Isla Cuale from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port

Town & walking15-25 minutes by taxi45 minutes-1 hourFits a typical call

A narrow, shaded island in the Cuale River between Centro and the Zona Romántica, with art galleries, craft stalls, restaurants, a cultural centre and the small Cuale Archaeological Museum. It was a poor neighbourhood until floods after Hurricane Lily in 1971 led to residents being relocated.

Getting there from the ship

From
Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal
Travel time
15-25 minutes by taxi
Allow about 20 minutes to get off the ship first. Puerto Vallarta taxi fares.
Cost
Free to wander.
Time to allow
45 minutes-1 hour

Will you be back for all aboard?

Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm Puerto Vallarta call you have up to 6 h 20 min at Isla Cuale, enough for a visit (allow 45 minutes-1 hour), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.
  1. 1
    8:00 am · Ship docks
    Allow about 20 minutes to get off and through the terminal.
  2. 2
    8:45 am · At Isla Cuale
    15-25 minutes by taxi from Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal.
  3. 3
    3:05 pm · Leave Isla Cuale by
    That gets you back to the ship an hour before all aboard.
  4. 4
    4:30 pm · All aboard
    Typical for Puerto Vallarta; your ship's time may differ. Check ship time vs local time

Tip

Reach it from the Malecón via the Puente Río Cuale, or cross the La Iguana bridge to continue into the Zona Romántica. It makes a cool break between the Malecón and Los Muertos Beach. In August 2021 Hurricane Nora's floods collapsed a bridge over the river, so avoid the riverbanks during heavy rain.

Puerto Vallarta cruise port: Isla Cuale FAQ

How far is Isla Cuale from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port?

From Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal it is 15-25 minutes by taxi.

How much does it cost to visit Isla Cuale?

Free to wander.

How much time do you need at Isla Cuale?

Allow 45 minutes-1 hour. Yes. On a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm Puerto Vallarta call you have up to 6 h 20 min at Isla Cuale, enough for a visit (allow 45 minutes-1 hour), and you are back at the ship with at least an hour before all aboard.

Can you visit Isla Cuale on your own from a cruise ship?

Yes, it is easy to do on your own: it is 15-25 minutes by taxi from Puerto Vallarta Maritime Terminal. Reach it from the Malecón via the Puente Río Cuale, or cross the La Iguana bridge to continue into the Zona Romántica. It makes a cool break between the Malecón and Los Muertos Beach. In August 2021 Hurricane Nora's floods collapsed a bridge over the river, so avoid the riverbanks during heavy rain.

Tours that go to Isla Cuale

Checked against a typical 8:00 am–4:30 pm call with an hour's margin.

All tours

More things to do near Isla Cuale

All 12 places