My name is Nathan Christiansen and I am an avid traveler. One of my favorite areas in the world is the Mexican Riviera. The food is unique and freash and the landscape diverse. The purpose of this web site is to provide travel information, tips, and resources to the Mexican Riviera. This site specifically focuses on cruises to mexico, and the cities of Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlan.
Mexican Riviera: Fun Facts
Mexico has thousands of miles of Pacific coast, stretching from its northwestern border with California, to its southern border with Guatemala. Most of this coast was populated with small fishing villages, until the 1920s, when a new road system brought tourists. Luxury hotels sprung up in Acapulco, followed by Puerto Vallarta, which gained international fame in the 1960s, when Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton filmed "Night of the Iguana" there, and bought a seaside villa.
The Mexican government aggressively promoted the building of resorts along the Pacific coast during the 1970s, dubbing the stretch between Puerto Vallarta down to Manzanillo "The Costa de Oro," or "Gold Coast." But, the entire coast, known as the "Mexican Riviera" in the U.S. cruise industry, is famous for pristine beaches set against stunning cliffs, coves, and verdant jungle landscape.
The cruise industry actually owes a debt of gratitude to the Mexican Riviera. The scenic, tourist-friendly ports of call provided the backdrop for television's "The Love Boat" in the 1970s, and brought towns such as Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas to the attention of Americans everywhere.
Today, the Mexican Riviera is the fourth most popular cruise destination in the world -- and is rapidly building a reputation as a Caribbean alternative, particularly as cruise lines are assigning newer and bigger ships to the region -- not to mention introducing year-round service.
Best Time To Go To The Mexican Riviera
The Mexican Riviera is truly a year-round destination. Temperatures remain balmy (in the 70s and 80s) most of the year. August and September can be on the hot side, with temperatures in the 90s, coupled with humidity that can be a little unpleasant. Some cruise lines (such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival) offer year-round voyages though the majority focus on itineraries from September through May.
