Tours in Cozumel

[dewyandkitt]

We are going to be in Cozumel in July of this year aboard the Carnival Triumph. Looks like we are going to be docked there all day (7am to midnight)

Does anyone have any info or recommendations on tours there. I would like to visit the Mayan ruins, but my daughter really wants to do the dolphin encounter at Chankanaab (sp) park. We also have a 6 year old - not sure how he would do on the Mayan ruins trip - the ones I've found that the cruise ship offers seem to be 7-8 hrs long. What about Xcaret park vs Chankanaab - Xcaret also seems to have a dolphin encounter.

As you can see, I need HELP!!!!!

Thanks in advance.

 

[dlc]

were going down in april and from what ive found out if you book through the cruiseline you will pay double also the mayan ruins on horseback has a minimum age of 12. The dolphin encounter at chakanaab park is suppose to be good for all ages and also chakanaab has a nice beach-lagoon for snorkeling ect..

 

[Natalia]

The Tulum ruins tours do in fact take up a BIG part of your day. I thought they were great, but would a 6 year old? I just dont know. Its a rough ferry ride over, then a lengthy bus ride. I have heard great things about Chankanaab Park, although I have not been there yet, next time. Kids would probably enjoy the dolphins more, but I think that also costs more that the ruins.

 

[kujobie]

We did Chankanaab and Mr.Sanchos on our last trip there and I would not miss either. Here is my post under Victory?cozumel in the Carnival board

"Rent a car and go to Chankanaab park 5 minutes from pier. $10 per person adult, $5 per child, but well worth it, there is a reef right off shore, superb snorkelling. Chairs, umbrellas free, go right away though, it gets crowded. Equipment rental, food, drink, etc. is available on the beach. There is a dolphin swim there but it's like $120. If you rent a car, continue the same direction and circle the island, it's absolutely beautiful, you'll be pulling over every 5 minutes to take pictures. Most people miss out on this b'cuz they take a ship excursion or just hit one of the beaches and then go to Carlos and Charlies and get plastered. It's well worth renting a car, most major brand names are there-Budget, Hertz, etc. It's only $30-$40 to rent a small car for the day. Here's an interesting tidbit. If you rent a car, you'll probably get a VW Beetle. 90% of the cars on the island are Beetles. So I had to ask, and here's the deal. They stopped selling the old rear engine beetles in the US in the mid-70's but continued producing and selling them in Mexico until a couple years ago. So' if you rent a car, you will be driving a late model Beetle-not the new ones, but the rear engine kind like the one my crazy aunt Sally used to sell dope out of in the 70's. It's like you're in a time warp. This was a thrill for me, but I'm a VW fanatic."

I did not mention Mr. Sanchos in that post, but it is awesome. Free beach access, as most of the beach clubs are, as well as swimming pool, showers, changing areas, etc. The guacamole is awesome! The bar stools are swings. It's too cool! We had 13 and 15 yr olds at the time too. With a group of 4, you MUST follow my advice. It is the best, and cheapest, way to enjoy this island. If/when I go back, I will do the same thing. I have heard a lot of good about Paradise Beach but have never done that. On our first trip there, we just taxied into downtown and shopped and ate at Panco's backyard, very good food as well. But we didn't have the kids then. Have fun. Cozumel is my favorite port, but grand cayman is cool, too. Don't miss swimming with the stingrays if you go there, even if you hafta book thru the ship. Your kids will never forget it. E-mail me at kujobie@yahoo.com if any questions.

 

[Camelia]

Xcaret vs Chankanaab - we have done both, and while Xcaret is an awesome place, it takes a while to get there, while Chankanaab is a short cab ride you can do on your own and save a lot of money. To get to Xcaret you need to take the 40-minute boat ride to the mainland, and with the choppy waters some of us, including me, lost our breakfast overboard, and then a short busride. We took the Carnival tour to Xcaret, and didn't feel we had enough time at Xcaret, maybe 3 1/2 hours, but since that place is so big and there is so much to do, we didn't even see it all.