Cozumel Excursion Question

[cindyzig]

We are heading out on our first cruise at the end of November, and I am trying to find a Cozumel excursion that might appeal to my small group. It is me, my DH, DS7, and my father-in-law. I really want to visit the beach, my husband, wants to see ruins, my father-in-law wants something low key, and my son is super active. I am starting to think somebody is going to have to compromise. None of us have visited Cozumel before. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Disney Kidd]

I would suggest Paradise Beach. It's a nice beach with a restaurant and heated pool. In the ocean, there are inflatable slides that would appeal to your active son while also having areas for the others to relax.

 

[mom4fun]

Go to xcaret. They have an underground river you can swim through with life jackets, they have the most beautiful beaches and inlets for snorkeling. It's also like a zoo with butterfly house, wild animal exhibits and aquarium. You can watch the dolphin swims and they have the Mayan ruins.

 

[cindyzig]

Go to xcaret. They have an underground river you can swim through with life jackets, they have the most beautiful beaches and inlets for snorkeling. It's also like a zoo with butterfly house, wild animal exhibits and aquarium. You can watch the dolphin swims and they have the Mayan ruins.

My husband really likes the Xcaret description, but we were wondering if my son needed to be older to enjoy it. Do you know if the water is very cold on the river? I am worried my very thin son will not want to do it if he gets too cold. Thanks for sharing your idea! It really looks appealing.

 

[cindyzig]

I would suggest Paradise Beach. It's a nice beach with a restaurant and heated pool. In the ocean, there are inflatable slides that would appeal to your active son while also having areas for the others to relax.

I am all about heading to the beach. I would love to convince the group to head there. I think everyone would be happy there except DH. Your comment about the pool being heated might help my argument since my son does not like cold water. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[Disney Kidd]

It is the largest heated pool in Cozumel! The slides are really fun!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are heading out on our first cruise at the end of November, and I am trying to find a Cozumel excursion that might appeal to my small group. It is me, my DH, DS7, and my father-in-law. I really want to visit the beach, my husband, wants to see ruins, my father-in-law wants something low key, and my son is super active. I am starting to think somebody is going to have to compromise. None of us have visited Cozumel before. Any suggestions? Thanks!

What about the "Cozumel Ruins and Beach Tour" or "Cozumel Ruins, Chocolate, and Beach Break" excursions?

 

[mom4fun]

My husband really likes the Xcaret description, but we were wondering if my son needed to be older to enjoy it. Do you know if the water is very cold on the river? I am worried my very thin son will not want to do it if he gets too cold. Thanks for sharing your idea! It really looks appealing.

The water only felt cool when we first got in. I hate cold water too but as soon as I was submerged, the water felt fine.

 

[Disney Kidd]

I am all about heading to the beach. I would love to convince the group to head there. I think everyone would be happy there except DH. Your comment about the pool being heated might help my argument since my son does not like cold water. Thanks for the suggestion!

You could always take a taxi to some ruins, then go to Paradise Beach. There are some ruins on Cozumel, not as big as Tulum or Chitzen Itza, but a lot closer!

 

[cindyzig]

You could always take a taxi to some ruins, then go to Paradise Beach. There are some ruins on Cozumel, not as big as Tulum or Chitzen Itza, but a lot closer!

We thought about that. DH actually would really like to go back, not on a cruise, to Mexico and see some of the big ruins on another trip. He was intrigued with both suggestions including Paradise Beach and so is my father in law. I am working hard to get him to the beach and not to push too hard when in Cozumel. I think we have narrowed it down to Paradise Beach and Xcaret now. Thanks for the helpful tips!

 

[cindyzig]

The water only felt cool when we first got in. I hate cold water too but as soon as I was submerged, the water felt fine.

That helps! We will have to look more into this one. It is one that stood out to us when looking through the choices earlier. Thanks!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Xcaret is very nice and we love it. We have been several times because we stay next door at the Grand Xcaret. The underground river IS cold when first entering but most can get use to it quite rapidly. There is a lot of walking and a lot of things to see. The amount of time you will be there won't do it justice. With having to take the ferry both ways you've lost a lot of time. You said you'd like to go back to Mexico for a land vacation. If I were you I would stay on Cozumel and leave Xcaret for when you go back. Their night show is spectacular. Chichen Itza is amazing. Not trying to talk you out of it but that would be my thoughts for us.

Cozumel has some fun things to do and some great beaches. We vacation there yearly. I think Paradise Beach and Mr Sanchos might be fun. You can do as much or as little as you want there. Nachi Cocom is another one but might be a bit boring for your son. The Cozumel Beach break is another good one. I hear great things about the chocolate factory. The ruins are smaller but you would get a sampling of some Mayan ruins. Our favorite thing to do is get a taxi for a few hours and circle the island. The East side, Punta Sur and the light house are amazing.

 

[Disney Kidd]

We thought about that. DH actually would really like to go back, not on a cruise, to Mexico and see some of the big ruins on another trip. He was intrigued with both suggestions including Paradise Beach and so is my father in law. I am working hard to get him to the beach and not to push too hard when in Cozumel. I think we have narrowed it down to Paradise Beach and Xcaret now. Thanks for the helpful tips!

I have been to Excaret too, it is also amazing! Just remember, you will have to take a ferry then a bus to get there. I think it takes about an hour each way? Not sure. Just something to keep in mind. Just like the PP said, you could keep Excaret for when you come back since it might be somewhat of a hassle to have to leave Cozumel to get there.

 

[MunFam]

A lot of the people that went on our recent excursions to the mainland when we were ported in Cozumel got very sea sick on the ferries over and back, so if anyone in your group is prone to sea sickness...or maybe not knowingly prone...its something to take in to consideration. We planned to go to Paradise Beach but it was cold and yuck, so we went and drank a lot of margaritas at Panchos Backyard and then bought more liquor at the MEGA store before stumbling back on to the ship. LOL

 

[chimo2u]

A lot of the people that went on our recent excursions to the mainland when we were ported in Cozumel got very sea sick on the ferries over and back, so if anyone in your group is prone to sea sickness...or maybe not knowingly prone...its something to take in to consideration. We planned to go to Paradise Beach but it was cold and yuck, so we went and drank a lot of margaritas at Panchos Backyard and then bought more liquor at the MEGA store before stumbling back on to the ship. LOL

Mr Sanchos is what I chose fr our Cozumel day. So many great reviews for there and it's all inclusive with food and drinks. As well it has an awesome water park play area with inflatables your active son would enjoy. As well you can use their kayaks. There's opportunities to rent jet skis too!
Google it and read all the satisfied reviews!

 

[cindyzig]

I appreciate all of the tips! I have convinced DH to return and see the ruins in a big way with a land vacation in Mexico in the future. We think the trip to Xcaret will probably be too hard on my father in law, so now we are looking at the resort ideas. I noticed that Playa Mia is the Disney excursion listed, and I didn't see anyone mention that one in this thread. I know it is something that has shown up in discussions in here, so I will also do some searching to see what others have said in the past about that choice.

 

[niccikatie]

We did Paradise Beach privately when we were in Cozumel on a Celebrity Cruise. It was fantastic! There were 8 of us - four adults, three 16/17 yo, and one 10 yo. We bought bracelets for the four kids and food/drinks the entire day and spent about $450.00 total for us all. For 8 the taxi from port was $30 each way - taxis were very easy to get both ways. It was fantastic! The service was great, beach was nice, pool was awesome, kids loved the inflatables and stand up paddle boarding. My DD wants to take DH there on our Panama Cruise later this year because she loved it so much.

ETA: The bathrooms were great, too. Very clean and an easy walk from the beach.

 

[Disney Kidd]

I just did a blog post about my time spent at Paradise Beach while working for Carnival Cruise Lines! Here's the link if you're interested: http://www.disneykidd.com/2015/06/paradise-beach-in-cozumel-shore-excursion/

I also wrote about Chankanaab in another post.

 

[cindyzig]

I just did a blog post about my time spent at Paradise Beach while working for Carnival Cruise Lines! Here's the link if you're interested: http://www.disneykidd.com/2015/06/paradise-beach-in-cozumel-shore-excursion/

I also wrote about Chankanaab in another post.

Your blog entries were both very nice, and I always enjoy pictures. My son would probably really like the manatees too. He has his heart set on the rays, so I think we will arrange that for Castaway Cay. I am sure cruise will be a hit, so I am storing that idea for a future trip either by cruise or land, and I need to try and find time to write a travel blog too.

 

[cindyzig]

We did Paradise Beach privately when we were in Cozumel on a Celebrity Cruise. It was fantastic! There were 8 of us - four adults, three 16/17 yo, and one 10 yo. We bought bracelets for the four kids and food/drinks the entire day and spent about $450.00 total for us all. For 8 the taxi from port was $30 each way - taxis were very easy to get both ways. It was fantastic! The service was great, beach was nice, pool was awesome, kids loved the inflatables and stand up paddle boarding. My DD wants to take DH there on our Panama Cruise later this year because she loved it so much.

ETA: The bathrooms were great, too. Very clean and an easy walk from the beach.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. It really sounds like a worthwhile stop for us!