Cozumel: Tulum "Express" RCI

[vtcruiser]

Hey folks. I thought, as a first poster, to give some info based on my recent (1/13 Mariner of the Seas) excursion to the Tulum Ruins. I have to say, this became my LEAST FAVORITE excursion due to the fact it is TOO FAR FROM PORT!!! We ended up first on a busy and slow moving ferry across to the peninsula. Then we hoofed it (no time for shopping) in Playa del Carme to get to a bus. That bus ride took a good hour or so with one stop to shop at a gift shop. The ruins itself became a very fast walk through (with guides) just to get back on the bus for "snack food" and then the ferry ride back. Although the ferry does NOT drop you off where you started so you need to THEN take a cab to the port!!

All the travel was NOT worth it. I highly recommend you not do this one unless you feel you MUST see the Tulum ruins. Otherwise, I recommend also that RCI remove this from the list until they find a closer port (possibly on the peninsula itself).

 

[pasvorto]

I concur. We went there last year. First, after the boat to Playa De Carma, we had to walk at least 10 blocks to get to the bus. The bus stopped at a souvenier shop. The driver said there were no bathrooms at the ruins. BS! We stayed at the gift shop for about an hour! When we got to the ruins we were herded to an entrance area. We were told that we had to stay with our guide. We went in and the guide was very long winded. Afther the 2nd stop, my wife and I took off on our own. There was just not enough time to spend listening to him. We only had about an hour at the ruins! You could not go up on any of the buildings (because of graffitti we were told). The paths were roped off and you had to stay on the paths.

When the bus got back to Playa De carma, we had the long walk back to the shuttle boats. The day was very, very windy. We were told that the shuttles might quit running and we would not be able to get back to the ship. They took us back, but it was an EXCITING ride! My wife thought we might tip over a couple times. Yee-haw!

I might go to the ruins again, but not as a "guided" tour. I would take local transportation and not have the souvineir stop and more time to roam the ruins.

 

[spoheating]

I concur with all of the above. Also did not enjoy the ferry ride (all those mops and buckets are there for a reason! THis is not a stable craft!) at all. Love the ruins, and beach at Tulum. Would never recommend this as a shore excursion.