COZUMEL Ruins/Tours?

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Aloha!

We are desperate to tour real archeological site when in Cozumel...Any recommendations?

Tours (on Cozumel Insider page) seem to leave by 8am....

Will we arrive/disembark in time? (June 19 sailing)

Mahalo for your help!

 

[Hygiene99]

Recent report , from a couple that went on this Disney excursion is that they where not impressed with this tour.....

The guide they had was not very informative and it was like a pile of bricks.......

Other's please respond.....

 

[WDWLVR]

You have two choices for this.

Tulum is on the mainland and is an all day tour. Since this tour leaves direct from the ship (via a boat that comes up next to the ship to take you to the mainland) it leaves before others can disembark. I have heard it is beautiful there.

The other option is the San Gervasio ruins which is on Cozumel. This tour leaves at noon, includes an hour stop at PlaySol beach facility and gets you back about 5 pm. We did this in May and really enjoyed it. I can see where you guide makes it or breaks it and we had a great one. The other reason we liked this one is that it let us go into town for a while in the morning.

 

[Michelemouse]

We loved the Tulum tour on the 10/11 Western. I would definitely recommend using Disney's excursion for this trip. It is a 45 minute ferry ride to the mainland, followed by and hour + bus ride to the ruins. If you are on Disney's tour and return late the ship will wait for you. If you are on your own you are out of luck. Popular opinion seems to be that it isn't worth it to do such a lengthy trip on your own.

Once at the ruins we were taken on a tour with a very knowledgable guide. We were then left on our own to either explore the ruins independently, swim in the gorgeous beach or shop back at the entrance. We chose to swim and our time at the beach is one of the highlights of our week.

If you have any questions please feel free to PM me.

 

[Michelemouse]

Originally posted by WDWLVR

The other option is the San Gervasio ruins which is on Cozumel.

I believe that the San Gervasio ruins are replicas, not original. It is the main reason we decided to travel to Tulum, even though it was so much farther.

I only mention it because the OP mentioned wanting to see a real archeological site.

 

[lizardman]

When we go to Cozumel, I would like to go to Tulum, but I am concerned about my kids' ages. They will be 6, 8, and 12. Do you think they can handle it and enjoy it? I noticed that it is not recommended for anyone under 8. Please help.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

We went last spring break when our boys were 12 and 6. They both enjoyed it. I made sure that I took a few snacks and some bottled water of our own. It was warm but not too terrible. Some posters have said that it was miserably hot - there is no real shade once you are at the ruins.

My 12 year old was really interested in this tour since they had been studying the culture at school. We involved the 6 year old by discussing the ruins ahead of time to get him interested. We had a great guide and when he was done guiding us around the ruins we had about an hour at the beach. Which of course was the highlight of the trip for the 6 year old.

I have to admit that my 6 year old is a little scrapper and had no problems keeping up with the tour! I think if you really want to do this one - build it up for the kids ahead of time. Talk about what they are going to see and get them interested in it.

 

[lizardman]

Thanks for the advice!

 

[WDWLVR]

Originally posted by Michelemouse
I believe that the San Gervasio ruins are replicas, not original. It is the main reason we decided to travel to Tulum, even though it was so much farther.

I only mention it because the OP mentioned wanting to see a real archeological site.

To the best of my knowledge the San Gervasio ruins are real and not replicas. I believe there is another tour in Cozumel that goes to a replica ruins site.

 

[Tinkertoo]

Hello!

What is the total time for the Tulum ruins excursion with Disney? I would like to do Sally's Mini Golf and some shopping, will there be time?

Thank you,
Tinkertoo

 

[Doctor P]

We got back from the Tulum tour at about 5:00 pm and could have shopped for several hours before we would have had to be back on the ship. We did in fact shop for about two hours before returning to the ship once we got back.

 

[JenniferIsBored]

Has anyone done the Xcaret excursion? My family can't decide whether to take the Tulum tour or do Xcaret. Anyone have any advice?

 

[brack]

We did the ruins tour in Cozumel that included the Beach Club visit at the end. The ruins were fair and I think they threw in the Beach Club to make you think you got your money's worth.

Next time I will just go shopping in town (or stay on the ship)

Our friend went scuba diving and loved it. Said it was one of the best he has ever done.

 

[Michelemouse]

They no longer take you to a separate beach for the swimming portion. You stay at the ruins and can swim at their beach if you choose. You can also use that time to shop or to explore the ruins on your own, but you will have to pick one of the three as there just isn't time for more than that.

 

[Karel]

Originally posted by Michelemouse
I believe that the San Gervasio ruins are replicas, not original. It is the main reason we decided to travel to Tulum, even though it was so much farther.I only mention it because the OP mentioned wanting to see a real archeological site.

San Gervasio are original, something to do with women and fertillity. I did a search on it. Not much there and it's not as impressive as Tulum but won't take nearly as long. I think we'll go there just for some 'color' and then go to Chankabaub, which does have replica stuff. Also, Xcaret has replica ruins.