Puerto Vallarta Cruise Ship
Terminal Expansion

According to Undersecretary of Tourism Oralia Rice Rodríguez, the federal government supports the growth of the cruise industry, pointing out that Mexico has become the world leader in cruise destinations - enjoying visits from over 60 percent of the total number of cruise ship passengers in the last two years.

The number of cruise ship passengers who visited ports along Mexico's Pacific Riviera increased by 15 percent last year, which increased local economies by 21 percent overall - and Puerto Vallarta is one of the best-known and loved ports on the Mexican Riviera.

Environmentally-friendly Shore-Excursion Eco-Tours

As a major port of call in Mexico, the continued growth and development of Puerto Vallarta's Maritime Terminal as it relates to the overall development of tourism is an important issue. While 164 cruise ships visited Puerto Vallarta in 2003 and 210 in 2004, some 260 cruise ships are expected to visit our port in 2005.

The number of ships calling at Puerto Vallarta has increased beyond the capacity of the docks, though, and many ships are on a rotating tender schedule. Just this month, there have been three occasions when the Maritime Terminal was host to four ships simultaneously. With only two piers currently in place to accommodate the influx of cruise liners, three tender docks have been being used to accommodate the overflow.

With the steady increase in the number of cruise ships that dock here and the new breed of larger, more luxurious cruise ships visiting our port, it's a good thing that work is well underway on the nearly $16 million USD expansion to Puerto Vallarta's Maritime Terminal.

The Puerto Vallarta Port Authority (known locally as API) says they anticipate the completion of both a third pier and the reconstruction of an existing dock by December 2006, which will give the facility the capability of simultaneously welcoming three cruise ships with lengths of up to one thousand feet each.

Puerto Vallarta is proving to be an increasingly attractive anchor port, and the newly overhauled Maritime Terminal will greatly enhance the development of tourism in this beautiful resort destination over the next 20 years. Cruise ships and most tour company's work hand-in-hand to ensure passengers and clients can enjoy a variety of tours and experiences in one of the most beautiful tropical locations on earth.

The moment passengers step off the cruise ship, they have entered the number one cruise destination in all of Mexico. The cruise ship terminal, located in the Marina area just north of downtown Puerto Vallarta, is a popular pick-up point for a variety of tour companies offering day trips and excursions.

Cruise ship passengers are delighted with the convenience of being able to chose from a wide variety of well-organized ecotours and excursions to the jungle, beaches and nearby fishing villages, as well as city and shopping tours, the moment they disembark. So it is easy to explore the city or enjoy a tour - or two - before the ships depart.