Western Caribbean

[kristin3718]

Hello!

Going on Carnival Miracle in a few weeks and was wondering out of the following Islands which ones are good to just explore on your own (easy to get to beaches,shopping,safety) and which it might be better to take an excursion! Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!

Belize
Grand Cayman
Cozumel
Costa Maya

Thanks!
Kristin

[penny3333]

We haven't been to Belize or Costa Maya. Grand Cayman and Cozumel are fine to go on your own. The swim with the dolphins in Cozumel was awesome and the snorkeling with the Sting Rays in Grand Cayman was a blast. I'm not much of a shopper, but I know you can barter anywhere in Mexico. Grand Cayman has some great jewels, emeralds and sapphires, but I found better prices in St. Thomas. Have a wonderful time!

[Larry in Miami]

I would avoid Belize City unless you are with a group. The tour I was with would not even stop the bus and let us out there. The tour guide who was from Belize said it is not a safe place.

[kristin3718]

Thank you for the information. These are the type of things I am interested in, especially regarding Safety.

[jmsettles]

We just arrived back from the Valor, and stopped in Belize. We booked a private excursion, and were with a group of 10, compared to the Carnival excursions of 50-75 people. We did the Extreme cave tubing, and with this private excursion, we did one more cave than the group who booked theirs thru Carnival. We saw the big groups from Carnival entering the water to begin their Cave Tubing, after we had just gone through one cave allready. So, you are getting a much better, private tour for less than booking it thru Carnival. Plus, our tour guide was amazing....as we trucked our way thru the jungle on our way to start our cave tubing, he made our hike more enjoyable by educating us on what we were seeing along the way. He made the extra effort to make sure we were enjoying ourselves.
We used Islandmarketing.com
We book thru them alot, they are very reputable.
Let me know if I can get you any more info.


Joan

[senor chris]

Just back from Cozemel, Grand Cayman. No beaches[sand] in Cozemel also snorkling was not at its best due to storm damage[ no coral,no reef,no fish] The main pier was smashed to nothing,had to tender in. Best deals for T shirts ! GC was great ! Swim with the rays ! Pretty well all boats go to the same sandbar. Safest place in the Caribe ;I think. T shirts not cheap !