Cruising to the Mexican Riviera in two weeks. We want to know about cheap excursions in ports...?

Question

We will be in Cabo San Lucas, Puerta Vallarta, and Mazatlan. We are mainly interested in shopping and going to a safe beach to swim and maybe snorkel. We have 6 of us in our family going, three adults and a 14, 15 and 16-year-old, girls and boy. We don't want to pay the $300-$400 the ship charges in it's excursions booklet. My brother suggests just getting a cab and telling them to take us to a beach. He also said the beaches are free, but I am not so sure, and I don't speak spanish. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

you do not need to speak spanish.  get off ship . you will have one hundred cabs offer you tours.  they hold pictures/maps / names of tours with prices.  pick one .  negotiate.  you are expected to negotiate there.   always lower than what they say.  not the same as in america.    

get back to ship earlier than they sail.  plan at least one hour in case of emergency / road closes / accident, anything can happen.  you do not want to be  paying for 6 emergency air tickets to fly to next port to catch up with ship.  

be there way before sailing.  

it's beautiful and feel relaxed about not using ships excursions.   ask fellow people at dinner / other places on ship / for tips as to best beaches.   the crew is wonderful and comes almost every week.  they will tell you where is the best and cheapest way to get around.  

enjoy.

Answer 2

The beach at Cabo (playa medano) is right at the marina where the cruise ship comes in.  So is the shopping.  You might want to get a $5 water taxi to get between the two areas or go out to lovers beach to snorkel.