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Caribbean Mexico vs. Mexican Riviera Cruises: A Side-by-side Look

Contributor
Jason Frye
Contributor
Marissa Wright

Last updated
Nov 20, 2023

Read time
8 min read

You've heard your friends say it for years: "You have to go on a cruise to Mexico." But, which itinerary is your best option: the Mexican Riviera or Caribbean Mexico? Both of these cruising choices in Mexico have similar vibes, weather and activities, so it's hard to tell the difference.

We've all wondered about the differences between the fabled Mexican Riviera of "The Love Boat" fame and the ports closer to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. That’s why we're making it easy to decide where your Mexican cruise should take you with a rundown on cruise itineraries in the Mexican Riviera vs. Caribbean Mexico.

Mexican Riviera and Caribbean Mexico Cruises: The Differences

There's one important distinction when discussing the Mexican Riviera and Caribbean Mexico: it's a West Coast versus East Coast situation.

The Mexican Riviera is on the West Coast of Mexico, including the Baja Peninsula, Sea of Cortez (that's the long, narrow sea between Baja and mainland Mexico) and the Pacific coastal cities on the west coast like Puerto Vallarta.

The Mexican Caribbean is just that: the Mexican port cities on the Caribbean coast, including those on the inner edge of the Yucatan Peninsula, the cities on the eastern Yucatan coast and an island or two in the vicinity (including Cozumel). There are far fewer common cruise ports here than the Mexican Riviera.

A bit of confusion may arise as Riviera Maya (also called the Mayan Riviera) has become a somewhat popular term for the Mexican Caribbean in recent years. But it's easy to keep the names straight. Think of it this way: the Mayans lived in the Yucatan and their many remaining pyramids, cities and ruins are a short drive inland from the Caribbean.

The word "riviera" means coastline in Italian, but it's generally not used for any coastline but a coastal area that's particularly beautiful. And cruises to the Mexican Riviera are nothing short of beautiful.

On the west coast of Mexico, the Pacific Ocean influences the beaches, the weather, the food and culture. The landscape is generally lush (with exceptions along Baja and the eastern coastline of the Sea of Cortez, which are drier), making it a prime agricultural spot.

Think mole, avocado, mangos and papayas; picture seafood dishes with tuna, octopus, swordfish and black sea bass. Tequila is also huge here, as the drink originated in a town called Tequila in the state of Jalisco, which includes the popular Puerto Vallarta.

Beaches on the Mexican Riviera tend to be darker, with sand ranging from light gold to a shade closer to brass, or even pebbly-to-rocky beaches. Though some beaches will have much lighter, powdery sand, they don't proliferate here as they do in Caribbean Mexico. The sea tends toward deeper shades, and the Pacific and Sea of Cortez will show you beauty in deep blue tones rather than the turquoise you'll find in the east.

Snorkeling is best in the Sea of Cortez, where the water is warmer, calmer and has some reefs and rock formations that attract fish and aquatic wildlife. Surfing and fishing are exceptional along the Mexican Riviera (ask any well-surfed Southern Californian and they'll tell you of a legendary break somewhere along the Baja Peninsula).

Mexican Riviera Cruise Ports: Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco and Beyond

Panoramic view of downtown Puerto Vallarta (Photo: emperorcosar/Shutterstock)
Panoramic view of downtown Puerto Vallarta (Photo: emperorcosar/Shutterstock)

Everything from huge mega-ships to smaller, adventure-focused expedition ships to sailing vessels call on ports on a Mexican Riviera cruise. Most Mexican Riviera cruises originate in the U.S., departing primarily from Los Angeles and San Diego, though some longer sailings leave from San Francisco or even Vancouver, British Columbia.

There are more than a dozen ports that cruise lines commonly call on when sailing on cruises to the Mexican Riviera, and some are well-known even beyond the cruise world.

The best known -- Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco -- have been vacation havens for nearly a century. Others, like those in the Sea of Cortez, are relatively new to current cruisers.

Acapulco: Celebrated for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlight, Acapulco is a famed destination that in the past attracted Hollywood’s most famous stars. Now, it’s better known for its holiday resort town vibe that caters to travelers on a relaxing Mexican Riviera cruise.

Cabo San Lucas: As an anchor port for many Mexican Riviera cruises most ships stop in Cabo San Lucas, which is best known for its fun parties and beaches. Outside of all the parties, activities are adventurous excursions like kayaking, snorkeling and sailing.

Ensenada: Stops in Ensenada are noteworthy due to fresh seafood, sport fishing, cantinas and craft shopping. The city has a unique mix of attractions, like Mexico’s oldest winery and whale watching in the winter months.

Huatulco: Founded to preserve the culture, flora and fauna of the area, Huatulco is an authentic port that shares native souvenirs and crafts with travelers. Relax at one of the many beaches or shop around for the best holiday souvenirs on your cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo: Step off a cruise ship into the calm town of Zihuatanejo to enjoy the local charms of Mexico. Ixtapa is a resort where guests can enjoy shopping and typical resort activities like water sports and tours.

La Paz (Pichilingue): Relax in a peaceful Mexican town that sits on the bay of the Sea of Cortez. La Paz is popular for its bright homes, lovely beaches, easy-to-spot wildlife and whale watching.

Manzanillo: Get a taste of an authentic Mexican town in Manzanillo. They don’t do the glitz and glam of other cruise ports, but they do have incredible beaches and water activities.

Mazatlan: Mazatlan is one of the most popular ports on cruises to the Mexican Riviera. The town has a vibrant city center, a large artistic community and, of course, glorious beaches and scenery.

Puerto Vallarta: Stops in Puerto Vallarta are popular and especially fun for beachgoers and boaters. The warm waters are ideal for water activities like snorkeling, and the city offers other delightful adventures for those who’d prefer to stay on land on their Mexican Riviera cruise.

When many of us think of a cruise to Mexico, we think of the Mexican Caribbean where we'll go sailing along the Yucatan Peninsula, taking excursions to snorkel the reefs or visit Mayan ruins in the jungles.

Caribbean Mexico consists largely of the Yucatan Peninsula, both the interior and Gulf of Mexico side, the Caribbean coastline and the island of Cozumel. You'll hear people mention Quintana Roo when they talk about their Caribbean Mexican getaway; Quintana Roo is a state on the southwestern edge of the Yucatan Peninsula, and it includes the ports of Cozumel, Cancun, Tulum and others.

Bright blue and turquoise waters give Caribbean Mexico that tropical flair so many of us expect from a cruise. Those gorgeous transparent waters are paired with equally stunning beaches where you'll find fine, white or pale gold sand, gentle waves and plenty of water sports to occupy your time.

Weather across the region is influenced by the Caribbean, meaning there are risks of thunderstorms, tropical storms and even hurricanes, with the highest chance of strong storms occurring between August and October. That said, the weather here is a tropical delight: hot, sunny, cooled by that ocean breeze and absolutely ideal for a getaway.

The cuisine of the Mexican Caribbean is seafood-rich, with plenty of fresh fish, shrimp and lobster to go along with avocados, peppers and tropical fruits that grow here. Inland, there are Mayan ruins aplenty to explore and jungle preserves where you can zipline, ride ATVs, hike and do all the wildlife watching you care to do.

One distinct feature here are the cenotes, underground rivers and lakes accessed through sinkholes and caves (don't worry, the best cenotes are large and mostly claustrophobia-free); here the blue water takes on an otherworldly glow and you can swim, snorkel, splash and float to your heart's content.

Caribbean Mexico Cruise Ports: Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and More

Costa Maya (Photo:Roman Stetsyk/Shutterstock)
Costa Maya (Photo:Roman Stetsyk/Shutterstock)

There are a number of ways to cruise to the Mexican Caribbean, from sailings that only focus on Mexican ports to cruises of the Western Caribbean, including stops in Grand Cayman or Jamaica in addition to Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico.

Cruises that take in the Caribbean Coast of Central America call on ports in Belize and Honduras along the way. You can see there's no shortage of ways to visit this region of Mexico by cruise ship; it's just a matter of which itineraries call on which ports.

Costa Maya: Step off the cruise ship and head into Costa Maya to enjoy a village made for cruisers. As a manmade cruise spot, it has all the fun-loving activities cruisers enjoy like shopping, beach clubs, water sports and more.

Cozumel (to Tulum and Cancun): Trips to the Western Caribbean aren’t complete without a stop in Cozumel. Here, travelers can enjoy the best public beaches, beach clubs, water activities, shopping and active excursions like ATV or jungle tours.

Playa del Carmen (Calica): Playa del Carmen, colloquially called "Playa," is a popular spot because of the city’s laid-back vibes and busy shopping street called La Quinta. Up and down the busy boulevard, travelers can step into quaint shops and beach bars or enjoy food at one of the many restaurants.

Progreso (Merida): Visit the ancient Mayan landscape and ruins in Progreso. Enjoy delicious food alongside the city’s rich history and culture.

Publish date February 11, 2020
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