Mexican Riviera

The Mexican Riviera refers collectively to twenty cities and lagoons lying on the western coast of Mexico. Although there are long distances between these cities, they are often referred to as the Mexican Riviera because of their popularity among tourists. Cruise ships often visit three or four of these destinations on their longer cruises. In a 2005 interview Stanley McDonald, the founder of Princess Cruises, mentioned:

The call of the "Mexican Riviera" was coined by Princess Cruise Line. Now everyone refers to it as the Mexican Riviera. I believe that it really spoke to the quality and beauty of what people would see down there. We all know the French Riviera -- the Mexican Riviera was something we had in the western hemisphere.

Some areas that are considered part of the Mexican Riviera, listed in order from north to south:

• Ensenada, Baja California 31°47′N 116°36′W / 31.783°N 116.6°W / 31.783; -116.6 (Ensenada)
• Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur 22°53′N 109°54′W / 22.883°N 109.9°W / 22.883; -109.9 (Cabo San Lucas)
• Mazatlán, Sinaloa 23°13′N 106°25′W / 23.217°N 106.417°W / 23.217; -106.417 (Mazatlán)
• Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco 20°40′N 105°16′W / 20.667°N 105.267°W / 20.667; -105.267 (Puerto Vallarta)
• San Blas, Nayarit 21°32′N 105°17′W / 21.533°N 105.283°W / 21.533; -105.283 (San Blas)
• Manzanillo, Colima 19°3′N 104°19′W / 19.05°N 104.317°W / 19.05; -104.317 (Manzanillo)
• The Ixtapa resort near Zihuatanejo, Guerrero 17°38′N 101°33′W / 17.633°N 101.55°W / 17.633; -101.55 (Ixtapa)
• Acapulco, Guerrero 16°51′N 99°53′W / 16.85°N 99.883°W / 16.85; -99.883 (Acapulco)
• Salina Cruz, Oaxaca 16°10′N 95°12′W / 16.167°N 95.2°W / 16.167; -95.2 (Salina Cruz)

Other areas include other ports in the states of Oaxaca and Nayarit.