Josh Mk

If you're doing Mayan Ruins with kids, I recommend doing any of the following: 1. Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Pretty easy, you meet your guide at the end of the pier, 1hour bus ride each way, the ruins are pretty safe (you still need to watch for bugs of fire ants for the kids) souvenir and snack shops at the ruins. When you go back to port, still got plenty of time before you go back to the ship. You may even get to see monkeys at the ruins. 2. Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Exclusive Drive Meet your guide at the end of pier, this tour is in a smaller group so you get a more personalized experience with your guide, includes refreshments. Shorter tour (3.5 hours) so the kids don't get too bored. 3. Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and the Blue Lagoon Pretty much the same as the first tour, but this one includes a stop at a lagoon where buffet is included, wonderful place to swim or do some kayak, perfect for kids to have fun and avoid the hassle of going somewhere else to swim when your tour is over. This tour takes 6.5 hours and when you go back to port the kids may be tired to keep wondering around the shops, but you may still get enough time to leisurely walk back to the ship.

Hey! Chacchoben are in Costa Maya, the small ones in Cozumel are San Gervasio Ruins.

Hi! I'm writing from Costa Maya, if you'd like to set your day for Mayan ruins be advised that there are 3 different Mayan ruins that can be visited from Costa Maya port, and there are 5 different tours that include Mayan Ruins. Pretty much depends on how long you'll like to spend on the tour. Most popular tour: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, 4 hours total time. Other tours to the same ruins: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Exclusive Drive. The tour from start to finish takes only 3.5hours and you're in a small group. Includes refreshments. Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and the blue lagoon for 6.5 hours this last one includes a buffet at the lagoon. PROS of Chacchoben short drive (1 hour each way) Souvenirs and Snack shopping possible at the ruins. CONS of Chacchoben, can't climb all buildings, no carvings neither decorations on walls left. Sometimes can be crowded, depends on the number of cruises in port that day. The other two Mayan Ruins are Kohunlich and Dzibanche Mayan Ruins, but be advised that these ones are much further away than Chacchoben, because they nearly reach the border between Mexico and Belize. There is Kohunlich Tour for 6.5 hours and there is the combo visiting Kohunlich and Dzibanche for 8 hours. Neither of these two include a big meal, is just snacks for the ride and a simple sandwich for the way back. Pros of Kohunlich Only Tour: Easy itinerary, drive, visit, drive back. Plenty of time to explore the ruins, site is big so 2 hours there is the right time. You can climb most buildings, it has a ball game, and it has beautiful carved and stuccoed masks on one temple, everything is original. CONS, long drive, NOTHING to buy on site because is in the middle o the jungle. Not much time left in port when you go back. Pros of KOHUNLICH + DZIBANCHE COMBO Dzibanche has the tallest structures in the area, and guests are allowed to climb all temples, you get to see a great overview of all the Mayan civilization from residences, temples and plazas. Two sites in one day chance is a must do for some people. Beautiful scenic drive and you get to see the real Mexico in a safe way. Cons... This tour will consume all your time in port, you depart to the tour at the ship's docking time, and when you finish the tour, you have to go back to the ship because they're only waiting for you... Check your ship arrival and departure times. Because of the long drives to and from the ruins and the driving time in between them, you are only given 1hour on each archaeological site, one hour is the right time for Dzibanche, but sometimes an hour may seem short for kohunlich. Well, also you can take into account that by the time you get to the second ruin, you may have already consumed great energy and you won't feel that eager to explore much of the second site. Only light snacks, water and a sandwich provided, remember it's 8 hours so you may want to bring some food. Hope this info helps you decide!

Looking forward to meet you in Costa Maya, I'm one of the guides that does the Mayan Ruins tours. Hope you enjoy.

Today things are back to normal today, Shore excursions departed right on schedule, passengers have been returning to the port safely from their tours and stays at local beach clubs.

It's correct about what happened on the 18th, the main affection was for the shore excursions, you know, the ones offered by the ships, passengers were even in the buses at the gate waiting for departure and couldn't because of the blockade. On the 19th, Costa Maya had 3 cruises scheduled, Celebrity Reflection, Norwegian Escape and Harmony OTS, all together had nearly 50 tours to the ruins, beach, water park etc. and every single one got cancelled as a precaution. Only Harmony confirmed that it would dock but didn't sell any of the shore excursions. Today, the 20th apparently things go back to normal, there is a total of 35-40 official tours scheduled and people was just called to work. For today we have Empress OTS, Rhapsody OTS and MSC Meraviglia. Even if the situation eased, we as locals had an affection. If you don't come out of the port complex, a lot of locals work there and rely on commission or tips. If you go to town, you're also helping, If you get on any of the shore excursions from the ship, you'll also be helping locals because everyone from waiters, to tour guides and staff at locations is also local. So when a shore excursion from the ship is cancelled, that means that some people won't see any income for the day. I'll update this depending on what happens later today.