Here are our recommendations based on the 6 years we spent in Mexico from 2004 to 2010.  Others may disagree and your priorities may be different but here’s what we found works best for us. Please keep in mind that we last updated this page in 2010 so some of the prices have undoubtely changed, So check ahead!

Our biggest recommendation is to stay out of the Sea of Cortez between Nov 15 and Mar 15 (too cold and screaming Northers)!  Go to the "Mexican Riviera" aka "Costa Alegre", between Banderas Bay and Manzanillo.  There’s plenty of time to cruise the Sea after Mar 15.  We generally spent the Month of January and parts of December and February further down the coast around Tenacatita/Barra/Santiago Bay.

Read more: Cruising on the Pacific Coast of Mexico

Cruising and land information about the area around Barra de Navidad, Tenacatita & Santiago Bays near Manzanillo Mexico.

Also, you can Zoom in on the satellite photo below for an overhead view.

View Larger Map

Click to access the downloadable documents, including:

• The Gold Coast Cruisers Guide,
• Lagoon Entry Waypoints,
• Barra Town Map, and
• Net Controller Cheat Sheet