Cozumel Excursion... Or not?

[KC Fan]

we are contemplating the dolphin encounter at discovery cove. Does anyone have any experience with this excursion? It is worth it? We will have by DD10 and DS4.

My sister and brother in law did it over July 4. they loved it. We are doing it for next week. Just avoid the photo package. They are a rip off ($300+) and a lot of complaints about never getting the email link for pictures. So I would avoid the pictures. Everything else they loved and they have little kids also.

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

This was one of the best excursions we have been on with DCL. We’ve done it twice and will likely do it again the next time we are in Cozumel. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...-mexico-mexican-cuisine-workshop-and-tasting/

 

[revdon64]

In January 202 we did the Chocolate and Honey excursion in Cozumel and it was great. It included a short stop at a beautiful beach on the eastern side of the island - not for swimming, just pictures and such. Also have to agree about the port area - mostly touristy shops and pressure sales. Still, Cozumel is one of our favorite cruise stops.

 

[dcassetta]

This was one of the best excursions we have been on with DCL. We’ve done it twice and will likely do it again the next time we are in Cozumel. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/...-mexico-mexican-cuisine-workshop-and-tasting/

I’ve never done this excursion but I have a cruise with friends coming up and they are interested. Did you think there was a nice balance between the time spent on the cooking portion versus the time spent on the beach? Haven’t been to this particular beach area. Was it nice for swimming or lots of seaweed? TIA

 

[Stitch'sCousin]

Th beach was fine for swimming both times we were there. There is also a nice pool right beside the bar where you are able to get drinks that are included in the cost of the excursion. The majority of our time was spent on the cooking and eating. We had about 90 minutes after lunch to enjoy the beach and the pool before the bus took us back to the port area. There was still at least 1 1/2 hours before we had to reboard the Fantasy and I have read another report where those people took a taxi back instead of the bus in order to stay on the beach for another hour.

 

[goofy4prez]

Just an update. Our 120-day window opened up a few days ago and we ended up booking the Salsa & Salsa (CZ55) in Cozumel. I'm not a big sit on the beach all day kind of person at each port. I'll get my beach fix at Castaway Cay where we had the fortune of getting cabana #3 for the day. In Cozumel, it will be to get out and see something besides the beach.

 

[tigerchic89]

we did the Salsa and Salsa excursion in Couzmel through DCL sometime precovid (maybe 2019). We had teens, parents and grandparents, and all of us enjoyed it. When we did it we rode a shuttle bus to a hotel/resort type place. made and drank beer and margaritas if you wanted them (of age people were wristbanded. made salsa and chips. Then they moved the tables out of the room and did salsa line dancing. They gave us an hour or so to go downstairs to the beachy/waterfront area if we wanted to, but there was only a small rocky area for the teens to wade into the ocean. Then we rode the shuttle bus back to the port/shopping area. We had the shuttle drop half of us off early at the MEGA sture to pick up some carry on wine/beer and the rest of our party continued on to the port area. I think we were back on the ship in time for lunch

My mom (grandma) loved this excursion. The teens and parents thought it was okay but we all enjoyed being together for the day. DCL and the tour operator did a great job and delivered what was promised. HTH

 

[WaDiWo]

We did the Port Adventure that included a tour, museum, the ruins, a meal, and pinata for the kids. Sounded great but WAY too rushed at the time. We basically ran thru the museum. It may have changed now though.

 

[Grumpy4568]

We have a cruise for this December on the Dream and this will be our second time in Cozumel. The first being back in 2019. For that cruise we tendered to the mainland and did an incredible excursion; Caves, Caverns, and Paradise Lagoon. We did not get an opportunity to see any of the island on that cruise. This time around, even if there are excursions to the mainland, we plan on staying on Cozumel.

We are thinking of doing one of two things. Either do the Salsa & Salsa excursion (CZ55) or just walking around downtown, do a little shopping, and find a local restaurant. Has anyone done this excursion before? If so, how did you enjoy it? Also, if we decided not to do an excursion, how easy and safe is it to just walk around downtown from the dock and do your own thing? Thanks in advance.

Platinum member here! We have done a jeep excursion twice on Cozumel. We did one through Disney, and booked the other on our own. I preferred the private booking. We had more flexibility on how much time we spent at the stops we made. You get to see the beauty of the island away from the tourist area.

 

[darnheather]

We love Paradise Beach! The pool is awesome. Good food as well.

Another great excursion, especially with kids, is the baby sea turtle rescue. Out of 100+ excursions, it remains one of our favorites.

Is the baby sea turtle rescue through Disney or something else? I'd love to know more.

 

[dcassetta]

Is the baby sea turtle rescue through Disney or something else? I'd love to know more.

If this is for your December cruise, you will miss hatching season.

 

[drb116]

Cozumel has a lot of nice all inclusive beach clubs and they are very easy to manage on your own. You pay a fixed taxi price out to the clubs, enjoy the day, and then they call a cab for you to get back to the boat.

Our favorite is Nachi Cocom, but there are others as well.

 

[darnheather]

If this is for your December cruise, you will miss hatching season.

Gotcha. I actually have a friend who has a house in Cozumel so might just have to fly down sometime to do some snorkeling and sea turtle stuff.

 

[CamColt]

We plan to take a taxi to Paradise Beach beach club. They have a huge pool, beach, beach inflatables etc. We plan to parasail there for half the cost of Castaway Cay. I haven't been there before, but the reviews are good.

We've been a few times and enjoy it very much.

 

[KashasMom]

Is the baby sea turtle rescue through Disney or something else? I'd love to know more.

We did it years ago. It was one of the handful of excursions we booked through a cruise line (RC). I Googled it recently and there are companies you can go with now. Check the hatchling season though to see if it works with your cruise date. (Sorry for the late reply - was away.)

 

[Douglas Dubh]

Anyone just taken the ferry over to Playa del Carmen? Is there anything to do around the ferry dock that doesn’t require a planned excursion?

 

[magsnwonderland]

We haven’t done it yet, but we’re planning a combo of both. We have an excursion booked that is only 2-2.5 hrs, then we’ll find a place to eat lunch and explore a little before getting back on the ship.

 

[byanks7]

We plan to take a taxi to Paradise Beach beach club. They have a huge pool, beach, beach inflatables etc. We plan to parasail there for half the cost of Castaway Cay. I havent been there before, but the reviews are good.

We visited mr Sancho a few years back, I think it was like 3$ apiece and had to spend $10 each on food. Now I see its an all inclusive at $60 per person. due to the price, its not an option this time.

 

[msuweather]

We went to Paradise Beach in March and had a great time. We spent way more time at the pool than at the beach... my kids didn't really want to try out the big inflatables. It was a really nice, relaxing day. The most annoying part was getting a taxi there, b/c everyone wants to take you, but then you have to negotiate the price, when PB has on their website what the standard rate should be. Dislike. I'm not sure I drink enough to really make the price "worth it" but it was a nice way to spend a hot day in Cozumel.

This is interesting. We have been to cozumel many times and always go to Paradise Beach. I'll be going their in October on the Dream and again in November on Carnival, but there are set taxi rates so there should not have been any negotiating. Pretty sure it is 20 or 25$ each way if I remember correctly, there should have been signs posted. Also, PB has an ala cart options that is 3$ entry then 12$ on food, which is pretty easy to do. I'm not a drinker so I enjoy the food while we are there. I haven't been there since December, but I can't imagine that much has changed.

 

[Erica Ladd]

Eww have a cruise with celebrity in December and I’m curious as we’ve never done an excursion- or a cruise lol! I need to look into paradise beach. DH was interested in an ATV and beach club combo but they offer no info about which beach club or what’s included once you get there. Anyone ever on something like that? Either through the cruise line or not??