Cozumel Ruins tours

[tgc mom]

I need opinions on the ruins tours through DCL. The ruins is one of the big reasons to book a western cruise, please help.

 

[Grandma4ever]

I would love to hear this as well.

 

[tgc mom]

Hi Grandma4ever, I noticed you live in KC. We live in a southren suburb on the MO side.

 

[Donald Applecore]

OK – Although our cruise isnt for a year, we also chose the Western, in part, b/c of the Mayan ruins. What I learned, in a nutshell, on the disboards is to do the Tulum tour if seeing Mayan ruins is important to you. They are more like the stereotypical Mayan ruins complete with Mayan pyramid.

The main down sides that I read about are:
1.You cant climb on the pyramid
2.Its not a good tour for small children & definitely no strollers
3.The boat ride to get there can be kind of rough - so take note if you are prone to motion sickness

I’m sure people who have done the different tours will add to this, but for the most part, I’ve heard very good feedback about this tour and we plan on taking it when we go.

 

[Grandma4ever]

OK – Although our cruise isnt for a year, we also chose the Western, in part, b/c of the Mayan ruins. What I learned, in a nutshell, on the disboards is to do the Tulum tour if seeing Mayan ruins is important to you. They are more like the stereotypical Mayan ruins complete with Mayan pyramid.

The main down sides that I read about are:
1.You cant climb on the pyramid
2.Its not a good tour for small children & definitely no strollers
3.The boat ride to get there can be kind of rough - so take note if you are prone to motion sickness

I’m sure people who have done the different tours will add to this, but for the most part, I’ve heard very good feedback about this tour and we plan on taking it when we go.

Tulum is Awesome. It is very hot year round but worse in the summer and fall. It is a long difficult day for most kids but a wonderful educational treat if they are prepared for it. You can no longer climb on the buildings as they were being damaged. The boat ride from Cozumel to the mainland is about 45 min and then it is another hour or so, if I remember correctly, to the ruines. We didn't have time to do much else when we did it last year which is why we are looking for another ruine to visit this year. I want to see Cozumel.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I don't know if they offer Coba but you can climb a pyramid there. Tulum is smaller than Chichen Itza but has a great reputation. Try booking a tour through Edventures.com. They will customize a tour for you.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I want to see Cozumel.

Rent a car from ISIS in San Miguel and drive the island. DO NOT rent a scooter. They are much too dangerous. The Eastern coast is so pretty and well worth it. You can easily drive the whole island while in Port. Also, stop by Coconuts Bar on the East side. It is the highest point on Cozumel and has a spectacular view. We had chicken tacos and guac & chips there.

 

[Grandma4ever]

Picture of Tulum taken in September 2007. The people on the ruine are staff who are cleaning and maintaining the structure.

 

[Pansy]

What an awesome pic, DH would love to see these. Cruising in Jan '09 and hope to see the ruins.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We did Tulum in 2005. It was great if you love history. The tour guides were very informative, but they do try to sell you a lot of extras (Mayan Calendar, your name in Mayan writing, etc.). You learn a lot of interesting facts on the bus ride (i.e. the differences between the Mayan and Aztec calendars), etc.

The ruins are smaller than I was expecting, but the ocean view was great. You can't walk around inside the ruins, but you do get fairly close on the trails. It is very hot and muggy (we were there in late September).

Overall, it was worth doing once, but it's not a "fun" excursion like XCarcet or a beach visit. If you want educational, it's great.

Oh, I'm also from the Kansas City area (lived around KC for about 37 years)but am now living in Denver to be closer to my wife's family.

Here are some more pics of the area:

 

[Grandma4ever]

Those Pictures are awesome. I have lived in KC for 20 some odd years. May be moving to Sierra VIsta, AZ to be closer to my family. My dad is aging and my sister has been widowed with 10 year old twins. Kinda hard to help from KCMO.

Now to get us back on topic anyone out there have any comments on the Cozumel ruins tour?

 

[nenner1]

Rent a car from ISIS in San Miguel and drive the island. DO NOT rent a scooter. They are much too dangerous. The Eastern coast is so pretty and well worth it. You can easily drive the whole island while in Port. Also, stop by Coconuts Bar on the East side. It is the highest point on Cozumel and has a spectacular view. We had chicken tacos and guac & chips there.

This is what we are doing...and we are so excited about it. I have read there are small ruins at San Gervasio, we are stopping there on our tour, as well as Punta Sur...Coconuts of course, and another drink stop at Mezcalito's. We would like to snorkel on the west side and do the beach on the east side that is safe for swimming. Oh and Margaritaville, too. Can't wait!

I don't know what ruins tour they have that is actually in Cozumel proper, I thought all of them went over to the mainland. The only real ruins I know of there are the San Gervasio... but I read that those expecting a Tulum-like display will be disappointed.

 

[Grandma4ever]

This is what we are doing...and we are so excited about it. I have read there are small ruins at San Gervasio, we are stopping there on our tour, as well as Punta Sur...Coconuts of course, and another drink stop at Mezcalito's. We would like to snorkel on the west side and do the beach on the east side that is safe for swimming. Oh and Margaritaville, too. Can't wait!

I don't know what ruins tour they have that is actually in Cozumel proper, I thought all of them went over to the mainland. The only real ruins I know of there are the San Gervasio... but I read that those expecting a Tulum-like display will be disappointed.

DCL will take us to San Gervasio. I am not expecting it to be anything like Tulum just do not want to worry about getting lost. Not ready to take this on by myself. One of the reasons I am sad that we are not going to Costa Maya was our plan to visit another mainland ruine. Will need to plan something for another visit.

 

[mickeyluv]

Tulum is Awesome. It is a long difficult day for most kids but a wonderful educational treat if they are prepared for it. The boat ride from Cozumel to the mainland is about 45 min and then it is another hour or so, if I remember correctly, to the ruines. We didn't have time to do much else when we did it last year which is why we are looking for another ruine to visit this year. I want to see Cozumel.

Wow I had no idea that the Mayan Ruins was that far distance/time wise. My DD will be having to do a report for missing school (I'm pretty sure her principal is going to ask her to do one, as has always been the case) and we were planning of that as one of the major "eductional" aspects of our trip, but not sure now being that we really don't want that to be our only stop in Cozumel. So what are some other educational stops that we can make while in Cozumel??

 

[Selket]

My older son (almost 10 at the time) and I did the Tulum tour on our DCL cruise last Oct '07. We did the tour through DCL because of the distance you go to get to Tulum -I wanted to be safe!

Our tour guides didn't try to sell us anything - not sure about what the previous poster meant on that. They were really great - two guys and very knowledgeable about the ruins and they clearly enjoyed answering any questions. At the ruins there are people trying to sell you stuff and there is a stop along the way at a "craft" store - where you can buy something or just go to the restroom. I didn't feel pressured to buy anything - I enjoyed a few minutes of shopping. They bus driver did let a guy on the bus while we were in the Tulum parking lot who was selling some snacks (nuts I think). My younger son has a severe nut allergy so I would be concerned if he was with us - but it wasn't peanuts.

It actually rained the entire day we were at Tulum - this seems to be the exception. Most report on how hot it is but we were not hot - just wet! Yet we got to see everything and the pics say it all. Outside the ruins - where you catch the tram to get to the ruins proper - there are several tourist type businesses that sell food and drinks and stuff. The prices were steep for a couple of sodas (like in 16 ou bottles). I probably got taken on those but I'm not going to argue my way for a dollar or two. They took US $$ no problem. I also bought a book in English about Tulum - that I had seen through book resellers and ebay going for $40+ (!!!) - for maybe $7. There are not a lot of books in English about Tulum.

I would not take younger children on it (maybe younger than 8 - it really depends on the interest of the kid). Definitely not a stroller. The ferry ride can make some people sick - take some motion meds before you go! The walk through Playa del Carmen is not long but is swift and there is no stopping.

If you want to see ruins - do this one.

 

[Grandma4ever]

I can't give you any recomendations from personal experience as we went to Tulum on our first visit but we are trying San Gervasio at Cozumel this trip. We are doing the DCL excrusion that includes an island tour. You might also opt to go snokeling and have them write a report on the different fish that they saw. Or just go to the beach and write a report on the shells they might see and how sand is created and deposited on the beach. They could look at ocean currents and talk about high and low tides. Hope this helps.

 

[cmom]

Last Dec we reanted a van drove the island and went to San Gervasio. WELL WORTH IT. we loved it and the kids did to . Still took over an hour at least and nice stores to for those that need a little place to shop. Great ruins. So many more then I expected. It also only cost us $5pp adults, kids free

 

[JeannieH]

As we had been to Cozumel twice (and didnt care for it), we decided to go and see the ruins. It was a fantastic day - but we have NEVER been SO hot in our lives! It definately is NOT a day for young children though. Even us "oldies" were flagging. Its a long day, the sea can be a bit rough during the trip across from the ship too. However, we had a really great time: our guide was very informative - although a little difficult to understand at times. It was one of the best trips we have ever been on while cruising. If you are not interested in the historical background..........the beach is glorious, but not really worth just paying out to visit a beach, as you can get off in Cozumel and enjoy lazing on the sand. There is very little shade at the ruins, so if you do venture there, make sure you take adequate protection from the searing heat!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

We were considering Tulum, but since we will have a 2 yr. old with us I guess it's not a good idea. Since this tour isn't good for young ones, can anyone suggest something that is? This is my dh's and two dd's first cruise and I want them to enjoy it, especially since it took me almost 2 yrs. to convince my dh to even do one, lol. We are doing the 7 night western next year in Sept., and have never visited any of the ports before, so any advice would be great. Thanks!