Favorite excursion/experience in Western Caribbean?

[PHamrick]

We will be on the Fantasy 7 Day western caribbean Itinerary C (Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth and Castaway Cay). If you have been to any of those places, what were your favorite experiences? FWIW, we will have our two kids with us (5 and 7).

We are also looking for recs for other members of our party including my mother (69) and our friends who will have a toddler (16 months). Any experiences you are willing to share would be great. Thanks!!!

 

[MarleneP]

We were in all these places except Falmouth in Dec, In Cozumel our excursion was cancelled due to high winds. We had fun walking around and going in the shops. We had lunch at Señor Frogs. If you have ever been to one, you know this is a major tourist trap. But we always have such a fun time. It was Christmas Day and I must say the best Christmas I had in a long time. It may get a little loud for little kids....I guess it all depends on the noise level they are use to. My sons are 14 &9 so they were fine.

In Grand Cayman my DS (14) & DH went on a scuba excursion. They booked thru Disney and sadly they were not thrilled. My DS (9) and I went to the turtle snorkel park. Although a lot of people say they love this place, we were very unhappy. I would never go back there.

In Castaway Cay we went on the snorkeling excursion that stops at a sand bar during low tide. This was the highlight of my whole vacation! I highly recommend this, especially if you are into snorkeling. It was not an all day excursion so we had plenty of time on Castaway Cay for lunch and beach time. My DH did the 5K in the morning and had fun!

 

[PHamrick]

I'm sorry to hear that your excursions were not up to par! I had looked at the turtle park in Grand Cayman because my daughter loves turtles, but I wasn't sold on it. We are going to do Chankanaab in Cozumel, but can you tell me more about walking around Cozumel? How close to the pier were you? I don't think Chankanaab will take all day and I want to wander a little. Thanks!

 

[MarleneP]

I'm sorry to hear that your excursions were not up to par! I had looked at the turtle park in Grand Cayman because my daughter loves turtles, but I wasn't sold on it. We are going to do Chankanaab in Cozumel, but can you tell me more about walking around Cozumel? How close to the pier were you? I don't think Chankanaab will take all day and I want to wander a little. Thanks!

We stayed pretty close to the pier but walked around for hours. There are some higher end places to shop and some mom & pop type places. The mom & pop shops are always willing to haggle their price. My boys loved that they got maracas as gifts for friends for $1 that say Cozumel (same ones at Epcot Mexico for $5) The one side of the road was all shopping, bars/restaurants and the other side is water. You can't go onto the beach but there are benches to sit relax and look at the water.

As far as the turtles in GC, they were really cool to see and you can go into the tank to hold them. My DS loved that part. It was just not a place to spend the whole day at.

Enjoy your trip!!

 

[mrs.ariel]

In Grand Cayman we booked a private boat tour. My son was 4, and our friends had an infant with them, so our Disney choices were limited.
We booked thru Fat Fish Adventures (heard of them here and researched thru trip advisor) They took us to snorkel, to a private beach, to stingray city, and then to stop at a local grill/bar for a snack and drink.

It was the BEST day of our cruise! We all loved it!!!!

 

[com_op_2000]

On Cozumel:
DW and I rented a jeep and went out on our own. You can get away to some of the out-of-the-way places and just do what you want. If, you speak Spanish, DW is fluent, it helps as the locals will treat you special and they gave us multiple recommendations/tips/discounts/etc.

 

[MC0810]

On Cozumel:
DW and I rented a jeep and went out on our own. You can get away to some of the out-of-the-way places and just do what you want. If, you speak Spanish, DW is fluent, it helps as the locals will treat you special and they gave us multiple recommendations/tips/discounts/etc.

Where did you rent the Jeep from..what were the prices?..what stops do you reccommend

 

[GrumpyBelle]

We have been to all of those places. We did an excursion in GC that included the turtle farm, a stop in HE**, and a short tour of the island. Everyone really enjoyed this tour.
In Cozumel,we did a tour of the ruins--in Cozumel--not the one on the main land, with lunch and a beach break. The ruins were cool and lunch was good, the beach was okay.
In Falmouth, we did a tour of the great house with a short zipline course and a river float. Really enjoyed the time at the Great House as well. We have also done Dunn's River Falls. We liked this until we reached the VERY pushy vendors at the top. For this reason, Dunn's River Falls was a one time thing.

 

[com_op_2000]

Where did you rent the Jeep from..what were the prices?..what stops do you reccommend

There was a car rental shop Avis I think, in the plaza where you disembark. We just walked up to the counter and got a $55.00 rate for a jeep. There is a main road that circles Cozumel, we went off that road in several places to get to the beach, then stop for lunch, and one trip through a Blue Agava farm where tequila is made. We just came upon these stops and suggestions from locales that my DW talked with.