Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico – Puerto Vallarta, a popular destination on Mexico’s Pacific coast, may have fewer international cruise ships arriving compared to places like Ensenada in Baja California and Cabo San Lucas in Baja California Sur, but it still holds a special place on the Mexican Pacific Riviera route. It’s all thanks to the charm it offers to cruise travelers.
According to the Ministry of Tourism (Sectur), in the first eight months of this year, the Pacific coastal ports have seen more than two million cruise passengers, a whopping 77.5% increase from the same period last year.
Leading the pack is Ensenada with 208 cruise ship arrivals, bringing in 665,000 passengers. Cabo San Lucas follows with 164 arrivals and 552,000 passengers. Puerto Vallarta, while having fewer arrivals, still ranks third with 125 cruise ship visits and 408,000 passengers.
Interestingly, both Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas are big favorites for shorter cruise trips that begin in California, USA, lasting only a few days. This is because of their strategic location, making them accessible for those quick getaways.
When it comes to the number of passengers per cruise, Puerto Vallarta stands out with an average of 3,267 passengers on each ship. Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas aren’t far behind with just under 3,200 passengers per cruise. But surprisingly, Mazatlán outperforms all of them, with an impressive 3,737 passengers per cruise, even though it receives fewer cruises in total.
What’s even more exciting is Puerto Vallarta’s remarkable growth during this period. It experienced a 22.5% increase in cruise arrivals, a staggering 72.2% increase in the number of passengers, and a substantial 40.5% increase in the average number of passengers on each cruise. This last number suggests that not only are more cruise ships arriving in Puerto Vallarta, but they are also filling up with passengers.
In essence, Puerto Vallarta is proving that it’s not the quantity of cruise ships that matters, but the quality of the experience it provides, making it a standout destination on the Mexican Pacific Riviera for cruise enthusiasts.