Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico · Pacific
Cruise ships dock at Terminal Marítima Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta.
Pacific cruise stop with the iconic crowned church and Malecón in town; Old Town and beaches via taxi or shuttle.
At a glance
Port summary
Cruise ships dock at the Terminal Marítima at the north end of Marina Vallarta on the Bay of Banderas, 7 km north of the Old Town (Centro/Zona Romántica). The pier itself is a working commercial port — most cruise lines run a paid shuttle to the Old Town, but white-and-yellow taxis at the gate cost 200–250 pesos (US$10–12) each way and are usually faster. Marina Vallarta itself has a walkable boardwalk with restaurants and the John Huston statue. Old Town highlights are the Malecón seafront promenade, the iconic crowned Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe and the Mercado Municipal on the Río Cuale. Beach days run to Playa Los Muertos (10 min south of Old Town), Mismaloya (Night-of-the-Iguana cove, 30 min) and Los Arcos marine park. Yelapa is a water-taxi village (1 hr from Boca de Tomatlán) — only worth it on cruise calls of 9+ hours. Mexican peso (MXN) but USD is widely accepted at tourist sites; carry both.
Cruise dock
🚢 Terminal Marítima Puerto Vallarta
Single alongside cruise berth at the north end of Marina Vallarta on Bahía de Banderas. Terminal building has a craft market, food court, ATMs and a tourism desk; Old Town is 7 km south and reached by yellow taxi or cruise-line shuttle.
📍 Latitude: 20.654186, Longitude: -105.240749
See dock on port map →Getting to Puerto Vallarta
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Taxis are not metered — agree the fare in MXN before you ride. Drivers can do hourly hires (~US$25/hr) for multi-stop days.
📍 Yellow-and-white taxi rank just outside the cruise terminal gate.
Cruise-line and Marina Vallarta shuttles run to the Old Town Malecón; faster than queueing for taxis on busy days.
📍 Outside the cruise terminal.
Uber and Cabify both operate. Walk 5 min outside the cruise gate before requesting; cheaper than yellow taxis but coverage dips on busy cruise days.
📍 Pin set to Marina Vallarta exit — Uber is not allowed inside the cruise terminal.
Marina Vallarta is walkable but the Old Town is 7 km south — walking that far is not recommended.
📍 Exit the terminal and follow the marina boardwalk south.
Local blue/white Centro buses run to the Old Town. Cash-only and locals' transport, MXN coins, not signposted in English.
📍 Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio bus stop 5 min walk from the terminal gate.
Water taxis from Boca de Tomatlán run to Yelapa and Las Animas — only viable on cruise calls of 9+ hours.
📍 Boca de Tomatlán water-taxi pier 30 min south by taxi.
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Mix small MXN for taxis/markets and USD for tipping; cards fine for restaurants
Things to do
Yelapa Waterfall
⭐ Highlight
40 m waterfall a 25-min hike inland from car-free Yelapa village.
🕐 Mid-morning ferry to make the most of the day
Plaza de Armas
Short stop⭐ Highlight
Bandstand-anchored square between the church and the Malecón — locals gather at sunset.
🕐 Late afternoon when locals gather
Marina Vallarta Boardwalk
Short stop🚶 Walk
Walkable harbour boardwalk at the cruise terminal — restaurants, John Huston statue and pelicans.
🕐 Late afternoon when restaurants open
Malecón Promenade
Short stop🚶 Walk
1.5 km seafront promenade lined with bronze sculptures and the giant PUERTO VALLARTA letters.
🕐 Late afternoon for the sunset light
Isla Río Cuale
Short stop🚶 Walk
Tree-shaded island in the Río Cuale linking the Old Town to Zona Romántica.
🕐 Mid-morning before midday heat
Playa Los Muertos
🏖️ Beach
Most popular beach in Puerto Vallarta at the south end of the Malecón.
🕐 Late morning to early afternoon
Playa Mismaloya
🏖️ Beach
Sheltered cove south of Old Town where Night of the Iguana was filmed.
🕐 Mid-morning before midday heat
Mercado Municipal Río Cuale
Short stop🛒 Market
Two-storey covered market on the Río Cuale — silver, leather and talavera ceramics.
🕐 Mid-morning when stalls are fresh
Parroquia de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe
Short stop⛪ Church / Cathedral
Iconic crown-topped parish church in the Old Town — the symbol of Puerto Vallarta.
🕐 Weekday mornings outside Mass
Vallarta Botanical Gardens
🌿 Nature
8-hectare botanical garden in the Sierra Madre — orchids, agaves and a hacienda restaurant.
🕐 Mid-morning before midday heat
Los Arcos de Mismaloya
🌿 Nature
Three rocky islets and an underwater arch just offshore from Mismaloya.
🕐 Mid-morning before the wind picks up
Boca de Tomatlán Water-Taxi Pier
Short stopother
Fishing village south of Mismaloya — water-taxi hub for Yelapa, Las Animas and Quimixto.
🕐 Mid-morning to catch the water taxis
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Plan my day →Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Puerto Vallarta?
- Your ship docks directly at the Puerto Vallarta cruise terminal in Mexico.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Puerto Vallarta?
- Yes. Puerto Vallarta is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Puerto Vallarta centre?
- Typical options include Taxi, Shuttle bus, Ride-hail (Uber/Bolt), On foot, Local bus, Ferry. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Puerto Vallarta?
- Plan for at least 3.5 hours ashore to see Puerto Vallarta independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Puerto Vallarta and are cards accepted?
- Puerto Vallarta uses the Mexican peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Free Wi-Fi is available at the Puerto Vallarta cruise terminal.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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