Jo-AnneH Posted June 6, 2018 #1 Share Posted June 6, 2018 We are taking an NCL cruise June 17th and will be stopping in Costa Maya. We were thinking of booking a ruins tour with Native Choice. Has anyone used their services and we are wondering if Chacchoben Extreme Tour is good? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted June 6, 2018 #2 Share Posted June 6, 2018 We did the Chacchoben Extreme Tour in Dec 2016 with them and loved it. The ruins were interesting, the lunch was good and the time at the lake resort was good. I would definitely use them again. Very professional and no worries in getting back to the port on time. One note - the road to the lake resort is fairly bumpy. Nothing horrible, but may be something for anyone with back / neck issues to consider. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo-AnneH Posted June 6, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted June 6, 2018 We did the Chacchoben Extreme Tour in Dec 2016 with them and loved it. The ruins were interesting, the lunch was good and the time at the lake resort was good. I would definitely use them again. Very professional and no worries in getting back to the port on time. One note - the road to the lake resort is fairly bumpy. Nothing horrible, but may be something for anyone with back / neck issues to consider. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justjrn Posted June 8, 2018 #4 Share Posted June 8, 2018 We used Native Tours, and did Chachchoben, but not the extreme. I love the experience, the tour guide we had was excellent. We were in a fairly small group and were able to ask any question we had. The groups that booked through the cruise line were much larger and were rushed through. We had as much time as we wanted. We are going to Costa Maya again in November and will be booking a tour through Native tours again. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RHDZ Posted June 8, 2018 #5 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Will they drop you off in town after the tour? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justjrn Posted June 8, 2018 #6 Share Posted June 8, 2018 We used Native Tours, and did Chachchoben, but not the extreme. I love the experience, the tour guide we had was excellent. We were in a fairly small group and were able to ask any question we had. The groups that booked through the cruise line were much larger and were rushed through. We had as much time as we wanted. We are going to Costa Maya again in November and will be booking a tour through Native tours again.J I don't know why I keep calling it Native tours, it is Native Choice I am actually referring to. I don't know if they will drop you anywhere other than at the port. Sorry j Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted June 8, 2018 #7 Share Posted June 8, 2018 Will they drop you off in town after the tour? I would check with them. It’s usually only $ 2-3 per person to get a taxi to / from town, so it’s not expensive even if the won’t drop you off. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tallyho8 Posted June 9, 2018 #8 Share Posted June 9, 2018 Yes, they will drop you off in town. Our last trip with them we got dropped off at Tropicante for a few drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emcelh Posted June 12, 2018 #9 Share Posted June 12, 2018 We used Native Tours, and did Chachchoben, but not the extreme. I love the experience, the tour guide we had was excellent. We were in a fairly small group and were able to ask any question we had. The groups that booked through the cruise line were much larger and were rushed through. We had as much time as we wanted. We are going to Costa Maya again in November and will be booking a tour through Native tours again.J We're also booked on Epic 11/24 and interested in booking with Native Tours. We've done a little research and understand that you go to their office just outside the port. Is it an easy walk or is a taxi necessary? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted June 12, 2018 #10 Share Posted June 12, 2018 We're also booked on Epic 11/24 and interested in booking with Native Tours. We've done a little research and understand that you go to their office just outside the port. Is it an easy walk or is a taxi necessary? Their office is about 1/4 - 1/3 of a mile from the port. If there are no mobility issues, you will be fine. You can also get a cab, if needed, outside the port. Do note that there is quite a bit of walking on the ruins tour, some of it on uneven ground. There is also a fairly long walk to get from your ship, through the port and out to the street. There SOMETIMES are trams on the pier to take you from the ship to the port entrance. This seems to be inconsistent as to when they are running. It is also longer than you expect to get through and out of the port if they have the first 2 exits blocked to force you to walk past all of the shops in the port. I still highly recommend using Native Choice, just be aware it will be a 20 minute or so walk for most people from your ship to get to their location. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yaletownboy Posted June 12, 2018 #11 Share Posted June 12, 2018 I have not heard back from Native Choice. Either via direct email or via their website. Not a good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted June 13, 2018 #12 Share Posted June 13, 2018 I have not heard back from Native Choice. Either via direct email or via their website. Not a good start. They are usually very responsive. It could be internet issues there as service can be a problem at times, I have heard. Have you tried calling them? Also, check your spam folder. Some responses wind up there. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yaletownboy Posted June 13, 2018 #13 Share Posted June 13, 2018 No we have not called them from Canada. I emailed a competitor in Costa Maya and received a response immediately within 24 hrs. This was 2 days after emailing Native Choice. I will try emailing them via another email address. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolio Posted June 13, 2018 #14 Share Posted June 13, 2018 ]Their office is about 1/4 - 1/3 of a mile from the port. If there are no mobility issues, you will be fine. You can also get a cab, if needed, outside the port. Do note that there is quite a bit of walking on the ruins tour, some of it on uneven ground. There is also a fairly long walk to get from your ship, through the port and out to the street. There SOMETIMES are trams on the pier to take you from the ship to the port entrance. This seems to be inconsistent as to when they are running. It is also longer than you expect to get through and out of the port if they have the first 2 exits blocked to force you to walk past all of the shops in the port. I still highly recommend using Native Choice, just be aware it will be a 20 minute or so walk for most people from your ship to get to their location Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coolio Posted June 13, 2018 #15 Share Posted June 13, 2018 When you make a reservation with Native Choice you are given a complimentary Costa Maya Port Shuttle e-ticket that you can present to the booth for public transportation to receive complimentary transportation from the Costa Maya Port to the Native Choice office. We have done this many times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JT1962 Posted June 13, 2018 #16 Share Posted June 13, 2018 When you make a reservation with Native Choice you are given a complimentary Costa Maya Port Shuttle e-ticket that you can present to the booth for public transportation to receive complimentary transportation from the Costa Maya Port to the Native Choice office.We have done this many times Good to know. I don’t recall receiving that when we used them in Dec 2015, but could have missed it. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathy884 Posted July 8, 2018 #17 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Thanks all for posting about this. We just booked the ruins tour for Chachchoben with them for our January cruise. We heard back from them immediately. Looks like a great option and this was considerably less expensive than the large group and smaller group tours to the ruins through the ship. We did the option just focusing on the ruins, but they had some interesting looking tours with add ons too.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUEST71919 Posted August 12, 2018 #18 Share Posted August 12, 2018 I have been looking at their excursions (Native Choice) and am impressed by the professionalism of the website and the trip adviser reviews. Question - does anyone know which company does the CHACCHOBEN MAYAN RUINS tour through NCL? I would like to at least compare but unfortunately they cruise lines are not exactly transparent about which tour companies they use! :mad: On our last NCL cruise we found,the tours were too often over booked (from our perspective) but since we have $50 per port for offset of the NCL tours, it is necessary for us to try to look at all options. Thank you :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUEST71919 Posted August 12, 2018 #19 Share Posted August 12, 2018 When you make a reservation with Native Choice you are given a complimentary Costa Maya Port Shuttle e-ticket that you can present to the booth for public transportation to receive complimentary transportation from the Costa Maya Port to the Native Choice office.We have done this many times @coolio sounds like you have a lot of experience! We are considering the “experience” version of the Native Choice tours. Any idea who does the similar tour that is sold through NCL (or other cruise lines)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltymama Posted September 2, 2018 #20 Share Posted September 2, 2018 How many people does native choice typically put per group? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justjrn Posted September 2, 2018 #21 Share Posted September 2, 2018 How many people does native choice typically put per group? The day we went it was just our family of 8 and a family of 3. They had other groups that were about 15 to 20 max. I don't know if they have a set limit tho. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacationlover16 Posted September 9, 2018 #22 Share Posted September 9, 2018 I have booked the ruins only tour with Native Choice but am starting to second guess this decision. My daughter will have just turned four (4 days before excursion) and I’m afraid the tour and ride to the ruins will be too much for someone her age. Has anyone done this tour with a child this young? If so, would you recommend? If not, based on your experience do you think you would? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightsFan Posted September 9, 2018 #23 Share Posted September 9, 2018 I have booked the ruins only tour with Native Choice but am starting to second guess this decision. My daughter will have just turned four (4 days before excursion) and I’m afraid the tour and ride to the ruins will be too much for someone her age. Has anyone done this tour with a child this young? If so, would you recommend? If not, based on your experience do you think you would? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Only you know your daughter, can she handle an hour long bus ride followed by walking around ruins? Some four year olds will be fine, others won't be. Maybe keep her up late so she sleeps on the bus ride there. Let her walk by herself and run around when there's a break during the tour before the ride back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vacationlover16 Posted September 10, 2018 #24 Share Posted September 10, 2018 Only you know your daughter, can she handle an hour long bus ride followed by walking around ruins? Some four year olds will be fine, others won't be. Maybe keep her up late so she sleeps on the bus ride there. Let her walk by herself and run around when there's a break during the tour before the ride back. Thank you for the reply. We actually don’t arrive in port until 1:00 and won’t start the tour until 2:00. The more I contemplate, I think we will save this excursion until she’s a little older. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ksjayhawks Posted September 11, 2018 #25 Share Posted September 11, 2018 Check out shore excursions. We booked our ruins/meal tour through them and it was handled by Native Choice. Great price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now