Shore Excursions - Cozumel

[ducky0501]

We are first time cruisers trying to decide on our shore excursions for Progreso, Yucatan and Cozumel. For Cozumel, we definately want something that includes snorkeling. We are considering the Exclusive Beach, Speedboat & Snorkeling or Deluxe Sail, Snorkel & Beach Party. Any advice or reviews would be appreciated. Thank you.

[S.E.]

I am sailing to Cozumel soon, and am booking xcaret. I watched videos on youtube, read reviews, and checked out their website. Looks like a great place. They have snorkling, snuba, dolphin swim, shark swim, underground river, manatees, green turtles, pumas and jaguars, lagoon etc. lots to do.

 

45 minute boat ride from cozumel.

 

A lot of people here rave about Nachi Cochum (sp) in Cozumel too.

[mepepere]

We visited xcaret in 2008 and it was wonderful. Not sure about all the other stuff but we did float down a river in life jackets for about one mile; much fun. A great place to visit and well worth the price. Also did some fishing; fun but not productive in terms of catch. haha

[dalitos]

We went to Xcaret when we were vacationing in Cancun (not cruise) and loved it, great park.

As for Snorkeling tours in Cozumel, we did one through RCI in 2007 and really it wasn't good, just a few fish and coral reefs.. nothing too interesting. Maybe some of your other ports are better snorkeling sites.

[FINTUCKYFARMS]

In Cozumel, we did the sea turtle snorkle and beach break. It was actually in Carmen de Playa (about a 45 minute water taxi ride) and was located on the reef. The resort was incredable (would like to go back) and the reef with the turtles and fish was amazing!

[DukeFamily]

First of all - DON'T do excursions with the cruisline - especially in Coz & Progresso. Overpriced, over-crowded, waste of money. You want snorkeling? Contact Tom at Paradise Beach and let him set you up with his friends (professional guides). $50 pp; three stops for snorkeling; beer, soft drinks, fresh fruit platter, then afterwards they deliver you to the dock at Paradise Beach - a GREAT place to hang out, eat, drink, swim, relax, etc. I think they will take as few as four people to book the tour. If you need more people, do as I did and put out the word on your roll call thread. I rounded up a group that way. It was a great excursion; one the kids still talk about.

 

In Progresso, go with AutoProgreso. They run the shuttle bus that takes you down the long pier into town so you will hear all about their tours on that short ride. We just wanted a "fun" day, so we opted for the Reef Club all inclusive. About $40 pp (less for those under 18). Beautiful property; great pool; good food & drinks - all in all a fun day. There are other, more culturally stimulating options, too, and there's always wandering around the outdoor market then water front bars/restaurants right close by.

 

Just don't waste your money with any ship sponsored tours in these ports! Hope that helps!

[S.E.]

Just don't waste your money with any ship sponsored tours in these ports! Hope that helps!

 

There may be exceptions to this, say if you are visiting Tulum, xcaret or another place that requires a long ferry ride to your destination. You may not want to risk it with long excursions like this.

 

I am going on my first cruise in a few months and the funny thing is I booked Cozumel through the ship, but Costa Rica and Panama are independent private tours. :D

[Prphan2]

I am going on my first cruise in a few months and the funny thing is I booked Cozumel through the ship, but Costa Rica and Panama are independent private tours. :D

 

 

In 1 year...yep, I said 1 year:pwe'll be doing the same ports you are. Who and what did you book for Costa Rica and Panama? Thanks!

 

This upcoming cruise we're doing Nachi Cocom in Cozumel to have just a relaxed soaking up the sun kind of day. If we like it, we may just do it again in 2011.

[S.E.]

In 1 year...yep, I said 1 year:pwe'll be doing the same ports you are. Who and what did you book for Costa Rica and Panama? Thanks!

 

This upcoming cruise we're doing Nachi Cocom in Cozumel to have just a relaxed soaking up the sun kind of day. If we like it, we may just do it again in 2011.

 

For Panama, we are going with MyFriendMario. We are going to do the gatun locks, Embra Indian villiage and waterfall. Tour CL007. Here is the website: http://www.myfriendmario.com/

 

In Costa Rica we booked with JJ. After reading rave reviews of him here we went ahead and emailed him. He replied with some great tour options and good prices. All for less than Carnival's excursions.

 

Here is the email I received from him:

 

Tour #1 starts with a visit to the Tortuguero National Park. http://centralamerica.com/cr/parks/motortuguero.htm This is one of the most biologically diverse places in Costa Rica, in essence a zoo in the wild. You will enjoy a one hour flat-form boat cruise as we make our way through the middle of the jungle observing sloths, monkeys, birds, iguanas, crocodiles, orchids and much more..all in their lush natural habitat.

Next we make a stop to sample delicious fresh fruits of the season and then we continue to a banana plantation where I will explain the growing process and exportation of this amazing fruit. We then continue to a cocoa bean farm where you will learn about how this product is grown, packaged and shipped.

The beautiful sandy beach of Playa Bonita invites us next for a swim and/or to enjoy lunch at either of two fine restaurants.

Our tour continues with photo stops at picturesque locations and concludes with a stop for some shopping, including some great bargains on genuine Costa Rican coffee.

This is a four-hour tour and the cost is only $45 per person.

If you wish to add a canopy zip-line adventure, the cost is just $45 extra.

,

Tour #2 takes us to the famous Sloth Sanctuary http://www.slothrescue.org/index.html just a thirty-five minute drive from the pier at Port Limon. Here you will see a short video, visit delightful baby sloths in the nursery and then we will be able to pet some sloths.

On the way back we will make a stop to sample delicious fresh fruits of the season and then we continue to a banana plantation where I will explain the growing process and exportation of this amazing fruit. We then continue to a cocoa bean farm where you will learn about how this product is grown, packaged and shipped.

The beautiful sandy beach of Playa Bonita invites us next for a swim and/or to enjoy lunch at either of two fine restaurants.

This is a four-hour tour and the cost is only $45 per person.

 

Tour #3 is a combination of the Tortuguero National Park tour and the Sloth Sanctuary tour with the other stops as indicated in Tours #1 and #2.

The cost is only $70 per person.

 

 

Tour #4 starts with a visit to the beautiful Cahuita National Park http://www.costaricabureau.com/nationalparks/cahuita.htm , a short forty-five minute drive from Port Limon. Here you will get to enjoy black sand and white sand beaches. All types of water activities are available including snorkeling and scuba diving. Time will remain for a refreshing swim in the clear waters. Later we will walk through a section of rain forest where I give interesting information about the plants and animals there. A nearby restaurant will give you a chance to sample authentic Costa Rican dishes. On our way back we will stop at the banana plantation and the cocoa bean farm.The cost is only

 

$35 a person

 

. TOUR:www.veraguarainforest.com

, VERAGUA RAIN FOREST, AERIAL TRAM, HIKINF TO THE WATER FALLS, AND MORE, + TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PAR K ONE HOUR IN A FLAT FORM BOAT IN THE MIDLE OF THE JUNGLE,+ STOP AT A RESTAURANT ON THE LOCAL BEACH PLAYA BONITA, SO IF YOU WILL LIKE TO BUY LUNCH ARE DRINKS, STOP AT THE VIEW POINT IN PORT LIMON FOR PICTURES , AND AT LATS STOP TO BUY CAFFEE AT THE SUPERMAARKET, THIS TOUR INCLUDED:AIR CONDITION VAN- DRIVER ALL THE FEES- SPECIALIST TOUR GUIDE J.J AND DRINKS, THE TOTAL COST, IS $90 P.P,

TOUR CONDUCTOR IS FREE: if it is a group more than 7pax ,please set this tour on the cruise critic, board tro join more costomers, thanks.

 

Private tours are available for slightly higher rates.

4 Pax air condition 12 pax mini air condition van, 14 pax van and 28 mini deluxery bus.

To sign up for any of my fascinating tours or for more information please contact me at joiner72@hotmail.com

I look forward to hearing from you and having the opportunity to share the beauty of my country with you.

Sincerely,

JJ ,

[Prphan2]

S.E....WOW!!! Thanks for the info! I've copied and saved it in my file for the April 2011 cruise. After reading some reviews of Panama and Costa Rica, I was starting to wonder what we'd do other than stay on the ship. (Not a bad way to spend the day, but we do like to see at least a little bit of the local color.) You're info is a huge help! Thanks again! :)

[S.E.]

Glad I could help. Please don't stay onboard for these countries. I think you will really enjoy getting to explore them. I know I will too. :)