Poll, returners from Costa Maya, help please!

[abitjaded]

Please, help all of us figure out what to do in Costa Maya. Add details please, after you vote. I'll keep the poll bumped as long as it takes to get a consensus.

Carla

 

[MarcyIn Florida]

We did our own thing and had a BLAST -- very relaxing day and my kids loved the pool.

 

[goin'cruisin']

We went on the Jungle Beach Break and had a good time. Ivan had damaged the area, but they did a great job repairing it in a hurry for the tourists. They repaired the bar and floors that had been damaged. They said that there had been about 90% damage, but it all looked fine to us now. The only problem was nature itself and they were doing what they could to take care of that as fast as they could. The sea grass that had been ripped up by the hurricane made the water smell when you stepped on it. We still had a great time playing in the sand and using the kayaks and paddleboats. There was also a pier where you could go out a bit further in the water and jump off into water that wasn't so ugly from the sea grass.

Our girls got their hair braided there and DH had a massage ($30 for 30 minutes) that he said was good. There was also an open bar and unlike other places we have been to it wasn't watered down drinks.

I got some beautiful pictures of the beach and water as we left. I will try to post some when we get back home. We are at Beach Club Villas in WDW for another week now.

 

[Mjasp]

We just went to the end of the pier, where there is a salt water pool and beach where you can go for free. Also, there is a little shopping village there around the pool and then live entertainment comes out and puts on a show around the pool area, all for free.

Our friends went into the beach at the pier and said the water was incredible, I went in the pool. It was like CC in a sense as we were the only ship there so the only people in the pool and beach were DCLers.

 

[HeidiHo]

We were on the Crazy 9/25 (9/27) Magic. We did our own thing by taking the taxi (5 dollars round trip) to Mahahual (5 minutes) and went to the beach there. It was the best! We rented snorkling gear for 10 dollars and has a FREE shade hut. The kids played in the water and had a blast.
After we returned, we walked by the pool area. There really was no comparison. Our place was BEAUTIFUL, no crowds, any kind of drink you wanted. Just LOVELY. It beat Cozumel by a mile. Did I mention that there is a wonderful breeze at the beach that you just don't get at the pool. I couldn't believe the difference. It is like night and day. Anyway, it was wonderful, the snorkling was absolutely incredible, all out fun.

 

[Mjasp]

Heidiho...Another family we were with also took a cab about 5 minutes away and loved the beach they were at. They said the people there were asking for their towels in exchange for a bracelet that they had for sale, they also gave them free Corona's just for telling people to come to their beach. Where they were they also waverunners. Did they have them where you were?

 

[jjgarv]

HeidiHo,
Good to hear some encouraging news about Costa Maya! Was Mahahual the name of the beach? Where did you ask the taxi driver to drop you off? Did that beach have food/drinks/snacks? Any waverunners for rent? Sorry for all the questions! We're traveling with a large family group (including grandparents and lots of kids) and want a nice beach area for kids and adults alike.

Thanks for you info!

Jennifer

 

[abitjaded]

Anyone take a ruins tour? Snorkel expedition? Snorkel from the beach?

Carla

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

We took the tour to the Chacchoben ruins and thought it was fantastic. We were in a very nice, air conditioned bus with a restroom. We had a very knowledgeable guide (Dora) who led us around the ruins for 1 1/2 hours or so. The kids thought it was great as they love Indiana Jones. Very easy walk (unless you wanted to climb the steep steps to an upper platform where 2 structures are located). Beautiful trees & plants. They gave glasses of free beer and pepsis on the way home. VERY fairly priced excursion. I wouldn't attempt this one on my own as the ride is an hour away and you do go through military checkpoints (my Spanish is just asi-asi) PLUS, you wouldn't have the guide to show you around and explain Mayan history. The trip started around 8:30 and we returned around 1:30. It's not Chichen Itza in size or Wow-Factor but we found the excursion well worth it!

After the ruins, we took a van to Mahahual from the port. Was $9 for myself, DH, DS (age 8) and DD (age 5). They didn't charge for her. The little seaside village looked like a movie set with thatched huts lining the beach. We sat at a table, enjoyed a few Sol beers and some yummy chicken fajitas while the kids went into the water up to their thighs. There were jet skiiers and a banana boat where we were sitting although I do not know if they were for rent. We took a taxi back and it was $8 (they charged $2 pp). I will say that the vendors on the street do approach you but a firm, yet polite, "no, gracias" will turn them away. However, I didn't find them any more pushy than vendors on the New Jersey boardwalks.

It was very refreshing to visit another country where the first thing you see isn't a Carlos and Charlies or Hard Rock Cafe! We thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jamie

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Anyone know anything about the horseback riding there?

 

[abitjaded]

Jamie, did you book your trip ahead with DCL or at the pier?

Carla

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

We booked the ruins trip with DCL. It was $59 for adults and $40something for the kids. If you'd like more info., please feel free to PM me.

Jamie

 

[invaderzim]

My DH, DD and I did the Chacchoben Ruins. It turned out to be the highlight of our trip.

The buses are modern, air conditioned and very plush. Our Tour Guide was excellent. He spoke on the bus for the whole hour, pointing out houses and schools and points of interest. The rest rooms at the site were extremely well taken care of and clean. They had vendors who had some beautiful handmade items. Some wanted more than others -- so be sure to shop all the tables before you buy something.

The ruins tour itself lasted over an hour and was very informative. The ruins themselves are breathtaking. Every time we turned a corner, the temples just seemed to get bigger and bigger.

At the end, they give you time to shop and then on the bus they passed out free soda and beer. (FYI -- you should bring snacks to eat on the way back. There is no food there and we were hungry. We had crackers and granola bars).

We booked it through DCL and were very pleased with the organization. We got back by 1 p.m. -- so there was time to go into town and do other things.

Also -- the pier is very long and there are free trams that take you back and forth to the ship.

 

[SeaSpray]

I voted for "Did our own thing and enjoyed it". Since Costa Maya was an unscheduled stop for us, we hadn't planned on going there, so we decided to just get off the ship and explore the dock area. Like others have said, the area right at the end of the dock was very cute. A little circular shopping area right on the egde of the water, with a pool and bar, lounge chairs, wading pools (picture fountains in a city, where you can just climb in and play in the water), stores (Diamonds International, Tanzanite International) and shops, and a central area where we saw entertainers, dancers, a mule ride (just like a pony ride, except with a mule, it was cute). As soon as you get off the tram which takes you from the ship to the end of the dock, there are a couple of cute photo ops, such as a miniature Mayan pyramid, and a Mayan character that you can pose with. We probably spent only about an hour or two walking around this area before heading back to the ship. I didn't realize that there was a place to swim right there at the dock when we got off the ship, so we went back to the ship and spent the rest of the day at the adults pool
We are going back to Costa Maya on our Aug. 19th, 2006 cruise, and we'll probably do some kind of excursion. When we were in Cozumel we took the excursion to the Tulum ruins, but I'd still like to see the ruins at Chacchoben. From the pictures I've seen, it looks like a totally different setting than the ruins at Tulum. (ocean-front, not many trees compared to being in the jungle).
We also enjoyed walking around Costa Maya for that time because we didn't have the opportunity to walk around Cozumel much, because of the Tulum excursions. We would've had the time, but by the time we got back from the ruins, we were sweaty and tired and didn't want to walk around much.

Hope this info is helpful

 

[invaderzim]

SeaSpray My DH and DD did the Tulum Ruins also. He did say that they were a totally different experience heat-wise. Tulum was much bigger, but on top of a hill in the blazing sun with no relief. The Chacchoben Ruins were all throughout the jungle. And while it was hot, there was shade and a slight breeze.

 

[Wavegirl]

There is horseback riding on http://costamayacruiseexcursions.com for $35 US. This company is posted on cruisecritic and looks like its had good reviews so far. I think they are the only independent company booking trips there so far. I guess its a really new port.

The prices look better then most and they have snorkeling tours and there own beach break and a few other tours that look good too

 

[scottygirl]

For those of you who did the Chacchoben Ruins, what is your opinion on this excursion for 8 and 10 year olds? It looks interesting to me, but are the kids going to be bored out of their minds? We are on the Nov 6 Western and although we have not been official told that we are not going to Grand Cayman, I am not holding my breath! I am trying to get prepared for a visit to Costa Maya instead. Thanks!

 

[fourfoxesinpa]

My kids are 8 and almost 6 and both enjoyed it. Our tour guide was named Dora and they thought it was funny that she was Dora the Explorer. She has a 6 year old son so she did a nice job asking the kids to come up front when she explained things, asked them to find nuts on the ground to make music with while she played a flute/whistle in the jungle. They enjoyed climbing the steps to the pyramids and seeing bats in the trees. I guess it all depends on the guide and how he or she can cater to the little ones.

 

[BriarfoxinWA]

We were on the 3/29/03 cruise that had an unscheduled and 1st ever stop at Costa Maya. We elected to just check out the shops on our own. Didn't do any kind of excursion since the weather at that time wasn't very good - very windy and rainy. We had a good time and did spend some $$ on some inexpensive jewelery.

The only excitment for us was a rather large great white shark that was cruising around the pier made me glad it was too cold for us to do any swimming....

 

[moocow35]

I am so glad to be reading these positive reports. I was getting nervous reading the other thread. Thanks everyone!

Robin