Mexican Riviera ports on a budget?

[magicallyfun]

So it is our 20 th anaversity this year so we are on the Mariner of the Sea. On a tight budget what is the best bang for your buck? I am thinking about a marina with sea otters etc.. in one port and "walking in" snorkeling in another.

 

-Magic

[jking917]

When you go to PV.....you can walk to Crystal Resort. It's about 5 minutes away. You can use the pool (which is beautiful) for free and order food. We were there last August and the manager set us up with a massage for $35 for 90 minutes. We are going again this August and plan on going back to the resort. It is a real treat.

[boaterette]

You may want to check out the ports of call board for ideas. We took the local bus downtown in PV and it cost 50 cents or so each way. You can walk along the beach there and they have some great sand sculptures. You can also take a water taxi to stone island in matzalan. it is around 3 dollars each way. Cheap ffod and beers there.

[Ashland]

Don't feel you always have to do an excursion..We have gone to the Mexican Riviera many times..and have done none..Walk into Cabo..Taxi to the Mercado in Mazatlan..City bus to downtown Puerto Vallarta...Enjoy !!

[jjb415]

You may want to check out the ports of call board for ideas

 

Check out the Mexican forum for information on going over to Stone Island by water taxi, it is $2 round trip.

[Redheada]

I second Stone Island. It is all we ever do when we go to Mazatlan. The restaurants on the beach are very reasonable too. We always go to Victors. :)

 

Last cruise in PV we went to the Krystal PV and had the best massage of my life for $40 - they have couple massages too and the prices is the same per person. You can walk there from the ship.

[VickyMcG]

It depends on you, of course, but I would never go to a port and stay at a resort. Why not see some of the town. You can go catch the bus at PV (like other poster said). We did just that, but go to Tripadvisor and find out how. It's really easy. Go and walk on the malecon and get a $1 margarita at Cheeky Monkey and watch the sea, people and weird alien sculptures. Walk or take a water taxi in Cabo to the beach, and in Mazatlan. They can give you a cheap tour too. Like Lovers Beach and the arch at Cabo. We love Mexico, went in Nov, Dec, Jan on cruise and to stay a week.

[Puffinater]

In Cabo catch a glass bottom boat to Los Arcos. You will also see some sea lions and feed fish. Very inexpensive just to sure to negotiate the price.

[cb at sea]

And, don't forget, staying on the ship when everyone is gone is GREAT! The pool will be yours and everything except the casino and shops will be open....port days are a wonderful time to get the use from the ship you paid for! You don't HAVE to spend any (or all) of a day off the ship!

[tropicgirl3]

Another vote for Stone Island! We loved it the last time we visited Mazatlan.

 

Another vote for the Cheeky Monkey in PV...cheap drinks and fun atmosphere looking over the beach.

 

Another vote for water taxi to the arches in Cabo...then head to Medano for some relaxation in the sun.

[Gingee]

What is Stone Island?

[jjb415]

What is Stone Island?

 

It isn't actually an island, but, a rustic beach area that is quite near the port in Mazatlan. Lots of information in the Mexico Forum on these boards. Here is link to a thread that tells you how to get there and includes a link to a map:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=996060