The "second best" part of your Mexican Riviera cruise stopping in Puerto Vallarta is while you're in port, you're already at "ground zero" for meeting with local tour operators. The "hotel people" have to grab a cab to get to the marina for their tours. You just have to walk down the stairs! While a night tour (Rhythms of the Night) is probably out of the question for cruisers, many of the best sightseeing day trips operate within your time frame.

Instead of waking up late, grazing through the breakfast buffet, reading the ship's news, and then grabbing a cab into town a little after noon for lunch and coming back in time for dinner.......Why not try:

Vallarta Dolphin Royal Swim 1 hour Starting from USD $139.00 per person

Puerto Vallarta City and Tropical Tour 5 hours Starting from USD $35.00 per person

Vallarta Dolphin Swim Adventure 1 hour Starting from USD $99.00 per person

Snorkel Marietas Islands departing Puerto Vallarta 7 hours Starting from USD $70.00 per person

Vallarta Dolphin Encounter Program 1 hour Starting from USD $79.00 per person

Snorkel Los Arcos departing Puerto Vallarta 8 hours Starting from USD $55.00 per person

Sierra Madre Norte 7 hours Starting from USD $75.00 per person

San Sebastian Air Expedition from Puerto Vallarta 5 hours Starting from USD $155.00 per person

There are these and many more!

The "best" part is when you meet at dinner that night with your fellow cruisers and someone at the table asks "What did you do today"?