Mexico has turn into one of many high vacationer locations on the planet. With an abundance of world-class cruise ports providing scenic seashores, vibrant cultural experiences, and superb facilities, it’s no shock that it’s significantly common with cruise vacationers.
This in-depth information will cowl every part it’s worthwhile to find out about a few of the finest Mexican cruise ports to discover.
How Many Cruise Ports Are in Mexico?
All in all, Mexico is house to 14 main cruise ports, every providing completely different experiences. From bustling and extremely common locations like Cozumel and Playa del Carmen to smaller and extra intimate cruise ports like Progreso Cruise Ship Terminal, the nation gives unbelievable cruise passenger choices.
With 20 cruise ports within the nation, roughly 9 of which may very well be classed as main cruise ports, it’s no shock that the cruise business performs an integral position within the Mexican economic system.
These ports funnel over 3.8 million worldwide cruise passengers into the nation per 12 months, enhancing the nation’s already booming tourism business.
Within the first half of 2024, Mexican ports hosted over 1,200 cruise ships, together with the world’s largest, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.
These visiting cruise passengers additionally injected over $325 million into the native economic system, which doesn’t even cowl the cash the cruise strains themselves pay to dock on the ports and restock on provides like meals, drinks, and different necessities.
With the variety of ships and cruise passengers visiting the nation rising steadily every year, Mexico has a goal of finally internet hosting over 9 million cruise passengers yearly. That is solely half of a bigger nationwide technique to extend Mexico’s tourism income 12 months over 12 months.
Mexico’s cruise ports range considerably in measurement and what number of cruise passengers they welcome every year. Here’s a primary rating of a few of the high cruise ports from largest to smallest, primarily based on bodily measurement, port services, cruise passenger capability, and the way continuously cruise ships name at them: Cozumel, Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Acapulco, Ensenada, Progreso, Cabo San Lucas, and Playa del Carmen.
The High Mexico Cruise Ports
Now that you just perceive how vital Mexico is for the cruise business and the way vital the cruise business is for the Mexican economic system, let’s take a look at the seven finest and largest cruise ports within the nation. We’ll describe the format of those massively vital cruise ports and canopy their distinctive highlights, sights, and areas.
Acapulco Cruise Port
Located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast within the state of Guerrero, the town of Acapulco was as soon as generally known as a playground for the wealthy and well-known of Mexico and past.
Traditionally one of the vital vital ports and vacationer locations, Acapulco is house to a serious cruise port that now faces severe competitors from the nation’s rising cruise locations.
This port is about 240 miles south of Mexico Metropolis and is well-connected by street and air. The Acapulco Cruise Port, often known as Terminal Maritima de Acapulco, is near stunning seashores, an unbelievable nightlife scene, and rolling tropical mountains.
Cruise Strains that Go to
With the town nicknamed “the Pearl of the Pacific,” the Acapulco cruise port is a massively common port of name for quite a few cruise strains, together with Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Superstar Cruises, and Disney Cruises.
Piers and Terminals
Acapulco has one foremost cruise terminal, the Terminal Maritima de Acapulco, close to the town middle. The terminal can accommodate a single mega cruise ship and gives friends free Wi-Fi, indoor ready areas with air-con, clear and accessible restroom services, and on-site purchasing, together with a duty-free store.
Close by Points of interest
Acapulco is legendary for its cliff divers, generally known as La Quebrada Cliff Divers. This must-see attraction has been working since 1934 and includes watching divers leap off a 115-foot-high cliff into the ocean.
Different highlights embody the San Diego Fort, which dates again to 1616 and gives gorgeous views of the harbor. The Fort homes the Acapulco Historic Museum, which covers the historical past of Mexico from pre-colonial intervals to the current day.
Cozumel Cruise Port
Cozumel is an island situated simply off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. This location makes it best for cruise ships navigating the Caribbean Sea, and the island itself is a serious vacationer vacation spot.
Positioned simply 12 miles from Mexico’s mainland, it additionally sits simply throughout from Playa del Carmen. That is the biggest and busiest cruise port in Mexico, with three piers and terminals (Puerta Maya, Punta Langosta, and Worldwide Pier), in addition to a capability of over 4 million passengers per 12 months, Cozumel Cruise Port is the busiest and largest within the nation.
Cruise Strains that Go to
As a result of scale of Cozumel Cruise Port, almost each main cruise line visits the island, together with Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Superstar Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Cunard Line, Oceania Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, and P&O Cruises.
Piers and Terminals
Because of its gorgeous magnificence and best location for visiting ships, Cozumel is Mexico’s largest and most well-known cruise port. The truth is, it consists of three foremost cruise terminals: Puerto Maya, which is owned by Carnival; Punta Langosta; and the Worldwide Pier, one among Royal Caribbean’s foremost Mexican cruise ports. All three terminals are situated alongside the island’s southwestern shoreline.
Every of the three terminals contains a single pier, however the one discovered at Puerto Maya branches out in a Y form, permitting two cruise ships to dock on the similar time. A ferry pier known as Ferry Ultramar Cozumel, situated in San Miguel, additionally supplies direct ferry companies to close by Playa del Carmen.
Price Studying: Finest Time to Cruise Cozumel – What to Count on, Crowds, Climate
Every of the three terminals gives fashionable facilities, together with free Wi-Fi, duty-free purchasing, eating places, air-conditioned ready areas, and quick access to transportation. Plus, the piers are outfitted to deal with the world’s largest cruise ships, so not one of the terminals are tender ports.
Close by Points of interest
Whether or not you need to discover San Miguel and take within the cultural experiences the city has to supply or go to a few of the gorgeous seashores that line the island’s 30-mile shoreline, there’s a lot to do in Cozumel.
If you happen to’re prepared to take the ferry to Playa del Carmen, you may as well go to the traditional Mayan metropolis of Tulum, one of many nation’s most iconic historic websites and a UNESCO World Heritage Web site.
Cozumel’s Dolphin Discovery at Chankanaab Park is simply three miles away from Puerto Maya and the Worldwide Terminal, and it gives guests the chance to work together with dolphins and different marine animals.
Costa Maya Cruise Port
Costa Maya Cruise Port, additionally known as Mahahual Port, is situated close to the Belize border on the nation’s southern Caribbean coast. Located alongside the Yucatan Peninsula, it options two cruise ship piers and is usually the second busiest behind Cozumel. It’s a preferred last cease for cruise itineraries that observe Mexico’s Caribbean shoreline.
Cruise Strains that Go to
Costa Maya is a well-liked cease for a number of main cruise strains, together with Carnival, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages. No cruise strains use it as a house port, however many characteristic it as a daily port of name on their Western Caribbean itineraries.
Piers and Terminals
Like Cozumel, it’s a main cruise port able to internet hosting as much as 4 full-sized cruise ships concurrently. All 4 cruise ship berths line a single pier, the Costa Maya Cruise Dock. This huge pier is so lengthy that an electrical shuttle transports cruise passengers with mobility points to the mainland.
Regardless of its spectacular measurement, the cruise port gives extra of a resort-like expertise for visiting passengers than some Mexican cruise ports in larger vacationer facilities, like Cozumel. This resort expertise is enhanced by a saltwater swimming pool, a non-public beachfront lined with cabanas and loungers, a purchasing plaza, a number of eating places, a spa, and all-inclusive food and drinks packages.
Close by Points of interest
Costa Maya is the perfect vacation spot for these trying to see a extra rural and historic aspect of Mexico. The well-known Chacchoben Mayan Ruins are the principle spotlight, they usually’re situated simply 55 miles from the port.
The close by seashore city of Mahahual can be only a couple miles from the terminal, so it’s straightforward to go to. You may even hire a golf cart from the cruise port, which you’ll be able to then drive into the city and discover at your personal tempo.
Plus, the port is surrounded by a thick jungle, including to the distant ambiance and enabling adventurous shore excursions, like ATV excursions of the forest flooring.
Ensenada Mexico Cruise Port
Ensenada Mexico Cruise Port is situated alongside the northern fringe of the Baja California Peninsula, roughly 78 miles south of San Diego and 204 miles south of Los Angeles.
On account of its proximity to the American border, Ensenada is among the key Pacific cruise ports. It has two piers and regular visits from main cruise strains, making it vital for shorter cruises alongside the Mexican Riviera.
Cruise Strains that Go to
The port is frequented by ships belonging to main cruise strains, like Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. With two foremost piers that enable three cruise ships to dock at any given time, it’s not a young port.
No cruise strains use it as a everlasting homeport, as most will depart from California, however it’s nonetheless one of many busiest ports of name in all of Mexico.
Piers and Terminals
As talked about, Ensenada has two foremost piers and a business terminal the place cargo ships and different giant vessels dock. The cruise terminal gives free Wi-Fi, is totally accessible, has vacationer data desks, and has the Ensenada CruisePort Village, a serious leisure space with outlets, eating places, and different facilities.
Close by Points of interest
The world-famous La Bufadora is a pure blowhole roughly 18 miles from the terminal. Watch ocean waves fly into the air from this pure geologic water spout. Additionally, you will discover the large Mexican flag, which is the world’s largest and flies above the harbor.
Whereas most individuals affiliate Mexico with tequila, Ensenada is taken into account a part of the Baja Peninsula wine area, so one other common exercise is visiting the quite a few vineyards close to the port. You may even e book wine excursions that assist you to study the historical past of Mexican wines and, extra importantly, pattern them.
Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port
Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port can be discovered on the Baja California Peninsula, however at its southern tip, roughly 900 miles south of Ensenada Cruise Port.
Cabo San Lucas is persistently ranked as one among Mexico’s hottest vacationer locations, however the port is smaller than these mentioned above. Whereas it’s nonetheless a serious cruise vacation spot, Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port capabilities solely as a young port.
The port services are too small to deal with some mega ships that cruise alongside the Baja Peninsula. Moderately than docking, outlets drop anchor in Cabo San Lucas Bay, and passengers take a roughly 10-minute tender boat experience to one of many three tender docks.
Cruise Strains that Go to
Quite a few cruise strains use Cabo San Lucas’s tender docks, together with Superstar Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, and Princess Cruises.
Since it’s a tender port, no cruise strains use this small port metropolis as a house port. As an alternative, it’s seen as a preferred port of name the place cruise passengers can get pleasure from a day of seashore enjoyable and water-based actions.
Piers and Terminals
Since Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port is a young port, it doesn’t have any piers. Moderately than having cruise ships docking alongside a pier, the port depends on tender boats, which use one among three tender docks. These small docks are situated instantly beside the town’s marina.
The totally outside terminal gives restricted facilities, which means there isn’t any complimentary Wi-Fi, memento outlets, or eating places on the port; nonetheless, the tender docks are only a nice ten-minute stroll to the center of the town. From right here, they’ll get pleasure from a wide range of eating places, bars, outlets, and resorts that supply day passes.
You will see that shaded benches on the docks, a vacationer data kiosk, and primary restroom services, however that’s about it. There is no such thing as a parking, however there’s a taxi pickup and drop-off level for these trying to discover past the instant space.
Close by Points of interest
Cabo San Lucas is legendary for its nightlife, so there are many bars and nightclubs across the marina. It is usually a serious seashore vacation spot, with the world-famous Medano Seashore being situated simply over two miles from the port.
The long-lasting Arch of Cabo San Lucas, or El Arco, is a novel granite rock formation that extends from the mainland into the assembly level between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
This pure marvel is one among Mexico’s most photographed environmental options, so it’s effectively price visiting by boat. Cabo San Lucas additionally has an unbelievable scuba diving scene, partially as a result of abundance of coral reefs instantly off its coast.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a small port metropolis situated on the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula, instantly throughout from the island of Cozumel. Whereas it doesn’t have a typical cruise terminal, its single pier handles a ferry service that delivers passengers from Cozumel through a 40-minute voyage.
Some cruise ships additionally anchor off the shore of Playa del Carmen, permitting tender boats to ferry their passengers to the colourful city for a day of exploration and enjoyable.
Despite the fact that it’s a massively common vacationer vacation spot, Playa del Carmen solely contains a single, pretty small pier. This pier capabilities as a secondary port accessed by ferry from Cozumel.
Nonetheless, lots of of 1000’s of cruise passengers go to it every year. Plans are additionally underway to transform this smaller port right into a full-scale cruise port within the close to future.
Since Playa del Carmen is seen as a day-trip vacation spot for cruise passengers who’ve docked at one among Cozumel’s three cruise terminals, passengers from all main cruise strains go to it.
Whereas the Federal Authorities of Mexico plans to increase the port and remodel it right into a full-scale cruise ship port, these plans have been on maintain for a number of years.
Close by Points of interest
Playa del Carmen has a colourful and vibrant, five-mile-long strip known as Fifth Avenue, or Quinta Avenida, that options quite a few eating places, shops, bars, a movie show, and even a on line casino. There’s additionally a seashore and quite a few public restrooms all through the city.
Since Playa del Carmen, like Cozumel, is a resort vacation spot, you’ll see quite a few vacationers strolling the strip and having fun with the sunshine anytime you go to.
Playa, as it’s recognized domestically, additionally acts as a gateway to Mexico’s Mayan previous, with native tour operators providing return transportation to iconic websites just like the city of Akumal and the Tulum ruins. Xcaret Park, an historical Mayan-themed ecological park, can be situated simply six miles southwest of Playa del Carmen, so it’s one other common attraction for visiting cruise passengers.
Progreso Cruise Port
Progreso Cruise Port can be situated on the northern shoreline of the Yucatan Peninsula, making it an excellent vacation spot for cruise ships voyaging alongside the Gulf of Mexico. The cruise port is situated instantly within the coronary heart of the town of Progreso, so it’s extremely handy for cruise passengers desirous to discover the oceanfront promenade and every part else this tourist-friendly metropolis gives.
Cruise Strains that Go to
Progreso is rising in recognition as a port of name, particularly amongst the principle Caribbean cruise strains. Right this moment, it’s visited by Superstar Cruises, MSC, P&O Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, and Cunard Cruise Line.
Since it’s not a homeport for any cruise line, parking is restricted close to the pier; nonetheless, there are pickup and drop-off spots for taxis and shuttle buses instantly beside it.
Piers and Terminals
One in every of Progreso’s most iconic options is the only pier extending over 4 miles from the shoreline, making it the longest pier on the planet. This super size permits cruise ships to dock in waters that will in any other case be too shallow.
The enormously lengthy pier has two cruise ship berths, permitting two ships to dock anytime. As soon as passengers enter the pier, they’re greeted by two fashionable terminal buildings.
They will then take shuttles which transport guests on the four-mile journey to the mainland. Though these fashionable terminals don’t present free Wi-Fi, they’ve a lot of the different conveniences you’d count on, together with a vacationer data space, a small memento retailer, and air-conditioned ready areas.
Close by Points of interest
Whereas most guests spend their time exploring the town, particularly the Malecon Internacional Boardwalk, which is a pedestrian boardwalk that’s lined with eating places, shops, public restrooms, and a picture-perfect seashore, the city can be recognized for its proximity to a few of the most iconic Mayan ruins.
With the Historical Metropolis of Chichen Itza and Uxmal each simply 104 and 77 miles away from the cruise port, respectively, it’s straightforward to e book a day journey to both web site.
Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port
The Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port is situated alongside Mexico’s Pacific-facing coast within the state of Jalisco, simply three miles north of downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Like a lot of Mexico’s coastal cities, Puerto Vallarta is thought for its gorgeous seashores and wealthy cultural historical past. It’s the busiest cruise port on Mexico’s Pacific coast and might deal with a couple of full-sized cruise ship at a time.
The cruise port is often known as Marina Vallarta Maritime and Cruise Terminal, and the encircling space is legendary for its fashionable all-inclusive resorts and year-round sunshine.
Cruise Strains that Go to
The port has two piers, known as Dock 1 and Dock 2. Dock 1 is primarily visited by Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean cruise ships, whereas Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Line use Dock 2. Dock 1 options two cruise ship berths slightly than a single berth, so the port permits as much as three cruise ships to dock at any time.
Royal Caribbean even makes use of Puerto Vallarta as a house port for a few of its vessels, which is handy for worldwide vacationers. The port is barely 4 miles from the Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz Worldwide Airport (PVR). With inexpensive taxi and shuttle companies from the airport, passengers can full the journey in lower than quarter-hour. The port additionally maintains its personal parking zone, with $11 in a single day each day charges.
Piers and Terminals
As talked about, Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port has three docking factors—all three line the town’s shoreline, surrounding a deep-water harbor. Terminal services embody vacationer data cubicles, air-conditioned ready areas, and public restrooms.
Close by Points of interest
Since Puerto Vallarta is taken into account to be one of many high trip locations in Mexico, it’s a great spot to expertise Mexican tradition and delicacies firsthand. There are many beachside eating places, and quite a few all-inclusive resorts enable visiting cruise passengers to buy day passes.
Los Arcos Marine Park can be simply seven miles from the port. This nationwide marine wildlife protect options pure rock arches, a coral reef, and a collection of small islands the place vacationers can view sea lions basking within the solar. Loads of tour suppliers supply boat excursions of Los Arcos and deep-sea fishing experiences additional out within the Pacific Ocean.
Mazatlan Cruise Port
Additionally situated on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Mazatlan Cruise Port is within the state of Sinaloa. This small cruise port is situated on the sting of the town of Mazatlan, along side a business transport port.
When you enter the town, passengers will shortly study why it’s such a preferred vacation spot for Mexican and worldwide vacationers. Not solely is it an inviting metropolis crammed with eating places, shops, and different sights, however it’s also house to a 14-mile-long beachside boardwalk.
Positioned on the mainland proper the place the Gulf of California opens to the Pacific Ocean, the waters that line Mazatlan are additionally recognized to be unbelievable for deep-sea fishing, making it a serious vacation spot for fishing lovers, in addition to cruise and resort vacationers.
Cruise Strains that Go to
Though Mazatlan Cruise Port will not be a young port, it may be fairly crowded as a result of business container ships and oil tankers that share the port.
Because of this, fewer cruise strains go to than some ports that line the Baja California Peninsula, however it’s nonetheless a preferred cease for a number of main cruise strains, together with Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Holland America Line.
None of those cruise strains use it as a house port, however it’s a frequent port of name on the best way to Puerto Vallarta.
Piers and Terminals
Mazatlan Cruise Port contains a single foremost terminal, permitting as much as 4 cruise ships to dock at any time. Moderately than utilizing a pier, cruise ships type a straight line instantly alongside the shore of the deep-water Urias Harbor.
As soon as passengers disembark, they’re greeted by a primary cruise terminal with a duty-free store, public restrooms, a shuttle loop, and different vacationer companies. Sadly, the port doesn’t supply free Wi-Fi, however it’s straightforward to search out when you make your approach to the town.
Close by Points of interest
The historic Plaza Machado is a family-friendly courtyard the place cruise passengers can get pleasure from conventional buildings and discover quite a few eating places and cafés. The Centro Historico is the town’s historic outdated city, the place you may as well discover a few of the colourful buildings and conventional structure, in addition to a number of museums, artwork galleries, and old style eating places.
Simply two miles from the cruise port, guests may discover the seashores that make up the town’s “Golden Zone.” These white sand seashores are one of many metropolis’s most well-known options and partially clarify why it has been a serious vacationer vacation spot for over 100 years.
Are Cruise Ports in Mexico Secure?
Whereas Mexico as an entire is usually seen as a reasonably unsafe nation, tourism is a essential element of the nation’s economic system, so further care is taken to make sure the security of cruise ports.
Within the extra developed vacationer areas, like Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, a robust safety and police presence ensures that the ports and the encircling areas are secure and welcoming locations for worldwide vacationers and visiting cruise passengers.
Whereas the cruise ports we highlighted above are all thought-about secure by native representatives, the cruise business itself, and in line with varied authorities journey advisory boards, just like the US Division of State, you need to all the time apply primary precautions once you discover any cruise port. Depart valuables on the ship, journey in teams, and follow the extra well-known, tourist-friendly neighborhoods.
The Finest Time to Go to Mexico
The most effective time to cruise to Mexico is in the course of the dry season, which runs between November and April. Not solely is that this when you possibly can count on essentially the most sunshine, however the temperatures are nice, and the humidity is minimal.
Learn Additionally: When is the Finest Time to Cruise the Mexican Riviera?
Plus, you keep away from the potential dangers of hurricane season, which runs from June to November, particularly on the Gulf of Mexico aspect of the nation.
That mentioned, if you happen to select to journey to any of the cruise ports we mentioned above outdoors of the dry season, there will be some advantages, as crowds are usually at a minimal, and it’s potential to safe a great deal on a cruise package deal.
Nonetheless, be sure you examine for updates continuously, as your voyage and itinerary will be altered relying on climate circumstances.
