Cabo/PV/Mazatlan: Tips on avoiding crowds?

[bassspanker]

Wondering if you have any tips about where to go (or when) in Cabo, PV, or Mazatlan where you can avoid the mayhem and big crowds. The thing that makes this tough is that this is our first trip to these cities, so we don't necessarily want to go an obscure or remote spot. We still want to see the "must see" spots and get the flavor of the downtown areas. Just wondering if there is a better/smarter way to do it.

 

We may try a zip line in PV, but other than that,we're just looking to see some sights, do a little shopping, and chill. Any suggestions?

[lovevacadays]

If you avoid Spring Break which can be from the first of March to the first or second week in April you avoid the really big crowds in these cities. Other than that, it isn't that crowded as there are usually only 2-3 ships in port any given day in these ports - unlike the Caribbean where there can sometimes be 5 or more ships per day in port.

[star gazer]

Wondering if you have any tips about where to go (or when) in Cabo, PV, or Mazatlan where you can avoid the mayhem and big crowds. The thing that makes this tough is that this is our first trip to these cities, so we don't necessarily want to go an obscure or remote spot. We still want to see the "must see" spots and get the flavor of the downtown areas. Just wondering if there is a better/smarter way to do it.

 

We may try a zip line in PV, but other than that,we're just looking to see some sights, do a little shopping, and chill. Any suggestions?

 

If you want to chill out in Mazatlan, do Stone Island. Explore the MR and you will find lots of references to Stone Island.

[Jeff in Torrance]

We've been to the Mexican Riviera several times. We typically don't do excursions per se, but just walk into the local town. Here's what we do at those ports:

 

Cabo San Lucas. We usually walk to Solmar Beach via the lobby of the Hotel Solmar, and go south to the end of the beach for a little sunning. On one occasion a Mexican father and son asked us if we wanted to be shown how to go the Lovers Beach (which is an "excursion" for the cruise lines). I always thought that one could get there if you don't mind a little bit of "boulder hopping." We politely declined, but they continued on over the rocks. I later climbed to the top of the "first bit of rocks," which revealed that it would take another bit of boulder hopping to actually get to that beach. At any rate, we usually go back to the Hotel Solmar for a couple of fish tacos and a beer before returning back to the ship. To get to Solmar Beach, just go towards the Pacific Ocean off of the cruise dock (it's only about 1/4 mile). We saw whales off of Cabo, plus I witnessed a stingray leaping and flipping near the ship on our last trip on the Golden Princess. On the most recent visit we took the bus to SAn Jose del Cabo, which costs 25 pesos each way.

 

Mazatlan. On one recent visit, we walked the approximately one mile to the Pacifico/Corona brewery, where we were given a very inclusive tour, followed by a beer at the "top of the tower" lounge. They also gave each of us a small momento brochure with our picture included. Cost ..........zero, plus some good exercise. In a prior visit, we just walked to the cathedral for a self-tour, followed by some local window shopping. The Princess ships seem pretty liberal in allowing passengers to bring beverages purchased ashore back onto the ship. One man in our brewery tour hauled four quarts of Pacifico back to the ship. We only took one. On the most recent visit we walked westerly from the cruise dock, crossing the divided road outside the port, towards the hill. After about 1/2 mile we reached the coast, which was quite nice. Proceding northerly, perhaps another 1/3 mile, we reached a beach and hotels, an art museum and archeology museum. We toured the art museum, checked the internet at an inexpensive cafe, shopped for jewelry, and then had inexpensive beers before walking back to the cruise dock. An interesting part of Mazatlan, it being the "old city zone."

 

Puerto Vallarta Puerta Vallarta is very charming, and an easy bus ride (cost 6.5 pesos (about 50 cents each way) from the main highway just outside the public dock area. Take the "Centro" bus, which goes as far as the old plaza before turning around. On returning look for the "Walmart" bus. There is also a Sam's Club and Walmart across the highway from the dock. The old town center has great walking, shopping, nice beaches and the old cathedral. We have also just walked south along the beach from the dock and relaxed on lounges at the many resort hotels along the beach.