Puerto Vallarta to Double Cruise Berths With New Homeport Starting in 2027
Puerto Vallarta plans to double its cruise berths to six and add homeport operations, with construction starting in 2027 and first sailings possible in 2028 or 2029.
Puerto Vallarta is set to become a larger cruise gateway on Mexico’s Pacific coast, with Jalisco officials confirming plans to expand the city’s existing port into a full cruise homeport. Construction is expected to begin in 2027, with the first homeported itineraries potentially following in 2028 or 2029.
The project would double the current facility from three berths to six and add the infrastructure needed for passengers to begin and end cruises in Puerto Vallarta rather than simply visit as a port of call. The move could strengthen Mexico’s position in the regional cruise sector while giving travelers more options for Mexican Riviera itineraries and sailings that continue farther south along the Pacific coast.
Puerto Vallarta was selected over competing proposals from Mazatlan, Los Cabos and Nayarit. Jalisco Gov. Pablo Lemus said the investment is intended to help the destination recover visitor demand after a softer period for tourism. Officials have pointed to the February security incident in Jalisco and exchange-rate pressures as factors that affected travel sentiment.
For the local tourism economy, homeporting could have a broader impact than additional ship calls alone. Passengers starting or ending cruises in Puerto Vallarta are more likely to add hotel nights, restaurant visits, airport transfers and other spending before or after sailing. That could complement other tourism investment around the Vallarta-Nuevo Nayarit area, including new attractions and resort development already reshaping the region’s visitor economy.
The city already receives premium, contemporary and occasional luxury cruise ships, and its three existing berths are regularly used on Mexican Riviera routes. Expanding to six berths would provide more flexibility for simultaneous ship calls while creating dedicated capacity for turnaround operations, which require more passenger processing, baggage handling and ground transportation than a typical transit stop.
No cruise line has publicly committed to homeporting in Puerto Vallarta yet, so the commercial lineup remains open. The long lead time gives operators several years to plan future deployments and test demand for new Pacific Mexico itineraries.
The project also arrives as air access to Mexican leisure destinations continues to expand, including new 2027 nonstop vacation flights serving Puerto Vallarta and other resort markets. If both air and cruise capacity grow as planned, Puerto Vallarta could become a more important starting point for travelers combining a beach stay with a Pacific cruise.
Disclaimer: TravelCapybara is an independent media brand owned and operated by NuvexMedia LLC, publishing travel news, destination guides, research, and insights. NuvexMedia LLC may invest in or collaborate with companies across the travel, hospitality, technology, and digital media sectors. These relationships do not influence TravelCapybara’s editorial coverage. While we strive for accuracy, travel requirements, prices, schedules, availability, and local conditions may change without notice. Readers should independently verify information before making travel or purchasing decisions. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. © 2026 NuvexMedia LLC. All rights reserved.
