CRUISE SHIP ARRIVAL TO PUERTO VALLARTA INCREASED BY 43% IN 2014 Fideicomiso de Turismo Puerto Vallarta

The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board announced that the Pacific seaport city of Puerto Vallarta will see 116 cruises visit its shores this year, 43 % over 2013 when 81 cruises called the port.

The port will welcome 52 cruises from September through December of this year, which added to the 64 already touched Vallarta waters will reach a total of 116, 81 more than the received arrivals last year.

International cruise ships arriving in Puerto Vallarta this year will leave an economic impact of $25.6, representing an increase of 43% percent compared to 2013.

The four cruise lines that most often visit Puerto Vallarta are Norwegian, Princess, Carnival and Holland America, in that order. As for passengers, Puerto Vallarta is estimated to end the year with the arrival of about 266,800. For the rest of the year will be two arrivals triples, eight double and three overnights.

A total of 141 cruises have already confirmed stations to Puerto Vallarta for 2015, including Carnival Cruises will have a ship arriving throughout the year. Carnival represents 34% of arrivals; Princess 20%; Norwegian 19% and Holland American 16%.

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s leading tourism destinations because of its lush nature with the Bay of Banderas coming together with the Sierra Madre across the city and its rich colonial architecture. Today the 96 year-old Mexican city is a world-class destination where cruises are welcomed with Mariachi bands and can enjoy a wide array of activities.

One of the most popular activities in Puerto Vallarta for locals and visitors alike is enjoying the destination’s Malecon, a 6 mile pedestrian-only boardwalk surrounded by many shops and restaurants and connects Puerto Vallarta’s Downtown with the Romantic Zone. Visit numerous art galleries, try one of the over 360 restaurants in the area or shop in some of the luxury boutiques located in the area, including works by Sergio Bustamante, the artists who made many of the statues located in the Malecon.  International visitors can get their taxes back for certain goods right before they board the ship.

Adventure seekers will find that Puerto Vallarta has it all, from paddle boarding to rappelling down a waterfall. Tour Operators such as Canopy River offer unique opportunities to Zipline across rivers and ride mules down the Sierra Madre Mountain range. At Dolphin Discovery visitors can swim with dolphins and sea lions while guests can speed down the country side with Wild Treks Adventure’s ATVs. Go Gay!PV also offers numerous outdoor adventures for the LGBT traveler.

Vallarta Adventures incorporates cultural, adventure and ecological activities in its tours that range from visiting ghost mining town in the middle of the jungles to all-inclusive beach day and even the fastest zip-line in Mexico.

Those looking for a more relaxing time may enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s luxurious offerings at one of its Beach Clubs includingLido Beach, Mantamar Beach Club and Casa Velas’ Ocean Club. Spa treatments are also a big favorite with CasaMagna Marriott Ohtli and Villa Premire’s Spa one of the most frequesnted. Passangers are also able to get day passes to enjoy the many hotels in Puerto Vallarta including the pools at the Secrets, Westin or Fiesta Americana.