WHEN is it the best to sail the Mexican Riviera?

[Nanatravel]

Since we have not cruised this itinerary yet, I think it may be what I would like to book next. I enjoy the sun but don't want to risk hurricanes. I enjoy a balcony, so don't want to sit out in cool breezes. What months or dates are the best to travel in weather wise from CA to Acapulco?

Also, what cruise line & ship do you like best? I loved the Pride and Vision class of RCI but enjoy going on new ships. Mercury would be fine.

Bon Voyage

[bzy1]

Not sure about CA weather at this time but I would say November/December or March/April/May for weather... Hurricane season is usually July through October.

My choice of cruise line is Celebrity. Fantastic in my opinion all around. Excellent food, staff, boats, rooms... I think it is the only ship I would book.

I am hoping some time soon they open Puerto Vallarta up to be a departure point, then I could hop on a ship here and not have to fly out of Vallarta to turn around and come back

[JohnQ]

We have taken this cruise twice, once on Rhaphsody, and once on Pride, both times in early February. The weather was great. Coolest weather is leaving and coming back into Long Beach area. Our first day at sea was cool and our day at sea coming back into LB was windy. But Mexico was great weather, no rain. and we loved that time of year. My son was on the Pride two weeks before us in late January and they had two or three days of rain.
On our first trip, I got so used to the nice weather, I packed my coat and all I had was shorts and a golf shirt and almost froze in LA when we came in and were out on deck.

[megsterl]

john q, im going on a crusie on the vison of the seas in feb for the mexican riveria, and im so excited. just wondering if there is anything specific that you could suggest that i should definitly do and not miss out on it. im so looking forward to it. im even spending two days prior in long beach anything you could suggest would be wonderful thanks in advance . Meg

[JohnQ]

Meg,
We are not big lay on the beach types, so we look for something to do. We haven't had a bad tour yet--just that some like the City Tours, were more laid back and less exciting. Below are some of the things we have done and would recommend:

Puerta Vahartta---
city and coast tour. Stops at one of the big hotels for a snack. Beautiful city.

Jeep Safari--big Mercedes 4x4 trucks to take you thru some small towns, ride thru some cattle ranches, dry and not so dry river beds, walk in a rainforest, and end up at a Beach BBQ with open bar. This was fun, crazy guides, and something different to see. Booked thru ship, vendor is Vahartta Adventures.

Mazatlan--

Sierra Madre tour--bus tour thru ship, stops in Copola and Concordia, nice visit to small village, brick making operation and furniture making outside. Nice mexican lunch at big resturant. Nice but long, good for first timers.

Stone Island and Randi's Happy Horses, nice day to visit Mexico as it was 40 yrs ago. Arranges taxi to dock, water taxi to Stone Island, truck to horses, nice ride thru mangos, coconut grove, to beach. After beach pictures ride on beach to Victors resturant for nice leisurely lunch and sitting time. Randi is great and this only runs about $45 each for everything.


Cabo--
Whalewatching thru Prides Tour, saw lots of whales close up and had great time on this 2-3hr tour right outside the harbor. You see Los Arcos, Lovers Beach and have an open bar and snacks on board. Great trip.

City Tour and Coastal tour to san jose de cabo- this was also good for first time to see other parts of Mexico, plus a tour of town, glass factory.

Have to go to Cabo Wabo and see Sammy Hagger.

[megsterl]

have you done the horse back riding tour?? i want to say that it is in pv but i cuould be wrong. I saw it and thought it would be fun. it said that it went through the jungle, sounds fun to me. We usually do our laying in the sun on the boat, but not on excursions.

[megsterl]

meant to ask if you booked through the cruise, i really dont feel to comfortable booking with out side companies. i heard some horor stories. i know the cruise backs all there excursion participants.

[JohnQ]

Meg
As I said earlier, the Mazatlan Stone Island Horse Riding Tour with Randi's Happy Horses is great. If you are interested in riding in PV, ask a question on here for PVPam, who lives here and is involved in tour business.
Booking on your own is up to you and your cofidence level. As long as you don't cut it too close to debarkation time, and you go with a reputable company, you should be fine. Our first trip to Mexico, we did all of ours thru the ship!! For same reason. This year, we booked two of the three on our own and will probably do the same next trip.