Our Cozumel Day!

[Trekker]

Help please!

For our day in Cozumel we are considering 3 different excursions.

Can someone please helpus decide what to do?

We either want to see some of the ruins or we are considering horseback riding.

Has anyone done the Mayan Frontier Hourseback riding tour? if so please tell us about it.

If we decide not to horseback ride but instead want to do the ruins tour should we do the Tulum Ruins and Beach Tour or the Cozumel Ruins and Beach tour and why?

Thanks for your help!

 

[zurgswife]

Hey Trekker.....

I just got back and here is my advice....

ALL of the Horseback riding places looked like the horses were in less then great health...very skinny.....Ask Cozumel Sally her advice...but I think I would pass...

My girlfriends did the Tulum ruins and thought it was wonderful.

I ended up renting a jeep (stay with the larger AVIS, HERTZ agencies the jeeps were in better shape) $80 for the day. We found some wonderful beaches and visited the ruins on the island San Gervision $5.50, Chen Rio was a small quaint beach with food/beer service and bathroom. I hear Sally prefers Mr Sanchos for a larger beach with activities...

If I go back i think I'll stick with renting a jeep and finding the quaint beaches and then going mini golfing at Sally's

Good luck and have a wonderful trip..

Kimball

 

[atigeg]

We did the horseback riding excursion, and it was EXCELLENT! I Have a full report on my website in my latest trip report, but I'll give a quickie description here. I have owned horses for over 20 years (I still have 2), and I always take a good look at the horses at any barns where we ride. At this one, they were in good health, with a healthy weight. The only minor detail I noticed were that some were ready to have their shoes replaced. After the ride, I was even more impressed when one of the guys put on a show for us with two trick horses (my favorite part was the Spanish Walk). He said that he studied natural horsemanship in the U.S. and used it to train them...that really made me happy, as it is a method based on trust and speaking through body language rather than abusing the animal. The ride passes ruins (some real and some recreated), and you will even get to canter a couple of times. Then, at the end, you have a drink and watch the horse show. Finally, one of the horses lies down and actually stays that way while everyone gets a chance to take a photo with him! I highly recommend this excursion.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[zurgswife]

Barb....

Glad to hear the excursion horses were healthy.....I just saw a number of riding places as we drove around the island....just assumed they were the same...glad to hear they are not....


Go for the ride Trekker...it sounds wonderful...

 

[Coz_Minigolf_Sally]

I have heard mixed reviews on the condition of horses in Cozumel. I guess it depend on the outfit you go with. I'm glad to hear that some are being well cared for.

As for beaches, I prefer Mr. Sancho's, San Francisco and Nachi Cocom over Playa Sol, simply because of the entry fee Playa Sol charges. Not necessary in my opinion. HOWEVER, if you are renting a car, I would definitely head to the other side of the island and plunk down at either Chen Rio or Playa Bonita. Also plan on stopping at Coconuts for a drink, possibly an order of shrimp fajitas, and the spectacular view. Make sure you do swim ONLY at the established beach clubs, as the currents can be quite deadly and you may find yourself on an unscheduled tour of Cuba...

Hope that helps!

Minigolf Sally
Cozumel Putting Course

 

[Coz_Minigolf_Sally]

I'll also add that the decision will be helped immensely if you purchase a Cozumel map online from:

cancunmap.com

It's an investment that's well worth it, loaded with photos, descriptions and recommendations.

Minigolf Sally
Cozumel Putting Course

 

[atigeg]

I'm sure that the horse care is mixed...when we were at Xcaret when sailing on RCCL, they had a horseback riding stable there and the horses were very skinny and had very harsh bits, considering that they were being ridden by tourists who probably have heavy hands. It made me cringe! I was so glad that Disney picked a good stable...ironically, the name is Buena Vista Ranch. And when they started talking about natural horsemanship, I was doubly pleased! But I'm sure there are other places like the stable at Xcaret too.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Trekker]

Hey - thanks everyone!

Sally,

My DW does not swim and really does not enjoy the beach. Is there someplace that the kids and I could go to the beach and DW could go nearby and shop for a few hours?

What are the Cozumel Ruins like versus the Tulum Ruins?

Also - are we better off to rent a vehicle and tour on our own - or to take one of the DCL shore excursions?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Coz_Minigolf_Sally]

Because there really isn't good shopping near the beaches, I would definitely consider renting a vehicle. That way you can drop your husband off to shop and take the car to the beach, or you can have him drop you at the beach and give him the flexibility of the car. While you are at the beach he can explore Cozumel and then show you his best finds when you re-group.

Whether or not to take the ship's excursions is up to you. Everything can be done for less money on your own, it just requires a little research and planning. With a ship excursion, you just follow everyone else, no worries. Personally, I more of an adventurer and prefer to customize my port days!

Minigolf Sally
Cozumel Putting Course

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Sally,

What are the options for renting a car within walking distance of the Punta Langosta pier? Of those options, is there anyone you especially recommend or anyone we should avoid?

 

[Coz_Minigolf_Sally]

I know Hertz has an office about 3 blocks south of Punta Langosta pier. Walking south means the ocean is on your right. I haven't heard anything bad about them. There are probably others, but nothing comes to mind at the moment. You can probably find something less expensive if you shop around, but Hertz is pretty reliable.

Minigolf Sally
Cozumel Putting Course