Mayan ruins on our own?

[nbsjcruiser]

We'd love to do a Mayan tour when we're in Belize. The tours offered through the Valor seem pricey to me and I was wondering if anyone had used a local tour operator to have a morning tour of the Mayan ruins, either in Altan Ha or some other place. I'd be interested to know the price and, of course, to know your experiences with the tour operator.

 

Thanks a lot

Mike

[crewsweeper]

You may wish to contact Island Marketing among other independent operators.

 

http://www.belizecruiseexcursions.com/BelizeMayanRuins.htm

 

They seem top have a decent reputation. Just be advised that their tours may or may not be able to accommodate the port times for your ship. Plus you run the risk of delays for many reasons which might cause you to miss your last tender. Island marketing should be aware of ship schedules, but just verify all the information with the tour operator before booking. One rule of thumb is to add one hour for every 3 hours listed on a tour just to give a time buffer. So think of a 4 hour tour as taking 5 - 5 1/2 hours. Likewise, a 6-7 hour tour, plan on 8 to 8 1/2 hours. If you can't be back at the tender pier with time to spare before the last tender, don't book. Your ship may reach Belize City at 9 AM but it may be 10 or 10:30 before you get ashore on a tender, assuming those with ship booked excursions get first call to tenders. If your ship says the last tender leaves at 4PM, Altun Ha would just be doable "on your own" assuming again that the tour company leaves rightafter you reach the pier.