Thinking about Altun Ha

[MLW070]

Going on Conquest in October and trying to decide which tour to take to see the Ruins. We have three kids ages 6, 9 and 11, so for five of us it can be expensive for some of the options. But mostly wanting to be safe and make it back to the ship.

[jaxfl]

Going on Conquest in October and trying to decide which tour to take to see the Ruins. We have three kids ages 6, 9 and 11, so for five of us it can be expensive for some of the options. But mostly wanting to be safe and make it back to the ship.

 

From what I understand if you are on a SHIP SPONSORED tour, the ship will wait for you or arrange that you get to the next port on them. Beats having to handle a late arrival back and not making the ship.

[CaribbeanBound]

This is indeed one of the very few ports where we took a ship-sponsored tour for fear of not getting back in time --- and it paid off. We were over one hour late and the ship waited for all of us.

[jaxfl]

This is indeed one of the very few ports where we took a ship-sponsored tour for fear of not getting back in time --- and it paid off. We were over one hour late and the ship waited for all of us.

 

 

You don't know how good that makes me feel....:)

[wantocruisemore]

I think due to the distance from port to ruins in Belize we will reserve a Carnival tour for peace of mind. Now we just need to decide between bus & Xunantunich or Altum Ha and boat ride.

 

Since we've been to Chitzen Itza (back when you could climb) as well as Tulum and Uxmal, we're leaning to the boat ride although the site seems smaller.

[histo217]

My husband and I will be on the Dream in September. We booked a local that has very good service named Nacho. His wife does it will him. Offers a great private package!

[wantocruisemore]

We went ahead and reserved Altum Ha & River Wallace tour through the ship.

 

Ordinarily we always go private or DIY, but the peace of mind is worth the extra money.

 

Also, on a side note, 3 yrs. ago we used a Carnival excursion to Uxmal instead of going the cheaper private co. We were so glad we did. We got whisked there in record time, did not have to wait for a private bus to fill, and got 1 1/2 hrs. More at the site.

[jaxfl]

We went ahead and reserved Altum Ha & River Wallace tour through the ship also it is just that the tour is so long and so much can go wrong. We will be there a month after you so when you get back you must post a review with the good, bad and ugly.

 

:)

[wantocruisemore]

We went ahead and reserved Altum Ha & River Wallace tour through the ship also it is just that the tour is so long and so much can go wrong. We will be there a month after you so when you get back you must post a review with the good, bad and ugly.

 

:)

 

Will do!

[Whimsy88]

Tantra1 - We booked an independent tour back in 07 with David and Ivan (I think they are now Native Choice - both licensed tour guides) to tour the ruins at Chacchoben - it was a phenomenal tour! David grew up the in village at the ruins and had great insight into the Mayan history and surrounding area. He stopped en route at "Pineapple Town" and purchased fresh local pineapple with chili powder as a snack for the entire tour group (yummy) and showed us portions of the ruins that cruise tours were herded right past.

 

We also did Altun Ha and the River Wallace combo tour off the Carnival Triumph in 2011 (bus to the ruins and boat down the river back to port). That was also a great choice. Interesting, walkable (and climb-able) ruins in a beautiful small site. The boat on the river was fun - we saw howler monkeys, crocodiles, birds, bats and manatee. Once you clear the mouth of the river and head into the open water to go back to port, they crank up the engines, which was a blast (my 5 year old laughed like a maniac as soon as we starting bouncing across the wakes).

[beyond2k]

This give me an idea on how to cover the cost of this trip....:D bring extra bugg spray and sell it to the others for $10 a squirt....:eek:

 

Anyway we are also doing the Altun Ha Mayan Site & River Wallace tour in October as a Carnival tour. Even with 10 hours in port this is suppose to be a 7 hour tour using a bus and boat so there could be mechanical problems and I for one would like to see the ship still waiting for me when we get back to the dock...:D and NO RUNNING.

 

When in October are you doing this tour? We are on the Dream October 26th

[jaxfl]

When in October are you doing this tour? We are on the Dream October 26th

 

 

WOW really, we are on the same ship.... Have you been to the Carnival Dream Roll call for this cruisse? Here is a link...http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1707765 Yes there are 51 pages of posts and about 70 folks that are posting and going to the meet & greet. We are also hold a small get together at teh Raddison Hotel were a bunch of us are staying.

[beyond2k]

WOW really, we are on the same ship.... Have you been to the Carnival Dream Roll call for this cruisse? Here is a link...http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1707765 Yes there are 51 pages of posts and about 70 folks that are posting and going to the meet & greet. We are also hold a small get together at teh Raddison Hotel were a bunch of us are staying.

 

We arent much for gatherings like that but maybe we can meet up and get together seeing we will be on the same ship and excursion. I'm a photographer and hoping to get some good shots on that tour.

[jaxfl]

We arent much for gatherings like that but maybe we can meet up and get together seeing we will be on the same ship and excursion. I'm a photographer and hoping to get some good shots on that tour.

 

I am good with that. If you read thru some of the posts at the "roll call" there are about another 6 folks from the ship going on the same tour.

 

As a photographer this should be great for you. Do you snorkel or dive also? We are Snorkeling in Cozumel off the beach at Sunset Beach and in Roatan at West Bay Beach next to the reef area. They should both be great for photos....

[beyond2k]

I am good with that. If you read thru some of the posts at the "roll call" there are about another 6 folks from the ship going on the same tour.

 

As a photographer this should be great for you. Do you snorkel or dive also? We are Snorkeling in Cozumel off the beach at Sunset Beach and in Roatan at West Bay Beach next to the reef area. They should both be great for photos....

 

I sent you a friend request. maybe we can continue by email. I don't snorkel or dive (my wife doesn't swim). In Cozumel we are doing NACHI COCOM. My brother-in-law and his wife will be on the cruise with us and we are surprising them with this part. In roatan i am hiring a guide to take us around so i can get some good photos (show me the stuff nobody else wants to see type thing :) ).

[jaxfl]

so i can get some good photos (show me the stuff nobody else wants to see type thing :) ).

 

OK You are accepted. My youngest son also loves to take photos of things no one else would think of taking and then mixes them into other pictures he has (somehow) and makes great looking shots. In Vietnam last year he had folks stopping on the streets to watch him take pictures of windows and cracks in plaster.

[beyond2k]

OK You are accepted. My youngest son also loves to take photos of things no one else would think of taking and then mixes them into other pictures he has (somehow) and makes great looking shots. In Vietnam last year he had folks stopping on the streets to watch him take pictures of windows and cracks in plaster.

 

Still cant figure out how to send you a private message.

[jaxfl]

Still cant figure out how to send you a private message.

 

I also see nothing on how to do it. :mad: maybe someone will jump in here and tell us.

[bguppies]

I also see nothing on how to do it. :mad: maybe someone will jump in here and tell us.

 

PMing is disabled on Cruise Critic...

 

Sorry.

 

Bill

[jaxfl]

PMing is disabled on Cruise Critic...

 

Sorry.

 

Bill

 

Well what good is friending someone then? Just asking.

[beyond2k]

Well what good is friending someone then? Just asking.

 

send me an email Jaxfl:

auctionseller2k at hotmail dot com

 

I'll reply with my real email address that has "photography" in it.

 

Thanks,

Phil

[bguppies]

Well what good is friending someone then? Just asking.

You got me...

 

I don't make the rules here... LOL...

 

Just letting you know, so you guys don't waste time hunting for the PM button.

 

Bill

[jaxfl]

You got me...

 

I don't make the rules here... LOL...

 

Just letting you know, so you guys don't waste time hunting for the PM button.

 

Bill

 

Thanks we have moved to emails now ... :)

 

This is the first forum that I have belonges to that doesnot have a PM button. Just saying. I know you don't make the rules but YOU HAVE PULL on this site..:D and 3,701 posts.

[We-R-Off]

Here is a nice description of the differences between the 3 ruins offered by the cruiselines, I found in a thread in here.

 

Belize Mayan Ruins Comparison

 

This question about which ruins to see in Belize comes up frequently, thus it might be appropriate to settle this question. I have been studying Maya archeology, history, and culture off and on for about 20 years (just as an enthusiast, not as a professional) and have travelled to various Mayan sites many times, including the three sites in Belize to which the cruise lines sent their passengers. We have visited these three sites in November 2011. Several notes:

 

(1) The Ancient Maya have lived throughout the entire area of what is now Belize, and one can find archeological evidence everywhere. There are hundreds of sites of various archeological quality and significance throughout the whole country. Of these hundreds of sites, there are about 5 major sites in Belize: Altun Ha, Lamanai, Xunantunich, Caracol, and Lubaantun.

 

(2) When it comes to picking Ancient Maya sites for Belize, the cruise lines did an excellent jobs in selecting the appropriate ones. All three sites (i.e., Altun Ha, Lamanai, and Xunantunich) that the cruise ships picked are major sites for Belize. There are dozens of smaller sites that are just as close or closer to the ship, that the cruise lines have correctly ignored. This can’t be said for site selections in, for example, Cozumel, where the cruise lines offer excursions to even some third rate archeological sites, from which cruise passengers invariably come back disappointed.

 

(3) All three sites that cruise ship excursions visit in Belize have been partially excavated, and pyramids have been consolidated (i.e., rebuilt by archeologists).

You and your kids are able to climb pyramids and other structures on all three sites. A few portions of pyramids are off limits, but generally there are no official restrictions on climbing on structures.

This is not like Chichen Itza where climbing is forbidden, or Tulum, where everything is roped off and people are herded on crushed gravel walkways. Whether the excursion guides will allow you to do so (for liability reasons) is another question.

 

(4) The sizes of the three sites are comparable. All have multiple pyramids to climb. None of them are huge (like Chichen Itza or Copan or Tikal), and within a few hours you will see pretty much the whole site. It is also not so small like so many of the sites in Puuc Hills. I have no idea how long the excursion last, but guidebooks that specialize in visiting Mayan sites, and which I have found to have good estimates, recommend spending 1.5 hrs in Altun Ha, 2 hrs in Xunantunich, and 3 hrs in Lamanai.

 

(5) If you are looking to take photos of your family members or friends each standing on a different distant pyramid, then go to Altun Ha or Xunantunich. Specifically, if you are looking to put your friends on different pyramids across a wide field of view, then Altun Ha is best; if you are looking to put your friends on different structures in a row, then Xunantunich is best.

 

(6) If you are looking for an overgrowth of a jungle, then Lamanai is the best.

The pyramids in Altun Ha and Xunantunich are around plazas of lawn.

On the other hand walking between structures in Lamanai the paths generally wind through a jungle (except for one open plaza, P2). The nice thing about walking in a jungle is that you are walking in a shade. If you are visiting from a cruise ship, you will be visiting the site during the hottest part of the day, thus walking in a shade does make a big difference.

 

(7) If you are looking to climb a tall pyramid, go to Xunantunich or Lamanai. El Castillo (structure A-6) in Xunantunich measures 127 feet. El Castillo (structure N10-43) in Lamanai measures 108 feet. Though the Lamanai’s El Castillo is a little bit shorter than the one in Xunantunich, it appears higher from the ground, because you have to climb straight up holding onto a chain as you climb. El Castillo in Xunantunich is easier to climb for people who are afraid of heights. However, because of the vast grassy plaza in front of El Castillo in Xunantunich, when you are at the top, it does appear that you are significantly higher than from El Castillo in Lamanai which is most surrounded by treetops. (The tallest pyramid in Altun Ha is Temple of the Masonry Altars with 59 feet).

 

(8) If you want to include in your excursion a visit to unconsolidated and overgrown structures where tourists generally do not wander, where your kids can feel like Indiana Jones, and where you can see how the structures looked like before archeologists consolidated them, then go to Xunantunich or Lamanai. In Xunantunich there is a path leading westward from the southern edge of the ball court for about 500 feet to about 7 structure of “middle class residences” called “Group B”. In Lamanai there is a path heading further north from the Mask Temple looping around a huge unexcavated, unconsolidated “Structure P9-25” (it is about 90x110 meters, reaching heights of 28 meters, making the most massive structure in Lamanai). Note that P9-25 is not on most tour books (except for Lonely Planet) and not on maps posted on the bulletin boards at the entrance to the site. It will take more time to go off to hike to P9-25 in Lamanai, then to hike to Group B in Xunantunich.

 

(9) If you are looking for the best way of getting to the site, go to Lamanai. All or a portion of the trip to Lamanai is on a speedboat on a river. This is generally the preferred way of getting to Lamanai. You’ll see monkeys getting into the boat, and you’ll see crocodiles, etc.

 

(10) If you are looking for the closest site to Belize City, go to Altun Ha. However, about half of the road from Belize City to the turn off to Altun Ha is on an old potholed road.

 

(11) The road from Belize City to Xunantunich, is fast, goes through a picturesque country, but it is a long drive. You are essentially going across the whole country, almost into Guatemala.

 

In summary, I don’t think that you can go wrong with either Lamanai, or Xunantunich, or Altun Ha; all have plusses and minuses, all are very good sites, but none is a world-class site. I hope that this has helped.

 

 

Hope that helps a bit.

 

We are cruising in March with Celebrity & considering Lamanai or Altun Ha.

If we do Lamanai we'd definitely take the ships tour but it is very expensive.

 

We were considering Tulum with the ship? My question is whether to do Lamanai with the ship & skip Tulum (it'd be too expensive to do both) or do Altun Ha with an independent company & Tulum with the ship or Lamanai with the ship & look for something else to do in Cozumel.

 

Thanks

[wantocruisemore]

We are cruising in March with Celebrity & considering Lamanai or Altun Ha.

If we do Lamanai we'd definitely take the ships tour but it is very expensive.

 

We were considering Tulum with the ship? My question is whether to do Lamanai with the ship & skip Tulum (it'd be too expensive to do both) or do Altun Ha with an independent company & Tulum with the ship or Lamanai with the ship & look for something else to do in Cozumel.

 

Thanks

 

If you really want some good ruins that you can climb, don't go to Tulum. We were disappointed in them, although the view to the sea is gorgeous.

 

Although we've never been to Lamanai or Altum Ha, we are doing Atum Ha next week. Our cruise line did not do Lamanai as a ship excursion and that's why we decided against them. Lamanai looks better if you do a search. It's just too long a trip to chance with a private vendor for us. If our ship did it as an excursion, we would likely choose it.

 

Ruins that are over an hour away are the only times we use a ship's excursion. Otherwise we do private or DIY.

 

Personally, I would do the ship to Lamanai ( with the realization it will be a long day) and then just DIY to something in Cozumel.