Category: Cozumel

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Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Cozumel?

Cozumel, Mexico
Beach in Cozumel Mexico

“Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Cozumel?” This is a question that I get asked a lot. Quite frankly, there are some cruise ports where you absolutely must book an excursion, and then there are others where you really don’t have to.

Cozumel is an island off the coast of mainland Mexico. It is close to Playa del Carmen and the super-popular Cancun. The island is a cruise-goers paradise. Many people don’t realize that much of Cozumel is actually undeveloped. Cruisers tend to hit the downtown area or take a ferry to the mainland and very few actually venture out to check out the island, as a whole. The island is so undeveloped that much of the Atlantic-side doesn’t even have electricity.

What is an Excursion?

An excursion is an activity that you book in a cruise port. The excursions range from historic tours, snorkeling and beach tours, visits to popular attractions, activities that will get your adrenaline pumping, and cultural activities. They are booked through local tour companies and cost additional money. Excursions can go from anywhere from $39 to hundreds of dollars for scuba diving, golfing, and helicopter tours.

Do I Need to Book an Excursion in Cozumel?

The fact that there is a Hooters and a Starbucks at the end of the dock is a pretty damn good hint that you don’t need to book an excursion in Cozumel.

While in Cozumel we recommend snorkeling or taking a tour of the island via Beach Buggy or Jeep. One of our favorite things to do on the island is to spend the day sailing on a catamaran. Cozumel is also one of the top diving sites in the world!

Most of the time, we actually hop a ferry to head to the mainland. There are a ton of incredible things to do on the mainland- from Maya ruins, eco-parks, and even exploring underwater caves.

Beach in Cozumel Mexico

Nearby Beaches

Playa Mia Grand Beach

This is the perfect beach to visit with children! For just a small entrance fee, you have access to 20+ activities including a 200-foot long water slide, a 500 foot long Floating Park, and a play area with water cannons. This is also a fantastic place to snorkel and hit the white sand beach. There is plenty to do and eat at Playa Mia Grand Beach.

Chen Rio

This popular beach is on the southeastern shore of Cozumel. This area is not protected by a reef so the water can be a bit choppy- so it’s not the best place for snorkeling. However, there is a natural pool area that is separated from the open sea by jetties making it a safe place to swim. There are plenty of restaurants close by.

Punta Sur

Punta Sur is the highest point on the Yucatan. It is surrounded by impeccable ocean views, a sculpture garden and even an ancient Maya temple!

The Best Excursions in Cozumel

Ancient City of Tulum

Tulum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Mexico. Each year, more than 2 million visitors flock to the Yucatan to visit these ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Even if you aren’t a history nerd, chances are you’ll love the Tulum ruins simply because of the picturesque location.

The Complete Guide to the Tulum Ruins

God of the Winds Temple, Tulum

You may also want to consider checking out the world-famous ruins of Chichen-Itza. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world! There is quite a bit of traveling involved to get to Chichen-Itza. It is a 2.5-hour ride to the ruins, once you’re on the mainland. Although this is offered as an excursion, this site is better visited when you have more time (IE: Not as a cruise excursion).

Deluxe Beach, Catamaran Sail & Snorkel

This is one of our favorite excursions in Cozumel. I mean, is there anything better than sailing aboard a 65-foot catamaran to a private beach that has an AMAZINGLY fun Aqua Park? The Aqua Park has sea kayaks, beach floats, a water trampoline, and other water toys.

Xcaret Parks

This tour takes place on the mainland, so you’ll have to hop a 30-45 minute ferry and head to Playa del Carmen. Once you’re at the Eco-Archaeological Park, you can swim in the natural pools, lagoons, and cenotes. You can even take a slow-paced float down an underground river.

If you’re looking for something a little less commercial, we suggest checking out Rio Secreto. One of the Mexican Riviera’s best-kept secrets!

Adventure Jeep, Snorkel & Tequila at Punta Sur

Drop the top on the Jeep and drive off-road to Punta Sur. Once you’re at the beach club, you can explore the marine park, relax on the beach, or join a guided snorkel trip. Automatic vehicles are available upon request. Another option is the Beach Buggy & Snorkel Tour.

Thrill & Chill: Zip Line, Snorkeling & Beach

Soaring through canopies on zip lines is one of my favorite thrills! A short taxi ride will take you to a private beach club. After your safety briefing, you’ll walk a series of 6 suspension bridges (yikes!), and traverse 3 zip lines. You’ll conclude your adrenaline-pumping adventure with a 75-foot free rappel back to the ground. Next, you’ll grab your snorkel gear and cool off in the stunning turquoise water. If snorkeling isn’t your thing, there are also paddleboards, kayaks, wave runners, and other toys available at an additional cost.

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Caribbean Cozumel Cruise Excursions Cruise Travel Mayan Ruins Mexico Playa del Carmen

The Complete Guide to the Tulum Ruins

Tulum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in all of Mexico. Each year, more than 2 million visitors flock to the Yucatan to visit these ruins overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Even if you aren’t a history nerd, like me, chances are you’ll love the Tulum ruins simply because of the picturesque location.

God of the Winds Temple, Tulum

The History of Tulum

Archaeologists assume Tulum served as a port due to the fact that it was built right on the sea. This was one of the last settlements built and occupied by the Maya before the Spanish arrived in the 15th Century. It managed to survive for 70 years after the Spanish started occupying the area. It is believed that Old World diseases, brought by the Spanish, forced the Maya to abandon the cities.

What time should I arrive?

The earlier you get to the ruins, the better. The tour buses start rolling in in the late morning and the place starts to get rather crowded. If you’re planning on visiting the ruins as a cruise excursion, book the earliest excursion possible.

However, if you can’t get there early, get there late! When you get there at about 3:30, the crowds typically start to thin out. 1.5 hours is plenty of time to explore the ruins.

On Sundays, Mexican nationals can enter the ruins for free, meaning that it can be a bit pretty crowded.

Learn more at TulumRuins.net

Important Info

  • The ruins are open from 8 AM to 5 PM every day. The last entry is at 4 PM.
  • The ruins are located 3km outside of downtown Tulum. If you arrive by car or scooter, you’ll have to pay to park. The cost is 80 pesos for car and 50 pesos for scooter.
  • The admission for Tulum is 75 pesos per adult
  • The ruins themselves are located about half a mile from the parking area.

How to get to Tulum from Playa del Carmen

Head to Calle 2 between 15th and 20th Avenue. Here you’ll find a row of colectivos with men calling out, “Tulum!”. Head towards one of these guys and hop inside. The trip will take you about 45 minutes and will cost between $2-3 USD (40 MXN).

What is there to see at Tulum?

The Maya ruins in Tulum represent what was once a vast, walled Pre-Colombian settlement. Remarkably, many of the walls remain standing. The most remarkable buildings here are the Pyramid El Castillo (the castle), the Temple of the Descending God, and the Temple of the Frescoes.

El Castillo, Tulum, Mexico

El Castillo

This is the largest and most prominent building on the property. The building was used as a watchtower to monitor the canoes coming and going.

Temple of the Descending God

This single room structure was built at the top of another temple that served as its base. In the niche located at the top of the door stands a culture of a god with wings and a headdress holding objects in his hands.

Temple of the Frescos, Tulum Ruins, Mexico

Temple of the Frescos

This was used as an observatory to track the movements of the sun. Makes sense considering these are Maya ruins…right? The building consists of two parts, the lower gallery and the upper gallery. The upper gallery features some of the best preserved relief-carvings in the region.

God of the Winds Temple, Tulum

Pro-Tips

  • Bring a lot of water. It can get really hot at the ruins and there isn’t much shade.
  • Wear comfortable shoes.
  • Bring a towel and bathing suit. The ruins are located at the top of a cliff overlooking a remarkable beach. There isn’t anywhere to change so make sure you’re wearing your bathing suit before you arrive.
  • Ditch the tripod. Plan on sticking with the traditional selfies since tripods aren’t allowed on the site.

The Beach

Lastly, Tulum is home to the most magnificent little beach. Is there anything cooler than swimming or laying out under the watchful eye of the Maya ruins? We think not!

If you plan on hitting the beach make sure you come dressed in your bathing suit, as there isn’t really anywhere to change. If you plan on spending a long period of time there, it’s best to go during low tide. When the tide is up, the beach almost completely vanishes.

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Cozumel Cruise Excursions Cruise Travel Mexico

A Review of Cozumel Beach Buggy & Snorkel Excursion

Cozumel Beach Buggy & Snorkel Excursion– I have a secret. Cozumel has really grown on me. When I first visited the island over a decade ago, I wasn’t very impressed. The more and more I visit, the more appealing it is. This could be because the first few times I visited, I simply drank like a fish while I was in port…

I originally intended on taking the ferry to mainland Mexico and spending the day at a nature park called Xcaret. However, the ferry service was temporarily out of service for tourists (due to a recent terrorist attack on the ferry system) so I was forced to make other plans.

The Beach Buggies

My family ended up booking a beach buggy & snorkel excursion through Carnival. The beach buggy had a manual transmission with no 2nd or 3rd gears- which meant there was zero chance that I would be driving. I ended up hopping in the backseat with my niece, Frankenstein, where we enjoyed the breezy drive around the island. The buggy itself was a bit rough around the edges. It was a pain in the butt to drive and several of the people on our excursion had issues. We may have been better off just renting a Jeep. Our first stop was a beach about a 10-minute drive away from the port.

The Snorkeling Excursion

Our first stop was a beach about a 10-minute drive away from the port. The beach had a restaurant and bar area as well as changing rooms for those who needed to switch into their bathing suit. The sand was covered with lounge chairs, and palm trees laced with hammocks. The beach itself was rather pretty. After a safety briefing, we were led out on a guided snorkel tour. In my honest opinion, they should probably pick a different beach to snorkel. There isn’t much of anything to see and chances are you’ll see more people than fish. I lasted about 10 minutes in the water before I went to hang out in a lounge chair. I attempted to order a drink but had a hard time getting a bar waiter to come over to my chair.

Punta Morena

Next, we took a 45 minute down the coast to our next stop, Punta Morena, on the Atlantic side of the island. Many people don’t realize that much of Cozumel is actually undeveloped. Cruisers tend to hit the downtown area or take a ferry to the mainland and very few actually venture out to check out the island, as a whole. The island is so undeveloped that much of the Atlantic-side doesn’t even have electricity.

The ride from the beach to Punta Morena was alright. Although we drove along the coast, much of it was covered with heavy vegetation so we had brief glances at the turquoise blue water. Since we had to stick with our guide, we weren’t able to pull over and take advantage of some of the more scenic beaches.

We arrived at Punta Morena where we had a lovely lunch. The food was much like everything else I’ve had in the Yucatan, so I knew what to expect. Lunch was chicken, fish, or beef tacos or nachos served buffet style with rice and beans.

After eating, we had plenty of time to check out the beach area. Since we were on the Atlantic side, it was much too choppy and the current was too strong for us to be able to get into the water. The waves crashing against the rocky surface made for great photos, however.

Punta Morena also had a pool, bar and several lounge chairs and hammocks for us to enjoy. Overall, the restaurant itself was nice.

Lastly, we hopped back into the beach buggies and drove through downtown Cozumel so we could “see how the locals lived”. The drive back was rather lackluster.

Pro Tip: Make sure you have these items with you when you head into port.

My Opinion of the Beach Buggy & Snorkel Excursion

The tour itself was alright, however, I don’t know that I would do it again. I have done some pretty great things in and around Cozumel and this was by far my least favorite. I would definitely recommend visiting Tulum or checking out Rio Secreto over this tour. One thing that I think could have made it better was somehow fitting in a trip to the San Gervasio Mayan ruins. When we were at Punta Morena we were seriously within miles of the ruins. I think a short visit there would have made an excellent addition to the excursion. I’d suggest cutting a little time off of snorkeling or Punta Morena to make it happen.

That being said, I did have fun on the Beach Buggy & Snorkel Excursion. It would have been nice if the snorkeling was all it was made out to be, and if the buggies themselves were in better working order. However, it was a nice way to see the island of Cozumel. Had we not rented the buggies, I don’t know that I would have ever been able to see the Atlantic side of Cozumel.

While You’re in Cozumel

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Cozumel Cruise Excursions Cruise Travel Mexico Playa del Carmen

Rio Secreto-Drop Dead Gorgeous Caves in Mexico

Rio Secreto, Mexico

Rio Secreto is hands down one of the most amazing places in the Yucatan Peninsula.   Each year thousands of tourists flock to Mexico to enjoy the countries rich history and stunning beaches. If you’re a cruise goer, chances are you’ll visit Mexico as one of your ports. During my visits, I have experienced some pretty incredible things, from relaxing catamaran rides to thrilling snorkeling trips and visits to Mayan ruins. During one trip, I stumbled on something pretty remarkable. A little place called Rio Secreto.

What is Rio Secreto?

Rio Secreto is known as the Maya Riviera’s newest cenote. It was accidentally discovered by a farmer in 2005. The farmer was chasing an iguana when he found a hidden cave. Upon entering the cave, he found a secret underground river. The mouth of the cave opened up to several different rooms, a few of which are open for tours. Rio Secreto is a preservation site, so the tours are closely monitored and limited to a few groups each day.

Your guide will lead your group through the cave. Some parts of the river are merely ankle-deep whereas other parts are deep enough to require swimming. A majority of the cave is extremely open however, there are a few sections of the cave that are very narrow.

What is so alluring about Rio Secreto?

This nature reserve is one of the most alluring Mexican cenotes. It is the longest semi-sunken cave system in the Yucatan Peninsula. The site features almost 7 1/2 miles (12 km) of underground rivers to explore.

Another great thing about this magnificent place is the fact that you don’t need diving certification to check it out!

There are 15 different entrances to this cave system, which allows for a more intimate experience and allows you to really enjoy the caves. It’s almost like being on your own private tour!

Where is Rio Secreto Located?

Rio Secreto is located in Playa del Carmen. If you are cruising, you can access it from the ports of Playa del Carmen or Cozumel (via ferry to the mainland). It is also not far from Cancun.

What Should I Bring to Rio Secreto?

  • Mosquito Repellent
  • Sunscreen– Although you’ll be inside a cave, it is still important to make sure your skin is protected while you’re out of the cave.  Make sure you only use a biodegradable sunscreen while at any cenote.  
  • Towel
  • No-Slip Water Shoes
  • Change of Clothes
  • Cash

    There lockers available on-site to store your valuables.

What is There to do Nearby?

This site is located in the heart of the historic Mayan Riviera- a huge tourist location. There is plenty to do nearby including Xcaret (another adventure nature park), Xel-ha (a natural aquarium), and the Maya ruins of Tulum.

While You're in Cozumel...

Final Thoughts

Rio Secreto is one of Mexico’s best-kept secrets! It is located in Playa del Carmen and is easily accessible from Cozumel. I guarantee you won’t regret visiting this stunning site on your next trip to Mexico. The guides are not only very friendly, but they are extremely knowledgeable about the area’s history. This will help make this an experience one that you’ll remember for a lifetime!

For more information, be sure to visit their website.

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**Please note that this post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. All opinions are my own. Pinkie swear**

 

Updated:  11/7/21

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