Costa Maya

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BurBunny

Guest
The biggies are two different ruins excursions (one half day to 1 ruin, then a full day which goes to two different excavations), but there are also snorkeling/beach excursions, and I seem to remember things like a bicycle tour, kayak, and there may have even been horseback riding.
 
F

frito

Guest
Was in Costa Maya last week for the first time, due to port change brought on by the storms.
The shore tour choices we had were a "jungle beach break", a couple of 4x4 beach/jungle rides, a bike/kayak adventure and two mayan site tours.
We chose the "Kohunlich" Mayan tour, which is about 6.5 hrs. long. There was road construction almost all the way which added to the time, so if you don't want to ride a bus for several hours through road construction, leave this tour out.. The other Mayan tour is not as long but I THINK it involves going along the same roads so be wary re/ the construction.
I thought the port of Costa Maya looked new and was very nice with a small shopping area. Had I have known about the road construction mess, I would have much rather just relaxed on the ship and spent a couple of hours at the shops.
Good luck and smooth seas.
 
J

Jeff & Susana

Guest
We are looking into a 5 night'r that includes Costa Maya.
RCI offers the following excursions.....


Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
(4-hour narrated tour and experience the ancient Mayan City of Chacchoben)

Mayan Cultural Experience
(a visit to the Museum of Mayan Culture in the capital city of Chetumal and a guided tour of the ancient Mayan City of Oxtankah)

Mayan Explorer
(tour combines a visit to the magnificent Mayan ruins of Dzibanche and Kohunlich)

Jungle Beach Break
(shuttle service to and from the beach, a beach chair, open bar, paddle boats (limited availability) changing rooms and showers)

Costa Maya Beach Snorkel
(newest dive and snorkel destinations on the Mexican coast)

Bike & Boat
(ride and kayak the coast on this bike and kayak adventure)

Dune Buggy Jungle
(you board a Dune Buggy off-road vehicle and set out on a caravan style journey)

Unimog 4 x 4 All Terrain Off Road Expedition
(tour begins as you get into your World War II class S Mercedes Benz Unimog)

Uvero Beach Boat Blast
(behind the wheel of your very own 2-person speedboat)

Catamaran Sail & Snorkel
(reef snorkeling adventure begins when you board a luxurious catamaran)

***Beach Horseback Ride
(take an exciting horseback ride adventure through the natural rural land and along the magnificent coastline)

RCI lists all of the above so I'm sure that others offer the same or similiar trips.
If not it still looks like there are plenty of choices for 'walk-ins'.

Most of the above are 3.5 to 8 hours long. The longer trips do involve a meal and may require a lengthy bus ride.



***If we decide on this RCI cruise we will be booking the horseback ride.
 
H

Hawkeye

Guest
Mike -

Just got our pre-cruise docs a couple of days ago; tour booklet was included. The RCI list is more extensive than what Princess offers.

On our December cruise they are offering the Chacchoben Mayn Ruins (4 hrs), Mayan Explorer (full day, two sites), the Unimog Beach Adventure (4 hrs), Biking and Kayaking Adventure (2 1/2 hrs), and the Uvero Beach Break.

We're going for the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins tour. The history sounds interesting and it doesn't take all day. Will let you know how it was when we get back. Who knows; I might get ambitious enough to put up another web site again.
 
A

Al

Guest
We've been looking, too. We really were interested in the Unimog excursion, but it begins at 7:30 a.m. - no thanks! Much of the other stuff sounds ordinary. I've seen Mayan ruins several times, and they're in the same shape as last year. We live on the water in Florida, so beaches are not a priority. We may do the dune buggy thing - still up in the air. There's a nice little area at the cruise dock, including a pool and several other amenities. We'll probably play this one by ear.
 
N

Natalia

Guest
Chacchoben Ruins were great, in my opinion. I've been to Tulum, and I liked this one better... the jungle surroundings are refreshing and quite beautiful. We really enjoyed this port, even though it isnt as built up as Cozumel or the other ports. Have a great cruise!
 
M

Michele

Guest
Natalia,

Trying to decide if I should do the ruins. How were these better than Tulum?

Michele
 
J

JennW

Guest
Thought I would add my 2 cents in! This is cut and paste from my review.

Costa Maya: This was our favorite port by far! I had read only a few reviews on this and had some input. Do not do the tours from the boat to the ruins! If you walk out and follow the signs to the taxis they have clearly marked signs for the rates, etc.
Majahual $ 5.00
Kohunlich $ 65.00
Chacchoben $ 45.00, the boat wanted $72
All prices are round trip and do not include guides.

The only bummer was that the prices were per person, but still cheaper than the boat. We went to Chacchoben and left around 9am and when we arrived, the tour buses were starting to leave so we had the place to ourselves. The Chacchoben Ruins are situated in a secluded jungle setting. We chose not to have a tour guide, but there were some available if you liked. Our driver were very polite and was learning English, this seemed to be the case for most people so don’t expect much conversation. At the site you could buy water, a few trinkets, etc. There were portapotties and that was about it. Use bug spray for the walk. There weren’t any signs marking for the important sites, but if you follow the paths you will see them. After we went on the trip we went back for lunch at the boat and then went snorkeling to the right of the pier. We saw the most amazing fish we’ve ever seen. You need aquashoes since it is rocky, Weird note: the water got warmer in pockets as you went in so the shallow part was actually the coldest, who knows why! Don’t miss this! Avoid going to the private beaches since there is so much right at the port. We didn’t really look at the shops, but there were a few, but definitely not a big shopping place. The pool with the bar looked nice, but we liked the snorkeling. It ended up raining in the afternoon, but we stayed in the water. Also, there was a free trolley to take you up and down the pier. There were also free shows with colorful costumes to enjoy. This is the first port where so many services have been free, free pools, shows, trolleys, etc.
 
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Chris J.

Guest
We also went to the Chacchoben Mayn Ruins earlier this year and loved it.
I have some pics posted in the gallery under "Monarch March 4th (part 1)".
It was 3 1/2hrs long but we still had plenty of time to "shop" and snorkle right
next to the pier.
 
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