Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour

[jel0511]

Well, since most likely the 11/6/04 Magic will be missing Grand Cayman, I was trying to look into Costa Maya excursions. This is the one that interests me the most. How long is it? Can Children age 3 and up go? Any information you can provide would be GREAT!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I read on the cruisecritic boards that it's approximately a 3-4 hour tour. It takes nearly 1 hour just to get to the ruins from the pier. It was my understanding that this was one of the shorter ruins tours, as some are closer to 7-8 hours.
What sites are we supposed to use to book excursions ? I have to two sites : http://costamayacruiseexcursions.com/ and http://www.puertocostamaya.com/eng/. The second site shows no excurion lenghts or prices ? What about people who don't use the internet---how are they finding out info about the excursions ? Do you think DCL will clue us in eventually or is everyone just expected to wing-it in Costa Maya ? I feel pressured to search out info on excursions here in such a short amount of time. Anyone else a little frustrated ?

 

[Otimon]

We, too, will be on the Nov. 6th Magic. Have no idea what the excursions in Costa Maya will be but, whatever is offered, we plan to select one when we get aboard.

Have a wonderful time.

 

[lUVTOGO]

I haven't found out to much information on Costa Maya. The only thing I do know is that they have a huge salt water pool, and the 1 1/2 hour trip to see the ruins.

I read that the beach was to rocky to swim in one post and in another that the beach was soft and sandy

My TA told me on Monday that they haven't received the "official"word on Grand Cayman yet but I don't think we are going there.

Maryann

 

[NCRedding]

We did this tour two weeks ago and really enjoyed it. It was $59 per person, over the age of 9, $49 for ages5-9. We meet in Rockin D Bar at 8, slowly boarded buses to the ruins and drove the approximately 1 hr to the ruins. Our guide spoke the entire trip and gave a great overview of Mayan culture. We spent apporximately 2 hours or so at the ruins. We were back on ship by about 1:00 or so.

The only excursion offered for kids as young as 3 was the Jungle Beach Break which cost $32 for all kids (even under 3) and $37 adult--includes transportation to Uvero Beach, open bar, hammocks, etc.

After you exit the dock area, which has a little trolley to ride to and from the ship area, there is a created area which has a large salt water pool and lots of shops. The beach area at the docks is very rocky. I am told there is a nice beach at the fishing village-Majahual (sp) that is a short taxi ride away. We didn't get there.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I am told there is a nice beach at the fishing village-Majahual (sp) that is a short taxi ride away. We didn't get there.

This is the one I keep hearing about. Heard it's nothing fancy and pretty low key---but free---only have to pay for taxi ride there. People have said it's a very nice beach.

 

[scottygirl]

Lori,

See this thread http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=656014. There are several people who took this excursion. I think we may too, wish DCL would let us know ahead of time.

MiaSRN62,

If we do the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour, then we may check out Majahual. I read bad things about the Uvero Beach excursion through DCL.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I read bad things about the Uvero Beach excursion through DCL.

What did you hear ? Just curious......I head the beach itself was beautiful but could get very crowded because Carnival and Royal Caribbean also stop there ? Did you hear anything different ? I heard worse things about the free beach right off the pier. Heard it could get packed and it was really too rocky to swim at ?

Also, as for Majahual....yep, think we're gonna do this and maybe take a quick side trip to the monkey farm that I read is about 15 min away.

 

[lUVTOGO]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62

Also, as for Majahual....yep, think we're gonna do this and maybe take a quick side trip to the monkey farm that I read is about 15 min away.

I think this is what we are going to do also! And if we do not like it, we will just return to the ship! Or shop!!!

 

[trinibjill]

My daughter & I both took pictures of the ruins If you would like to check them out.

http://community.webshots.com/user/trinibjill

Put it on slideshow & enjoy.

The ride to the ruins the guide was very informative. You go from a very nice area to a memorable sight. Like going back in time.
In one of my pictures if you look at the center of the little house the lady is watching either a tv or computer & it looks so out of place.

The buses are air conditioned. there are refreshments on board. There is a place at the ruins to buy souveniers.

When you go back there is swimming, restauants, bars. & of course stores.

Jill

 

[scottygirl]

MiaSRN62,

Here is a link to a review of the DCL Uvero Beach Excursion http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=655687&highlight=+Uvero++Beach

 

[MiaSRN62]

Thanks for the link scottygirl.
Reading all these reports, you sure do get a wide range of opinions. I have been reading that Majahual beach was very nice, but then read this comment from someone via the link you sent me :

I would agree that, if visiting Mahahual was all you did, you probably would be disappointed as there is not much there.

Hmmmm.......doesn't seem to be a whole lot of positive reviews for any one excursion. So it sounds like the beach at the pier isn't very good ("crowded", "rocky", "not good for swimming"), Uvero beach (also "crowded", "not much to do", "dirty") and now someone says Majahual can lead you to be disappointed. Maybe I should just stay on the boat ? lol
Again.....thanks for posting the link But I'm still so confused about what to do !

 

[AnnMorin]

It looks like at one point you were able to go inside of the temple am I correct? It also looked like you saw a bat living there
What type of represhements were on the bus and what was the cost? Did they charge you for taking photographs?
Did you do this excursion with disney or on your own and if so could you prebook it? we have no idea still if we will be going to costa maya or grand cayman (we are 12/4) I really hope it is costa maya

 

[NCRedding]

There was no charge for taking still photos, but there is a small charge for using video camera ($3 ?). We did the DCL excursion which included a soda (like Pepsi, but slightly different taste) and beer. There were refreshments to purchase at the ruins--they had bags of chips for $1.50-3.00 and sodas and water there. We did this DCL and had to pre-book--my sis was waitlisted for the excursion, but was able to go due to cancellations.

You could not walk into any of the temples, but there were 2 areas where you could look inside and see the other/older temple area.

 

[AnnMorin]

My question being that we don't even know at this point where we are going, they may wait until the last minute to decide.

 

[pdarrah]

Just a FYI - For the Oct 23rd Western, they are not providing information on the excursions or allowing them to be booked until we board. I have called and emailed DCL on this. The email they sent said

Shore Excursion's for Costa Maya are not available for pre-booking at this time. They are based on availability and can only be confirmed onboard.

However, the information below may be useful in planning.

The Chacchoben Mayan Ruins (Ages 5 years & up)

This is the perfect tour to experience the secrets of the mysterious and virtually unexcavated Mayan ruins. Come explore the ruins of the lost Mayan City of Chacchoben deep in a secluded jungle near the border of Belize. Guests will travel for 1 hour 10 minutes in an air-conditioned bus to the ruins where upon arrival, your guide will take you through this mysterious site where you will view detailed Mayan temples and lush green manicured gardens. A complimentary cold drink is provided on
your return trip. It is recommended to bring insect repellent.

Price Per Person: $59.00 10 years & older / $49.00 5 - 9 years

Age Requirements:
No one under 5 allowed on shore excursion due to age limits and safety concerns. An adult 18 or older must accompany Disney Cruise Line Guests under 18.

Meeting Time & Location: 8:00 AM Meet at designated area onboard

Duration (includes transportation and meeting times): 4 - 4.5 hours

From the research I and several others from our cruise have done, there are no other companies offering a tour to Chachoben at this time. It is possible to take a taxi to the ruins and hire an English speaking guide there.

Hope this help,

Pamela

 

[trinibjill]

I am glad you liked the pictures. No, we didn't go into the ruins - the entrances were taped off. Yes, there was a bat in the pictures.
We were charged to use a video camera but not the still camera. On the bus there was beer, soda & water. I did buy a nice individual multi-colored hammock. Hagling with the dealer was acceptable. He went from $65 to $45. This was in the souvenier shop by the ruins.

The main reason we were diverted to Costa Maya was hurricane Francis. We didn't do Key West we did CC on the 1st excursion because Frances was scheduled to hit there later in the week. Costa Maya was added later. This was booked thru DCL. The other things they offered was Beach & Snorkel, Boat Snorkel, Bike & Kayak, All Terrain Expedition & Jungle Beach Break.

Jill