Need help deciding what to do in Costa Maya! - Page 2 - The DIS Discussion Forums

queenofeverything · 10-08-2012, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nanny2004

Is there a cost to use the tram? If so, how much? Does it run continuously? We will be there in 5 weeks!

There is not a cost to use the tram and it runs up and down the pier continuously. It waits a few minutes at each end to fill up, but not too long. There are tip boxes all along the sides, but I really didn't see anyone using them. I think this is a service provided by the port.

jennandcompany · 10-08-2012, 07:37 PM

Stay on the ship and enjoy the ships amenities. We did and at dinner we heard nothing but praise from the tired hot travelers who adventured off the ship at CM.

TXDCLfan · 10-08-2012, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jennandcompany

Stay on the ship and enjoy the ships amenities. We did and at dinner we heard nothing but praise from the tired hot travelers who adventured off the ship at CM.

We used to think the same way ( the cruise terminal is crap) until we visited the Tropicante a $2 cab ride away to a lovely Mexican town with a great beach and nice locals. Venture out and you will have a great time in Costa Maya

boogabuzz · 10-08-2012, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXDCLfan

We used to think the same way ( the cruise terminal is crap) until we visited the Tropicante a $2 cab ride away to a lovely Mexican town with a great beach and nice locals. Venture out and you will have a great time in Costa Maya

Completely agree!!!

We were just at Tropicante last week. It was our favorite port day(crappy weather in Cozomel and GC) we lounged in or lounge chairs on the beach being waited on. Had great food, delicious and cheap frozen margaritas, massages, and my son played on the very calm water!! It was such a fun day...just thinking about it has me longing to go back to Tropicante!!

Belle6000 · 10-09-2012, 01:34 PM

We just got off the Magic on Saturday. We did the Tropicante in Costa Maya...I definately recommend it! Email Steve ahead of time and he will get you all set up. I felt very safe going outside the mall area. The mall area is nice looking but it's really just full of expensive shops. They wanted $2 for one postcard there!!

Here's the link to the Tropicante: http://www.sandalsandskis.com/Tropicante.html

I just posted pics of Costa Maya on my blog today if you want to check them out: http://aimeesland.blogspot.com/2012/10/costa-maya.html

riofriotex · 12-30-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by collectoraholic

My DH and I did the adults only tour to Chacchoben on the 9/22/12 Magic sailing and REALLY enjoyed it! What was nice about this one was that the Magic was the only ship in port that day, so there were only 4 buses of people from Disney @ Chacchoben, so it wasn't overly crowded at all. Something to consider when trying to decide which ruins to visit on a cruise. Check the port schedule and see how many ships will be in port so you can guesstimate how crowded any ruins might be.

We (2 adults) currently have this same excursion booked for January 9. There will be one other ship in port besides the Magic, but they arrive earlier, so I am hoping by the time we get in at 11:30, most of them will be gone from the ruins. I'm curious - how many people were on your excursion? Did you go on a big bus or in a smaller vehicle? I'm not too crazy about buses and big groups, and am also considering booking this with Native Choice (and saving some bucks!).

dolphingirl47 · 12-30-2012, 11:28 AM

We did this excursion on the November 10th sailing and loved it. It was a big bus, but it did not feel like a big group and we had two tour guides at the ruins. I would not hesitate to do this again.

Corinna

ps17 · 12-30-2012, 01:21 PM

We just got off the Fantasy on Sat and have some tips:

We were deciding between staying onboard or going to a beach. We ended up going into town but here is the drag: First of all, we had to wait for cab which is essentially a $2PP shuttle. YOu don't just walk out and hail a cab. The aggravating part was having to wait for the shuttle to arrive and also once it got there for it to load etc. In our opinion, vacation time is money and waiting is a pain.

If you are going to go to a beach, go to one of those all-inclusive type places. Town beach wasn't all that great (we are snobs for clean uncrowded beaches). We had to wait to get menus, order. The beach was crowded. NOt a lot of clean facilities and bathrooms etc. to use. The beach area was just not as inviting.

If you want to do an all-inclusive beach, do that in Cozumel where there are nice places such as Nachi or Mr. Sanchos. In retrospect, we wish we would have stayed onboard.

Of course, this is just opinion and you will find those that probably enjoyed their shore time more. The other part is that with the abridged port times, it also makes it difficult.

kdeans1010 · 12-30-2012, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TXDCLfan

We used to think the same way ( the cruise terminal is crap) until we visited the Tropicante a $2 cab ride away to a lovely Mexican town with a great beach and nice locals. Venture out and you will have a great time in Costa Maya

I wasn't planning to get off and my dad wanted to go. Somehow we ended up at this place called "...de Sol." Don't remember what it was called. But they set us up for a beach day, drinks, really great day. I think for my dad and I it was something like $50 for taxi, drinks, Dad went snorkeling, and a great day at the beach. The pictures from that day really looked "perfect vacation" esque. I did like the little mall though.

WDWChloe · 12-30-2012, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riofriotex

We (2 adults) currently have this same excursion booked for January 9. There will be one other ship in port besides the Magic, but they arrive earlier, so I am hoping by the time we get in at 11:30, most of them will be gone from the ruins. I'm curious - how many people were on your excursion? Did you go on a big bus or in a smaller vehicle? I'm not too crazy about buses and big groups, and am also considering booking this with Native Choice (and saving some bucks!).

How did you find out that there will be another ship in port? Very helpful in planning!!

DarthTod · 12-30-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDWChloe

How did you find out that there will be another ship in port? Very helpful in planning!!

This made me curious as well, here's what I found:

http://www.cruisetimetables.com/crui...ya-mexico.html

riofriotex · 12-31-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WDWChloe

How did you find out that there will be another ship in port? Very helpful in planning!!

Native Choice also had a calendar on its web site. After reading tons of reviews and e-mailing Ivan, I decided to go with them. Their vans take 12 passengers max and they said they would put us in an adult-only group.

AladdinsPrincess · 12-31-2012, 09:34 AM

Stay on the ship!

riofriotex · 12-31-2012, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AladdinsPrincess

Stay on the ship!

Did you have a bad experience with Native Choice?

gometros · 12-31-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riofriotex

Did you have a bad experience with Native Choice?

I'm willing to bet he was just making an editorial comment on Costa Maya, not anything against Native Choice.

10-09-2012, 01:34 PM	#20
Belle6000 Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 173	We just got off the Magic on Saturday. We did the Tropicante in Costa Maya...I definately recommend it! Email Steve ahead of time and he will get you all set up. I felt very safe going outside the mall area. The mall area is nice looking but it's really just full of expensive shops. They wanted $2 for one postcard there!! Here's the link to the Tropicante: http://www.sandalsandskis.com/Tropicante.html I just posted pics of Costa Maya on my blog today if you want to check them out: http://aimeesland.blogspot.com/2012/10/costa-maya.html __________________ DL: Mar. 2006: off property WDW:Feb. 2009: POFQ Disney Wonder 3 nt: Feb. 2009 DL:Sept 2011 Paradise Pier Disney Magic 7 nt: Sept 2012

12-30-2012, 11:28 AM	#22
dolphingirl47 I will post my goodies once I am back I have always been too worried to use the pillowcase Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 24,503	We did this excursion on the November 10th sailing and loved it. It was a big bus, but it did not feel like a big group and we had two tour guides at the ruins. I would not hesitate to do this again. Corinna __________________ Two Trips to Paradise Staying at Mouse House Central Cheating on the Mouse Boats Of Mice, Dolphins and Other Wildlife Sun, Sea, Sand and Camels Magical Mystery Tour Transatlantic Adventures East Meets West Pirates, Princesses and Pumpkins Taking Stitch to Hawaii and NOT Leaving Him There Christmas Has Come Early But You Have Promised Me A Subtropical Paradise

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10-08-2012, 07:37 PM	#17
jennandcompany Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 77	Stay on the ship and enjoy the ships amenities. We did and at dinner we heard nothing but praise from the tired hot travelers who adventured off the ship at CM.

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12-30-2012, 01:21 PM	#23
ps17 Mouseketeer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Eden Prairie, MN Posts: 386	We just got off the Fantasy on Sat and have some tips: We were deciding between staying onboard or going to a beach. We ended up going into town but here is the drag: First of all, we had to wait for cab which is essentially a $2PP shuttle. YOu don't just walk out and hail a cab. The aggravating part was having to wait for the shuttle to arrive and also once it got there for it to load etc. In our opinion, vacation time is money and waiting is a pain. If you are going to go to a beach, go to one of those all-inclusive type places. Town beach wasn't all that great (we are snobs for clean uncrowded beaches). We had to wait to get menus, order. The beach was crowded. NOt a lot of clean facilities and bathrooms etc. to use. The beach area was just not as inviting. If you want to do an all-inclusive beach, do that in Cozumel where there are nice places such as Nachi or Mr. Sanchos. In retrospect, we wish we would have stayed onboard. Of course, this is just opinion and you will find those that probably enjoyed their shore time more. The other part is that with the abridged port times, it also makes it difficult.

12-31-2012, 09:34 AM	#28
AladdinsPrincess DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2004 Location: Tampa Posts: 919	Stay on the ship!