“Ayeee!!!” That’s me whipping across a 1,000-foot zip-line, high above a subtropical rainforest in Mexico’s Sierra Madre mountains.
I feel like Tarzan, even if the harness attached to the line is a clue that I don’t have the strength of the ape-man. A slight decline, and pulleys are propelling me down the line.
This thrilling experience may not be what you expect when you sign on for a relaxing one-week Mexican Riviera cruise on a Princess Cruises ship – in this case, the 2,000-passenger Dawn Princess. But who says cruises can’t come with adrenaline rushes?
The Outdoor Experience shore excursion ($149 per person) starts in Puerto Vallarta, and also includes a ride in a speedboat across 25-mile-long Banderas Bay to a secluded beach, more bumpety-bump in a 4×4 open-air truck as you head to the base camp in the Sierra Madre, a ride straight uphill on mules (with a little galloping involved) and, to break up the series of zip-lines, walking across wobbly bridges and rappeling 100 feet into an ice-cold waterfall.
It’s a thrill, a challenge, a group bonding experience (for the dozen or so participants) and a chance to see gorgeous mountain and seaside scenery all rolled into one six-hour trip. Probably the best shore excursion you’ll ever find. Think “Survivor” meets cruising.
Dramatic scenery (and experiences), Mexican culture, history and sunshine are all part of a Mexican Riviera itinerary. These cruises are the perfect alternative to the tried-and-true Caribbean fun-in-the-sun routes.
One-week cruises visit Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas, with three days spent at sea. For those who don’t seek thrills in Puerto Vallarta, the one-time fishing village also serves up plenty of beach and shopping options.
The now-popular resort town was put on the map when John Huston filmed “The Night of the Iguana” in nearby Mismaloya in the early 1960s. Star Richard Burton brought along married girlfriend Elizabeth Taylor and created a scandal. And then everyone wanted to go there.
In Mazatlán, you can also choose the beach, but then you’d be missing a chance to explore the city and get a peek at Mexican culture.
With a population of nearly 325,000, Mazatlán feels like a city more than a tourist mecca. People really do their shopping at the large indoor market – it’s not just a hangout for the tourist crowd – and in the main square near the city’s gold-colored cathedral, locals take a break from the hustle and bustle to sit on benches for a chat or have their shoes shined at stands.
Head into the historic district and you’ll find colorful buildings dating to the 1800s, including an opera house built for a diva, Angela Peralta. Several galleries offer crafts and artwork at reasonable prices, including Gandarva and the Nidart Gallery.
Reserve beach time for Cabo San Lucas, but be aware that, because of frequent rough tides, the beaches there are better for sunning than for swimming.
My companions (my two adult kids) and I headed to the Office, a beachfront bar on the long Playa el Médano and a perfect spot for sunning and people-watching. Two-for-one beers and toes in the sand reminded me this was no ordinary workday.
The scene on the beach is active, with vendors selling, well, whatever they can think of to sell – colorful blankets and rugs, silver jewelry, rental WaveRunners and kayaks, your name created in sand, baskets, cowboy hats with Corona logos. For a quieter beach experience, head to Lover’s Beach (accessible by boat).
When you are perfectly pink, head into town for lunch at Mi Casa, where you can enjoy such treats as tacos with shredded pork.
Back at the ship, catch the wonderful views of Los Arcos, the rocks in the water off Land’s End that look like they landed there from another planet. You won’t find much more dramatic scenery than that.
IF YOU GO …
Ships depart from California ports from late September to early May. While Princess offered cruises this season from San Diego and Los Angeles, next season (beginning in September), the line will do seven-day cruises from Los Angeles only, along with 10-day Mexico cruises from San Francisco.
Early-booking fares for Princess’ week-long Mexican Riviera sailings begin at $599 per person.
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