Tulum Ruins Excursion

[ocean134]

Hello all,

I am finally booking my excursions for my upcoming cruise. I am wholly interested in visiting the Tulum Ruins in Cozumel. However, I am looking for some insight.

I note that the excursion is 7-7.5 hours. The DCl website states that once off the ship, we will take a 45 min. Ferry ride and then board a bus which will take us to the Ruins.

How long is the bus ride???

Any other information you can give about this particular excursion is greatly appreciated. I hear the Ruins are amazing but I am concerned about travel time.

Also, is it still safe for Americans to be traveling around there? I know the tour is guided with people who are approved by Disney, but, it does worry me still.

Thank you!

 

[Gigi22]

DH went on the Tulum tour from Cozumel with another cruise line a few years ago. According to his recollection, the bus ride was a couple of hours long. They spent about 2-3 hours at Tulum. Compared to many major Mayan sites, Tulum is not large, and has been thoroughly excavated, so you can see all of it while you are there.

Sorry, can't answer your inquiry about the safety issue. I suggest you check US travel advisories for the area before you book the tour.

 

[SplashMountainManiac]

We did this excursion in March and had a blast. The bus ride is only about 1.5 long. On the way to Tulum they give a bunch of historical information about the site and the Mayan people. On the way back from Tulum, they let you take a Mexican siesta. I highly recommend this excursion. On the safety side of things, this area is not experiencing any higher crime then usual. There is crime everywhere in the world, just take usual precautions and you will be fine. This is a very touristy area, and the Mexican government takes great strides to keep it safe.

 

[sayhello]

One thing, though, to take note of: the ferry crossing can be *very* rough. My cabin mate took this tour and they advised everyone to take Bonine or something before getting on the ferry. She confirmed it was a rough crossing. That said, she said the tour was fabulous!

Sayhello

 

[pixie08]

We did this excursion in 2008 through DCL.

Pros:
1. Tulum is beautiful. While it is not large as say chichen itza, the ruins are well preserved and sit on an aqua colored beach...stunning!
2. The guides were among so of the best we have had on a tour.
3. As mentioned the ruins are easy to tour and not really difficult in terms of hiking or anything, just a lot of walking.

Cons: Being on a bus for 3 hours (round trip) and on a ferry two ways may not be for every body. The total transportation was definitely around 4-5 hours and yes, the ferry was rough.

 

[pixie08]

Some pics...

ferry(it was really rough- I do not want to fool you)

characters

you can get this close..

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Some pics...

ferry(it was really rough- I do not want to fool you)

Good pics, but where are pics of the iguanas?

FWIW: we didn't find the ferry ride rough at all. We found it quite relaxing. We sat up on the top deck in the open air though. If you're used to any type of small boats, you should be fine.

 

[mrp4352]

Good pics, but where are pics of the iguanas?

FWIW: we didn't find the ferry ride rough at all. We found it quite relaxing. We sat up on the top deck in the open air though. If you're used to any type of small boats, you should be fine.

The iguanas are at the ruins - when you get there, you get off the bus at a touristy shopping area, then you board a little tram back to the actual entrance to the ruins. I think I paid $5 US to have my pic with the iguanas.

We did the tour on a windy day and I didn't think the crossing was especially bumpy (although not smooth sailing) but there were a couple of people that made dashes to the on-board facilities... So, if you're more susceptable to quesiness, you might be prepared with bonine.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

The iguanas are at the ruins - when you get there, you get off the bus at a touristy shopping area, then you board a little tram back to the actual entrance to the ruins. I think I paid $5 US to have my pic with the iguanas.

We did the tour on a windy day and I didn't think the crossing was especially bumpy (although not smooth sailing) but there were a couple of people that made dashes to the on-board facilities... So, if you're more susceptable to quesiness, you might be prepared with bonine.

Sorry I was joking about the iguanas as they're everywhere!! We really enjoyed the tour itself, but did find it extremely hot! (September)

The worst part about the tour was the provide "meal". It was a warm (from sitting in the sun) Subway sandwich meal.

 

[ocean134]

This is why I love my Disney family! Someone always has an answer to a question!

Thank you for your input. My sister has a friend who has been to Cozumel and had mentioned that the trip to the ruins is rather lengthy. I just needed to hear from people who have been on this excursion to give me the major details.

The travel time is something to consider for sure. However, I really really really want to see the ruins!

Guess I just have to make an executive decision.

 

[MichaelG]

The boat...all depends on the weather

The crime...highly unlikely. Its safe.

The Ruins & View...great. Don't get sucked into transfering this experience for seeing the ruins on the island of Cozumel. You WILL be disappointed.

Myself in Cozumel...diving & relaxing in a hammock on the other side of the island. I can & have done it for weeks on end.

 

[pjacobi]

I really really really want to see the ruins!

I admire your enthusiasm, but beware that Tulum is more tourist trap than archeological site. Every cruise ship in the Western Caribbean sends a tour group to Tulum. With that many people, everything suffers. Selling water bottles to tourist is suddenly more important than archaeology.

Still, it is a beautiful setting by the ocean. It is worth one trip, but keep your expectations low.

I wonder what the poor Mayan would think if he knew that in 1000 years his sacred city would become a tour trap?


-Paul

 

[AmandaRG]

Thanks for the information. I SO want to go as I am majoring in History and want to teach high school. BUT when we sail, we will have a 3 and a 4 year old and I don't see that bus ride as being fun for them. THANK YOU for helping me resolve this!

 

[pixie08]

The iguanas are at the ruins - when you get there, you get off the bus at a touristy shopping area, then you board a little tram back to the actual entrance to the ruins. I think I paid $5 US to have my pic with the iguanas.

We did the tour on a windy day and I didn't think the crossing was especially bumpy (although not smooth sailing) but there were a couple of people that made dashes to the on-board facilities... So, if you're more susceptable to quesiness, you might be prepared with bonine.

I think it depends on the season. I am used to small boats but they would not even allow people on the top deck. They were handing out bonine and barf bags on the ferry. I just didn't want to deter anyone with that info. I ahve been on many ferries (in europe and US) and this was by far the roughest. People should just have fair warning lol!

 

[pixie08]

I admire your enthusiasm, but beware that Tulum is more tourist trap than archeological site. Every cruise ship in the Western Caribbean sends a tour group to Tulum. With that many people, everything suffers. Selling water bottles to tourist is suddenly more important than archaeology.

Still, it is a beautiful setting by the ocean. It is worth one trip, but keep your expectations low.

I wonder what the poor Mayan would think if he knew that in 1000 years his sacred city would become a tour trap?


-Paul

That's true but could be said for any of the great archeological sites of the world...acropolis, pompeii, coliseum etc.

You make the experience, not the water bottle sellers lol!

 

[Capt_BJ]

Did you ask for a pic of a 'guana?

Did the tour in May

Long trip - ferry plus the bus makes for a long ride; more so on the way back

When it is hot ....it is HOT

'catching a breeze....'

Box lunch was very forgetable

you are no longer allowed to climb the steps . . .

 

[ocean134]

I am loving the pictures! I showed them to my sister last night and we decided that we are going to book the Tulum Ruins excursion, even if the travel is a bit long.

If anyone else has pics to share, I would love to see them!!

 

[KSDisneyDad]

I am loving the pictures! I showed them to my sister last night and we decided that we are going to book the Tulum Ruins excursion, even if the travel is a bit long.

If anyone else has pics to share, I would love to see them!!

Not the best as they were taken with a disposable:

 

[ocean134]

These pictures look great! Not too shabby for a disposable camera! Thank you for sharing them!

 

[lilpooh108]

Wear LOTS of sunscreen. The limestone plus the white sand nearby makes the sun almost blinding over there....and use the restrooms up at the ruins, not down near the shopping center. Much cleaner!