Mexican Riviera

Rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the most popular cruise destinations in the world, the Mexican Riviera, is a vibrant, charming region whose year-round sun makes it the ideal holiday choice.

Spectacular scenery, colourful fishing villages, modern seaside resorts and lush forests combine to give visitors to this area a wonderful variety of experiences.

Fishing trips, scuba diving, whale and sea-lion watching trips as well as visits to bustling local markets and lazy days soaking up the sun, there’s something for everyone on the Mexican Riviera.

You’ll almost certainly visit the popular resort of Acapulco with its fine sandy beaches and variety of water sports. And a stop here wouldn’t be complete without seeing the breathtaking feats of the cliff divers at La Quebrada who thrill the crowds of onlookers as they plummet from their lofty ledges into the deep coves below.

When you’ve had your fill of that excitement it’s time to grab a designer clothing or perfume bargain in the Zona Dorado area.

Catalina Island – once the favourite resort of the Hollywood glitterati, still retains much of its chic and classy elegance. You can take a trip back in time to share the ambience of those heady days with a tour round the now defunct casino, or wander the boutiques of Avalon, just a short walk from your arrival port.

Rocky outcrops around Cabo San Lucas include the quirky El Arco ("The Arch"), which you can visit via a short boat trip and encounter at close quarters the gangs of noisy sea-lions who make the area their home. A glass-bottom boat trip from Cabo is also a great way to spend a couple of hours here. From late December to March you may also catch sight of a migrating grey whale or two.

The quaint charm of Puerto Vallarta makes it a popular cruise destination with its cobbled streets and quirky, sculpture-lined walkways. And it’s here where you’ll be able to take a magical ‘jungle beach’ boat trip through lush vegetation to see colourful local wildlife and sparkling waterfalls.

Other ports of call on the marvellous Mexican Riviera may include the busy seaport of Ensenada where you can try out the succulent, locally caught lobster or visit one of its superb vineyards as well as Mazatlan, a real draw for sports fishing enthusiasts and surfers. Its 10-mile promenade is also a fantastic place for shopping at the dozens of local craft stalls or resting and enjoying a shrimp taco and a beer.

Some of the world’s leading cruise lines offering the Mexican Riviera on their itineraries include Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Lines are among those incorporating it in their Panama Canal routes.