Thanks!

In Cabo, without question, I would find a glass bottomed boat tour at the Marina. No reservations needed, as there are lots of them. You will be afforded a view of Lover's Beach, the Arch, the sea lions, and Divorce Beach. Along the way, the boat operator will provide you with food to feed the fish (often only tortillas, but the fish love them, and will swim right up into your hand!) From there, (if it were me) I would have the boat deliver me to Medano Beach. A great place to spend the day. Lots of truly great Cantinas and restaurants....just wander the beach until you find one that appeals to you. After an afternoon at Medano, we always walk a 100 yards (or so) to one of the parking lots and grab a land cab back to the docks (the advantage of that is you will be afforded a tour of Cabo that you would otherwise miss)

The boat tour should be about $8-12US per person (depending upon your negotiating skills). The land cab back should be about $12US for up to 4 passengers.

PV.....Me, we grab a cab at the Cruise dock to Old Town (the new pier) and then just stroll back towards the cruise dock. Lots of great places to stop and shop, and to eat and "rehydrate". If you tire before getting back to the cruise docks, just grab a cab (less than $10US).

Right now I am perplexed what we will do...the more I read about the Los Muertos area it doesn't look very family friendly...looks like it is pretty crowded and crazy?? We just might walk the Malecon and have a bite....she will have had beach time at Cabo and Mazatlan. tHanks!

Cabo is good (we've been there 12 times in the past 5 years) and Medano

Beach is fun (great restaurants and Cantinas), but the water is not at all child friendly (think sharp drop offs, and rogue waves.) I won't swim there, although my adult children do.

Mazatlan is fun, but we've only been there once, so can't really speak to that. As for Los Muertos, it can be hectic, but in our experience that is normally only south of the new Pier. As for anywhere from north of the pier to the bridge over the Cuales, we've never experienced "crowded or crazy", and have never been met with anyone that is not very friendly.

btw....as you cross the bridge over the Cuales, you might consider wandering down to the island. A fun flea market.

A stroll from the pier north on the Malecon is a great way to spend an afternoon.

We will be in PV end of month. We had planned on going to the Sea Monkey and having drinks and food and letting six year old play on beach. Just on Trip Advisor...massive waves have washed out the beach to a four door drop..sand washed away..all rocky. Anyone have any ideas for a fun place to go by cab and hang out? Don't want to pay for a day pass! Thanks!

We were in PV in December during the horrible rains. The beach at the Sea Monkey was completely gone. Three days later, the sand had returned almost to the level of the malecon (In 7 trips, we'd never seen the sand that high before!)

Even if the beach does not return in front of the Sea Monkey (and it surely will), the beach just a few yards south should (might?) be good. Your kids might like the beach at CyC better than the Sea Monkey, anyway. Our grandkids do.

We have a & 6 yo boys and will be down there in a few weeks. This sounds great! About how long is the adventure?

 

Thanks for the tip!

The boat tour (as I recall) is 45 minutes to an hour. Too, after the tour you can have them drop you off at Medano Beach (the only swimmable beach in Cabo proper.) There, you can spend the afternoon at any of the several Cantinas and restaurants (think "toes in the sand, beverage in hand".) At the end of the day, I recommend walking out to one of the parking lots (100 yards) and grabbing a land cab back to the Cruise Docks. A land cab for up to 8 people should only cost you about $14US total. The advantage of taking the land cab back is that you will be able to see parts of Cabo that you would otherwise miss. I should state that if you land at Medano Beach, you will have to step out of the boat in ankle/knee deep water....but even with a fake knee, I have done it dozens of times.

Yelapa ???????:cool:

Yelapa is fun. A nice boat ride with a great view of the arch and sanctuary, a pretty little town, and a great beach with several good Cantinas. We've done Yelapa several times, but if it were me and only had a limited time in PV, I would rather spend my time wandering the Malecon. There is so much to see and do...."toes in the sand" Cantinas, great restaurants, sand sculptures, and lots of fun shops to explore. My advice remains....grab a cab to old town, and wander back towards the cruise docks. A fun day.

Just my $0.02P worth. :)

I will tread lightly, but the OP's post really perks my interest. The OP says, "I would love to experience more of PV" but nowhere in the post do they even talk about coming to PV! Instead they talk of tours to a private beach enclave (Rhythms of the Night) which is a very good excursion....but not even that close to Puerto Vallarta. It then talks about zip lines, ATVs, etc....none of which have anything to do with the city of PV (except many vendors sell these tours in town). Puerto Vallarta is actually a city...there are no zip lines, ATV tours, snorkeling. etc. in the city. We happen to love PV (have lived here for the past 10 winters) and have never done a zip line here (we have done it in the real jungles of Costa Rica) or taken an ATV tour outside the city (which does sound like fun). But we do really love our city, its restaurants, bars, Malecon (essentially a Mexican version of the boardwalk), music, margaritas, etc. Just my 2 cents. As to the suggesting of going to El Rio BBQ, although we respect the owner it is not what we recommend for a port day. The reason is it is not in Puerto Vallarta. So if the OP truly wants to experience Puerto Vallarta, come on into town (only 7.5 pesos on the local bus) and walk from one end to the other, browse the flea market, check out the Huichol Art, enjoy our fabulous food, have a good Margarita or even a dollar beer (Sea Monkey, Cheeky Monkey and a few others charge that price), get your feet wet on Los Muertos Beach, listen to some of the music, etc. That is the real PV :)

 

So if you want to come to Mexico to experience the tourist stuff (like Zip Lines, ATV tours) then we hope you have a wonderful time and return again and again. But if you want to experience PV, then actually come into PV!

 

Hank

I can't argue with Hank, as he has spent a lot more time in PV than I (we only spend one month a year in PV), and my Bride and I both love wandering the Malecon. My contention is that although there are lots of great places to see and visit along the Malecon, PV (IMO) really does no longer represent "real Mexico", as I often now think of it more representative of an urban Canadian city....not that I would admit that that is wrong. If the OP is strongly in favor of seeing "jungle" without the "experience" of a guided (read that to be "tightly controlled) tour, I think that my advice would still stand. Grab a cab to El Rio, enjoy the river, the jungle, the iguanas, and the great food. When done, grab a cab back, and then hit the Malecon. El Rio can take a couple of hours, or the whole afternoon....your choice.

Just my $0.02P worth.

Been to these places many times as adults. We are going with six year old granddaughter ...we have Mazatlan planned to Stone Island but not sure about Cabo and PV. Don't want to pay the money for a day pass...Last week we did Pirate boat excursion in PV but it was SO rough her dad would be so sick! Anyone been to either place recentLy with kids with any recommendations? Thanks all!

In Cabo, I would recommend a glass bottom boat tour of the Arch, Lover's Beach, Divorce Beach, and the Sea Lions. It should cost between $8 and $12US per person. They will give you tortillas to feed the fish, which will actually swim up into your hand. Your 6 year old should love it! (You will too, we've done it several times.)

I'm a bit reluctant to comment on this, as although we have been to PV quite a few times, we have never done a "jungle tour". I'm surprised that others have not jumped in. With the short time that you will have on your second day, I might suggest that you grab a cab and go to El Rio Barbeque. A short ride (should be less than $10US) but it is up the Cuale River, has a beautiful "jungle" setting where you can swim in the river if you wish, and they have excellent food, and a great atmosphere. We go up there twice a year and truly enjoy it.

I've cut and pasted this from a post I just made, but feel that it is germane to this thread, as well:

The "private" food tour is fun, and we have done it. However, it is with a group, and we were hustled from place to place, and like every "tour" we've ever been on, we stopped at "select" locations with the expectations that we would buy stuff.

I would suggest just grabbing a cab at the cruise docks and have them deliver you to the new dock in old town ($12US for up to four passengers, just a bit more for a van that holds 10.) From there, wander up the Malecon towards the cruise docks. You will find a lot of great restaurants and Cantinas to stop at, and a bunch of places to shop, all right along the beach, and at your leisure, with no rush. If you grow tired on the return, or are running late, just grab a cab back to your ship.

If you walk out to the highway at the cruise docks, you can save (maybe) $2.00US on the cab, but we just grab a cab at the docks.

Thank you. There are way too many choices for Puerto Vallarta! We've actually decided to do a private food tour and then walk the Malecon since we've never been before. Hopefully there will be a next time and we'll do one of the beach tours.

The "private" food tour is fun, and we have done it. However, it is with a group, and we were hustled from place to place, and like every "tour" we've ever been on, we stopped at "select" locations with the expectations that we would buy stuff.

I would suggest just grabbing a cab at the cruise docks and have them deliver you to the new dock in old town ($12US for up to four passengers, just a bit more for a van that holds 10.) From there, wander up the Malecon towards the cruise docks. You will find a lot of great restaurants and Cantinas to stop at, and a bunch of places to shop, all right along the beach, and at your leisure, with no rush. If you grow tired on the return, or are running late, just grab a cab back to your ship.

If you walk out to the highway at the cruise docks, you can save (maybe) $2.00US on the cab, but we just grab a cab at the docks.

I suspect that you may be on the wrong cruise.

Beach vendors are pretty much a way of life in Mexico. The vendors work hard to make a living.

Other than finding an excursion that will deliver you to a deserted area, you will most likely be afforded the pleasure of viewing the treasures (and not so much treasures) of the locals.

As for being "bothered" every 30 seconds...that might be an exaggeration, but yes, they do exist.

Personally, my Bride and I very much enjoy them.

Too, you can always stay aboard ship, and enjoy a mostly empty ship.

Las Guacamayas is across the street and a block or two down from Cabo Wabo's front door. Had an excellent flor de calabaza quesadilla. Horchata made to order. There were lots of other agua frescas available. Aye here last week. In the next block or so is a Michoacana, Mexican popsicles and ice cream. Next to this is a Mexican glass shop.

 

Taco Loco is in the plaza backing into Cabo Wabo, facing the Marina.

I second Las Guacamayas. We love their stuffed potatoes, as well as their "fried cheese" (try it, it is really my favorite item.) Second would be Taco Loco. They have a great condiment bar. Third would be Cabo Cantina. All are easily within walking distance. The best place (in my opinion) is Captain Tony's. Not so much for their food, (their pizza, however, is the best in all of Cabo), but it is a great place to sit on the Marina, and watch people.

Take a cab or bus to old town, Playa los Muertos in P. Vallarta. Many restaurants there right on the beach, like Daiquiri Dicks, Cuates y Cuetes, Langostinos, La Palapa and more. Under Vista del Sol condo there is Seamonkey.

http://vallartainfo.com/vallarta-southside-map.html

If you stay near the ship you miss the mexican touch, you will see Walmart and Sam's across the terminal.

What Ine said about PV. In PV take a cab to the southside and wander the Malecon back towards the cruise docks. You will find lots of great places to eat and "people watch" (we all too often find ourselves at Sea Monkey, $1US beers and margaritas, and okay food, and it is right on the sand.) If you run short of time, grab a cab back to the dock. In Cabo, just wander down the Marina. A great view of the bay, and like PV, lots of very good places to eat, "beverage" and "people watch".....our favorites in Cabo are Captain Tony's, Soloman's Landing, and Tiki Bar....all an easy walk from the cruise dock,

The Cabo marina is perfect for strollers. You can shop along the way, stop in at one of many restaurants etc. Also, you can go into the Dolphin Center for free. They have an aquarium and you can see the dolphins swim by. You can also watch the show for free. It's an easy walk from the tender pier.

I don't think that the dolphin show in Cabo is free (unless it has changed recently.) It does (used to) cost only a couple of bucks though. From the observation deck you will have a great view of Cabo, as well as the opportunity to wade out in ankle deep water to pet the Dolphins. The Marina is a great walk, and right at the Cruise Terminal. There is also a fun flea market just to the left of the dock.

As for PV, you can walk the Marina, lots of Cantinas and Restaurants.

Mazatlan...not much close that you can reach without a cab.

I know that you do not want to hear this, but holding your kids in your lap is not a horrible choice. Take a cab (in both PV and Mazatlan), you will able to see a whole lot more.