Shore Excursions for Epic Western Carribean

[Elaineh]

I will be traveling with my family on the February 16th sailing on the Epic. I am hoping to get some feedback on shore excursions in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Cozumel, Mexico and Costa Maya, Mexico.

 

My children's ages are DS 17, DS 14, DD 13 and DS 11

 

Any information from people who have been to these ports will be greatly appreciated...

[bguppies]

Almost every excursion in Ocho Rios will do something, then Dunn's River Falls...

Ocho Rios is our LEAST favorite port in the Caribbean.

DEFINITELY do a ship's excursion.

We rarely do ship's excursions and 99% of the time, book independently.

But Ocho Rios was the first time, we experienced locals, physically trying to separate DW and I, when we told them we were NOT interested in their cab ride, personal excursion, whatever.

1) we will NEVER book another cruise to Ocho Rios.

2) if we get rerouted there due to storm, etc.. we will DEFINITELY book a ship excursion.

 

Costa Maya has a nice, new, pier area, with swimming pool and other activities right there.

Mayan Ruins (smaller ones) nearby, that are easily booked, through ship or independently.

http://www.chacchobenruins.com/

You can also take an inexpensive cab ride into the nearby town and enjoy a day at a beach, with a bar and restaurant right there on the beach.

http://sandalsandskis.com/Tropicante.html

http://costamayacruiseexcursions.com/CostaMayaBeach.htm

 

Cozumel is one of my favorite ports in the Caribbean.

So much to do, for every activity people might enjoy.

There are beach clubs for every taste of beach day. (they all lay on the same stretch of beach, south of the cruise piers)

 

Nachi Cocum is our favorite beach club, as they limit it to 100 people per day and it is a QUIET, Corona commercial kind of day. (more adult)

 

Mr. Sanchos is similar, with no limits on people and a more lively atmosphere. (has floating toys)

 

Playa Mia has large kiddie pools and waterslides, right on the beach. (has floating toys in ocean, besides the slides and large kiddie pools)

 

Chankanaab is a park, with Doplhin swims on site and a rockier beach, with better shore snorkeling, if anyone in your family enjoys shore snorkeling.

(all of the other parks, offer additional snorkel excursions out to the nearby reefs, where the fish are)

 

Paradise Beach is the cheapest to get in and has floating water toys for the kids and a nice size pool.

 

http://www.travelnotes.cc/cozumel/links/mapisland.php

http://www.cozumelnachicocom.com/

http://www.mrsanchos.com/mr_sanchos/home.htm

http://www.playamiacozumel.com/

http://www.cozumel-watersports.com/excursions/playamiadaypass.html

http://www.cozumelparks.com/

http://www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com/

 

Other beach club options.

http://www.moneybarbeachclub.com/

http://www.isla-pasion.com/all-inclusive-beach-tour-cozumel.html

http://www.playa-azul.com/eng/beach-club.cfm

http://www.buceopalancar.com/index_en.html

http://www.playauvas.com/

http://www.stingraybeach.com/

 

You also have the rougher beaches on the eastern side of the island, where it is still less developed, where it is free. (but rougher surf)

 

There are speedboat excursions, dune buggy excursions, subs and glass bottom boats, etc... everything for someone. (and lots of the best shopping in the Western Caribbean)

http://www.cometocozumel.com/activities/atlantis.asp

 

Hope these links get you started on your search..

 

Bill

Edited January 23, 2014 by bguppies

[VideoTech]

I will be traveling with my family on the February 16th sailing on the Epic. I am hoping to get some feedback on shore excursions in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Cozumel, Mexico and Costa Maya, Mexico.

 

My children's ages are DS 17, DS 14, DD 13 and DS 11

 

Any information from people who have been to these ports will be greatly appreciated...

 

Have done the Western Caribbean itinerary, in it's many forms, many times.

 

Ocho Rios: Dunn's River Falls is the biggie here. Your kids will have a lot of fun climbing the rocky falls from the beach. You can also go to the "Green Grotto" which is a cool walk-through cave tour, that ends in a beautiful green lake down below the surface. Note that this is a tour for active people - there are several narrow ladders to negotiate on your way up and down.

 

Costa Maya: This is pretty much a beach day port, unless you want to do Mayan ruins, in which case this is the easiest port to do them from. You won't get to the famous Mayan ruins sites, but getting to some ruins from Costa Maya isn't an all day trip involving two ferry rides, as it is from Cozumel.

 

Cozumel: Plenty of beaches to choose from. West side beaches are closer, less wild, milder surf. Pick any one of the beach resorts if you want an "all inclusive" day. East side beaches are harder to get to, but they are wilder, and usually rougher with more surf.

 

There's every other kind of water activity available in Cozumel too. Snorkeling, scuba, snuba, para-sailing, and the Atlantis submarine are there. If you're ok with the idea of Dolphins in captivity, the "Dolphinarius" Dolphin encounters are good, particularly for younger kids. They're expensive though.

Edited January 23, 2014 by VideoTech

[stsbj]

We'll be on the Western Caribbean itinerary as well in April on the Epic, and my kids are 15, 12 (sons) and 8 yr old daughter, so I'm also interested in feedback!

We've been looking at the White River rafting and zipline excursion. I'm not sure about Dunn's Falls though. It looks beautiful, but reading lots of reviews on Trip Advisor etc, I think the kids would find it a bit boring having to stay in formation in a human chain and keep climbing.

 

As far as Costa Maya and Cozumel, we're all ears for good suggestions!

[megsok7]

Love love love maya Chan in Costa maya. Wonderful service and one of the best meals I've ever had!

We did nachi cocum in cozumel. Beautiful beach and water. And unlimited Bahama mamas delivered to my chair? Would go back in a heart beat.