Best Costa Maya Excursion?

[emilykarpinski]

My family and I have booked the dolphin swim in Costa Maya but are having second thoughts about it considering some of the stuff I've read on the boards. So since we're reconsidering I was just wondering what some of the best excursions are in Costa Maya, you know the most bang for your buck, the most fun, the ones you'd do again, all that fun stuff.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

A lot depends on the ages of the kids and does everyone swim?
Tell me that and I may be able to give a few suggestions.

kathy

 

[emilykarpinski]

We're all strong swimmers and the ages are 20, 18, and 15

 

[TXDCLfan]

My family and I have booked the dolphin swim in Costa Maya but are having second thoughts about it considering some of the stuff I've read on the boards. So since we're reconsidering I was just wondering what some of the best excursions are in Costa Maya, you know the most bang for your buck, the most fun, the ones you'd do again, all that fun stuff.

I would grab a cab to the Tropicante and hang out for the day eat some great Mexican food play in the water and have a 1 hour massage for $25

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

We're all strong swimmers and the ages are 20, 18, and 15

We like the Dune buggy and beach adventure, but you have to drive a stick and only 4 per dune buggy. must be 21 to drive.

I have not done the Dolphin swim but friends did and they had a great time but said it can sometimes be a long wait for your turn and your turn goes by way too fast, but well worth doing at least once.


Just for something different last November we did the Seg Way tour. It was fun and the guides were great about teaching you to drive them. You drive along paved roads to Mah Haul (spelled wrong) Its a small town that use to be a fishing village. They now sell souvenirs and will barter for price, and cheap massages right under the palm trees on the beach. You have 30 minutes there, then you back track maybe 3 minutes down the a\sidewalk to a nice beach area where you end the tour. They bring you out a refreshing non alcoholic drink and you can sit at tables on the beach and relax, play in the water or walk back to shop. When your ready to go back to the ship you tell your guide and they get you a taxi (fare included in your tour) to return you to the ship. This quiet town is a great place to take in the atmosphere and have a massage.


Also we have done the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins which I though was going to be BORING but it wasn't. It was a great tour, accept the public bathrooms. Take your own travel size T. paper, seat covers and hand sanitizer!! Hopefully they have improved that.


Catamaran & Snorkel is excellent but you only get to actually snorkel about 45 minutes. It also goes through the fishing village I mentioned above. If you are adventurous and want to snorkel this is the one to take, they also provide beverages (free) after your swim.


Those are the ones I have personal experiences with

Plenty of shopping right at the dock for after your excursion too or if you get an afternoon time, then its easy to shop early and be back on the ship in time for your excursion.

 

[MaryLou1962]

My family had a wonderful time at Maya Chan. I highly recommend it. In December our group of 8 were the only ones on the beach! Check out the reviews on Trip Advisor.

 

[mom2jcg]

My family and I have booked the dolphin swim in Costa Maya but are having second thoughts about it considering some of the stuff I've read on the boards. So since we're reconsidering I was just wondering what some of the best excursions are in Costa Maya, you know the most bang for your buck, the most fun, the ones you'd do again, all that fun stuff.

We just got back today and the dolphin swim was the highlight of our trip! I admit I had reservations because of the expense for the amount of time spent, but there was nothing else we were really excited about, so I booked it. We LOVED it! All 5 of us agree it was the coolest experience ever. We bought the cd of 149 pics (all 5 of us) for about $179. For us, it was totally worth it and would do it again in a heartbeat!
Afterwards, we rented a golf cart for $45 for 2 hours and went to Mahaul and hung out at the beach.

 

[perfectmatch300]

We like the Dune buggy and beach adventure, but you have to drive a stick and only 4 per dune buggy. must be 21 to drive.

I have not done the Dolphin swim but friends did and they had a great time but said it can sometimes be a long wait for your turn and your turn goes by way too fast, but well worth doing at least once.


Just for something different last November we did the Seg Way tour. It was fun and the guides were great about teaching you to drive them. You drive along paved roads to Mah Haul (spelled wrong) Its a small town that use to be a fishing village. They now sell souvenirs and will barter for price, and cheap massages right under the palm trees on the beach. You have 30 minutes there, then you back track maybe 3 minutes down the a\sidewalk to a nice beach area where you end the tour. They bring you out a refreshing non alcoholic drink and you can sit at tables on the beach and relax, play in the water or walk back to shop. When your ready to go back to the ship you tell your guide and they get you a taxi (fare included in your tour) to return you to the ship. This quiet town is a great place to take in the atmosphere and have a massage.


Also we have done the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins which I though was going to be BORING but it wasn't. It was a great tour, accept the public bathrooms. Take your own travel size T. paper, seat covers and hand sanitizer!! Hopefully they have improved that.


Catamaran & Snorkel is excellent but you only get to actually snorkel about 45 minutes. It also goes through the fishing village I mentioned above. If you are adventurous and want to snorkel this is the one to take, they also provide beverages (free) after your swim.


Those are the ones I have personal experiences with

Plenty of shopping right at the dock for after your excursion too or if you get an afternoon time, then its easy to shop early and be back on the ship in time for your excursion.

Can you tell me a little bit more about the Dune Buggy and beach tour? I think DH wants to try it. We can both drive a stick shift so that won't be a problem.

I also have a question about the Segway tour. The Disney Cruise Excursions listing shows a top age of 65 for that tour. DH really likes Segways and does have quite a bit of experience riding them, but he is over 65. I'd hate to book that tour only to have them tell him he can't go. We are looking at the Dune Buggies as an alternative to the Segways, partly because we have done so many Segway tours already so the buggies would be different for us, partly because of the stated age restriction. Besides DH just did a Segway tour in St Maarten last month and we will both be riding Segways on Mon in Port Canaveral.

I'd really appreciate any info on either of these tours. Thanks!

 

[hamilton23]

Curious to hear more about the Mayan ruins tour. Is it fun for kids? Would you recommend it?

 

[MoxieandPixie]

We are going in August and doing Nohoch Kay. I am getting one of those cheap massages and DH will be doing stand up paddle boarding (he's a surfer that refuses to try b/c a real surfer won't use a paddle...but here there is no option since there aren't waves...he's interested in trying! Ha!)

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Can you tell me a little bit more about the Dune Buggy and beach tour? I think DH wants to try it. We can both drive a stick shift so that won't be a problem.

I also have a question about the Segway tour. The Disney Cruise Excursions listing shows a top age of 65 for that tour. DH really likes Segways and does have quite a bit of experience riding them, but he is over 65. I'd hate to book that tour only to have them tell him he can't go. We are looking at the Dune Buggies as an alternative to the Segways, partly because we have done so many Segway tours already so the buggies would be different for us, partly because of the stated age restriction. Besides DH just did a Segway tour in St Maarten last month and we will both be riding Segways on Mon in Port Canaveral.

I'd really appreciate any info on either of these tours. Thanks!

This was great for seeing the beauty of the island. First we had to walk a short distance to where the jeeps are sitting. Only 4 to a jeep, so if you have 5 or more your group will be split. It is a stick and you must be 21 with a license to drive. If 2 of
Here is the only downside to the entire excursion.
Who ever drives first is rushed to sign a waiver for insurance reasons. We read it afterwards and it states you take full responsibility for any damage to the jeep and will see it is paid in full before you can leave the island with your cruise! All debts to be settled before leaving. Now the 2nd driver in our group never had to sign the paper so that meant we were responsible even when a stranger was driving the vehicle!!

That was a scary thought for us afterwards.
Now if you check with your insurance company sometimes they have a very inexpensive policy addition just for covering you on this excursion or any other car rental on the islands.

Odds are nobody will wreck anything but I think they need to be more clear about what you're signing. That was 3 years ago so it may of changed now. But I doubt it.


Ok on to the tour, you drive well out of the populated area along the coastal area which is really beautiful. After about an hour and a half of driving we stopped at a spectacular beach with many lounge chairs, and tables where you could enjoy the view or swim. They had a traditional lunch there for everyone which was delicious before driving back to town again. A few places are bumpy but not bad.

We only saw 1 other vehicle once we were out of town, it was also a jeep heading towards us. It was 2 women in their early 20's . One drove while the other stood up in the open top jeep holding the roll bars with NO top on!!

One man asked our guide if she was part of the tour, of course he said no. He said too bad I was going to give you a large tip for that.

other than the insurance bit it is an awesome tour for getting away from the tourist areas and enjoying a great authentic meal while looking out at a beautiful beach. Total about 4 hours long.

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Curious to hear more about the Mayan ruins tour. Is it fun for kids? Would you recommend it?

That would depend on the ages of the kids. Some kids get really restless, that's why they added an adult only excursion.

We had kids with our tour who did great, ages 4 to 12, I would guess. But they had smart parents who had in their backpack games and snacks for the long ride to and from. No drinks though because there are no bathrooms on the bus. There is upon arrival at the ruins though.

I think the kids on our tour like seeing the actual ruins, especially the 2 you could go up on with the guide if you wanted to but they didn't like standing hearing the history of the Mayan people and the ruins.
Yet our grandkids who were 11 and 9 like history and did like the time spent listening. Every kid is different.

It is a long tiring tour for young kids. They do pass around a few artifacts on the bus ride but mostly you sit and stare at along straight road with a few locals here and there. It can be quite hot and many bugs so wear bug repellant for sure!!

I loved it but I am not a kid who bores easily. They do have a few people there selling souvenirs. If you go I would look there for souvenirs because its an all day tour so you will have maybe 30 minutes when you return to shop at the port and to get back on the ship. They are cheaper there too. But not as much to choose from.

Many ruins they allow your camera but if you bring in a cam corder they insist you pay a fee to use it. Not sure why. Now days people can tape on their cell phones so they may not be able to get away with that now.

 

[perfectmatch300]

This was great for seeing the beauty of the island. First we had to walk a short distance to where the jeeps are sitting. Only 4 to a jeep, so if you have 5 or more your group will be split. It is a stick and you must be 21 with a license to drive. If 2 of
Here is the only downside to the entire excursion.
Who ever drives first is rushed to sign a waiver for insurance reasons. We read it afterwards and it states you take full responsibility for any damage to the jeep and will see it is paid in full before you can leave the island with your cruise! All debts to be settled before leaving. Now the 2nd driver in our group never had to sign the paper so that meant we were responsible even when a stranger was driving the vehicle!!

That was a scary thought for us afterwards.
Now if you check with your insurance company sometimes they have a very inexpensive policy addition just for covering you on this excursion or any other car rental on the islands.

Odds are nobody will wreck anything but I think they need to be more clear about what you're signing. That was 3 years ago so it may of changed now. But I doubt it.


Ok on to the tour, you drive well out of the populated area along the coastal area which is really beautiful. After about an hour and a half of driving we stopped at a spectacular beach with many lounge chairs, and tables where you could enjoy the view or swim. They had a traditional lunch there for everyone which was delicious before driving back to town again. A few places are bumpy but not bad.

We only saw 1 other vehicle once we were out of town, it was also a jeep heading towards us. It was 2 women in their early 20's . One drove while the other stood up in the open top jeep holding the roll bars with NO top on!!

One man asked our guide if she was part of the tour, of course he said no. He said too bad I was going to give you a large tip for that.

other than the insurance bit it is an awesome tour for getting away from the tourist areas and enjoying a great authentic meal while looking out at a beautiful beach. Total about 4 hours long.

Thanks for the info, especially about the waiver and insurance. I will keep that in mind for sure! Otherwise, sounds like it would be fun. I think DH would enjoy it, especially if we came across those girls you mentioned.

OT: We don't live too far from you. We are in Leesburg, FL, so "Hi, neighbor!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Thanks for the info, especially about the waiver and insurance. I will keep that in mind for sure! Otherwise, sounds like it would be fun. I think DH would enjoy it, especially if we came across those girls you mentioned.

OT: We don't live too far from you. We are in Leesburg, FL, so "Hi, neighbor!

Howdy! We lived in Fruitland Park which is actually at the edge of Leesburg for a few years in a housing development called The Glen. Its near your Wal Mart.

Kathy

 

[Tara619]

I would grab a cab to the Tropicante and hang out for the day eat some great Mexican food play in the water and have a 1 hour massage for $25

That's what we're doing. I emailed Steve yesterday and we have beach loungers reserved. I hope the massage is good.

 

[cinjam]

We just got back today and the dolphin swim was the highlight of our trip! I admit I had reservations because of the expense for the amount of time spent, but there was nothing else we were really excited about, so I booked it. We LOVED it! All 5 of us agree it was the coolest experience ever. We bought the cd of 149 pics (all 5 of us) for about $179. For us, it was totally worth it and would do it again in a heartbeat!
Afterwards, we rented a golf cart for $45 for 2 hours and went to Mahaul and hung out at the beach.

Where do you rent the golf cart at?? Did you need directions to Mahaul?

 

[mom2jcg]

Where do you rent the golf cart at?? Did you need directions to Mahaul?

We walked right outside the shopping area and there was a stand. You leave your KTW card as a deposit along with your rental money (cash only) and they return the KTW when you return the cart. They give you a map of the area and point you in the right direction. Golf carts drive on the road with other vehicles.

 

[cinjam]

Great!! Thank you for the info

 

[mom2jcg]

Great!! Thank you for the info

No problem. In Mahahual, there are many beach clubs that offer free chairs, kayaks, etc. all you do is pay for food and drinks and massages if you choose. I had heard a lot about Tropicante, but was unable to find a sign that showed me where it was, so we just chose one. We had a great time and spent very little money.