We booked a tour through puertovallartatours.net to do the Los Veranos canopy zip lining. It was half the cost of booking through Carnival. We first took a short taxi ride to our pick up point and took a 45 minute bus ride. We loved the scenery along the way but were surprised to see a car accident where a trailer containing a bunch of cows were turned over. There were cows loose everywhere! They were running down the road with people chasing after them or hiding in the woods. What a sight! 
Once we got to the canopy site we got geared up and climbed up the stairs to the first zip line. Let me warn you...if you are in tough physical condition, do not do this tour because there are A LOT of stairs. The zip lining was such a blast and the employees were funny and very nice. Although we did take our own pictures we did purchase some pictures and video from them. After we had a mango margarita with chips and guacamole at their bar. We fed tortillas to these cute little critters that they had in cages in the bar. I forget what they were called but they were related to raccoons. Then they had a couple of rooms with little monkeys and a huge iguana. They would put strawberry yogurt on your hand and let you walk into their large cage where the monkeys would jump on your shoulder and eat the yogurt. 
On the way back we stopped at the flea market for a bit. The vendors are aggressive, just as they are at all of the ports in Mexico. If you are interested in something you really have to haggle with them to get a decent price. We walked along the ocean for quite a long time and enjoyed the various beach art. There were sand sculptures and a guy that stacked these long rocks on their ends. We eventually took a taxi back since it was getting quite late. 


Puerto Vallarta

We arrived in this port early and took a taxi ride to visit an orphanage in town. Make sure that you negotiate the rates before you get in the taxi because I had someone try to change the price on us at the last moment. I had arranged the visit ahead of time with the orphanage director and she agreed to give us a tour. We in turn brought some printer ink and photo paper for the children's photo books that she couldn't obtain in Mazatlan. Very cool old building but as you might expect, the provisions for the children were very basic. 
We then took a taxi to do some shopping in the Golden Zone. This "Golden Zone" puzzled me because there were very little shops and the prices were all considerably higher then Puerto Vallarta or even the big market right there at the port! The prices at that market at the port are actually quite reasonable but as always you will need to negotiate the pricing there. 
We then walked out of the port, took a left and then walked a few blocks to the end of the street where we were able to purchase water taxi tickets for $2 per person, round trip to Stone Island. Once we reached the island we hopped in the back of a truck and took a short ride for $1 per person to arrive at Victors. This is a restaurant/bar on the beach. You can have them set up tables/chairs/umbrellas out in the sun and the Pacifico beers are only $1.50 each. The margaritas are considerably more but very large. We also ordered the garlic shrimp and guacamole which were fabulous. 
Once we got back to the port we stopped at the little bar set up right before you get back on the boat. More cheap beer and quite a wild crowd. Eventually we had pull ourselves away and get back on the ship. Wonderful beach day and great for anyone on a budget! 


Mazatlan

I wish we could have stayed longer in this port! Our choices for tours through the independent companies were quite limited since we were leaving at three so we booked a two hour sail and snorkel tour through Carnival for $49/person. We had to wait about a half hour on the sailing boat before it left the pier but once we got out there the scenery was just beautiful. There were tons of fantastic tropical fish to see and we took a lot of pictures with our underwater carnival. On the way back we partook in the rum punch that was included in the price while others danced to the music playing. 
Once back we ate lunch at a restaurant in the port and then again did a little shopping in the flea market. 


Cabo San Lucas

Underneath dining room/kitchen and VERY LOUD late at night.  You can hear carts being rolled overhead and lots of clanging.

We were told that it was because of customs delays in the morning and that they got started late but our first Carnival cruise took us at least two hours to get on board as well.Pros: 

-We enjoyed our cruise director, John and he always kept us laughing

-The stateroom and dining room staff were kind and providing us with wonderful service as usual

-Each of the ports were absolutely beautiful and we enjoyed all of our excursions (one through Carnival, one through an independant company)

-The decor of the ship was fun

-Karaoke where you sing with a live band was fun

-The adult only pools and whirlpools really were adult only

-24 hour pizza!

Carnival Splendor Review

Mexican Riviera: Oct 24, 2010

Rating by category

Additional details

Cabin Review

Interior

Find a Carnival Splendor Cruise