Dune Buggy vs Jeep in Cozumel with kids

[absame]

We want to do one of these are are looking for any comparisons. Sounds like the dune buggy might be a bumpier ride. We have two little kids, 5 and 7, but they are daredevils and love roller coasters etc. Both companies say they take kids this age, but the trip through disney is only for kids 10 and up. what's up with that?? Anyone taken younger kids???

A

 

[taylorsmom]

Yeah I have the same question!!! I have a young daughter and want to do the same excursion. The one offered by disney is for onder kids but I have heard that you can take younger kids. So confused and really interested in going if possible. Where can I sign up for younger kids?

 

[absame]

both are listed in shoretrips.com. THe dune buggy trip even offers 1/2 price for kids 3-8!

 

[natdencro]

Many of the Cast Members hire out jeeps etc., on Cozumel - if they have lunch off the ship. Ask them about the cheapest and best offers. They are often the best people to ask regarding trips and excursions. Nat

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

We just did the Dune buggy trip (non-DCL) booked through cozumelhomes.com but I believe it is the same one as the shoretrips.com one. We LOVED it. It was by far the best day of the entire cruise.

First of all, the jeep trips and the dune buggy trips are to the same place. They all go to the eastern side of the island where there are miles and miles of sand and rock paths running along the coast. The paths are bumpy, but very much fun! They can be "wild" bumpy if you drive very fast and crazy or they can be mild bumpy if you drive like a normal human being (my husband was, of course, not a mild mannered driver).

Here's the thing. We were in our own little 4 seater buggy. Had a roll "Top" on it, but was pretty much open. The "jeeps" we saw were of the Ford Explorer, Chevy Tracker type jeeps. Many of these were not "open air", just suv's. We LOVED that we chose the buggys because we were really in the sunshine & rain (at the end). It was fabulous. Another great thing about the Dune Buggys is that they have little built in coolers right in the backs that they fill up with your beverages of choice and ice. When you were thirsty, you just helped yourself. (We chose Mexican Beer, Cokes, Bottled Water).
The Buggys are a little smaller than the SUVs and therefore more fun (IMHO).
We could really cruise and the SUVs (Jeeps) were all driving quite a bit slower.

Basically the tours themselves were all on the same route, same types of lunch at the same spot, same snorkeling experience (though it seemed as though ours was the only group snorkeling....?????). Maybe they others just didn't want to go, or maybe it wasn't offered as part of the package. So, your options are, Open Air Dune Buggys, or SUVs.

WE LOVED THE BUGGIES!!!

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[absame]

Thanks -- that was very helpful From the pics it looks like you're in open air jeeps, good to know it's not necessarily true.

We're leaning towards the dune buggies. The only other difference seems to be that the dune buggy trip is two hours longer. When did you get back and when does the boat leave??

 

[BALAMAV]

My Aunt went on the open air ones I think that was the buggies. She said it was awful. They bounced all over the place not that the buggies had no shocks but there were alot of holes in the road/ground. She said it was like a bad cartoon where you are driving down the street and all the charactors are fall out all over the place. She said there were kids on the buggy and their parents had to keep hold of them. She didn't say their ages. Now she laughs at the experince but at the time she said she would not do it again.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Oh, you have way more than enought time. The ship docks at about 9:30 or 10 am. The tour says it starts at 10:30, but I believe we were on the road at about 11:00 am. Nice thing is that the meeting place/office is only about 1 block from where the Magic docks! No taxis or anything. Just get off the ship, go across the street and take a left and then a right and you are there.
5 minute walk! We had people on our tour that were from another ship that had to be back in town for 4:30 final boarding of their ship. They cut is kind of close, but made it. You can pretty much count on being back in town by between 4 & 5 pm. It really seems like a long time, but you drive for about 20 minutes to get to the beach, drive about an hour on the paths through the jungles & stuff, stop for about 1 & 1/2 hours for lunch and snorkel & beach time, and then spend about 1/2 hour driving more to the Mayan ruins, spend about 20 minutes there (our guides dissappeared on foot, returned with a Boa Constrictor for us to hold!!!!!!!!) and then head back. It really flew by.
The nicest part is that the Magic is in Cozumel until 11:00 pm. When you get back to town there is still time for shopping, having dinner (on board or land), and maybe hitting Charlos & Charlies or Senor Frogs (fun restaurants right at the dock). We actually had time to go back to the ship, shower & change and then hit the town. It was perfect!

 

[taylorsmom]

Thank you so much for the awsome responses. They are all so helpful. I hope that we enjoy it as much as you all did.

 

[kimkatmom]

Mrsfuzzmo -- I have read your posts about the dune buggies. Sounds like SOOOOO much fun. A couple of questions, however. How many people did you have in your buggie. Did you share it with another couple. My DH just wants the two of us.

Also, why did you choose this company over the one that Disney offers?

Only 38 more days until

 

[markey]

I just booked for August, can't wait it really looks like fun. I called the number on their web site, which was posted on these boards. The woman was really nice and friendly. She said I would receive confirmation in the mail, booked on Friday so maybe it will be there when I get home from work.

 

[absame]

Who did you contact, the company that does this or one of the resellers? Do they have a web page?

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

KIMKATMOM - The buggies hold up to four, but we wanted to drive by ourselves and they said, great. So, it was just the two of us. We had a total of 6 buggies including the guides. They said they have enough buggies to hold over 30 people, so just let them know you want to ride alone. We booked the one we did because the other one was a "jeep" and we wanted the good old fashioned Dune Buggies (lower to ground, great fun in sand, excellent for "goofing" around - They are just a blast to drive.) You do have to be able to drive stick or you will have to ride in the back on someone elses.
We also booked with them because they offered all the Mexican Beer you can drink (though we only had about 3 each throughout the entire day), AND the snorkeling. We really love snorkeling and though the swim out to the reef was long, the water was calm and the reef in 30' of water reached from the ocean floor to the surface of the water. GORGEOUS! It was some awesome snorkeling. it just seemed like a more fun excrusion after reading the website. Great info. It is at cozumelhomes.com then click on Dune Buggy tours.

BALMAV - Yes it is bumpy, but that's the fun of it. If we wanted a scenic ride, we would have booked the island bus tour. It is adventerous, but a lot of fun. Not a one person flew out. It is not for toddlers, but I think anyone over 5 or 6 could handle it.

absame - We booked through cozumelhomes.com because they had an extensive website about it and they book excrusions right here in the US. You need to call Veronica (I believe she is in Oklahoma or Kansas City or somewhere like that). She will give you all the booking info. You can get hen number off of the website. Just give her a call and she will be glad to answer any questions.

Hope you all enjoy it as much as we did. It's just one of those thing that you think "WOW, this is something we will probably never get to do again. It was a great experience!"

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[absame]

Thanks MRSFUZZMO -- I just booked if with Veronica at CozumelHomes.com. They are actually the owner of the tour company, not a reseller. Looking forward to getting off the beaten path.

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Enjoy! Let us all know how it goes! I think it's a shame more people do not know about this tour. Have a great time, take your cameras! We've got a great shot of the two of us in front of our Buggy (the Purple People Eater!!)
Wait until our christmas list sees this one!

Mrsfuzzmo

 

[mrsfuzzmo]

Oh, Yeah, don't forget to take a couple of beach towel for the seats. They are black vinyl and can get hot in the sun, sticky and sandy while driving. Our towels were a great relief when we started to sweat a little. I was sliding all over my seat.

 

[buginarug]

I don't have an opinion on the dune buggies, because i didnt have a chance to do that. However, me and my family did the jeep excursion, and let me tell you that it was by far the best thing we ever did! The cool thing about it is that i think it is pretty much ok for all ages because the driver controls how crazy it gets. Because when we went, everyone was older, like mid teens to adults, we made it wild and crazy. So thats just some advice but whatever you do i know youll enjoy it because its a cruise and its suppose to be fun!!! Hope this helps!!!!

 

[kimkatmom]

Just made our reservations. Yippee!

Now, if I come back with a broken sittin' bone, I'll let you know.

37 more days!!! until

 

[Vivig]

Hello,

You may all laugh..but when we returned from our first Disney cruise I knew we would be returning VERY soon..so I copied a post from a fellow Diser..sorry I did not keep the posters name. I think you may find this information helpful as well.
Hope you enjoy the following post...................


"Alternative to Disney's Cozumel Jeep Tour
We were on the wonderful 04/12/03 7-day Western. Every day was fantastic but I just have to share the best with you!

Our 9 year old DS was so disappointed that he couldn't go on the Disney Jeep Tour (they only take over 10s) that I scoured the Internet for possible alternatives. I came up with Aventuras Naturales (www.aventurasnaturalascozumel.com) and with trepidation at booking something independently, booked for the 4 of us for our day in Cozumel.

I needn't have worried. It was a marvellous experience which I would highly recommend.

We met at the Mall opposite the pier at 11.00am. The tour consisted of just the 4 of us! We had 2 jeeps and 2 guides - lovely American girls called Heather and Susan who were so friendly and knowledgeable that it was like being with friends. We had croissants as we set off for the Caribbean side of the island. During the drive they stopped to show us wildlife (we saw wild boar which I believe is quite rare) and for us to take photos.
The ride was very bumpy in parts but the girls were excellent drivers (my DH said he'd never complain about women drivers again and was so glad he didn't have to drive - although guests can share the driving if they wish). We visited a Mayan ruin and saw living fossils, then on to the most beautiful beach which we had to ourselves. DH and DD went snorkelling with Susan to the reef just off the beach. They provided a lovely lunch of chicken, rice, salsa, tortillas, fruit and as much beer, soft drinks and water as we wanted.

The price was $85 each ($45 for DS) which I think compares quite well with the DCL tour, but it was so much more personal. Also, DH could enjoy the scenery (and the beer!) because he didn't have to drive.

Sorry this is so long but I just had to share our experience - I've had so many priceless tips from the boards in the past, it's good to put something back!!"

 

[Vivig]

OK..so you all think I am VERY silly..here is another post that you may find interesting...

"Cozumel

We just returned from the Western and only did one excursion which we booked a week before the cruise through the following web site:

http://www.cozumel.travelnotes.cc/tours/dunebuggy.html

Finding something to do with younger children was not easy, but this excursion was a blast. Our girls are 5 and 6 and had a ball in the back seat of the dune buggy. The water was a little rough for snorkeling that day, but the lunch, the guides and the interaction with our fellow buggy drivers/riders was awesome. I highly recommend this for a fun, very wild experience you will never forget."

Again I unfortunately did not keep the posters names therefore not taking any creidt for the info..but wanted to pass it along to you all...