9-night South America cruise from San Diego, California on Crystal Serenity
The San Diego to San Diego is a 9-night South America cruise aboard Crystal Serenity, operated by Crystal Cruises. Departing San Diego, California on December 30, 2026, the voyage visits 5 ports including Manzanillo, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Mazatlan, Mexico. Fares start from $6,200 per person.
Manzanillo's history as a resort on the Mexican Riviera is brief. But the port's history is as old as the Spanish conquest of Mexico. Cortes first espied the harbour in 1522, when he chose the bay as the site for a shipyard. The city's maritime heritage continues to this day: Manzanillo is the largest commercial port on Mexico's Pacific Coast. What draws travellers, however, is the bay's scenic beauty: jungle-laden mountains rise above rocky coves and golden-sand beaches. The offshore waters offer superb diving - and some of the finest fishing in the world.
For decades, Manzanillo has been a secret destination for fishermen. The offshore waters teem with 70 species of game fish. One can fish for sailfish and dorado year-round.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Located in the center of Mexico's Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta is one of the country's most picturesque cities and holiday destinations. Its cobblestone streets and red-roofed, white adobe-style buildings nestle between palm-covered mountains and the vast Banderas Bay. Stretches of white sand beaches are among the best in Mexico and the climate is consistently warm and sunny. For years, vacationers who had discovered the beauty of Puerto Vallarta tried to keep the "good news" from spreading. The arrival of a major film company and two of the world's best-known stars, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, changed Puerto Vallarta from a laid-back town to a famous getaway destination almost overnight.
In addition to its visual appeal, Puerto Vallarta offers a variety of cultural entertainment and a lively nightlife. Take time to see the sights of the city. Downtown spreads around the small Isla Cuale, which lies in the middle of the Cuale River; the heart of the city is a few blocks north around the Municipal Square. A crown-topped cathedral, dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe, rises behind the square; a wide seaside promenade, known as the Malecon, hugs the oceanfront. A seahorse statue welcomes visitors to the downtown beach area. The statue and the prominent church tower have become symbols of Puerto Vallarta, or PV as locals call their town for short.
Puerto Vallarta grew from an existing fishing village with a history dating back some 100 years. Because of its veritable heritage as a Mexican pueblo, the town tends to offer more of the country's artistic and cultural tradition than other Mexican resorts. The origin of the charro (traditional costume), the national beverage tequila and the typical music of the mariachi bands are credited to Puerto Vallarta. It is considered the most Mexican of all the country's resort towns.
Cabo San Lucas
Found at the tip of Baja California, Cabo San Lucas is where the desert meets the ocean. Although it has received a makeover of modern Americana in recent years, this place is still a world away from everywhere else in Mexico. A trip to Cabo (the San Lucas is optional) will not leave you disappointed. With swaying palm trees, turquoise seas and long ribbons of white sand, this is a resort that ticks every box: great food, great nightlight which equal great times – for some.
Others may prefer to scratch the surface just a bit deeper and travel along the peninsula that is known for its dramatic scenery of desert terrain and rugged coastline marked by many unusual formations. The sweeping views of the bay are simply sensational. A quick turn inward takes you to San Jose del Cabo, Cabo San Lucas’ older and more grown up sister. Offering a very much calmer and much more authentic atmosphere, just half an hour along the coast leaves you in its desert terrain, and leaves a very different impression from the lively beachfront bars and cafes of San Lucas. Perhaps one of the most stunning ways to see Cabo though is from the water. With the Arco de Cabo San Lucas featuring highly on many must-see lists, a trip around the bay is a must. The braver among you might also like to indulge their inner adrenalin junkie and swim with whale sharks – a memorable and totally risk-free experience if there ever was one. End your day of sightseeing with a fabulous sunset, a (tequila) sunrise in hand, watching the fishermen come home from their adventures.
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