Excursions on Cozumel? Costa Maya?!!!

[PoohJen]

Hi All! Help! My excursion booking time opens up tomorrow night!!!

Looking for any feedback on Costa Maya and Cozumel offerings! Have 3 boys 9-13. Don't like to be away from ship for too long. Am thinking about Fury Catamaran snorkel on Cozumel, but Costa Maya looks very pretty.

We will probably pick just one excursion and stay on ship (with maybe a walk in port) for the other port day. Any suggestions??!!! TIA!

 

[lbgraves]

Jen, have you read over some of the trip reports for those cruises? If you do a search for the port or the specific excursion on that forum the info you want is usually in the first post.

 

[Mickee]

We're going in Sept.
We will have our DS 10 & DD8.

On Coz, We are going to rent a car and cruise the island, explore, I ordered a map on line to give us a good idea of what's what, we will stop at the San Gervasio ruins 1st (early when it is cooler & less buggy hopefully) and then the other side of the island where there are some nice deserted beaches and hit Coconuts for lunch over there ,a stop at one of the resorts (which one is to be determined) on our way back and then head back to the ship after a brief souven-ear stop,

On Costa we will probably rent a golf cart and cruise to Majuahal and hit the beach there for fun & sun. There is also a resort right next to the pier which seems very nice as well.

If you havent't already been, go to the cruise critic web and scroll down to port and there are many ideas and trip report for you to get some ideas.

Since it's 2 days at CC we are going to do a few things there, like Banana Boat, Swim with the Stingrays and possibly parasailing.

 

[Buddy Bear]

Hi All! Help! My excursion booking time opens up tomorrow night!!!

Looking for any feedback on Costa Maya and Cozumel offerings! Have 3 boys 9-13. Don't like to be away from ship for too long. Am thinking about Fury Catamaran snorkel on Cozumel, but Costa Maya looks very pretty.

We will probably pick just one excursion and stay on ship (with maybe a walk in port) for the other port day. Any suggestions??!!! TIA!

We are right there with you. We don't want to leave Sarah behind so that limits us considerably. We are hoping that Chankanaab (sp?) is open by the time we get there in August. If so, we will take a taxi over to the park and enjoy the scenery on our own.

As far as Costa Maya, outside of the Beach Break there isn't much. Good luck with you decision.

 

[LuvsTheSun]

Jen, the Fury Catamaran snorkel on Cozumel is great. Did it last year before the hurricane, and there are 2 stops to snorkel, then they take you to their private beach. Didn't really see too many fish, but still had a great time. Crew is entertaining, it's a well organized tour. Loved their private beach. You could go horseback riding, play volleyball, swim(they provided floating mats and kayaks at no charge). I think your family will enjoy it.

We also went to Chankanaab park to swim with the dolphins in the morning before the catamaran. I'm not sure what it's like now, but it was beautiful and a great place to relax. I have been to a few different places in the Caribbean to swim with the dolphins, and this is a first class operation, and was one of the best dolphin swims, you got to do a lot with them, and you can buy DVD's of your swim and pictures. Your sons might like this. We booked this on our own and saved a lot of money. We also got to do the swim, where you are pushed and pulled by the dolphins. I don't know if the ship offers the Royal Swim.You should know that even though we managed to do both in the same day, it was very hectic trying to make it back to the ship to be picked up by the catamaran. If I had to chose only one, I think I would pick the Fury Catamaran. However, we just got back from Costa Maya 3 weeks ago, and I noticed they had a Fury Catamaran snorkeling tour there, so maybe you could do that in Costa Maya if you don't end up doing that in Cozumel. Just a thought.

As for Costa Maya, there really isn't much to do there except the Chacchoben Mayan ruins and the beach. The shops at the port are kind of nice, and there is a pool at the port, but we didn't use the pool and had very little time to shop. We took a private tour given by two local men who grew up in the area (David and Ivan). It was very well run and they used clean, air-conditioned vans. My DH and I enjoyed the tour and loved going to the jungle, however our 4 daughters (ages 13 - 24) didn't really appreciate it and would rather have spent the whole day at the beach. So even though we saw many kids of all ages there, only you know what your children will enjoy. I'm not sorry we took them, though, because beaches are all over, and I wanted to expose the girls to the ruins and another culture. The Mayan culture is studied in school quite often. If you are going to make it a beach day, I think I would pick one of the beach breaks. We only had 2 hours to go to the beach, so we went to Mahahaul. It was okay for a short time, but to spend the entire day, I think it would be nicer at a beach club. I didn't like the atmosphere as we walked up and down the beach, it was okay, but not what I like to bring my family to. All the same, I would go to Costa Maya again, I would just pick a different beach. Just to let you know, some people really love Mahahual and rave over the town, it just felt kind of tacky to me.

Hope you enjoy. Sorry for the long post!

Lynne

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks for all the feedback and suggestions!

Lynne - I love a good, long post - the more info, the better!

I've read alot about David & Ivan on cruisecritic; all good reviews. Lynne, who did you book your dolphin swim with? Sounds awesome, although I know alot of the dolphin swims haven't yet resumed since the hurricane.

 

[ibouncetoo]

The Royal Dolphin Swim is with www.dolphindiscovery.com and they are supposed to resume business in Cozumel on July 1st. They are currently transporting people over to their mainland facility, thus making the excursion significantly longer. You can NOT book this particular swim through DCL. I believe there is a dolphin 'encounter' available through DCL, but has less interaction with the dolphins. The Royal Swim is $125 per adult AND I CAN'T WAIT TILL NOVEMBER TO DO IT!

We are also doing the Mayan ruins tour with David & Ivan (Native Choice)in Costa Maya. As a matter of fact, it looks like it will be all folks from the MAGIC and nearly every one of them DISers!

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

We took our 3 boys (9, 12, 15) to the Chacchoben Ruins in April. It was about a 4 hour tour from beginning to end. It was really good! Our oldest 2 have learned about the Mayan culture in school, and enjoyed seeing it first hand. They all enjoyed the ruins very much. DH and I were amazed at the site, as well as the information we received from the guide.

 

[Buddy Bear]

We took our 3 boys (9, 12, 15) to the Chacchoben Ruins in April. It was about a 4 hour tour from beginning to end. It was really good! Our oldest 2 have learned about the Mayan culture in school, and enjoyed seeing it first hand. They all enjoyed the ruins very much. DH and I were amazed at the site, as well as the information we received from the guide.

Do you remember how long it takes to get there? I have read that you need to take a tender from Cozumel and then a bus.

TIA,

Jeff

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

We actually docked at Costa Maya in April, so I can't help you with that one... The ride from the pier (actually just a few steps from the shopping area where you get off) was about an hour. It went fast though because our guide told us all about the area and what we would see at the ruins, as well as some history. The bus had A/C too, so it was very comfortable.

Before you enter the ruins, there is a small shop with rest rooms and a place to get food/drinks, but our tour operator gave everyone bottled water.
We were actually on RCCL's Jewel of the Seas, but I think it must be the same tour operator.

Two things my kids thought wer interesting (besides the ruins) were the chicle trees that can be used for gum, and the fact that the ruins close before dusk--that's when the puma come out as well as the howler monkeys. Boys...

 

[BethA]

On the Dave and Ivan tour is the walking through jungle brush? I hadn't planned to bring a lot of shoes for daytime. Can I get by with sneakers that are sling backs or crocs?

I had signed up for this but now don't know if it will be too long. Is it 4 hours including the ride?

The bathroom situation sounds awful. Good to know ahead of time to bring stuff.

thanks.

 

[Surroundedbyboys]

We were in Costa Maya in March with our two sons- 13 & 10. They say that was their best day. We just took the bus ($4pp) over to the beach (Majahaul). It took about 10 minutes or less to get there. We walked down to the end of the little shopping area to the beach and got 4 beach chairs. We spent the day snorkeling (took our own snorkeling equip), swimming & lounging. When we were done (6 hours later) we just walked back to the beginning of the huts and got in the taxi line. It was $2 each back to the tourist shopping area. Very simple, inexpensive and fun. Remember to take lots of sunscreen and apply often! The sun there is so hot. We bought cans of Coke (3 for $5).

 

[LuvsTheSun]

Jen...we booked our dolphin swim through dolphin discovery. I looked up the info online, including the different tours and times to see what would be best for our schedule, then I called the phone number listed to see what was available and just booked through them. They were reliable and have an organized system, so I felt okay with it. The availability seemed to be better than what was listed online. I heard they were hit hard by the hurricane, so I have no idea of the condition of the park now, or if the dolphin program is up and running yet. BTW, there is a dolphin swim combined with a beach day in Costa Maya. I didn't go on that one, but people I know who did really enjoyed it, then spent the day at the beach club, which was included in the price. Not sure if you can book that one privately, but it is a costly excursion if you have to do it from the ship.....You said you were looking into booking last night, did you decide on anything yet. I still like the Fury catamaran, it was very relaxing. You probably won't have to tender off the ship for that excursion either, I heard they pick you up at the ship; anything to make life easier, right?

Jeff...the tour you are thinking about in Cozumel is Tulum. That's a long day. My daughters still won't let me forget it. About a 7-8 hour day. It seemed like it was mostly traveling. The ferry to the mainland took about 45 min. and was very rough and choppy. Many people were seasick. Sitting on the top level helps, higher up and fresh air. Then there is the bus ride to Tulum, about another hour. Once you get to the ruins, it's a walk over a rocky area, but the view and the beach once you get there....beautiful. However for your 2 year old, I don't know, I think I'd definately wait. The other ruins in Costa Maya, Chaccoben Ruins, are easier to get to (about a 4-41/2 hour tour), but are further into the jungle, since it's only about 20 min. to Belize. I really enjoyed both, but our children are a lot older than yours, so you have to think of your 2 year old, and what she can handle. Good luck, let me know what you decide.

Beth...on the Dave and Ivan tour, you would be able to wear sling back sneakers, since I noticed one of my daughters had her flipflops on instead of sneakers. I wore tevas like I used for whitewater rafting, and that was the best, kept my feet cool, but gave good support for walking in uneven areas.

Lynne

 

[Buddy Bear]

Jen...we booked our dolphin swim through dolphin discovery. I looked up the info online, including the different tours and times to see what would be best for our schedule, then I called the phone number listed to see what was available and just booked through them.

Lynne

Lynne,

What number did you call? I want to book the Sea Lion show, but it is listed as sold out so I want to call.

TIA,

Jeff

 

[LuvsTheSun]

Jeff....I can't remember the number I called, but I know I got it from their website somewhere. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll see if I can find it. Good luck. I heard many people enjoyed the sealions. Are you planning on swimming with them?

Lynne

 

[PoohJen]

You said you were looking into booking last night, did you decide on anything yet. I still like the Fury catamaran, it was very relaxing. You probably won't have to tender off the ship for that excursion either

Thanks for all the great info, Lynne. Yes, I got on last night (zzzz!) and went with the Fury Cat trip - should be lots of fun, there is a large Dis group already signed up for that.

On Costa Maya, I'm thinking maybe a few hours at the beach. You mentioned $2 pp for taxi back - could we have gotten a cab for that price to get to the beach? Did they charge you for chairs? Were there any water trampolines and/or jet skis available? Thanks again!!!

 

[Buddy Bear]

Jeff....I can't remember the number I called, but I know I got it from their website somewhere. If you can't find it, let me know and I'll see if I can find it. Good luck. I heard many people enjoyed the sealions. Are you planning on swimming with them?

Lynne

I am not going to since I usually keep track of Stitch...um...I mean Sarah so Missy and Catherine can do fun Mother daughter stuff. I will try to get those two to swim while we watch.

I did find the number, it is 800-293-9698 for anyone else interested.