Xcaret and Stingray City

[vacationqueen]

We have these two excursions booked for the June 8th cruise...................anyone on 5/11 go here. I still have time to cancel.

 

[Psiklops]

We took the Island Tour & Snorkeling with the Stingrays. It was EXCELLENT. I'll have more details in my trip report (when I finally get around to writing it), but we visited the Turtle Farm, Hell, and then Stingray City.

The water was a little cool, but you get used to it. The guide caught one of the Stingrays and let us hold it for pictures. They pretty much just swim around you, bumping into you occassionally (many screams were heard when this happens). The only things you have to be careful about is not stepping on them and feeding them properly if you choose to do so (otherwise they will bite - just hurts a bit, but doesn't break the skin). DW just stood there a watched while snorkeling and I fed them a bit.

It was a GREAT experience and the shore excursion is one I would DEFINATELY do again.

- Jim

 

[jennifersmith23]

Hi vacationqueen...

I actually did both excursion and here is my opinion...

Definately do Stingray City...It was quite fascinating. I would recommend doing one of the tours so you can see more of the island. THat was my only regret in Grand Caymen is that the Captain Marvins 2 hour tour was the ONLY thing we did in Grand Caymen. I wish we would've gotten to see the Turtle Farm and stuff...

As for Xcaret...It is a nice park, but to be honest I did not find it worth the price of the excursion. They only give you 4 hours there which is barely enough time for anything. THe guide gives you an hour long tour of the ruins, and butterfly farm...the underground lagoon takes an hour, lunch takes half an hour soooo...we didn't even have time to see the Aquarium...If I had it to do again, I think I would go to Chankanaab...It is closer and I think it would have been a little more fun. You should definately make your own choice though...I have a few pictures from Xcaret that I will post on my trip report when complete along with a few more details of my journey...

Hope this info helped...

 

[vacationqueen]

Thanks Jim and Jennifer...........Sounds like we will keep the Stingray City for sure. I may look into other tours as well. We are doing the Disney Stingray excursion so we will be back early enough to do other things. The excursion desk rep that I talked with strongly discouraged the turtle farm and Hell so that is why I opted for just Stingray city. I guess everyone has their own opinion

Now you have me curious between Xcaret and Chankanaab. I may further research that.

You have both helped so much. I am counting the days.

Thanks again.

 

[GOOFY D]

Someone please give me more infor about the feeding the Stingrays excursion. Will my 9 year old enjoy or be terrified of the stingrays? Is there a chance to get "stung?" Do you have to be a good swimmer or is it somewhat shallow?

 

[WDVeteran_15]

The following web site may answer some of your questions on Sting Ray City. A friend of mine went here during spring break and her teenage boys had a blast. The webpage talks about the feeding, but from what I gather one would hold the food in a "closed fist" fashion between the fingers and let the ray swim over the top of your hand. It sounds like they essentially "suck" the food out of your hand. I also got the impression that the water is only about 3-4' deep due to the rays being in an area that's essentially a sandbar. Good luck!

http://www.cayman.org/divesite/stingray.htm

 

[ZenBuddha]

Hi v-queen....

I agree with Jennifer... Stingray City is a must... the 2 hour trip is more than enough thru Capt Marvins... although my other half was too chicken to jump in with the rays... you know who you are, andicoco It is extremely safe... the rays are like tame dogs... the crew just asks that you don't jump and freak out while you're in the water with them... and once you've fed them, they're your pals ... great photo ops...

As for killing a few more hours in Cayman, take a cab to Seven Mile Beach to chill out... the beach is uncrowded and beautiful...

Cheaper and alot for fun in Cozumel if you rent a Jeep and ride over to Playa Sol... 35 bux for adults gets you food, open bar , pool and beach privs, a zoo and alot of other stuff... I found Coz to be a pretty impoverished place, so I'd recommend going 15 mins out of town to Playa... very clean... By the way..... kids cost 6 bux....

Have a great crooooooooze