Anyone been on the Tulum tour?( Western-Cozumel)

[Mickeyswife]

Just wondered what this one was like. Has anyone done it on their own? If so, who did you use to get you down to the ruins and back to the ship? or did you just rent a car? Also, when you get to the ruins can you pick up your own guide( if you go with the cruise group) or do you have to stay with the same guide as everyone else?

 

[Doctor P]

We did this tour with DCL last July. The first thing I will tell you is that we were shocked by how many people went with us to Tulum. The Magic sent over 100 people on this tour. We were split up into multiple groups, each with a guide who stayed with us from arrival at Playa Del Carmen till our return to Playa Del Carmen (except for some free time we were given after our tour at Tulum). This is a very well organized excursion and one that there is very little dead time except for transportation time. This is not an excursion one should try on their own (this has been the consistent advice on this board and from people who have lived in the area). The day is not as long as it looks on paper--you get together in the theater at about 9:40 am, leave the ship about 10:15 am and are back to the port at about 5:00 pm, but about 3.5 hours total of that is transit time.

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

We went last August on the Tulum tour that the ship runs. It is a long day. First you have to take a boat about 45 minutes to Playa de Carmen, then you have to walk about 6 blocks to board a tour bus which takes you the hour (with a brief stop at a gift shop/restroom). There is an option when you get to Tulum to walk into the ruins or take a tram car. There is a small charge for the tram. They take you on about an hour guided tour of the ruins and then you are free to explore or your own or go down to the beach for about another hour. On the bus ride back there is a box lunch and beverages (beer and soda). There is no stop on the way back. I don't know about renting a car, or if you can take the boat without being on the "official" tours.

 

[Cruise04]

Just an FYI - if it is VERY hot, take the tram!!!! Also make sure you have some change for the restrooms at Tulum!!!

 

[sandygirl]

Just an FYI - if it is VERY hot, take the tram!!!! Also make sure you have some change for the restrooms at Tulum!!!

American coins? How much?

 

[karebear1]

Originally posted by Cruise04
Just an FYI - if it is VERY hot, take the tram!!!! Also make sure you have some change for the restrooms at Tulum!!!

You're kidding right?!?!?! You have to PAY to go to the bathroom!?!?!?!?

 

[TiggerKing]

Also be aware that if you carry a video camera, their is a surcharge ($30 pesos) for taking the video camera into the ruins. I don't believe they charge this for a still camera.

 

[invaderzim]

What kind of lunch do they provide on the way back?

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

I believe we had sandwiches from Subway. I think it was turkey and some cheetos.

 

[LMC]

Now I did this about 12 years ago and wasn't on a cruise so that can make all the difference! We stayed in Cancun and rented a car for the day and went to Tulum; it was very nice to see but once we had walked around a little bit we were like, now what??? So we went to some type of "water park" where you swim in caverns and a big lagoon and they had dolphins. Don't remember if you can swim with them because they had just had a baby so it was closed off. This was all on a main highway from Cancun to Tulum. Not sure where your cruise is letting off or where you could pick up a rental but if you could research it (maybe get on mapquest?) and know that you had a car waiting, then you could probably do it (if you are adventurous) I would not do it if the ship is too far away and not a straight shot along a highway to Tulum because you could get lost! Don't do anything that will make you miss your ship.

 

[sweet angel]

I also did a Tulum tour in 1987 or 1988 with another cruise line. I remember it was sweltering (in April), it was a long ride, a lot of walking, and I wasn't impressed. They may have changed things since then though.

We also went to Xel Ha (which may be the "water park" you're referring to. It's a manmade (I believe) lagoon that you can snorkel in. I went face-to-face with a grouper and got out of there!

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

We did the tour on a RC cruie, and loved it. I was about 15 weeks pregnant at the time, and did not find the day to be overexerting at all. There is a lot of travel, so you spend more time on your butt than you do walking.