Carnival Cruise: Can you walk to the Mayan ruins in Cozumel, Mexico without having to pay for a tour?

Question

Carnival Cruises: Can you walk to the Mayan ruins in Cozumel, Mexico without having to pay for a tour? (or is it also perhaps too long of a walk on foot?) Trying to figure out if it is possible to get a better experience of the islands than the packaged activities the cruise line offers if we can. Also, any recommendations for which snorkeling shore excursions/spots were neat for those of you who have tried them in Cozumel and Key West, or any other activities to consider?

Answer 1

No you can't.  I just got back from that trip this past weekend.  One of the pairs in our group went on the Mayan ruins all day excursion.  They said it was ok but its all day and not very exciting.  You for sure can not walk there.  If you are on the same trip we did, then in Cozumel you can find trips without booking through the cruise but really they aren't that much better.  The benefit with the cruise is the companies they use are very organized (we did the Catamaran Sail and Snokel and it was the best time on the whole cruise).  There are offers for trips once you get out of the market place.  

On a side note, if you are stopping in Jamaica, DO NOT do this.  Its very dangerous.  One group was held up on their tour and another couple tried to just get a taxi to do some shopping and the driver just kept driving until they screamed with the windows down and made him turn around... just be careful there.

Answer 2

Cozumel is a fun place to go...it's very safe and there is a lot to do.  The following is a link to San Gervasio ruins information.  

http://www.cozumelparks.org.mx/eng/parks...

From your cruise ship, just get a cab and ask them to take you to San Gervasio.  I have never toured San Gervasio, but I have been to Punta Sur (the light house on the windward side of the island, would highly recommend),which is another national park.  The tour guides are employed by the park and are very knowledgable.  

Shopping:

The two story mall is called Punta Langosta, and it has shopping (expect to pay higher prices here), as well as the Carlos and Charlies and Senor Frogs (both are really fun when in fully swing).  You can walk along the waterfront and shop your way to the town square with tons of shopping.  

Food:

If you want to eat while on Cozumel, I would recommend Casa Denis (http://www.casadenis.com/), which is located at the back of the square, or Guido's (http://www.guidoscozumel.com/)located on the waterfront.  Another good place to eat is south of Punta Langosta at Hog Town Cafe (http://www.papahogs.com/site/cafe.php)..... have a great breakfast and a beautiful view (outside dining).  

Excursions:

If you keep heading south of town, Chankanaab (http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/parks-ch... is a beautiful national park (information on other Cozumel parks can be found on the site as well).  The snorkeling is good and the atmosphere is very relaxing.  They also have good food and service.  You can also do the dolphin or sea lion encounter here.  If you can rent a car (or you can hire a taxi to take you), you can drive around the island, to the windward side (also called the wild side).  The drive is beautiful, with many picture oppotunities.  I would be careful about getting in the water, as currents are swift, however, there are a number of beach clubs on this side (Chen Rio is nice).  If you drive to this side of the island, the trip is not complete without a stop at Coconuts (http://www.islacozumel.net/food/coconuts...  As you continue on, you will drive past the ruins at San Gervasio as you get closer to town (assuming you headed south first, the road makes on big loop around the island).

Another resource for specific guided tours is www.cozumelmycozumel.com.  Lots of locals check their forums and can provide excellent advice.  

Have fun!!

PS - If you are a diver, what you do on the island is a no-brainer...the diving is fantastic.  Deep Blue is a great dive operation for all levels and they can set you up on snorkel excursions if you aren't a diver.  I think their site is www.deepbluecozumel.com

Answer 3

It all depends on where your ships docks, but for the most part.. All the ruins are to far to walk. Save money and take a cab.  In Cozumel there is a nature park that is great for snorkeling, cost less than 10.00 for a cab of 4 people.Its called like Chumbawumba nature park. ( All the cabs know it by that name too)

Answer 4

yes you can walk i a free conty the!!! are you going on imagation curies it is fun

Answer 5

No you cannot. The crusie ship will dock at Cozumel, and you must get a tender/transport to Playa Del Carmen on the mainland to see the ruins which are in Tulun and Milan. From there, Playa Del Carmen, its well over an hours drive to any of the ruin sites. They drive at breakneck speed too. The so called ruins on Cozumel are pathetic, don't waste your time. The best ruins are in Tulun on the mainland. Your best bet is to book with your cruise line. That way you are guaranteed that the tour operator has been screened and your ship will not leave without you in the event there are problems and delays.

Answer 6

The Mayan ruins I saw from Cozumel were about an hour drive from the city.

Answer 7

All of the ruins are too far to walk from.  Last year we got a tour that stopped at San Gervais that was $60 for four people.  You can probably get a cab just to the ruins for less.  While we were there, there were probably two dozen cab drivers that were waiting there.  I also rained on us there, so we just went back to the ship for lunch, and went pack to the pier to do some shopping.  The best advice I can give, is that a group at the table next to us got a private tour in Cozumel.  They got to the center of the island, and were charged $150 each or they were going to be stranded.  If you get a cab driver, make sure they are sanctioned.  They all had white cars, and wore red polo shirts.