Easiest Mexico & Central America cruise ports to explore on your own

Ranked: easiest first

1. Cozumel Mexico Easy
   Punta Langosta is downtown: cross the pedestrian bridge and the main square is about a 5–10 minute walk.
2. Cabo San Lucas Mexico Easy
   From the marina, downtown is a 10–15 minute walk. · Tender
3. Mazatlán Mexico Easy
   Old Mazatlán is about a 15–20 minute walk from the terminal.
4. Costa Maya Mexico Easy
   The town of Mahahual is about 1.5–2 miles from the port exit, 5–10 minutes by taxi.
5. Isla Tropicale (Mahogany Bay), Roatán Honduras Easy
   Coxen Hole is about 3 miles away; West Bay Beach is a 30–40 minute drive.
6. Ensenada Mexico Easy
   Downtown is walkable: follow the Malecón, then head to Avenida López Mateos (Calle Primera).
7. Harvest Caye Belize Easy
   You step off onto NCL's resort-style island with a beach, pool, zip line and shops.
8. Puerto Vallarta Mexico Easy
   The terminal is north of downtown.
9. Progreso (Mérida) Mexico Moderate
   From the drop-off, the malecón is a few minutes' walk.
10. Roatán Honduras Moderate
    The two ports are about 3 miles apart.
11. Puntarenas Costa Rica Moderate
    You land on the beachfront promenade.
12. Belize City Belize Book a tour
    Tenders take about 15–20 minutes each way. · Tender
13. Colón (Panama) Panama Book a tour
    Colón city is not a sightseeing destination.
14. Puerto Limón Costa Rica Book a tour
    Limón city has limited sights.

How we rank

Ports are grouped by our rating (Easy, then Moderate, then Book a tour). Within each group, the shortest walk to town or the main sights that our guide states comes first, then the shortest stated distance. The quote under each port comes from its guide; check your pier, because some ports have more than one. How we rate ports.