Mexico has become one of the top tourist destinations on the planet. With an abundance of world-class cruise ports offering scenic beaches, vibrant cultural experiences, and amazing amenities, it’s no surprise that it is particularly popular with cruise travelers.
This in-depth guide will cover everything you need to know about some of the best Mexican cruise ports to explore.
In This Article:
How Many Cruise Ports Are in Mexico?
All in all, Mexico is home to 14 primary cruise ports, each offering different experiences. From bustling and incredibly popular destinations like Cozumel and Playa del Carmen to smaller and more intimate cruise ports like Progreso Cruise Ship Terminal, the country offers incredible cruise passenger options.
With 20 cruise ports in the country, roughly nine of which could be classed as major cruise ports, it is no surprise that the cruise industry plays an integral role in the Mexican economy.
These ports funnel over 3.8 million international cruise passengers into the country per year, enhancing the country’s already booming tourism industry.
In the first half of 2024, Mexican ports hosted over 1,200 cruise ships, including the world’s biggest, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.
These visiting cruise passengers also injected over $325 million into the local economy, which does not even cover the money the cruise lines themselves pay to dock at the ports and restock on supplies like food, beverages, and other essentials.
With the number of ships and cruise passengers visiting the country rising steadily each year, Mexico has a target of eventually hosting over nine million cruise passengers annually. This is only part of a larger national strategy to increase Mexico’s tourism revenue year over year.
Mexico’s cruise ports vary substantially in size and how many cruise passengers they welcome each year. Here is a basic ranking of some of the top cruise ports from largest to smallest, based on physical size, port facilities, cruise passenger capacity, and how frequently cruise ships call at them: Cozumel, Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Acapulco, Ensenada, Progreso, Cabo San Lucas, and Playa del Carmen.
The Top Mexico Cruise Ports
Now that you understand how important Mexico is for the cruise industry and how important the cruise industry is for the Mexican economy, let’s look at the seven best and biggest cruise ports in the country. We’ll describe the layout of these hugely important cruise ports and cover their unique highlights, attractions, and locations.
Acapulco Cruise Port
Situated on Mexico’s Pacific Coast in the state of Guerrero, the city of Acapulco was once known as a playground for the rich and famous of Mexico and beyond.
Historically one of the most important ports and tourist destinations, Acapulco is home to a major cruise port that now faces serious competition from the country’s growing cruise destinations.
This port is about 240 miles south of Mexico City and is well-connected by road and air. The Acapulco Cruise Port, also known as Terminal Maritima de Acapulco, is close to beautiful beaches, an incredible nightlife scene, and rolling tropical mountains.
Cruise Lines that Visit
With the city nicknamed “the Pearl of the Pacific,” the Acapulco cruise port is a hugely popular port of call for numerous cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Holland America Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, and Disney Cruises.
Piers and Terminals
Acapulco has one main cruise terminal, the Terminal Maritima de Acapulco, near the city center. The terminal can accommodate a single mega cruise ship and offers guests free Wi-Fi, indoor waiting areas with air conditioning, clean and accessible restroom facilities, and on-site shopping, including a duty-free shop.
Nearby Attractions
Acapulco is famous for its cliff divers, known as La Quebrada Cliff Divers. This must-see attraction has been running since 1934 and involves watching divers jump off a 115-foot-high cliff into the ocean.
Other highlights include the San Diego Fort, which dates back to 1616 and offers stunning views of the harbor. The Fort houses the Acapulco Historical Museum, which covers the history of Mexico from pre-colonial periods to the present day.
Cozumel Cruise Port
Cozumel is an island located just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. This location makes it ideal for cruise ships navigating the Caribbean Sea, and the island itself is a major tourist destination.
Located just 12 miles from Mexico’s mainland, it also sits just across from Playa del Carmen. This is the largest and busiest cruise port in Mexico, with three piers and terminals (Puerta Maya, Punta Langosta, and International Pier), as well as a capacity of over four million passengers per year, Cozumel Cruise Port is the busiest and largest in the country.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Due to the scale of Cozumel Cruise Port, nearly every major cruise line visits the island, including Royal Caribbean, Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, MSC Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Cunard Line, Oceania Cruise Line, Viking Ocean Cruises, and P&O Cruises.
Piers and Terminals
Thanks to its stunning beauty and ideal location for visiting ships, Cozumel is Mexico’s biggest and most famous cruise port. In fact, it consists of three main cruise terminals: Puerto Maya, which is owned by Carnival; Punta Langosta; and the International Pier, one of Royal Caribbean’s main Mexican cruise ports. All three terminals are located along the island’s southwestern coastline.
Each of the three terminals features a single pier, but the one found at Puerto Maya branches out in a Y shape, allowing two cruise ships to dock at the same time. A ferry pier called Ferry Ultramar Cozumel, located in San Miguel, also provides direct ferry services to nearby Playa del Carmen.
Worth Reading: Best Time to Cruise Cozumel – What to Expect, Crowds, Weather
Each of the three terminals offers modern amenities, including free Wi-Fi, duty-free shopping, restaurants, air-conditioned waiting areas, and easy access to transportation. Plus, the piers are equipped to handle the world’s largest cruise ships, so none of the terminals are tender ports.
Nearby Attractions
Whether you want to explore San Miguel and take in the cultural experiences the town has to offer or visit some of the stunning beaches that line the island’s 30-mile coastline, there is plenty to do in Cozumel.
If you’re willing to take the ferry to Playa del Carmen, you can also visit the ancient Mayan city of Tulum, one of the country’s most iconic historical sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cozumel’s Dolphin Discovery at Chankanaab Park is just three miles away from Puerto Maya and the International Terminal, and it offers visitors the opportunity to interact with dolphins and other marine animals.
Costa Maya Cruise Port
Costa Maya Cruise Port, also called Mahahual Port, is located near the Belize border on the country’s southern Caribbean coast. Situated along the Yucatan Peninsula, it features two cruise ship piers and is often the second busiest behind Cozumel. It’s a popular final stop for cruise itineraries that follow Mexico’s Caribbean coastline.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Costa Maya is a popular stop for several major cruise lines, including Carnival, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, and Virgin Voyages. No cruise lines use it as a home port, but many feature it as a regular port of call on their Western Caribbean itineraries.
Piers and Terminals
Like Cozumel, it is a major cruise port capable of hosting up to four full-sized cruise ships simultaneously. All four cruise ship berths line a single pier, the Costa Maya Cruise Dock. This enormous pier is so long that an electric shuttle transports cruise passengers with mobility issues to the mainland.
Despite its impressive size, the cruise port offers more of a resort-like experience for visiting passengers than some Mexican cruise ports in bigger tourist centers, like Cozumel. This resort experience is enhanced by a saltwater swimming pool, a private beachfront lined with cabanas and loungers, a shopping plaza, several restaurants, a spa, and all-inclusive food and drink packages.
Nearby Attractions
Costa Maya is the ideal destination for those looking to see a more rural and historical side of Mexico. The famous Chacchoben Mayan Ruins are the main highlight, and they’re located just 55 miles from the port.
The nearby beach town of Mahahual is also just a couple miles from the terminal, so it is easy to visit. You can even rent a golf cart from the cruise port, which you can then drive into the town and explore at your own pace.
Plus, the port is surrounded by a thick jungle, adding to the remote atmosphere and enabling adventurous shore excursions, like ATV tours of the forest floor.
Ensenada Mexico Cruise Port
Ensenada Mexico Cruise Port is located along the northern edge of the Baja California Peninsula, roughly 78 miles south of San Diego and 204 miles south of Los Angeles.
Due to its proximity to the American border, Ensenada is one of the key Pacific cruise ports. It has two piers and steady visits from major cruise lines, making it important for shorter cruises along the Mexican Riviera.
Cruise Lines that Visit
The port is frequented by ships belonging to major cruise lines, like Carnival, Princess, and Royal Caribbean. With two main piers that allow three cruise ships to dock at any given time, it is not a tender port.
No cruise lines use it as a permanent homeport, as most will depart from California, but it is still one of the busiest ports of call in all of Mexico.
Piers and Terminals
As mentioned, Ensenada has two main piers and a commercial terminal where cargo ships and other large vessels dock. The cruise terminal offers free Wi-Fi, is fully accessible, has tourist information desks, and has the Ensenada CruisePort Village, a major entertainment area with shops, restaurants, and other amenities.
Nearby Attractions
The world-famous La Bufadora is a natural blowhole roughly 18 miles from the terminal. Watch ocean waves fly into the air from this natural geologic water spout. You will also notice the enormous Mexican flag, which is the world’s largest and flies above the harbor.
While most people associate Mexico with tequila, Ensenada is considered part of the Baja Peninsula wine region, so another popular activity is visiting the numerous vineyards near the port. You can even book wine tours that allow you to learn the history of Mexican wines and, more importantly, sample them.
Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port
Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port is also found on the Baja California Peninsula, but at its southern tip, roughly 900 miles south of Ensenada Cruise Port.
Cabo San Lucas is consistently ranked as one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations, but the port is smaller than those discussed above. While it is still a major cruise destination, Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port functions exclusively as a tender port.
The port facilities are too small to handle some mega ships that cruise along the Baja Peninsula. Rather than docking, shops drop anchor in Cabo San Lucas Bay, and passengers take a roughly 10-minute tender boat ride to one of the three tender docks.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Numerous cruise lines use Cabo San Lucas’s tender docks, including Celebrity Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Oceania Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, and Princess Cruises.
Since it is a tender port, no cruise lines use this small port city as a home port. Instead, it is seen as a popular port of call where cruise passengers can enjoy an afternoon of beach fun and water-based activities.
Piers and Terminals
Since Cabo San Lucas Cruise Port is a tender port, it does not have any piers. Rather than having cruise ships docking alongside a pier, the port relies on tender boats, which use one of three tender docks. These small docks are located directly beside the city’s marina.
The fully outdoor terminal offers limited amenities, meaning there is no complimentary Wi-Fi, souvenir shops, or restaurants at the port; however, the tender docks are just a pleasant ten-minute walk to the heart of the city. From here, they can enjoy a variety of restaurants, bars, shops, and resorts that offer day passes.
You will find shaded benches at the docks, a tourist information kiosk, and basic restroom facilities, but that is about it. There is no parking, but there is a taxi pickup and drop-off point for those looking to explore beyond the immediate area.
Nearby Attractions
Cabo San Lucas is famous for its nightlife, so there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around the marina. It is also a major beach destination, with the world-famous Medano Beach being located just over two miles from the port.
The iconic Arch of Cabo San Lucas, or El Arco, is a unique granite rock formation that extends from the mainland into the meeting point between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.
This natural wonder is one of Mexico’s most photographed environmental features, so it is well worth visiting by boat. Cabo San Lucas also has an incredible scuba diving scene, partially due to the abundance of coral reefs immediately off its coast.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a small port city located on the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula, directly across from the island of Cozumel. While it does not have a typical cruise terminal, its single pier handles a ferry service that delivers passengers from Cozumel via a 40-minute voyage.
Some cruise ships also anchor off the shore of Playa del Carmen, allowing tender boats to ferry their passengers to the colorful town for a day of exploration and fun.
Even though it is a hugely popular tourist destination, Playa del Carmen only features a single, fairly small pier. This pier functions as a secondary port accessed by ferry from Cozumel.
Still, hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers visit it each year. Plans are also underway to convert this smaller port into a full-scale cruise port in the near future.
Since Playa del Carmen is seen as a day-trip destination for cruise passengers who have docked at one of Cozumel’s three cruise terminals, passengers from all major cruise lines visit it.
While the Federal Government of Mexico plans to expand the port and transform it into a full-scale cruise ship port, these plans have been on hold for several years.
Nearby Attractions
Playa del Carmen has a colorful and vibrant, five-mile-long strip called Fifth Avenue, or Quinta Avenida, that features numerous restaurants, stores, bars, a movie theater, and even a casino. There is also a beach and numerous public restrooms throughout the town.
Since Playa del Carmen, like Cozumel, is a resort destination, you’ll see numerous tourists walking the strip and enjoying the sunshine anytime you visit.
Playa, as it is known locally, also acts as a gateway to Mexico’s Mayan past, with local excursion operators offering return transportation to iconic sites like the town of Akumal and the Tulum ruins. Xcaret Park, an ancient Mayan-themed ecological park, is also located just six miles southwest of Playa del Carmen, so it is another popular attraction for visiting cruise passengers.
Progreso Cruise Port
Progreso Cruise Port is also located on the northern coastline of the Yucatan Peninsula, making it an ideal destination for cruise ships voyaging along the Gulf of Mexico. The cruise port is located directly in the heart of the city of Progreso, so it is incredibly convenient for cruise passengers wanting to explore the oceanfront promenade and everything else this tourist-friendly city offers.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Progreso is growing in popularity as a port of call, especially amongst the main Caribbean cruise lines. Today, it is visited by Celebrity Cruises, MSC, P&O Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Crystal Cruises, and Cunard Cruise Line.
Since it is not a homeport for any cruise line, parking is limited near the pier; however, there are pickup and drop-off spots for taxis and shuttle buses directly beside it.
Piers and Terminals
One of Progreso’s most iconic features is the single pier extending over four miles from the shoreline, making it the longest pier in the world. This tremendous length allows cruise ships to dock in waters that would otherwise be too shallow.
The enormously long pier has two cruise ship berths, allowing two ships to dock anytime. Once passengers enter the pier, they are greeted by two modern terminal buildings.
They can then take shuttles which transport visitors on the four-mile journey to the mainland. Although these modern terminals do not provide free Wi-Fi, they have most of the other conveniences you would expect, including a tourist information area, a small souvenir store, and air-conditioned waiting areas.
Nearby Attractions
While most visitors spend their time exploring the city, especially the Malecon Internacional Boardwalk, which is a pedestrian boardwalk that is lined with restaurants, stores, public restrooms, and a picture-perfect beach, the town is also known for its proximity to some of the most iconic Mayan ruins.
With the Ancient City of Chichen Itza and Uxmal both just 104 and 77 miles away from the cruise port, respectively, it is easy to book a day trip to either site.
Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port
The Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port is located along Mexico’s Pacific-facing coast in the state of Jalisco, just three miles north of downtown Puerto Vallarta.
Like many of Mexico’s coastal cities, Puerto Vallarta is known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural history. It is the busiest cruise port on Mexico’s Pacific coast and can handle more than one full-sized cruise ship at a time.
The cruise port is also known as Marina Vallarta Maritime and Cruise Terminal, and the surrounding area is famous for its modern all-inclusive resorts and year-round sunshine.
Cruise Lines that Visit
The port has two piers, called Dock 1 and Dock 2. Dock 1 is primarily visited by Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean cruise ships, while Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruise Line use Dock 2. Dock 1 features two cruise ship berths rather than a single berth, so the port allows up to three cruise ships to dock at any time.
Royal Caribbean even uses Puerto Vallarta as a home port for some of its vessels, which is convenient for international travelers. The port is only four miles from the Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR). With affordable taxi and shuttle services from the airport, passengers can complete the journey in less than 15 minutes. The port also maintains its own parking lot, with $11 overnight daily rates.
Piers and Terminals
As mentioned, Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port has three docking points—all three line the city’s shoreline, surrounding a deep-water harbor. Terminal facilities include tourist information booths, air-conditioned waiting areas, and public restrooms.
Nearby Attractions
Since Puerto Vallarta is considered to be one of the top vacation destinations in Mexico, it is a great place to experience Mexican culture and cuisine firsthand. There are plenty of beachside restaurants, and numerous all-inclusive resorts allow visiting cruise passengers to purchase day passes.
Los Arcos Marine Park is also just seven miles from the port. This national marine wildlife preserve features natural rock arches, a coral reef, and a series of small islands where tourists can view sea lions basking in the sun. Plenty of excursion providers offer boat tours of Los Arcos and deep-sea fishing experiences further out in the Pacific Ocean.
Mazatlan Cruise Port
Also located on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Mazatlan Cruise Port is in the state of Sinaloa. This small cruise port is located on the edge of the city of Mazatlan, at the side of a commercial shipping port.
Once you enter the city, passengers will quickly learn why it is such a popular destination for Mexican and international travelers. Not only is it an inviting city filled with restaurants, stores, and other attractions, but it is also home to a 14-mile-long beachside boardwalk.
Located on the mainland right where the Gulf of California opens to the Pacific Ocean, the waters that line Mazatlan are also known to be incredible for deep-sea fishing, making it a major destination for fishing enthusiasts, as well as cruise and resort tourists.
Cruise Lines that Visit
Although Mazatlan Cruise Port is not a tender port, it can be quite crowded due to the commercial container ships and oil tankers that share the port.
For this reason, fewer cruise lines visit than some ports that line the Baja California Peninsula, but it is still a popular stop for several major cruise lines, including Carnival, Norwegian Cruise Line, Disney Cruise Line, and Holland America Line.
None of these cruise lines use it as a home port, but it is a common port of call on the way to Puerto Vallarta.
Piers and Terminals
Mazatlan Cruise Port features a single main terminal, allowing up to four cruise ships to dock at any time. Rather than using a pier, cruise ships form a straight line directly alongside the shore of the deep-water Urias Harbor.
Once passengers disembark, they are greeted by a basic cruise terminal with a duty-free shop, public restrooms, a shuttle loop, and other tourist services. Unfortunately, the port does not offer free Wi-Fi, but it is easy to find once you make your way to the city.
Nearby Attractions
The historic Plaza Machado is a family-friendly courtyard where cruise passengers can enjoy looking at traditional buildings and find numerous restaurants and cafés. The Centro Historico is the city’s historic old town, where you can also explore some of the colorful buildings and traditional architecture, as well as several museums, art galleries, and old-fashioned restaurants.
Just two miles from the cruise port, visitors can also explore the beaches that make up the city’s “Golden Zone.” These white sand beaches are one of the city’s most famous features and partially explain why it has been a major tourist destination for over 100 years.
Are Cruise Ports in Mexico Safe?
While Mexico as a whole is often seen as a fairly unsafe country, tourism is a critical component of the country’s economy, so extra care is taken to ensure the safety of cruise ports.
In the more developed tourist areas, like Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, a strong security and police presence ensures that the ports and the surrounding areas are safe and welcoming places for international tourists and visiting cruise passengers.
While the cruise ports we highlighted above are all considered safe by local representatives, the cruise industry itself, and according to various government travel advisory boards, like the US Department of State, you should always practice basic precautions when you explore any cruise port. Leave valuables on the ship, travel in groups, and stick to the more well-known, tourist-friendly neighborhoods.
The Best Time to Visit Mexico
The best time to cruise to Mexico is during the dry season, which runs between November and April. Not only is this when you can expect the most sunshine, but the temperatures are pleasant, and the humidity is minimal.
Read Also: When is the Best Time to Cruise the Mexican Riviera?
Plus, you avoid the potential risks of hurricane season, which runs from June to November, especially on the Gulf of Mexico side of the country.
That said, if you choose to travel to any of the cruise ports we discussed above outside of the dry season, there can be some benefits, as crowds tend to be at a minimum, and it is possible to secure a good deal on a cruise package.
However, make sure you check for updates frequently, as your voyage and itinerary can be altered depending on weather conditions.
