Cozumel ruins

[Kahoutek22]

Want a whiff of educational component for DD 7 and DS 6 during upcoming Western. DD will be studying Mexico as this year's country in elementary school.
Are the ruins in Cozumel worth little ones seeing? I understand they are small. When coupled with the beach package is it a good day overall?
Anyone see them? How are the tour guides?
Are the "fake" ruins at Chakanaab better for this age group?

 

[TheWog]

Tulum would be the best to see, but that is an all day affair. They are actual ancient Mayan ruins. I have not personally been, so hopefully someone can give you more exact information.

 

[SeaSpray]

We are taking our DSs ages 16 and 13 to the ruins in Tulum. Here's a website with several wonderful pictures of the ruins themselves and the surrounding beach area that you can use while you're there. (The ruin site overlooks the Caribbean Sea). http://externe.net/photos/ll2-mexico-tulum-mayan-ruins/aligned_with_the_stars
Be sure to scroll through a few of the pics to get an idea of what the ruin site looks like. I had researched the ruin sites that are on Cozumel, and they just don't compare to the ruins at Tulum.

Having said all that, since you're children are young, perhaps you'd be better off staying on the island of Cozumel itself and seeing some of the smaller ruins there. I'm sure even the "fake" ruins will be of some educational value

Hopefully you'll get some more replies from parents who've taken their younger children to see the ruins.

Which ever you decide, have a wonderful time!!

 

[mousemom218]

We did the ruins and beach tour on the 7/17 Western Cruise. Your little ones will likely be bored, although the adults will enjoy it. It is also VERY hot, with lots of bugs. The beach is fabulous, but they don't give you enough time there. It was a good compromise for us, as my DH likes more "educational" stuff. We were on the bus for a long time, so at least it was cool there. The tour guides were excellent, by the way.

Enjoy!

 

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by mousemom218
We did the ruins and beach tour on the 7/17 Western Cruise. Your little ones will likely be bored, although the adults will enjoy it. It is also VERY hot, with lots of bugs. The beach is fabulous, but they don't give you enough time there. It was a good compromise for us, as my DH likes more "educational" stuff. We were on the bus for a long time, so at least it was cool there. The tour guides were excellent, by the way.

Enjoy!

Carole, was this the tulum ruins? I'll have to be sure to pack the bug spray for our excursion! How was the lunch they served on the bus on the way back, was it still Subway sandwiches? What choices of subs did they give you? Thanks

 

[mousemom218]

I'm sorry to say I wasn't paying attention to which ruins we saw. But I think you are considering another excursion, as we didn't get any sandwiches, just sodas and a free drink at the beach. In fact, the excursion met at noon, so we ate before we left.

 

[allears]

We did the Ruins and beach tour in Cozumel in February of 2003. We really don't like to be off of the ship for long periods of time, as we just love being on the ship. So we thought this was a good duration.

The ride around the island is actually decent and gives you a feel for the geography and lay out. We have 3 children, at the time they were, DD 15, DS 12, DS6. While the ruins aren't sepctacular like the pyramids on the main land, they were interesting just the same as the enitre Myan culture had to travel to these for their marriage and fertility ceremonies. We all found the tour very interesting and my DD actually bought a book about the ruins and the Myans, and she didn't like to read. There were also giant iguanas (sorry for the spelling) lurking in the trees, the boys loved that.

We're not really big beach people, but we enjoyed that part and it was just enough for us.

Overall I think it is a good value and gives you a nice sense of the island. This September we are planning on staying on the ship while docked in Cozumel, but are doing the island tour of Grand Cayman.

Have fun@