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Puerto Vallarta: when your ship stops here

A seaside walkway with sculptures, a church in the old centre, and a marine park with snorkeling.

Facts checked Nov 5, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Puerto Vallarta is a resort city on the Bay of Banderas in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The city proper had 224,166 people in 2020. A cruise port guide says ships dock at the cruise pier, which can berth up to 3 liners at once, and that the newer Puerto Magico terminal on Pier 1 handles about 80 percent of calls.

Sources: Wikipedia: Puerto Vallarta; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Puerto Vallarta

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. The Malecon

    A paved walkway along the seashore in the old centre, busy on Sunday evenings, with sculptures by Sergio Bustamante and others. It was rebuilt in 2002 and 2003 after damage from Hurricane Kenna and renovated in 2010. A cruise port guide adds that it has restaurants, markets and water activities.

    Tip: A cruise port guide says bus tours run to the centre, so ask your ship; our sources give no walking distance from the pier.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Puerto Vallarta; CruiseMapper (a cruise port guide site): Puerto Vallarta

  2. 2. Our Lady of Guadalupe church

    The church stands in the old centre. The city was founded on 12 December 1851, a day dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, and a festival for her runs from 1 to 12 December.

    Tip: It is in the same old centre as the Malecon, so you can see both on one outing.

    Source: Wikipedia: Puerto Vallarta

  3. 3. Los Arcos National Marine Park

    A marine park offshore of Mismaloya, 12 km (7 miles) south of Puerto Vallarta, a National Marine Park since 1984 and a popular snorkeling spot.

    Tip: It is reached by water, so book it as a ship tour with a guaranteed return.

    Source: Wikipedia: Puerto Vallarta

What to skip

  • The Vallarta Botanical Gardens on a short call

    The gardens, a showcase of orchids, agaves, cactus and palms, are 23 km (14 miles) south of the city on Highway 200. That is a long trip on top of a port day, so only book it as a ship tour.

    Source: Wikipedia: Puerto Vallarta

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Puerto Vallarta

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Puerto Vallarta, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 5, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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Two or more Royal Caribbean cruises in a row, with a day in Puerto Vallarta on the way.

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