Costa Maya and Cozumel Shore Excursions

[TONICA]

Looking to find the best shore excursions in both locations (Costa Maya and Cozumel). The Dolphin Swim looks fun.....we like snorkeling also. Anyone want to chime in with suggestions. My husband and I and our 12 year old daughter are going on our first cruise on the Fantasy out of New Orleans in March 2007.

[HBennett]

It depends on how long you are in the ports. I highly recommmend Xcaret. We've been there twice and would go again. It's an eco park on the mainland coast that is filled with all kinds on animals and birds. It has restaurants, beaches, dolpin encounters, tubing and other things. You would need to take the ferry from Cozumel to the mainland. Most cruiseline offer the excursion.

There also several Mayan ruins around such as Tulum.

Costa Maya is kind of fun in their mall at the pier. All kinds of shopping with restaurants, pools and the beach.

Howard

[LHP]

Originally posted by TONICA:
Looking to find the best shore excursions in both locations (Costa Maya and Cozumel). The Dolphin Swim looks fun.....we like snorkeling also. Anyone want to chime in with suggestions. My husband and I and our 12 year old daughter are going on our first cruise on the Fantasy out of New Orleans in March 2007.

Our friends did the Dolphin Swim in Cozumel through the ship and had an excellent time.

Another option is the snorkeling through Paradise Beach. It leaves around noon...lasts for 2 hours and takes you to 2 sites. I believe it is $35.00 per person which includes all the equipment. Taxi for 4 to PB will be around $14.00 one way. There are always taxis there to take you back to the ship. Snorkeling in Cozumel is not good right from the beach....you have to get out to the reefs.

Cozumel is very safe and very fun. You will have a great time.

Costa Maya has a nice port with lots of shops and a pool with swim up bars etc. And you can pay $3 a person one way to grab the bus to the "downtown" area. We laugh because it is very undeveloped. Beach streets etc. They do use purified water in the ice so the drinks and food are fine.


Happy Cruising!!

[sherrywine]

We have stayed in Cozumel 3X's for 10-14 days each. It is a wonderful island with beautiful reefs surrounding it. The cruisers usually dock and rent Jeeps to see the island. The road runs almost in a circle around the entire island with the exception of the isolated areas north of the island. However, the east sandy beach areas are wonderful for finding a place to stop and jumping in for a quick swim, however it can be rough surf...but warm, crystal clear and wonderful! I would recommend Chancanaab Marine National Park. It's excellent diving and snorkeling right from the beach. There also is a place just down the road from there... next to Fiesta Americana Hotel where you can park your Jeep and snorkel right off the beach for free, it's a little rocky but huge, colorful fish are there so take beach shoes! Punta Sur is also another area to visit. Each of these places you will pass if you rent a Jeep. For absolutely beautiful & legal black coral jewelry visit: "The Black Coral Factory" - Luis Calaca in town. Gorgeous jewelry and great prices. He's a pleasure to deal with. Hope this helps. Enjoy!

[spoheat]

Our favorite Cozumel adventure is the Dolphin swim. We booked through shoretrips.com and had a group of 6 and so much time with the animals we began to wonder when it would end. The group from our ship was huge and not in the water all that much for about the same price. It is expensive and you will want to buy the video. Our daughter was 10 when we did it and nothing we have ever done on a cruise compares for her. Laurie