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PUERTO VALLARTA CRUISE PORT GUIDE | Best Excursions, Tips & Things To Do in One Day

Alex & Erika
Alex & Erika
🥈Expert
👁️ 8K views📅 8 months ago⏱️ 11:43
What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsTips & Advice🥈Expert Creator
OtherVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

We absolutely love to cruise. We cruise often and have cruised this itinerary many times.

Porttoarda is one of our favorite spots. It's actually where Eric and I met originally about 20 years ago.

The tourist zones in Porttoarda are really safe. Just use normal common sense.

Porta remains one of the safest, most vibrant ports in Mexico. You can keep cost very reasonable with a simple taxi ride to the beach and a stroll along the Malikon.

Creator's Tips & Advice

✓Arrive early and skip breakfast on the ship to maximize your day.
✓Use Uber or taxis outside the terminal for cheaper rates than official taxis.
✓Carry some pesos for taxis and tips, but credit cards are widely accepted.
✓Check resort pass websites for availability and reviews before booking.
✓Do independent tours to save money, but double-check return times to avoid missing the ship.

🆕New to Cruising? This Creator Addresses:

Safety in Puerto Vallarta — Tourist zones are safe; use common sense, stay in well-traveled areas, and avoid traveling alone.
Missing the ship — Keep track of local time, especially if sailing from Long Beach, and ensure you return before the all-aboard time.
Overpaying for activities — Do independent tours to save money, but verify reviews and return times; use resort passes for relaxation.

Questions This Creator Answers

QWhat are the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta on a cruise stop?
QHow can I get around Puerto Vallarta from the cruise port?
QWhat are the top shore excursions for first-time visitors?
QHow can I save money on activities in Puerto Vallarta?
QIs Puerto Vallarta safe for cruise passengers?

Topics Covered

Port Destination4 Happy BaconExcursions3½ Happy BaconService Crew3 Happy BaconValue Pricing3½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Puerto Vallarta4 Happy Bacon
Top: Rhythms of the Night
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
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Meh — no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = “meh”, 5 = “bacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology
YouTube Video Description↓

Planning a cruise stop in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico? In this updated 2025 cruise port guide, we cover the best things to do in port, transportation tips, beach ideas, resort day passes, and top shore excursions. Whether it’s your first time in Puerto Vallarta or you’ve visited before, this guide will help you make the most of your day. 🔗 Links Must Have's For Cruising! - https://amzn.to/4k0z2Gb](https://amzn.to/4k0z2Gb ATV / Razor Tour - https://bit.ly/3Vppucf](https://bit.ly/3Vppucf Las Caletas Tour - https://bit.ly/4n5grtf](https://bit.ly/4n5grtf Additional Tours - https://bit.ly/48R81P0](https://bit.ly/48R81P0 * Puerto Vallarta - Juan Pena - WhatsApp +52 1 322 102 1709 | https://www.facebook.com/juanjose.penaestrada ## Catamaran in Puerto Vallarta - Always a great time - Barco Cielito Lindo +52 1 322 132 6282 | https://www.facebook.com/cielitolindoboatpuertovallartamexico New Videos Every WEEK! - Join our YouTube family! Click here to SUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/@AlexErika?sub_confirmation=1 ▶️ WATCH OUR OTHER MEXICAN RIVIERA PORT GUIDES: • Cabo San Lucas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHmIhAOpEtg • Mazatlán https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRN-sVwXO5Q& • La Paz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fWB6OCQ-lg In this video, we cover: * How to get around Puerto Vallarta by taxi or Uber * Whether you should carry pesos or use dollars and credit cards * Our favorite go-to day: Ocho Tostadas, Los Muertos Beach, and the Malecon * Resort day pass options like the Marriott and Westin * Popular cruise excursions like Las Caletas, Pirate Ship, Rhythms of the Night, and catamaran tours * Newer options including ATV / RZR tours, Los Arcos snorkeling, turtle release experiences, food tours, and hop-on hop-off buses * Safety tips, seasonal weather advice, and quieter beach alternatives like Playa Camarones * Information for a trusted local guide if you want a private Puerto Vallarta tour If it’s your first time visiting Puerto Vallarta on a cruise, this video will help you plan an amazing day. If you’ve been before, hopefully it gives you a few new ideas for your next visit. 👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this video with your cruise group, Facebook group, or anyone else traveling with you. 💬 Have a question or a Puerto Vallarta tip of your own? Leave it in the comments below. ⏱️ YouTube Chapters 0:00 – Intro & Why We Love Puerto Vallarta 0:54 – Arriving in Port (South Pier, Walmart, Banks, Pesos & tequila) 1:54 – Taxis, Uber, and Transportation Tips 2:36 – Time Zone & Ship Time Tricks 2:59 – Our Go-To Routine: Ocho Tostadas & Seafood Lunch 3:25 – Los Muertos Beach & Beach Clubs (Sapphire, Blue Chairs) 4:11 – Afternoon on the Malecón (shops, drinks, Devil’s Bar) 5:00 – Resort Day Pass Options (Marriott, Westin, families) 5:52 – Classic Excursions Overview (Vallarta Adventures) 6:18 – Rhythms of the Night Dinner Show 6:36 – Pirate Ship & Catamaran to Yelapa Beach 7:02 – Las Caletas Hideaway (zip lines & kids’ activities) 7:44 – ATV/RZR Jungle Ride with Tequila Stop 8:15 – Los Arcos Snorkeling & Boat Tours 8:37 – Turtle Release Experience & Conservation Tours 8:48 – Food & Culinary Tours (tacos, tequila, mezcal, chocolate) 9:02 – Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour 9:33 – Afternoon Options & Back to the Ship 9:36 – Safety in Puerto Vallarta & Smart Travel Tips 9:50 – Best Season to Visit (Feb–Apr vs. summer) 10:07 – Playa Camarones: A Quieter Local Beach 10:23 – Money, Timeshares & Independent Tours 10:49 – Recommended Local Guide: Juan Peña Jr. 11:12 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up Social Links TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@alex_erika_youtube Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheRealAlexAguilar Instagram https://www.instagram.com/alexeaguilar/ Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/AlexErikaSanDiego Twitter https://x.com/AlexEAguilar](https://x.com/AlexEAguilar My main camera = https://amzn.to/44FHdkE](https://amzn.to/44FHdkE Thank you for viewing! Aiden's birth video http://goo.gl/EKm6K9](http://goo.gl/EKm6K9 Alex Surprising Erika in Mexico http://goo.gl/TIJB5M](http://goo.gl/TIJB5M Business Inquiries enjoimedia@gmail.com #PuertoVallarta #PuertoVallartaCruise #PuertoVallarta2025 #CruiseTips #MexicanRiviera #CruisePortGuide #CruiseExcursions #TravelTips2025 #CruiseVlog #AlexAndErika #PuertoVallarta2026