Recommendations for Seniors? Cozumel and Progresso

[xXbunnyhopXx]

Hi! My boyfriend is planning to take his parents on their first cruise and we were wondering if we can get any recommendations on what activities to do in Cozumel and Progresso. Both of his parents have a weak knee and his mother had surgery just last year. Would the ruins be too strenuous? Many beach recommendations? They probably won't be too interested in shopping, but touring the city wouldn't be too much of an issue as long as the walk isn't too long?

Thank you!!

[JohninDC]

No ruins to speak of on Cozumel, and taking a trip to the mainland from Coz for the ruins would likely be too long of an excursion for them.

 

Lots of beach clubs to choose from -- Nachi Cocom is quiet, uncrowded, and relaxing; all-inclusive food and drink for about $55 each and the cab will run about $17 each way for 4 of you sharing the ride. Great food, drinks, service plus a small pool and hot tub with a nice beach area and lots of shade.

 

Paradise Beach is large, pay as you go, $3 admission/chair rental, great facilities, HUGE pool, and good food & drinks (love those nachos! :D ). Taxi to PB will also run about $17 each way.

 

Good luck! ;)

[crewsweeper]

I agree with John on beach in Coz. Nachi would probably fit BF's parents better. PB for the two of you. But the parents might like PB too if you're not cruising in summer or during spring break. Not as many children scampering around.

 

In Progresso, though, I'm not too fond of the local beaches. A nice history tour or Merida could be interesting. A lunch stop at the Parque Santiago with it's street carts or one of the small places around Plaza Grande, like Las Vigas or Wayan'e.

 

The ruins at Uxmal are fabulous but might be too far of a trip, probably 3-3.5 hours RT. You can but don't have to climb the ruins. A smaller set of ruins, Dizbulchaltun, is between Merida and Progresso so closer (1/2 hour from port?). There is a museum there too.

[ABQrobin]

Progreso has some nice cultural tours that require very little walking. Several food type tours, also.

 

Cozumel... lots of beach clubs, just depends what you want to do and spend.

We like Money Bar as it is just a restaurant oceanfront with a snorkeling area and lots of tables with umbrellas. Nothing more, great food, view, relaxing day.

[JohninDC]

I did not suggest Money bar because of the lack of a real beach and their knee issues would likely preclude them from entering the water via the steps, but the proximity, views, service and facilities are great! :cool:

[LeeW]

The Uxmal site is huge, with lots of walking up and down stairs and ramps. Our guide (who helped do restoration work there) used a cane to get around but it would be too much for someone with weak knees not used to walking a couple of miles in the heat. Long day, too - 90 minutes each way and leaves at 9:30 (Autoprogreso, booked through Shoreexcursioneer). The Diz ruins are much closer and flatter. Autoprogreso runs the free (tip) shuttles into town, offers lots of tours, and has a short bus tour of the town. Note that the pier really is four miles long and has a large number of shops out where the ships dock.

 

In Cozumel we like Mr Sanchos (good food, drinks, beach, facilities) but others are just as good. Cab typically $17 each way to the various beach clubs.

 

Check your ship tours for some of the cultural options. Many can be booked either through the ship or places like Shoreexcursioneer. Lots of folks on ships have mobility issues and I do see a lot of offerings that are less strenuous.