Best Excursions Western Carribbean - The DIS Discussion Forums

SleepyDeb · 11-30-2012, 12:34 AM

I'd like to ask for some advice. DH and I (alone) are going to the western Carribbean on the Fantasy in Jan. We want to snorkel, see Mayan ruins, and see Stingrays, I'd also like to get some shopping in at Grand Cayman. We are going to parasail on CC and plan on spending the rest of the day on the beach. Any advice on which ports to do each activity? Thanks.

STLEdge · 11-30-2012, 10:07 AM

We did the Mayan Ruins (Chacchoben) at Costa Maya, mainly because if you do them in Cozumel, you'll have to take a 45-minute ferry ride from Cozumel to the mainland and I've heard some horror stories about that, though I'm sure it's fine most of the time.

Chacchoben was very nice - we got to climb on some of the ruins and our tour guide Miguel was first rate. It's about a one-hour bus ride from the port. It was definitely what we expected for a Mayan ruins tour and I'd recommend it.

Chee Chick · 11-30-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STLEdge

We did the Mayan Ruins (Chacchoben) at Costa Maya, mainly because if you do them in Cozumel, you'll have to take a 45-minute ferry ride from Cozumel to the mainland and I've heard some horror stories about that, though I'm sure it's fine most of the time.

Chacchoben was very nice - we got to climb on some of the ruins and our tour guide Miguel was first rate. It's about a one-hour bus ride from the port. It was definitely what we expected for a Mayan ruins tour and I'd recommend it.

DH and DS did this excursion last week and really enjoyed it. There are two different excursions for Chacchoben. One is for families and the other is an adults only tour.

o&smom · 11-30-2012, 01:07 PM

Myself , DH and DS 9 enjoyed the shipwreck snorkle on GC, Chacchoben in Costa Maya, the 3 reef snorkle in Cozumel, and we fed and swam with the stingrays at Castaway Cay - all with Disney!

Enjoy!

Marni

cdndisney · 11-30-2012, 02:15 PM

We did the Island Tour and Stingray City while in Grand Cayman. Stingray City was the highlight of all the excursions that we did. You will not be disappointed with it. It was also nice to see the Island and the stop at the Turtle Farm was fun.

sissy_ib · 11-30-2012, 02:20 PM

We went to Chacchoben in Costa Maya with The Native Choice and had a wonderful experience.

In Grand Cayman we did the Island and Stingray tour with The Native Way and there was no snorkeling so I would not recommend that one. The experience was great but I wanted to snorkel.

Someone said the only ruins in Cozumel are on the main land and that is not correct. San Gervasio is a site on the island.

FabFivePA · 11-30-2012, 03:12 PM

Yep, definitely hit stingray city in Grand Cayman. We went with Stingray Sailings because of their beautiful catamaran and the group they take out is very small compared to the others. Great excursion!

Imedley200 · 11-30-2012, 04:48 PM

In Grand Cayman we did the Stingray City, Coral Gardens and Starfish snorkel tour with Native Way. We had a great time and the stingrays were a once in a lifetime experience. We were there right after the time change so there was a little confusion with that but we'd use them again. Andrew and Andrew were our guides and they were awesome!

Golden Rose · 11-30-2012, 09:40 PM

You've got several options for ruins. I would recommend either Tulum (take the ferry from Cozumel to the mainland) or Chacchoben from Costa Maya. Yes, as mentioned, San Gervasio is on Cozumel, but it isn't nearly as impressive as the other sites. Both Tulum and Chacchoben are fascinating sites, and well worth doing.

The infamous ferry ride between the mainland and Cozumel can be rough. We've done it several times over the years, and had a truly dreadful experience on our most recent return. The afternoon ferry was crowded, hot, had rough seas, and lots of people vomiting. Tulum is gorgeous and worth seeing, but just be aware that you may have to put up with 45 minutes of misery. It isn't always that bad, but it can be.

Plan on stingrays on Grand Cayman. You can snorkel there too, and any of several good locations.

We also like Chankanaab on Cozumel for snorkeling, dolphin swims, sea lion encounters, and relaxing on the beach.

noahsmom · 12-01-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imedley200

In Grand Cayman we did the Stingray City, Coral Gardens and Starfish snorkel tour with Native Way. We had a great time and the stingrays were a once in a lifetime experience. We were there right after the time change so there was a little confusion with that but we'd use them again. Andrew and Andrew were our guides and they were awesome!

We also did this and it was FABULOUS!! The Andrews are terrific, each stop was was amazing. Best excursion ever! Lots of snorkeling.
Here's some of the starfish:

and the coral garden:

of course, the sting rays (ds kissing one):

jdb in AZ · 12-01-2012, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noahsmom

We also did this and it was FABULOUS!! The Andrews are terrific, each stop was was amazing. Best excursion ever! Lots of snorkeling.
Here's some of the starfish:

and the coral garden:

of course, the sting rays (ds kissing one):

beautiful pictures!

myxdvz · 12-01-2012, 12:23 PM

Is there a minimum age for the snorkel tours? The Stingray one sounds fab!

11-30-2012, 12:34 AM	#1
SleepyDeb Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 118	Best Excursions Western Carribbean I'd like to ask for some advice. DH and I (alone) are going to the western Carribbean on the Fantasy in Jan. We want to snorkel, see Mayan ruins, and see Stingrays, I'd also like to get some shopping in at Grand Cayman. We are going to parasail on CC and plan on spending the rest of the day on the beach. Any advice on which ports to do each activity? Thanks.

11-30-2012, 10:07 AM	#2
STLEdge Mouseketeer Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 81	We did the Mayan Ruins (Chacchoben) at Costa Maya, mainly because if you do them in Cozumel, you'll have to take a 45-minute ferry ride from Cozumel to the mainland and I've heard some horror stories about that, though I'm sure it's fine most of the time. Chacchoben was very nice - we got to climb on some of the ruins and our tour guide Miguel was first rate. It's about a one-hour bus ride from the port. It was definitely what we expected for a Mayan ruins tour and I'd recommend it. __________________ Caribbean, Disney Dream, October 2011 Western Caribbean Disney Fantasy, October 2012

11-30-2012, 01:07 PM	#4
o&smom Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Happy Valley, OR Posts: 104	Myself , DH and DS 9 enjoyed the shipwreck snorkle on GC, Chacchoben in Costa Maya, the 3 reef snorkle in Cozumel, and we fed and swam with the stingrays at Castaway Cay - all with Disney! Enjoy! Marni __________________ Disney Magic Mediterranean Cruise Sept 2010 Disney Wonder Alaska Cruise August 2011 Disney Fantasy Caribbean Cruise April 2012 Disney Magic 12-Day E Med Cruise June 2013

11-30-2012, 02:20 PM	#6
sissy_ib DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 5,675	We went to Chacchoben in Costa Maya with The Native Choice and had a wonderful experience. In Grand Cayman we did the Island and Stingray tour with The Native Way and there was no snorkeling so I would not recommend that one. The experience was great but I wanted to snorkel. Someone said the only ruins in Cozumel are on the main land and that is not correct. San Gervasio is a site on the island. __________________

11-30-2012, 09:40 PM	#9
Golden Rose Princess by Choice Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston Posts: 780	You've got several options for ruins. I would recommend either Tulum (take the ferry from Cozumel to the mainland) or Chacchoben from Costa Maya. Yes, as mentioned, San Gervasio is on Cozumel, but it isn't nearly as impressive as the other sites. Both Tulum and Chacchoben are fascinating sites, and well worth doing. The infamous ferry ride between the mainland and Cozumel can be rough. We've done it several times over the years, and had a truly dreadful experience on our most recent return. The afternoon ferry was crowded, hot, had rough seas, and lots of people vomiting. Tulum is gorgeous and worth seeing, but just be aware that you may have to put up with 45 minutes of misery. It isn't always that bad, but it can be. Plan on stingrays on Grand Cayman. You can snorkel there too, and any of several good locations. We also like Chankanaab on Cozumel for snorkeling, dolphin swims, sea lion encounters, and relaxing on the beach. __________________ (me) (DH) (DS 7) (DD 2) (4 cats) (2 gerbils) (52 fish) (and a frog)

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11-30-2012, 02:15 PM	#5
cdndisney Earning My Ears Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 13	We did the Island Tour and Stingray City while in Grand Cayman. Stingray City was the highlight of all the excursions that we did. You will not be disappointed with it. It was also nice to see the Island and the stop at the Turtle Farm was fun.

11-30-2012, 03:12 PM	#7
FabFivePA Mouseketeer Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 318	Yep, definitely hit stingray city in Grand Cayman. We went with Stingray Sailings because of their beautiful catamaran and the group they take out is very small compared to the others. Great excursion!

11-30-2012, 04:48 PM	#8
Imedley200 Earning My Ears Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 55	In Grand Cayman we did the Stingray City, Coral Gardens and Starfish snorkel tour with Native Way. We had a great time and the stingrays were a once in a lifetime experience. We were there right after the time change so there was a little confusion with that but we'd use them again. Andrew and Andrew were our guides and they were awesome!

12-01-2012, 12:23 PM	#12
myxdvz DVC - BLT Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 506	Is there a minimum age for the snorkel tours? The Stingray one sounds fab! __________________ Kids: W(1), X (8), Y(6), Z(4) Dec 2006 - X DLR / May 2010 - XY WDW, ASMo / March 2011 - XYZ DVC/DCL (AKV, Dream, OKW, Hilton) / Jan 2012 - XYZ DLR, PPH, VGC / June 2013 - WXYZ WDW, BCV/BWV / Nov 2013 - WXYZ WDW/BLT/AKV, DCL/Magic / April 2014 WDW/BLT

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