Costa Maya (the ruins) on our own or beach?

[dharma517]

We would like to take our older kids to see the ruins (ages 7-11). I do not see that Disney has an excursion. I see some companies during my search you can book thru. Is this recommended? What else can we do on Costa Maya. Beach day? What is a good beach for us?

Thanks!

 

[owensamo]

We are considering the "Chacchoben Mayan Ruins" excursion from DCL (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...ons/costa-maya-mexico/chacchoben-mayan-ruins/) for our Western cruise next summer. It's a little more expensive than the local tour operators ($75/person), but since our Costa Maya day is so short, it seemed to make the most sense in order to ensure we don't miss the boat!

If you're western includes Cozumel, there are a number of ruins tours at that port as well - I'm looking at "Cozumel Highlights And Maya Ruins" again from DCL (http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...mel-mexico/cozumel-highlights-and-maya-ruins/). This one's a little less expensive.

You can always check out the ruins themselves on http://tripadvisor.com and see what the reviews are. You can also check out http://cruisecritic.com for reviews for non-DCL excursions from the local tour operators.

 

[sissy_ib]

We went to the ruins with The Native Choice and had a great day. We got to the site before the DCL busses, we avoided the crowds the entire time we were there and we left and got back to the port before the ship excursion. They are very aware ship passangers are on a schedual.

 

[TinksMomma]

We just did the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins" excursion from DCL and loved it!! We had a great guide and the whole trip was fantastic! We did the family version and it was great!

 

[Imedley200]

We just wanted a day to relax in Costa Maya so we went to Tropicante (http://www.sandalsandskis.com/Tropicante.html) and had an awesome afternoon. We'd definitely go back!

 

[Jennifer_W]

For those of you who did the ruins excursions not with DCL, did you do it recently? And did you feel safe? With the news out of Mexico lately, I just don't know which areas are safe and which aren't. We would like to see ruins, though. Our cruise goes to Costa Maya (a short day), and Cozumel (also Grand Cayman & CC).

 

[sissy_ib]

For those of you who did the ruins excursions not with DCL, did you do it recently? And did you feel safe? With the news out of Mexico lately, I just don't know which areas are safe and which aren't. We would like to see ruins, though. Our cruise goes to Costa Maya (a short day), and Cozumel (also Grand Cayman & CC).

I did it a week and a half ago. The violence in Mexico is far from the Caribbean coast. We never once felt unsafe on the drive, at the port or at the site.

 

[TinksMomma]

I did it a week and a half ago. The violence in Mexico is far from the Caribbean coast. We never once felt unsafe on the drive, at the port or at the site.

Ditto to this!We just sailed on 10/27 and never felt unsafe!!

 

[Golden Rose]

We got back today, and were in Costa Maya this week. Our party split up. My DM and DS went to Tropicante and had a great time. My DM is exceedingly cautious and was a little nervous about it before the day, but said her experience was wonderful. Both DM and DS had a great day at Tropicante, and were very glad they went. She never felt unsafe, and said her only moment of nervousness at all was walking out of the really touristy port area to find the cabs, and that proved to be no problem, either.

DH and I went to Chacchoban booked through DCL. We considered booking directly with a local company with a good reputation, but we considered with the rather short amount of time we were going to be in port, and didn't want to risk running late and missing the boat. We did the family version of the excursion because DS waffled about whether he was going to do the ruins with us or the beach with my mom. We absolutely loved our tour guide, Luis, and thought he was one of the best guides we'd ever had on any tour, ever. (That is saying something - we've been on a lot of tours over the years.) Not sure if you can request a guide if you book through DCL, but we were very, very impressed.

The other ruins "near" Costa Maya are simply not doable when the ship is just in port for 5 hours. On those relatively brief days, Chacchoban is really your only option for ruins.

 

[crabbymom90]

We also did the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins family tour through DCL and loved it. We were there in August, so it was quite hot and DD (5) complained, but DS (8), DH, and I really enjoyed it and learned so much from our very excellent guide. The highlight was towards the end of our tour when someone spotted monkeys in the trees!

 

[crabbymom90]

I meant DS, age 8!

 

[crabbymom90]

FYI, i believe that most of the ruins tours from Cozumel are actually on the mainland, so you get off the ship and then onto a ferry...

In Cozumel, our family did the Salsa & Salsa excursion and had a great time. You learn to make a variety of fresh salsas and learn to salsa dance! It takes place in an open-air covered terrace right on the water, and there are plentiful margaritas for the adults and fruit smoothies for the kids.

 

[owensamo]

FYI, i believe that most of the ruins tours from Cozumel are actually on the mainland, so you get off the ship and then onto a ferry.../QUOTE]

The Cozumel Highlights and Maya Ruins tour goes to San Gervasio, which is actually on the island. It's a 35 minute drive to the ruins, rather than a ferry to the mainland, which is one of the reasons I'm considering it.

 

[Golden Rose]

FYI, i believe that most of the ruins tours from Cozumel are actually on the mainland, so you get off the ship and then onto a ferry.../QUOTE]

The Cozumel Highlights and Maya Ruins tour goes to San Gervasio, which is actually on the island. It's a 35 minute drive to the ruins, rather than a ferry to the mainland, which is one of the reasons I'm considering it.

San Gervasio requires quite a hike, and isn't particularly impressive. If you've never seen Mayan ruins before and aren't likely to do another trip any time soon that puts you near them, do something else. Tulum (which requires you to take the ferry from Cozumel to the mainland) is fantastic. (It's just the long ferry that is no fun). Chacchoben, from Costa Maya, is also worthwhile. I really recommend either of those over San Gervasio.

 

[Wenawen]

Is all there to do in Costa Maya is visit ruins? Please tell me there is shopping....

 

[Nat Tucker]

We would like to take our older kids to see the ruins (ages 7-11). I do not see that Disney has an excursion. I see some companies during my search you can book thru. Is this recommended? What else can we do on Costa Maya. Beach day? What is a good beach for us?

Thanks!

we are going to do the Maya Chen beach. Got recommendation from a fellow DISer and they have great reviews onTrip Advisor. www.costamayabeachresort.com we're going there in three weeks off of the EB Panama Canal cruise.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[sissy_ib]

Is all there to do in Costa Maya is visit ruins? Please tell me there is shopping....

There is a very small port area with a few shops. We were very unimpressed with the souvenirs. Much of what we saw, we can buy the exact same thing here at home (San Antonio). Granted people who live further from Mexico may find it more interesting than we do, but it is stuff we can just go downtown to buy and don't.

 

[lilpooh108]

My parents considered Native Choice but their excursion times over runs the DCL time by 1 hour I think.

I emailed them for confirmation that it will run based on the Fantasy's schedule, but didn't feel confident so ended up booking through DCL anyway.

 

[sissy_ib]

My parents considered Native Choice but their excursion times over runs the DCL time by 1 hour I think.

I emailed them for confirmation that it will run based on the Fantasy's schedule, but didn't feel confident so ended up booking through DCL anyway.

They will modify for the cruise ships schedule. Their tours are not set in stone at all. The day I was there we were the only ship in Costa Maya so the two tours at they had at Chacchoben were only DCL people. I was told to head to the check in desk as soon as we got off the ship, we did not wait until one hour after the ship docked as their website says. We only waited about 10 minutes after checking in before we left. If you fell more comfortable with DCL then book through the ship, just want to make others aware that The Native Choice will work with times.

 

[lilpooh108]

They will modify for the cruise ships schedule. Their tours are not set in stone at all. The day I was there we were the only ship in Costa Maya so the two tours at the had Chacchoben only DCL people. I was told to head to the check in desk as soon as we got off the ship, we did not wait until one hour after the ship docked as their website says. We only waited about 10 minutes after checking in before we left. If you fell more comfortable with DCL then book through the ship, just want to make others aware that The Native Choice will work with times.

Thanks, that's very helpful. We'll consider it. They still have 4 days to cancel their DCL booking before they leave.