Tulum Ruins?

[SeaSpray]

Originally posted by Michelemouse
The calendar is about the size of an 8 x 10 photograph. It is actually a book that opens up and explains a bit about the calendar and the symbols used. Then there is a piece of paper (sort of like parchment...we were told it is made the same way that the Mayans used to make paper) with your special date and your name on it. We chose the date of our trip to Tulum. All of these things were inside a cloth bag. It is a very nice souvenir and I thought it was well worth the $25 cost.

Thanks, Michele This sounds nice, I hope they still do this by the time we go on the cruise next summer

 

[CanadianCruiser]

We stayed at Playacar (The Reef Club) a number of years ago. You could see the ships heading to Cozumel from the beach plus the ferries that went to and fro from Playacar to Cozumel. It was nice being near Playacar since the main bus station there headed to all the places on a regular schedule. The bus station is like a 3 minute walk from the dock.

For the adventurous, the prices for the third class bus tickets (I think those were the cheapest) was like $1.50 or something one way. It was amazingly cheap! They just dropped us off roadside to the entrances of each place we wanted to visit and on the way back just picked us up along side the road again. It's very easy and convenient. Tulum takes about a half an hour bus drive from Playacar if I remember right.

I also recommend going for a full day or even half a day to Xel Ha waterpark. It's a really beautiful place to go snorkelling or to check out the dolphins. They rent every thing from floatation devices, flippers to snorkel vests there so you don't even need to know how to swim to enjoy the tropical fish that hang out in the lagoon. There's a really wobbly floating bridge that traverses the lagoon's opening to the sea that's fun to walk across.

Tulum is nice and has once of the most scenic beaches that contrasts nicely next to the jagged rocks. They always show it on travel shows and advertisements on TV. The beach area is a little smaller than one might expect, but it's nice. The water is also a little rough so most people don't swim too much there it seems. Be sure to wear sunscreen since the sun's really strong there plus there's no shelter from the sun.

If you get a chance or see an excursion, go to Chichen Itza. That's where the big Mayan pyramid plus ball court are. I actually liked CI much better than Tulum mainly because of the impressive pyramid. It's quite fun to walk up and down the stairs.

 

[SeaSpray]

Where exactly is Chichen Itza?? Anywhere near Tulum? Maybe that's what I've seen, the ads where people are climbing up a pyramid-type building. Does anyone know if there are excursions to Chichen Itza??

 

[Michelemouse]

Unfortunately Chichen Itza is too far a trip for a day excursion from Cozumel.

 

[cozumelinsider]

As a cruise ship passenger docking in Cozumel this is actually one of the easier tours to do on your own if you like because it simply involves taking the ferry over and then hiring a driver to take you to Tulum. Usually that same driver will want to stay and take you back as well afterwards even offering to let you do some shopping stops along the way between Playa and Cozumel. The critical element to watch is always time...just remember to allow 1 hour for the ferry ride and then 1 hour for the taxi [taxis are faster than buses] EACH WAY. Chances are you will get more actual time at the ruins with this approach. All that being said however, there are many pluses to simply doing the ship excursion ~ as others have said, if there are delays for some reason with the ship excursion allowances will be made for your return to the ship.

Tulum is a fascinating ruin site that has recently begun enforcing protective/preservation procedures which should be respected. While it is disappointing that one can no longer climb the ruins as in the old days, I think preservation is key to ensuring future generations get to understand/learn more of the Mayan culture. Have fun and enjoy your time in our region!!

 

[CanadianCruiser]

Cozumel is pretty much directly east off the coast of Playacar. From Playacar, Tulum is about 30-40 minutes by bus directly south. Xel Ha is in between Playacar and Tulum about 10-15 minutes south of Playacar. I also think there's another waterpark called Xcaret along the way too. Cancun is about 30 minutes directly north of Playacar if I remember right. Don't quote me on times here since it's been about 4 years since I've been there!

Chichen Itza is about 3 hours northwest of Playacar by van so it's definitely a full day kind of trip. 6 hours travelling doesn't give you much time to get back to a cruiseship! It's probably best to do if you ever go to Cancun or Playacar again while staying in a resort there. I think we had to leave pretty early to get to Chichen Itza (the pyramid is called El Castillo I think) with a decent amount of time exploring the pyramid and ruins, have lunch, go swim in a big sinkhole near Chichen Itza, and return to the resort in the evening.

It's definitely worth checking out if you're in the area with a bit of time though since it's quite impressive to see the work the Mayans did in the jungle there plus if you've seen "El Dorado" (oops sorry not a Disney movie!) it's neat to see the "ball court" where the game was really played.

 

[il-gander]

Can anyone tell me how strenuous the DCL excursion to the Ruins really is? It says "Not recommended for children under 8" on the web site, and we will be travelling with our DDs 7 and 11. DD11 has her heart set on this excursion, but I want to make sure it isn't too much for DD7. Any opinions?

Carla

 

[CanadianCruiser]

Strenuous? I wonder why there's that disclaimer on there. Basically it would be a ferry ride to Playacar, then likely a chartered bus down to the ruins which are about 30 minutes away. There is a shuttle from the bus stop to the ruins entrance I think or you can walk, but it might be a bit much for little kids so the shuttle is recommended. Tulum itself is just a wide open walled little town with some rough terrain of rocks mixed with grass land. I don't think you can push a stroller around the grass/rocky areas.

Just be careful to help and watch the kids as some of the climbs up the small hills can be a little daunting. You don't have to go up the hill if you don't want to. It's just a nice view of the beach and the coast line. There's not much to see up there except some more ruins. My wife was 3 months pregnant when we checked out Tulum so maybe that might give you a little idea of how safe it is.

 

[Michelemouse]

Your 7yo should be just fine. I'm guessing the "strenuous" notation has to do with the terrain at the ruins themselves. The paths are dirt and a bit rocky. Also, if you want to walk to the beach area it is a winding, uphill, rocky walk. It's a fairly easy walk, but wheelchairs and people with ambulatory problems might have some trouble, IMO.


Also, the ferry docks in Playa del Carmen. I'm not sure if Playacar is another location or not, but Playa del Carmen is the town where we got the bus.

 

[CanadianCruiser]

Ooops! Sorry, yes it's Playa Del Carmen where the ferry docks. Playacar is where all the resort hotels are located - about a 15 minute walk south of PDC.

 

[ELIJAH'S GRANDPA]

We were on the 12/6 cruise and enjoyed the Tulum tour. Our guide made the time on the bus go by fast with his talking of the ruins, the Native Americans, the history of Mexico, etc. We wore our suits under our clothes and after changed in the restrooms right before the entrance to the ruins.