Cozumel Ruins

[anewmac]

Has anyone done these? I believe the excursion via the disney website are the Tulum Ruins or San Gervasio Ruins. Any thoughts, pics etc. We were going to do the beach break thing at Playa del sol/mia but with not going to Costa Maya (where we were going to do the Ruins) we are now doing the Pirate Excursion in Grand Cayman. So figure we would do something no so beachy while in Cozumel. Any info tips etc would be greatly appriciated!

 

[WDWLVR]

We did the San Gervasio Ruins tour back a number of years ago and enjoyed it. It included a stop at Playa del Sol after so you could do the best of both worlds.

I've also heard wonderful things about the Tulum tour.

The San Gervasio Ruins are smaller but located right on the island so it is shorter tour. The Tulum ruins are much bigger and located over on the main land so you need to take a boat over which I hear can be a bit rocky.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

We did the Tulum ruins in 2005. After a ferry boat ride over to Playa del Carmen, you hop on a bus ride for about 45 minutes or so to the ruins. They do make one pitstop to use the restroom and shop for souvenirs.

The tour guides were great and very informative about the Mayan culture and area. The one disappointment we had was not being able to actually walk into and or climb the ruins. You can only view them. Even the tour guide said the Chitzen Itsu was much better if we ever came back to the area.

There was a nice small beach to relax and some Mayan culture shows performed at the main shopping area. We really enjoyed it, but it was just my Dad and I who visited. My DW and Mom stayed with the kids and I don't think kids younger than 10 would enjoy the visit to Tulum as it was very hot and there wasn't much for kids to do.

The provided lunch wasn't much, a warm (because it'd been outside) Subway sandwich and chips.

On the ferry boat ride back to the ship, the group that visited XCarcet talked about how fun it was there, especially the river. If you're wanting educational and enjoy history, I'd say visit Tulum, but if you're looking for fun, try XCarcet or another excursion.

 

[Wavegirl]

Definitely Tulum you have to take the ferry but worth it! We did it and loved it!

Tulum Mayan Ruins Tour

 

[CraftyMouse]

Another vote for Tulum! We did them in 2003 and they were simply breathtaking! There is a small beach right at the ruin site so you can even get in a bit of swimming if you'd like. The ruins themselves are breathtaking and definitely worth the trip!

 

[trimix]

The San Gervasio ruins on Cozumel are not as complete or as impressive as the ruins near Tulum, but they are certainly worth visiting.

If you do San Gervasio you will have plenty of time for other activities; if you do Tulum you get the feeling of adventure as you take a ferry then a bus to get a significant distance away from Cozumel.

 

[paladin]

We did Tulum in December and it was very interesting and just beautiful, however there are a couple of things to be aware of. (Let me say that we weren't on Disney, we were on RCCL, but it sounds like the same tour).

First, the ferry from the ship to Playa del Carmen was quite rough - I enjoyed it, but then I don't get seasick either. Probably half the folks on the ferry were sick (the people who worked on the ferry went around passing out seasick bags!).

Also, Tulum was very, very, very (did I mention very) hot - one of the hottest places I have ever been and that was in December! It was gorgeous though.

 

[flower91882]

there are good pictures on this site:

San Gervasio: http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/sangervasio.html
Tulum: http://www.mayanbeachgarden.com/Tulum.html

As you can see, Tulum has the pyramids you think of when you think of Mayan ruins. Of course, it takes much more time out of the day to do this one as it's not on the island. It would also be more expensive. Just things to consider.

 

[lvloopingbag]

Another vote for Tulum......

 

[RKB]

We have decided on Xcaret - it offers a ton of activities so you might want to check this out also. As for the Ferry boat - I have heard about the sea sickness before so I plan to give my kids chewable children's dramamine the night before so it is in their system. The another dose that morning. So far we have never been seasick so I think it will be fine. I know the Ferry is more choppy then a big cruise ship though.

 

[Selket]

Tulum is great - I've done other posts about our trip there last Oct. I went with my (almost) 10 yr old son and he enjoyed it. It is not a trip I'd want to take younger kids on - at least 8 yrs old and then only if they REALLY wanted to go and realized that it is a long trip there and back. A good place to let the kid bring the DS or something. Definitely take some sea sickness meds for the ferry! I booked through DCL and I thought their tour guides were excellent.

I'd like to do Xcaret this time perhaps.

It rained ALL day we were in Cozumel so all those people who had beach trips were bummed! At least it was nice and cool at Tulum...in the rain......LOL!

 

[luvdmouse57]

Well, phooie! We were looking at an excursion on the DCL website that was called Cozumel Highlights & Mayan Ruins. It incuded a trip to see the site of the island's first Catholic mass, the San Gervasio Ruins, El Mirador and some shopping. Now I'm not sure if I want to do that or the Tulum Ruins. We had picked this one for several reasons. One, we like seeing Catholic churches. Two, we like ruins & beautiful scenery. Three, because of my diabetis, I am on a low carb diet & didn't know if the meal provided woould be something that I could eat (& from what you've described it wouldn't be) & lastly, I LOVE shopping!

Karla in Kansas

 

[luvdmouse57]

I forgot to finish my thought before posting it.

After looking at the different websites, the Tulum ruins look like there would be a lot more to see than the San Gervasio. It also looks more like what you think of when you think of the Mayan civilizations.

Karla in Kansas

 

[realfam]

We did Tulum last September, and we loved it! Super hot there. They have a beautiful beach there as well