SURPRISE- We're going to Cozumel- HELP with excursion advice!

[hmkenn0]

Okay like everyone I am bummed we aren't doing CC on Dream this week (10/3), but we are going to Cozumel- so...... I need your help.

We don't know how long we will be in Cozumel or what (if any) excursions will be offered. But, if it is the standard Disney ones- any advice on these two-

Cozumel Beach Break- Playa Mia Grand Beach
Cozumel Ruins, Chocolate and Beach Break- Hour at Ruins, 45 min chocolate workshop, 90 min Playa Mia Beach

If there is something else you would suggest let me know! (We have a 6yo, 11yo boys, and I had major surgery 5 weeks ago so nothing very athletic allowed.)

THANKS!!

 

[Disneybridewifemama]

look into nachi cocum in cozumel!

 

[niccikatie]

We do Paradise Beach on our own in Cozumel. VERY easy to get to and pretty inexpensive - especially compared to the cruise line excursions. If you want a beach day, I highly recommend it.

 

[mareed]

We do Paradise Beach on our own in Cozumel. VERY easy to get to and pretty inexpensive - especially compared to the cruise line excursions. If you want a beach day, I highly recommend it.

We also like Paradise Beach and have done it for probably half of my cruises listed below because most of them went to Cozumel. Cozumel is so incredibly easy to do your own thing because taxis are lined up with prices to all the different places listed on a board. When it's time to return, they're lined up again at the various beach clubs to take you back to the port. You can see at http://www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com/. The thing that really impresses me is the level of maintenance and cleanliness there - it's as close to Disney standards as I think you'll find at Cozumel. It's pay as you go which is better for us since we're not big drinkers or eaters.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Not sure how long you will be there, but we did Mr. Sanchos and booked through them last year on a cruise. We did the all inclusive and it was the BEST day.

 

[timrousbeastie]

Okay like everyone I am bummed we aren't doing CC on Dream this week (10/3), but we are going to Cozumel- so...... I need your help.

We don't know how long we will be in Cozumel or what (if any) excursions will be offered. But, if it is the standard Disney ones- any advice on these two-

Cozumel Beach Break- Playa Mia Grand Beach
Cozumel Ruins, Chocolate and Beach Break- Hour at Ruins, 45 min chocolate workshop, 90 min Playa Mia Beach

If there is something else you would suggest let me know! (We have a 6yo, 11yo boys, and I had major surgery 5 weeks ago so nothing very athletic allowed.)

THANKS!!

I'd go for the beach, especially given the ages of your kids. We've been to Cozumel with DCL twice and have a 3rd visit coming up next month, but, despite being interested in history, I've avoided the ruins after reading lots of reviews on other sites. On the other hand, the beaches are fantastic. Good luck, hopefully Matthew will move north quickly so the rain bands will have passed when you arrive!

 

[My2Qtz0205]

We loved Playa Mia!

 

[hmkenn0]

Paradise beach looks awesome and cheaper (by far) than the Disney excursions!

You guys are a "pre-planners" favorite (especially when forced to last minute plan)!

 

[hmkenn0]

I'd go for the beach, especially given the ages of your kids. We've been to Cozumel with DCL twice and have a 3rd visit coming up next month, but, despite being interested in history, I've avoided the ruins after reading lots of reviews on other sites. On the other hand, the beaches are fantastic. Good luck, hopefully Matthew will move north quickly so the rain bands will have passed when you arrive!

I am worried about getting back on Friday, especially given where the forecast now has the storm Friday at 8am- yikes!
But, I will try not to think about it whilst at the beach!!!

 

[niccikatie]

We also like Paradise Beach and have done it for probably half of my cruises listed below because most of them went to Cozumel. Cozumel is so incredibly easy to do your own thing because taxis are lined up with prices to all the different places listed on a board. When it's time to return, they're lined up again at the various beach clubs to take you back to the port. You can see at http://www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com/. The thing that really impresses me is the level of maintenance and cleanliness there - it's as close to Disney standards as I think you'll find at Cozumel. It's pay as you go which is better for us since we're not big drinkers or eaters.

Yes! It is SO clean - the bathroom/changing facilities are pretty darn impressive for Mexico. The staff is very friendly and the taxis are very easy to take to/from the beach club. We found the food tasty and drinks reasonable. The portions are pretty large, so keep that in mind, too. Plus you get chair service at the beach and the pool.

Paradise beach looks awesome and cheaper (by far) than the Disney excursions!

You guys are a "pre-planners" favorite (especially when forced to last minute plan)!

It really is as inexpensive as you'd like it to be. When we went with Celebrity we had 8 people - Four adult women, two 16 year olds, one 17 year old and a 10 year old. We spent about $300 total on food and drink (including a pretty generous tip) and were there for about four hours. We all ate individual meals and drank several drinks. It was about $90 to get in and buy the inflatables/activities wrist bands for the kids. The cab (van) for 8 was about $30 each way, I think it was about double the cost of a regular cab? So, about $450 total divide that by 8 and you get about $57 per person, including transportation, food, drink, tips and activities.

When we went just the three of us - DH, me, DD (now 11) we spent about $150 to get in, eat, drink and wrist bands for two. The cab was about $30 total so $180 all in which was about $60 per person.

It looks like Playa Mia through DCL is $72pp for adults and $62pp for 3-9. I must tell you that was ate and drank quite a bit and could have really kept costs down if we didn't drink as much. We also really loved the chair service as opposed to the idea of going to a buffet. If you're into have a few drinks, if you buy the souvenir yard glass they gave us refills at the standard size drink price. Beware, though, my 10 year old didn't understand why I didn't think that the yard glass was an appropriate show-and-tell souvenir

 

[Trera]

look into nachi cocum in cozumel!

Another vote for nachi. Great quiet beach day that is not crowded for filled with inflatable water slides.

 

[CinderellaDreamer]

I just did Playa Mia with DCL two weeks ago with my 11 year old daughter. We really enjoyed it. If you are going to pre-book the excursion, then I would go ahead and do it through Disney in case you don't actually make it to Cozumel due to weather. If you are going to just go once you get into port, then you will be fine. Private bookings do not typically refund you if the cruise doesn't make it.

We really enjoyed Playa Mia. It was just the two of us, but I felt very safe with the transport and while we were there. There was a lot for her to do even without me. I sat in my chair on the beach and watched her make the swim out to the play area/water trampoline. (It is quite a ways out there; but they do provide swim vests for all going out there.) We enjoyed the buffet (quite a good selection) and the free drinks. We both had a couple of virgin pina coladas and a lot of soda. We also enjoyed the free water craft usage - we each got a kayak and a water bicycle. It was a protected area that we paddled around in. The water was very clear and very nice place to swim. They had some great shopping at the property also. I wish we had had a little more time to enjoy it all. The water play area was closed while we were there for painting. I don't know if it has opened again already. It would be awesome for your 6 year old. I thought it was a very nice excursion for the money. I liked having the 'insurance' of booking it through disney in case of cancellation also.

I had originally booked the chocolate, ruins, and beach break, but changed my mind after reading someone's review who said they wished they had just done the beach. I agree as you wouldn't have enough time to really enjoy all that there is there if you only had 90 minutes. It is also terribly hot on the chocolate and ruins tour.

Whatever you decide, I hope that you have a fun time!

 

[SanDiegoSteph]

We actually did the Cozumel Amazing Race (directly through the vendor at amazingcozumelrace dot comm). It was HANDS-DOWN the highlight of our cruise as it was so much fun and let us really enjoy the city for the several hours we were there. Totally off base from the ideas you are throwing around, but just wanted to share that it was really worth it if you are willing to consider some other options. They run it everyday except Sundays...

 

[aggiedog]

Another vote for Paradise beach. It's a great, easy, cost effective family destination.