Biggest ruins in Mexico?

[SamRoc]

My kids love history and since we have the choice of 3 ruins tours in August, which one should we go with? I figured they would be most impressed with the largest. Should we do Tulum in Cozumel or Kohunlich or Chacchoben in Costa Maya? thanks!

 

[NancyIL]

I have been to the Chacchoben Ruins, and they were very interesting. It's about an hour's drive from the port to the ruins, so not too long of a day. I almost visited Tulum on a Royal Caribbean cruise when in Cozumel. That requires a 45-minute ferry ride to the mainland, and then about an hour ride on a bus to the ruins - so it makes for a much longer day. However, those ruins are on the coastline and they're supposed to be very impressive.

 

[twoprincesses]

Definitely, Tulum!

 

[SeaSpray]

Hi SamRoc

Here's a link to my Cozumel day web page, it has some of the pictures we took when we did the Tulum ruins excursion. Seeing some pictures might help with your decision. We enjoyed the excursion and thought the ruins were magnificent, and our tour guide was very knowledgeable.

http://www.brownfamilyvacations.com/html/cozumel.htm

 

[SamRoc]

Thanks everyone for the info, and thank you Seaspray for sharing your pictures. So many decisions on excursions! Have any of you done these excursions during August? Am worried it might be very hot on these tours.

 

[SeaSpray]

Thanks everyone for the info, and thank you Seaspray for sharing your pictures. So many decisions on excursions! Have any of you done these excursions during August? Am worried it might be very hot on these tours.

We did it in August, 2004. Yes it was hot, but not overly humid, and not unbearable. We had bottles of spring water with us.

In comparison, we went to Disney World last July, there was a heat index of 114 (the thermometer read 90, but it felt like 114 because of the humidity!), and THAT was unbearable. I'd do the Tulum ruins again in August, but don't think I'll ever go to Florida in July again!

 

[abitjaded]

Don't bother with the ruins on Cozumel unless you are just on the way there. Have not been to Kohunlich, my impression when we researched this a few years ago was that it was too far to do well from Costa Maya. My vote would be for Chacchoben with Ivan. Tulum is quite developed. Everything is excavated and pretty trampled. Lots of t shirt vendors. Beautiful, and the ocean setting is also wonderful. If you have time you could go to the beach (long walk down) also. BUT.... Chacchoben is in the first stages of excavation. I would not be suprised if it is much bigger over-all than Tulum. The jungle around the area is wonderful, we saw flocks of parrots. Ivan's tour is fascinating, you will not be sorry. His background as a Mayan gives a perspective on ruins you would not get at Tulum. His tour is full of his family's history. Check out all the web sites on both places and see which appeals more. Touristy fun or more authentic Mexico? (NOT bashing either choice!)

Carla

 

[NancyIL]

Don't bother with the ruins on Cozumel unless you are just on the way there. My vote would be for Chacchoben with Ivan. Tulum is quite developed. Everything is excavated and pretty trampled. Lots of t shirt vendors. Beautiful, and the ocean setting is also wonderful. If you have time you could go to the beach (long walk down) also. BUT.... Chacchoben is in the first stages of excavation. The jungle around the area is wonderful, we saw flocks of parrots. Ivan's tour is fascinating, you will not be sorry. Check out all the web sites on both places and see which appeals more. Touristy fun or more authentic Mexico? (NOT bashing either choice!)

Carla

Another satisfied customer of Ivan and David's tour of Chacchoben: www.chacchobenruins.com

 

[sk8ingmom]

I haven't been to any other ruins, but we really enjoyed our Chocchoben tour with David.

 

[SamRoc]

Thanks everyone for all your help!

 

[crisi]

We were in Tulum last August. The ruins themselves are extensive and well excavated. There is PLENTY of t-shirt and souvienier shopping outside the ruins, but the interior of Tulum is kept free of that (you can't even buy a bottle of water once you are inside the Tulum walls. It was HOT - we got there first thing in the morning (not a cruise excursion, we were staying in Akumal about twenty minutes up the road) - and by the time we finished out tour we were ready to go. Bring ice water!!!! It does rain every afternoon in Mexico in August (or did every day we were there) which was refreshing - it happened as we were leaving.

August is not the hottest month in Mayan Mexico - Spring is actually hotter.

 

[SamRoc]

Thanks crisi, I didnt know that about August not being the hottest month. I guess I was just thinking about how hot August is here in NY. We decided on the Chacchoben tour, as long as we can take it at 9am and be back at the ship by 1. The other tours that last 7 1/2 hours might be too much for us. This way with the shorter tour, we can explore the history and not have to travel by ferry, and bus all day to take the tours.

 

[LADYnTRAMP]

I just wanted to say that I'm glad to see all the positive comments about the Chachoben Ruins. We're scheduled with Ivan and David in June and can't wait!

 

[repeatcruiser]

Another satisfied customer of Ivan and David's tour of Chacchoben: www.chacchobenruins.com

Are they with the same tour company as the one you book through DCL?