Tulum, Chichen Itza or Coba Ruins, which do I choose?

[kahliasmom]

Tulum and beach sounds nice. Doesn't sound like much travel time besides the ferry. Sounds like there is much to see. I don't think you are provided with a guide at the site. The beach break and buffet sound nice.

 

Chichen Itza is listed as one of the 7 wonders of the world, making it sound like something I don't want to miss. However, there is 6 hours of travel time to get there. Says it 10 hour and 15min tour but we are only in port for 9 hours. Don't think there is a guide on the bus, there is no mention of it in the description, also no guide mentioned to escort you at the site.

 

Coba Ruins sounds appealing. There is a guide on the bus as well as at the site. Then there is a pre-Hispanic show and lunch in a cavern.

 

As I'm listing the pros and cons of each here, Coba sounds like the one I would like the best, but I do like the opportunity to go to the beach at Tulum. I think that Chichen Itza may be too long of a ride for dd10. Has anyone been on any of these tours? What did you think? Was the long drive to Chichen Itza worth it? How is the pre-Hispanic show and lunch at Coba? How was the experience at Tulum? Is there a lot of interesting things to see and explore? How is the beach break and buffet? Thank you.

Edited February 13, 2012 by kahliasmom

[newbiecruiser09]

We have never been but are wanting to do ruins in Dec. I think the length of time to get to Chichen Itza makes it not worth it (if you can even do it being in port for only 9 hours) since most of the time is on a bus. We also have a DD9 and don't think the longer travel will be good for anyone. Have also heard that the ferry ride can be a bit choppy (to say the least from what I've read). Really torn as we would like to do Tulum but concerned about the travel/seasickness. May just stay on Cozumel and do some of the local ruins on the island and save the others for when we go on a land trip.

[kahliasmom]

Oh thanks for the feedback on the ferry. I did not realize it was so bad, though I should have realized that is was something to worry about as it is mentioned in each of the tours descriptions. In high school, I went on a trip to Italy. We went from Sorrento to the island of Capri. The ferry ride there wasn't so bad, but because of storms it was a bit rocky on the way back. I was ok, so I wouldn't be worried about taking the ferry here. Dd10 is a different story, however.

[T&JCruisers]

We did Chichen Itza in 2011. It is a long ride. The ferry wasn't that bad. The ruins are now closed so to speak. You are not allowed insde the structures, you can only walk around the outside of them. This was a huge disappointment. We were on a RC sponsored tour and we had a guide on our bus and there are guides at the ruins. We were late getting back and the ship was waiting for us. I would not do this trip unless it was thru RC.

[sherilyn70]

I just did Chichen Itza on Thursday. It's about 4 hours there and 4 hours back (3 hours on a bus and 40 on a ferry boat). We only had about 1.5 to 2 hours there. The guide was great and he gave us a fairly complete tour... however in the end we weren't sure if we really felt it had been worth all of that travel time for such a short experience there. I didn't feel like I got to see or explore enough. It is amazing to see it and I will be uploading pictures from it soon but I think we both agreed (being history lovers) that we probably would have been better doing Tulum instead. Even for two people that are 40ish it was a lot of travel time to tolerate in a charter bus.

[seaofwonder]

We just did Tulum and it was a disappointment. 45 minutes each way on the ferry + about 1 hour each way on the bus. Your guide will give you a brief overview (not good enough IMO) and then give you about an hour to wander around. The ruins are closed off.

 

Compared to ruins we visited while at Costa Maya we were really disappointed.

 

I would say that in total you spent about 3.5-4 hours traveling and about 90 minutes at the ruins.

 

The "free" box lunch was quite pathetic as well.

[ChipLondon]

Chicken Pizza was always our favourite.

[birdylady]

Hi,

 

We did Tulum in April 2011. Let me preface this with - I am the one that always has to wear a sea sick patch. But the ferry, or as my hubby refers to it ' Barf rocket', was horrible. We had to wonder how bad it was going to be when we got on the ferry we noticed garbage cannisters every few aisles. Within about 10 minutes after we pulled away from the pier the crew started handing out plastic barf bags to everyone. How I was able to hold on, we have no idea. But believe me, there were plenty of people that couldn't. When we got to the mainland, many of us were wondering how we were gonna be able to make it back. To be fair, the ride back wasn't even close to as a rough a ride. But the ride back wasn't packed either so we were able to spread out to get some air ciculation. Needless to say, we NEVER Want to take that ferry again.

 

As far as tulum is concerned, when we got there, the first thing they do is take you in the the big shop and try the hard sell on everything. NO matter where you walk in the shop some one comes over and asks if they can show you anything.

 

Then after we left the shop, in the 'square' (or whatever you call it) there were performers in cosutme. IF you try to take a picture of them, they come over and tell you that you have to pay them.

 

You can pay for a round trip shuttle ride to the entrance of the ruins (we did) or you can walk. Our bus tour operator offered large golf umbrellas to shield us from the sun. ONce we got to the ruins (interesting as it was) after about 15 minutes (using the umbrellas) I had to go back. I felt like i was going to pass out from heat stroke.

 

This all said, i wish I could have seen the whole ruins, but luckily hubby was able to hold out so he showed me the pictures.

 

Not to scare you, but I REALLY wish someone had warned us. The tour description sure didn't. THat all said, hopefully one of the other ruins might be a better tour to consider (don't know, but I would hope they couldn't be worse than Tulum)

 

Erika

[Mark_K]

It's not cheap, but there's an non-RCL excursion to Chichen Itza by plane that's really nice. We left Cozumel around 9:00-9:30 and were back before 3:00PM. You fly to/from Chichen Itza International in a small plane, they have transportation to/from the ruins, and a private tour guide at the ruins. I wouldn't recommend it any other way.

[39august]

If your cruise includes either Costa Maya or Belize City, the Mayan ruins from each port are only about an hour bus ride away. There are both private and ship tours in each of these ports.

[bus man]

I must be the exception, but when I rode the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen (on the way to Tulum), I had no trouble whatsoever. It didn't feel any rougher to me than any other boat ride.

 

You don't say when you're going (or maybe I just missed it), but any of the ruins are going to be hot in the summer. Tulum does not have much shade, so by all means wear a hat. I can't speak to the other two. If you're going to Costa Maya or Belize, I second 39august's suggestion, and visit the ruins there. Both of them that I visited (Chacchoben and Lamanai, respectively) were more interesting than Tulum, and much more heavily shaded as well. (Not that I'm knocking Tulum, because I felt it was definitely worth it.)

 

If you think this is the only time you'll ever get to see Mayan ruins, than I think that Tulum is well worth a visit.

[sherilyn70]

I must be the exception, but when I rode the ferry from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen (on the way to Tulum), I had no trouble whatsoever. It didn't feel any rougher to me than any other boat ride.

 

Same here, we had no problems with the ferry ride over to Playa del Carmen.

[teddie]

Both Chichen Itza and Tulum are remarkable ruins to visit. We visited both during land vacations in Mexico, leaving from Cancun.

 

Tulum is visually beautiful, and there is a lovely beach on the site. It's HOT, HOT, HOT; there is very little shade. Bring bottled water, hat, and sunblock, and wear sturdy shoes.

 

You don't need to go "inside" the ruins at Chichen Itza to appreciate them. It is a huge, spread-out area, with many fantastic elements, and the history that goes with it is very interesting.

 

That being said, I would NOT visit Chichen Itza during a port of call stop. The ride is looong, with not much to see along the way. On our tour, we stopped midway both directions for much-needed breaks--one for lunch, and one for shopping. It was an all-day excursion, and very tiring.

 

I would stick with the Tulum tour if you would really like to visit ruins, although I would have a tough time on the "barf rocket", as described below. As far as the hawking in the shopping areas, we always say "No, Gracias", and continue walking.

 

Whatever you choose, have a great cruise!

 

Teddie

Edited February 13, 2012 by teddie

[elou]

I've been to all ruins in Belize, Costa Maya and Tulum. Believe me, no place is as great as Chichen Itza. True, a long ride, but well worth it. The other places can't hold anything like it . Take it with the cruise line though. Too far on your own.

[12marshall]

My family and I did the Tulum ruins tour (through RCI) and it was great.

The tour at the time included a great lunch and beach time in Tulum.

The tour also included a guide that we had for the entire trip including the bus ride.

It was quite fantastic and had no problems with the ferry or shopping.

We never felt like there was a hard sell...in fact we though there wasn't much to the shopping area and just briefly browsed it.

 

I think it's funny how different people see things.

The ruins themselves were spectacular and afforded many great photos of my family. :D

Edited February 13, 2012 by 12marshall

[sail2sea]

Which port has a Royal sponsored Chichen Itza excursion? I can't find it under Cozumel.

[ERTHDOG]

It's not cheap, but there's an non-RCL excursion to Chichen Itza by plane that's really nice. We left Cozumel around 9:00-9:30 and were back before 3:00PM. You fly to/from Chichen Itza International in a small plane, they have transportation to/from the ruins, and a private tour guide at the ruins. I wouldn't recommend it any other way.

 

i second this:)

 

chichen itza is one of my favorite excursions of all time , we did it by plane also ,although it was many years ago:cool:

 

the plane was a teeny tiny puddle jumper , if that matters to anyone:o

 

dave

[seaofwonder]

No problems with the ferry either :-) It put me to sleep on the way back! We didn't go through a shop either.

[sherilyn70]

Which port has a Royal sponsored Chichen Itza excursion? I can't find it under Cozumel.

 

I just did it from Cozumel on the Oasis Thursday... so I can say it's definitely currently offered. It requires a long dock time to do it so I would imagine that not all ships offer it.

[Lafleurfamily]

Tulum and beach sounds nice. Doesn't sound like much travel time besides the ferry. Sounds like there is much to see. I don't think you are provided with a guide at the site. The beach break and buffet sound nice.

 

Chichen Itza is listed as one of the 7 wonders of the world, making it sound like something I don't want to miss. However, there is 6 hours of travel time to get there. Says it 10 hour and 15min tour but we are only in port for 9 hours. Don't think there is a guide on the bus, there is no mention of it in the description, also no guide mentioned to escort you at the site.

 

Coba Ruins sounds appealing. There is a guide on the bus as well as at the site. Then there is a pre-Hispanic show and lunch in a cavern.

 

As I'm listing the pros and cons of each here, Coba sounds like the one I would like the best, but I do like the opportunity to go to the beach at Tulum. I think that Chichen Itza may be too long of a ride for dd10. Has anyone been on any of these tours? What did you think? Was the long drive to Chichen Itza worth it? How is the pre-Hispanic show and lunch at Coba? How was the experience at Tulum? Is there a lot of interesting things to see and explore? How is the beach break and buffet? Thank you.

 

We did Chichen Itza several years back while on the Disney Magic, but we flew there from Cozumel. We hired a pilot and a small twin-engine for just us and our two kids (then 7 and 9). It didn't come cheap (about a $1200 treat) but we still talk about it to this very day. They say when life comes to an end, you regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did...well, I have never regretted that ticket price or the memories of seeing my kids climb the main pyramid or explore the ball court. Since then, they have closed the pyramid because there had been some falls by tourists...to know that we all climbed to the top and touched stones once touched by Mayans is something else. From what I've heard and read Tulum is nothing comapred to Chichen Itza. As for Coba, I have no opinion. Google private charters to Chichen Itza...

[kahliasmom]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies. I enjoyed reading your post birdylady and your use of the phrase barf rocket. I'm sorry you had such a rough ride. Chartering a plane sounds great but I don't think it is something I could budget for. Is there anyone that has been to Coba?

[billieholiday]

i was twicew in tulum the first time it was great but the second time it was too much lines so you can not walk around like you want. so make the best choice you can think.

 

once in tulum is more then enough.

[read52]

We were in Chichen Itza a few years ago when RCCL went into Progresso. It was a two hour bus trip there and two hours back. It was worth the time and money because it will probably be the only time I get to see it.

Edited February 14, 2012 by read52

[birdylady]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies. I enjoyed reading your post birdylady and your use of the phrase barf rocket. I'm sorry you had such a rough ride. Chartering a plane sounds great but I don't think it is something I could budget for. Is there anyone that has been to Coba?

 

Glad you liked my review. Looking back at my post and others, it appears that perhaps the ferry has good days and definitely not so good days. But based on our experience and that they were immediately handing out bags, I would say they know that there are some very rough trips to be had. I didn't want to sound like someone that is never happy, but I did want to be honest. Had I known how bad it could be (and was for us), I probably would have not taken this excursion. Which is interesting since long before I ever cruised, I wanted to cruise to be able to see Mayan ruins.

 

As long as you're aware of how the ferry can be and how hot it was (for us) at the ruins and you are prepared, then I think the ruins can be a great experience. And I certainly wouldn't let the shopping hard sell (that we got) stop you from choosing this tour.

 

Erika

[Javacruiser]

Went to Coba last month on a Carnival excursion. It was very interesting but I have not been to others to compare. You can't go inside but you can climb over 100 steps on one of the larger pyramids structures. The ferry ride was rough but tolerable and the bus ride was fairly long but our guide was very good in giving us history. We ended up spending about 2 hours there which was very interesting but not nearly enough time