Sierra Madre Tour-Carriage Tour-Chico's Paradise

T&L · #1 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2006, 10:08 AM

We are sailing on the Sapphire Princess April 29! It's right around the corner. We have done the Mexican Riviera 3 times in recent years and wanted to try something a little different.

We are considering the Sierra Madre Tour in Mazatlan. I am wondering if anyone knows if it gets steamy hot during this trip? I at times have a problem with excessive heat and want to make sure there will not be an issue. In our last 3 visits we have always gone to the beach, but we really wanted to see the "other side" of Mazatlan. This tour sounds very interesting.

As to the Carriage Tour in Cabo, anyone have any thoughts, good or bad as to the worthwhile nature of this short excursion? Our thought is to take this carriage ride and then head on over to Medano Beach for the duration.

In PVR we have gone to Las Caletas 2 times and loved it! It is waitlist only at this point so we are considering other options. I have read about Chico's Paradise as a nice place to visit and possibly swim. Is it advisable to rent a car here and do it on our own? What else could we include in our self-guided tour? Perhaps hiring a cab is the way to go? Any information on the costs? Any ideas on "must sees" around town would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for all your help!

Harry Martin · #2 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2006, 06:55 PM

T&L, I would highly recommend that tour -- was one of the most interesting and you truly get to see a side of Mexico that most do not get to see.

We did it through the ship once and the other time with Frank on an 8-10 passenger van. It truly was the better of the tours.

Email him and maybe he has openings.

I will give you his email in a sec.

Harry

Harry Martin · #3 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2006, 06:58 PM

Here's his web site:

http://www.mazatlan-frank.com/

He speaks English and obviously loves his city. Tell him I sent ya.

Harry

Y2C · #4 (**permalink**) March 22nd, 2006, 07:53 PM

I agree with Harry, Mazatlan Frank offers a much better tour and the van (air conditioned) will take you to places the cruise line bus can not.

His e-mail address is: fkole2000@hotmail.com

T&L · #5 (**permalink**) March 23rd, 2006, 11:10 AM

Thanks for the information guys! I sent Frank an email this morning.

Any ideas on what to do in PVR?

Harry Martin · #6 (**permalink**) March 23rd, 2006, 02:36 PM

Puerto Vallarta is such a beautiful place to just walk about -- downtown, the malecon, the Rio Cuale area, etc. I always highly recommend that.

Harry

T&L · #7 (**permalink**) March 23rd, 2006, 03:35 PM

I just heard back from Mazatlan Frank. Unfortunately for me, he is already booked on the city/beach tour on our day in port (May 3). He invited us to go along on the one he has going, but I have already done that tour and was really looking forward to something new.

He mentioned one of his friends could do it, but I do not have the required number of people. Is the tour the ship offers that much different than Frank's?

Harry Martin · #8 (**permalink**) March 25th, 2006, 04:26 PM

Too bad the dates did not match up ... Frank's has a lot more personal interaction with the people in the towns (for instance, we toured a rancho of one of the longtime families in the town ... she even showed us the land grant from the King of Spain)

But the ship's tour is great, too -- I would not hesitate to book it again.

Harry