Cabo San Lucas
Tender to the marina — then El Arco
Cabo San Lucas is usually a tender port. Ships anchor in the bay off the Baja tip and run boats into the marina. El Arco, Médano Beach and the marina strip start from there. Wind and swell can delay or cancel landings, so the tender itself is the first thing to plan around.
Ensenada
Baja harbour — malecón first, wine later
Ensenada is a working Pacific port on Baja California’s north coast, often the Mexico stop on short California sailings. Ships berth near the malecón; fish market and downtown sit close. La Bufadora and Valle de Guadalupe need road time. Malecón and fish market first; wine country only with hours to spare.
La Paz
Baja malecón — island boat is a second commitment
La Paz is the capital of Baja California Sur on a wide bay of the Sea of Cortez — not the mainland Bolivian city of the same name. Cruise and small-ship calls use the waterfront malecón district. A day fits the malecón, plaza and cathedral, with Espíritu Santo or Balandra as a second commitment if booked. Trying to do island boat, Balandra and a long plaza crawl usually means a late harbour scramble.
Mazatlan
Blue line to Plaza Machado — malecón by wheels
Ships berth in the working commercial harbour. A free tram runs the industrial yard to the passenger terminal; from there a painted blue line leads on foot to the historic centre. The malecón and Zona Dorada need a pulmonía or taxi — not a second long walk after the centro. Follow the blue line first. Save the seafront for wheels if heat or time is tight.
Puerto Vallarta
Malecón, church crown, then one bay beach
Ships berth on Banderas Bay with Puerto Vallarta’s malecón and Zona Romántica within taxi or long-walk range of the cruise terminal. A day call is the waterfront sculptures, the old town around the Guadalupe church, then one nearby beach. Leave far south-shore hopping for a longer stay.