C
Coolgirl
Guest
I can't decide to snorkel or see the ruins - can anyone weigh in? Anyone know of an operator or outfit for either of these above activities that is good and is not a ship excursion?
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L
Little Irene
Guest
Anything we've done has always been through the ship. I don't mind paying more because I feel a bit more secure. That being said...
On our honeymoon we did the Tulum Mayan ruins tour. It was a LONG day but it was really nice. It was extremely hot and there wasn't really any shade where the ruins lay. The tour guides must be immune to the heat because they don't even notice that everyone is peeling away what little layers of clothing they are wearing. I was about to pass out from the heat and we decided to sneak away from the part of the tour early and go down to the beach that the group would be heading to anyway. I hadn't planned on going swimming (so no suit) but after the heat and then seeing the beach, I just went in with my shorts on. This beach was amazing, it had little coves right off the beach and we took pictures from the cliff above with the beach and ruins in the background. If you are into the historical aspect, it's a good tour. But if you don't want to hear a thing at all about the local life pass on it.
The next time we were in Cozumel, we went Scuba diving. Neither of us are certified. We got this crass course and it was a beach dive (enter from the shore - not from a boat). This was incredible, I can say I went scuba diving and I have underwater pictures to prove it!
Depending on your likes and dislikes, both were very enjoyable.
Either way, try your best to go to Poncho's Back Yard for lunch. It's located at the end of the strip in the Shoping Emporium store. THE BEST MEXICAN you will ever have! We plan our excursions around having lunch at this place.
On our honeymoon we did the Tulum Mayan ruins tour. It was a LONG day but it was really nice. It was extremely hot and there wasn't really any shade where the ruins lay. The tour guides must be immune to the heat because they don't even notice that everyone is peeling away what little layers of clothing they are wearing. I was about to pass out from the heat and we decided to sneak away from the part of the tour early and go down to the beach that the group would be heading to anyway. I hadn't planned on going swimming (so no suit) but after the heat and then seeing the beach, I just went in with my shorts on. This beach was amazing, it had little coves right off the beach and we took pictures from the cliff above with the beach and ruins in the background. If you are into the historical aspect, it's a good tour. But if you don't want to hear a thing at all about the local life pass on it.
The next time we were in Cozumel, we went Scuba diving. Neither of us are certified. We got this crass course and it was a beach dive (enter from the shore - not from a boat). This was incredible, I can say I went scuba diving and I have underwater pictures to prove it!
Depending on your likes and dislikes, both were very enjoyable.
Either way, try your best to go to Poncho's Back Yard for lunch. It's located at the end of the strip in the Shoping Emporium store. THE BEST MEXICAN you will ever have! We plan our excursions around having lunch at this place.
C
Coolgirl
Guest
Thanks for the intel. Unfortunately we LOVE both the snorkeling and the history stuff. The fiancee is certified and I am not. I just can;t decide - we are going to see ruins in Guatemala a few days later. . . . .
K
Kinsey
Guest
If you have time to get certified before you go, do it!
Cozumel is one of the best dive sites. Palencar Reef is amazing and really shouldn't be missed. We have also done a drift dive there and it was so relaxing! Papa Hogs is great for organizing something outside of the ship shore excusions and cheaper from what I have heard, however, my husband & I did ours throught the ship the last time and it was great.
I heard many complaints about the ruins tour being hot and no bathrooms and really much too long.
Snorkling I really don't know about but for me diving is so much easier. It seems like you fight the current snorkling and don't get to see as much and after you get down about 10 feet you no longer are fighting the waves and current and the view is simply amazing.
Just my dime's worth.....
~~~K
Cozumel is one of the best dive sites. Palencar Reef is amazing and really shouldn't be missed. We have also done a drift dive there and it was so relaxing! Papa Hogs is great for organizing something outside of the ship shore excusions and cheaper from what I have heard, however, my husband & I did ours throught the ship the last time and it was great.
I heard many complaints about the ruins tour being hot and no bathrooms and really much too long.
Snorkling I really don't know about but for me diving is so much easier. It seems like you fight the current snorkling and don't get to see as much and after you get down about 10 feet you no longer are fighting the waves and current and the view is simply amazing.
Just my dime's worth.....
~~~K
R
Raven
Guest
You might consider going on your own to Chakanaab (sp?) Park. It's a privately owned, well kept up park. There is a nice area in the park with walking paths and recreations of many historical Mayan ruins and items. Even though it wasn't the "real thing", we found it very interesting - especially with all the information given by the guide that takes you through the area (if you ask for a guide). It took us maybe an hour to go thru the whole area, which is outdoors in natural settings. Beach area is very nice and provides some good snorkeling directly offshore. Your expenses are taxi fare, entrance to the park and renting snorkel equipment if you don't have your own. We aren't divers but I believe that dive equipment was available for rent as well. There are clean showers/changing areas available at no extra cost. Lockers for valuables are available at a nominal fee. We snorkeled for 90 minutes, laid back on the beach chaises and had a margarita and then cleaned up and took a taxi back to town for some shopping before walking back to the ship.
C
crzngrl
Guest
If you have the time (you'll need 6 hours in port) try Xcaret. It is the best thing we have ever done in Cozumel. It is dubbed an archaelogical theme park or something along those lines. There are caves to snorkel in (very cool!), there are dolphin swims, lagoons, beaches, restaurants. Take the ferry over from port then a quick taxi ride (total transport time -- 40 minutes). There is a website too http://www.xcaret.org/
J
JohnG
Guest
Chankanaab Nat. Park, approximately 10 minute taxi ride from town. Snorkeling outstanding. Scuba and snorkel rental on beach. Food and drink available on beach. Drinks sometimes attract bees on beach. Changing facilities. Roped off snorkeling area. Dolphin encounter in Park. Great number of fish can be seen within 5 ft. from shore.
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WendyM
Guest
We also LOVED Chankanaab!!!!!!!!!
