I'm taking a cruise from L.A. to Mexico, stopping in Mazatlan, Cabo and Puerto Vallarta. Hiking suggestions?

Question

I want to hike and/or bike in Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. I'll have just a few hours in each place. I am going in early November, and would love to see some nature while I'm there. Thanks!

Answer 1

Mazatlan will have two possibility's for you. Both quite handy.

The shorter one is a rather difficult climb (On a path) to the top of El Faro. The light house. Exit the and turn left (South). That street makes a 90 degree turn to the right and heads between two hills. When you get to the first hill, dog leg left down an street toward the hill with the light house. You will (unfortunately) have to pass the sewer treatment plant, then the path to the top is quite obvious. Take a liter bottle of water. It is about 1.5 miles from the ship to the light house hill. (You can also take a cab to the base of the hill for about $2.00 US)

The second, easier, but more full day is again left out of the docks but when you reach the 90 degree turn, go straight down a dirt road about 500 feet and there will be a dock with water taxi's over to 'Stone Island'. ($1.50 US) On the island you can walk west through the small town to the beach. There are several Palapa restaurants to relax a bit, then there are several miles of beach to the south with no hotels or homes. Just beach. Keep an eye on the time so you return in time for a beer before you head back. The return trip on the water taxi is free because the fare of $1.50 is round trip! You don't even need or want a taxi for this one.

Answer 2

Your problem is going to be the time, it seems you won't have time enough to do this. Probably the best would be for ask tours once you get those places in the same cruise or at arriving. Puerto Vallarta has a beautiful jungle in the mountains, even in November could be a little dry (on the other hand, that is good for you without rain), Mazatlán is  located in a plain site (no mountains close to the beach), and Cabo San Lucas is nice and very diferent to the two others because it is in a desert area.