The Mexican Riviera

Cruised on the Carnival Elation from San Pedro.  Arrived in Los Angeles and visited with my cousin Nancy and her husband John in Marina del Rey for two days.  Embarked on Sunday, October 1 for a 7-day cruise to the Mexican Riviera with ports of call in Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas.

Spent the first 3 days cruising to Puerto Vallarta where we spent Wednesday on a jungle expedition and some shopping downtown in the evening.  

We then cruised overnight to Mazatlan, spending Thursday deep sea fishing.  

Another overnight cruise to Cabo San Lucas for a disappointingly short visit, spending the morning on a small boat tour around the tip of Baja and a couple of relaxing hours on the beach before an early departure back to Los Angeles.

If I were to book another cruise, I would choose the open-ended variety.  Cruising from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas to Mazatlan to Puerto Vallarta to Acapulco before flying back to Los Angeles or San Jose.  You have the option of reversing the direction by flying to Acapulco and cruising home.

But if I hit the Mexican Riviera again, I would probably opt for a round-trip flight to Cabo San Lucas and a 3-5 day stay on the beach.  There are a lot of small beaches accessible only by water taxi and Cabo San Lucas offers the most natural beauty to my eyes.