Costa Maya - Native Choice Tours

[starvenger]

Hey everyone,

Was looking at doing a Mayan ruins excursion with the kids. Thought about doing one in Cozumel, but my wife and I have already done Tulum and Chichen Itza, plus with the travel time plus ferry, it actually makes me nervous to book anywhere outside of the cruise line. And I'm usually one who advocates booking outside of the cruise line.

So I'm looking at Costa Maya, and there's actually not enough intel on CC about these excursions in general for my liking. However there are recommendations for Native Choice and I'm wondering if anyone has used them, specifically the Dzibanche ruins (and possibly Kohunlich). Cost savings between the cruise line and Native Choice are pretty significant (about $20/adult, $35/child if I did both ruins) so it would be nice to book with confidence in the operator.

This is for an Allure cruise, btw, so I'm just assuming that DCL has similar tours lined up.

 

[apathetic]

When we visited Costa Maya, many tours were late returning to the ship. If you are on a DCL tour, you are covered. If you go on your own, DCL does not have to wait for you. This was a few years ago, so maybe the tours are more efficient. But there is nothing near the port and it is a long drive to anything.

 

[starvenger]

Yeah, there's always the fear of that, which is why I try to stick to the reputable and/or well-reviewed operations.

I've no real issues or complaints about the cruise-related excursions and such outside of the cost - and certainly I've done my share of them - but if I can find a reputable tour operator that does much the same at a competitive price it's something to be considered. Hence the intel check.

 

[kiford]

We did Kohunlich with DCL several years ago. We booked through DCL so I've no idea who the tour company was. It's at least a 2 hour drive out to the ruins (which are definitely worth the visit IMO and the guide was incredibly knowledgeable) and we got back to the port with 30 minute to spare less the 10 minutes it took to walk through the shopping area to the piers. Be very mindful of that if you book on your own.

 

[NJMomto2]

we just used native choice mid Feb with DCL in Costa Maya.

booked independently. You have to walk outside the port and then 4-5 blocks from the port on your own to get to the native choice location. They are a local group and not allowed in the port.

In my opinion, the tour was great but not worth the hassle to save a few dollars. Also, they almost left us at the ruins. Myself and my daughter used the rest room, came out, and everyone was gone, saw them closing up a van to pull off. We came in three vans but only two returned to the port. They never counted people.

 

[MelSpees]

we just used native choice mid Feb with DCL in Costa Maya.

booked independently. You have to walk outside the port and then 4-5 blocks from the port on your own to get to the native choice location. They are a local group and not allowed in the port.

In my opinion, the tour was great but not worth the hassle to save a few dollars. Also, they almost left us at the ruins. Myself and my daughter used the rest room, came out, and everyone was gone, saw them closing up a van to pull off. We came in three vans but only two returned to the port. They never counted people.

Scary. I'm glad you were able to catch them. I know this kind of thing doesn't happen often, but I'm glad we do DCL excursions. I'll pay a bit extra for the security of not being left behind in this kind of situation or at the port because we're late.

 

[starvenger]

Well, the truth is that the left behind part could happen with any operator. Doesn't take much to get sloppy with something as routine as a head count. Maybe I should tip the guys first, so they don't forget me

And I absolutely hear you on the late to the port situation. It's why I wouldn't go with an independent tour operator in Cozumel - way too many variables (read: ferry) that eat into the slack time. Whereas here you've basically got one - the bus/van ride - which to me is a little more controllable. (I'm obviously not including things like the walk (hopefully not of shame) back to the boat etc)