Looking for advice in PV, Mazatlan and Cabo - Excursion or Taxi?

nkp284 · February 22, 2009

We've sailed the Carribean five times, and are seriously considering Mexican Rivera on the Carnival Splendor in Feb 2010. What is your experience with shore excursions vs. hired taxi upon arrival?

DW loves to shop and sightsee, and some recent excursions didn't stop often enough for picture taking or long enough for shopping to suit her. We've had good experiences with taxi's hired in port in the Carribean, but are leary of doing so in Mexican Rivera.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Art and Wendy

JoeyandDavid · February 22, 2009

Hi Art and Wendy...

Mazatlan is our favorite of the three.... if this is your first time and you are able to walk i would suggest taking the Walking tour of old Mazatlan... it is offered by the cruise chips or I think you can get it through the shore tips link in the far left column.. after the tour you have the option of staying in town or being bussed back to the ship..( they also bus you to the starting point which is close to the cliff divers if I remember correctly)

Joey

nkp284 · February 24, 2009

Thanks Joey!

The wife can walk, but has bad knees and we generally utilize a wheelchair on shore excursions.

What is your opinion of the other two, and what would you expect the weather to be like in February? We have some concerns about tendering in Cabo. We don't want to miss a port just because they lack a pier.

Art

zebra · February 24, 2009

Art, we saw many people in wheel chairs in Cabo - who had tendered. Cabo is an easy to get around town, with a lot happening very close to the pier. Take the tender you will enjoy it!!

DebbieandJerry · February 27, 2009

I think we've been to the Mexican Riviera 3 times (maybe 4). Only the first time did we do ship excursions. All the other times we rented a taxi.

We did our research beforehand and had a general idea of what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go. We asked the taxi driver what they would charge for a 4-hour trip and gave him an idea of what we wanted to do.

Puerto Vallarta prides themselves on no gangs, no drugs, no graffiti, no trash and it shows. The locals are very proud of what they have and are very willing to show it off.

Mazatlan is a bit more sea-port and not as new looking or clean.

Cabo is very easy to walk around and/or wheel around. One time we took the glass bottom boat tour. They were right there at the pier waiting for you to sign up. Another time we went whale watching. Again, right there waiting for us. Each time we were with many cruise passengers from a variety of ships.

Shopping in Mexico is relatively close to the pier. The ship gives you places to frequent and places to be leery of. They also tell you how to know if the silver is real.

Eventhough you're in Mexico, we felt safe and had a wonderful time. We just didn't drink the water or eat the food.