Cozumel Dune Buggy or Jeep Safari

[MSWint]

We are considering doing a Dune Buggy or Jeep Safari excursion on Cozumel.

Can anyone help with details of the two different excursions offered on the DCL Website:

1. If you have done one of these excursions, can you provide your 'trip report'?

2. If you have done both, which do you prefer and why?

Dune Buggy & Beach Snorkel Combo (CZ-23)
Hit the open road for an enjoyable dune buggy ride throughout the eastern coast of Cozumel. Travel through the charming town of San Miguel where the locals live, past the hustle and bustle of the hotel district, to the picture-perfect Caribbean coast where you will enjoy an afternoon of sun, sand and snorkeling.
Activity Level: Moderate
For Ages: 10 And Up
Adult Price: $75 (ages 10 and up)
Child Price: N/A
Duration: 4-4.5 hours

Tropical Jeep Safari Tour (CZ-09)
Leave the road behind and hold on tight for a rugged, off-road, guided Jeep adventure through the tropical terrain of sun-soaked Mexico. Then enjoy a Mexican-style lunch before basking in the sun on white sand and cooling down in the crystal-clear Caribbean blue waters of a coastal Beach.
Activity Level: Moderate
For Ages: 10 And Up
Adult Price: $84 (ages 10 and up)
Child Price: N/A
Duration: 4.5 hours

 

[jerry112]

Bump- would love to know about this, too!

 

[DCL Repeaters]

We did the Tropical Jeep Safari several years ago. While it was fun, DH came home with a back problem. I highly recommend that you be free of any neck or back problems to experiece this.

 

[MSWint]

bump ... come on ... somebody must have some info

Thank!

 

[professorandmom]

I did a lot of research and read a bunch of trip reports and, in the end, booked the jeep tour. Many good things said about the jeep ride, the beautiful beach they visit and a good lunch. Seemed right for our family (twin 12 year old boys). Hadn't read any other comments about back injuries - actually several reports indicated that the jeeps are simply driven where the roads were washed away by the hurricane.
There is a double dip report on the trip report side-board which does describe this excursion in depth.
Hopefully, someone will post with first hand knowledge.
Barb

 

[DCL Repeaters]

I did a lot of research and read a bunch of trip reports and, in the end, booked the jeep tour. Many good things said about the jeep ride, the beautiful beach they visit and a good lunch. Seemed right for our family (twin 12 year old boys). Hadn't read any other comments about back injuries - actually several reports indicated that the jeeps are simply driven where the roads were washed away by the hurricane.
There is a double dip report on the trip report side-board which does describe this excursion in depth.
Hopefully, someone will post with first hand knowledge.
Barb

We did this excursion about 4 years ago through Disney. Maybe we drove on washed out roads from long ago, but the path you take is extremely rough. A lot of soft sand and ruts. If you are prone to back or neck problems, this isn't the excursion for you. When we took this tour there weren't any jeeps. They were Geo Trackers. The beach you end up at is beautiful (there are no changing facilities or bathrooms) and my DH said the lunch was delicious.

 

[MSWint]

I did a lot of research and read a bunch of trip reports and, in the end, booked the jeep tour. Many good things said about the jeep ride, the beautiful beach they visit and a good lunch. Seemed right for our family (twin 12 year old boys). Hadn't read any other comments about back injuries - actually several reports indicated that the jeeps are simply driven where the roads were washed away by the hurricane.
There is a double dip report on the trip report side-board which does describe this excursion in depth.
Hopefully, someone will post with first hand knowledge.
Barb

Thanks for the info!

 

[MSWint]

We did this excursion about 4 years ago through Disney. Maybe we drove on washed out roads from long ago, but the path you take is extremely rough. A lot of soft sand and ruts. If you are prone to back or neck problems, this isn't the excursion for you. When we took this tour there weren't any jeeps. They were Geo Trackers. The beach you end up at is beautiful (there are no changing facilities or bathrooms) and my DH said the lunch was delicious.

Thanks for the heads up!

Actually ... the rougher the ride, the better IMO

 

[klineyqueen]

We did the Jeep Excursion on our last cruise. The beach and lunch were my favorite part! My husband drove the jeep and thought it was great. You all follow in a line and you can't really go fast or on your own. The road was very bumpy and quite narrow at places when we went. My back was killing me and I don't even have back trouble! We did enjoy the excursion but it was sort of a once and done thing for us. Hope this helps.

 

[MNrae]

We (group of 10 including 1-4yr old & 3-7yr olds) did a dune buggy tour in April this year thru CozumelHomes.com. When we were on the Magic, Disney did not offer a dune buggy tour. We were the first cruise back to Cozumel. The dune buggys are very run down, but the kids thought they were pretty cool. They were actually having problems with a couple of them so two groups of 2 had to take a jeep. My MIL was one of them and I think very thankful for that. If you want seatbelts or real safety, this particular company is not for you. It was a very bumpy ride but the kids seemed to enjoy it. We did quite a bit of stopping at a number of stores that I could definitely do without. I know, they are just trying to make a living, but I felt too captive and not in control of what we did. We did buy from the local vendors before and after, but that was by choice. The guides were very friendly. The snorkling was not great, but I hear that that's the case since the hurricane. My favorite part was the final destination at the secluded beach. The lunch they prepared was very good. The kids loved the bigger waves to play in.

Prepare to be HOT (I guess that depends when you go). Bring lots of sunscreen, a towel or two, and a positive attitude. It's a great way to see the real Cozumel.

I would not do it again, but am glad that we gave it a go.

Have fun!

 

[Spotdude]

we are torn between these two as well. I really want to sornkel thought. I did it once at DW typhon Lagon and loved it. Granted that is a park but I loved it.

 

[rtphokie]

This was also discussed in this thread. it includes a link to a company (may be the same one) that provides this excursion.