Inside: Family fun in one day trip shore excursion to Mexico. Collaborative post.
Many people love cruises for the experience of life on the ocean waves. The chance to gaze off into the horizon, watch sunrises and sunsets over the water, and explore the fun and excitement that a cruise ship has to offer.
But for many people, the key to a good cruise is the ports you visit and the shore excursions you take. While life on board might be fun too, the real joy of a cruise for these travelers is packing a day bag, exploring new destinations, and discovering new cultures.
When it comes to shore excursions, a Mexican cruise is hard to beat. This wonderful country is huge, varied, and constantly surprising, offering everything from gorgeous, chic towns to tiny beach villages, mountainous deserts to lush jungles, and beautiful beaches everywhere you turn.
So if you are planning to sail from California on a cruise to the Mexican Riviera for your next vacation, here are 6 day trip shore excursions that you must not miss out on!
Whale watching in Cabo San Lucas
Seeing whales in their natural habitat has to be one of the most incredible experiences the natural world has to offer, and there is nowhere better to do it than in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California. Hop on a boat, head out past the dramatic El Arco rock formations, and spend an afternoon gazing at these vast mammals as they jump, dive, and frolic around you in the waters of the Sea of Cortez.
Cliff diving in Acapulco
The Quebrada Cliff Divers of Acapulco are world-famous for their astonishing, heart-in-mouth feats of daring and bravery. Climbing the sheer white cliffs just outside Acapulco (by the light of torches when night falls!), these remarkable athletes take the 130-foot plunge with extraordinary into the tiny area that is safe to land in…albeit only when the waves are at their highest! It’s a death-defying spectacle and one that should not be missed.
Wine tasting in Ensenada
The Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico’s answer to Napa Valley, is just a short drive outside of Ensenada, which makes this spot one of the best places in the country for a wine tour. Often overlooked by those not in the know, the Mexican wine industry is exceptional, with a huge range of classic and not so well known grape varietals that create delicious wines.
Turtle Sanctuaries in Puerto Escondido
The world-famous surf beaches in Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca, are also known for another, less active occurrence. They are home to rare species of sea turtles who lay their eggs here, then return to help their hatchlings make the short but perilous journey across the sand and out to sea. There are a number of sanctuaries and preserves all the way along the Oaxaca coastline where you can see this remarkable migration in action, one of nature’s most charming spectacles.
Bioluminescence in Huatulco
Just a little further south along the Oaxaca coastline you can discover a natural wonder that really has to be seen to be believed. On cloudy, moonless nights the seas and lagoons come alive with vibrant, electric colors caused by microscopic organisms, causing the phenomenon of bioluminescence. This is an experience that will leave you with memories that last a lifetime, a truly magical sight.
Traditional culture in Mazatlan
Heading inland from the buzzing port city of Mazatlan lets you climb into the dramatic Sierra Madre mountains and explore the delightful towns of Copala and Concordia. These settlements date back to the 1500s, boast gorgeous Baroque architecture, and are the perfect places to immerse yourself in traditional Mexican culture, handicrafts, food, and traditions.