Cozumel vs. Costa Maya: Ruins

[Nikki Mouse]

If I could only pick one, it would definitely DEFINITELY be Chacchoben at the Costa Maya stop, and only with Native Sons. Ruins are fascinating to me anyway, but the passion David & Ivan have for their history and their culture, and the knowledge they have as natives elevates the experience to a level I can't imagine the big tourist-y places being able to achieve.

Out of 7 cruises so far for DS & I, that day was the best so far for both of us, bar none. We can't wait to finally go back again next year!

I am interested in this, but with my itinerary showing for only 1-530pm at the Costa Maya port, will we even have time for a 4 hour tour? I'm also a little uneasy about doing something non-Disney, but at the same time I'd like to do a cheaper tour and see some ruins. Any feedback on my concerns? Thanks!

 

[healeylvr]

Does anyone have info/website for native sons? We are going to Costa Maya and Cozemel on a cruise in july and would like to find out more. we have booked non-Disney excursions many times with good results but not here before any help would be appreciated

 

[Donna3271]

We did Tulum. It was magnificent and worth every penny. It was the highlight of our Western. So much culture. The guide was AMAZING. We have been to Chichen Itza as well (which were bigger), but the backdrop of the ocean in Tulum was fabulous! I highly recommend it!!!

 

[Gina]

I am interested in this, but with my itinerary showing for only 1-530pm at the Costa Maya port, will we even have time for a 4 hour tour? I'm also a little uneasy about doing something non-Disney, but at the same time I'd like to do a cheaper tour and see some ruins. Any feedback on my concerns? Thanks!

Oh, ouch... That's a pretty short port time. No, I don't think you'd be able to do any of their tours. I'm really sorry! Maybe you could email them and see what they recommend? In my experience they have been great with getting back to you and answering every question you might have.

Does anyone have info/website for native sons? We are going to Costa Maya and Cozemel on a cruise in july and would like to find out more. we have booked non-Disney excursions many times with good results but not here before any help would be appreciated

Their website is www.thenativechoice.com. Hope this helps!

 

[Nikki Mouse]

Oh, ouch... That's a pretty short port time. No, I don't think you'd be able to do any of their tours. I'm really sorry! Maybe you could email them and see what they recommend? In my experience they have been great with getting back to you and answering every question you might have.

Thanks for the reply! That's too bad that maybe we can't do it...I really want to see ruins but don't want to spend the entire Cozumel day doing it. Disney says their Chacchoben ruins tour starts at 12:40 for my cruise even though it states 1pm as the port arrival time, so maybe I could at least do the Disney one even though it's more expensive for pretty much the same thing.

 

[clten]

I've done all three ruins. Here's how I would rank them if I had to choose between them:

#3: Cozumel ruins - very unimpressive to me
#2: Tulum- nice site and a lot to look at. Very impressive but quite a lot of travel to get to them
#1: Costa Maya - not as extensive or large as the Tulum ruins but very impressive. When we went a few years ago, you could climb the ruins. And there were several interesting things there that were not present at the others. We were disappointed a couple years ago when our itinerary was changed and we couldn't go back to Costa Maya to see these ruins again.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Personally I would do the beaches in Cozumel and leave the ruins for Costa Maya. I am not a Costa Maya beach/port fan so the ruins might be the way to go.

 

[Nikki Mouse]

Oh, ouch... That's a pretty short port time. No, I don't think you'd be able to do any of their tours. I'm really sorry! Maybe you could email them and see what they recommend? In my experience they have been great with getting back to you and answering every question you might have.





Their website is www.thenativechoice.com. Hope this helps!

So I emailed the Native Choice tours, and they said they did a test run with the Fantasy back on Sunday with the shortened port time. They said it was successful because they moved the history explanation to the ride to the ruins and left mainly time to explore once there. So it looks like I'll be able to sign up with them.

 

[susiee]

It will be interesting to see if the crowds are larger this summer + fall....I read that there are more bookings due to 12/21. Maybe some of you cruising soon will find out some good insights!!!