If you’re planning a cruise in the Western Caribbean, there are a host of opportunities for you to commune with history. There are any number of excursions offered privately and by the various cruise lines that will take you into the heart of what remains of the once mighty Mayan civilization. You’ll have the opportunity to visit ancient castles, climb steep pyramids, and see carved masks that will take your breath away. But with so many options, how can a traveler know which excursion to pick? Here’s a brief survey of some of the most common Mayan Ruin excursions offered:
Chichen Itza. If you’ve got a port in Cancun, and there’s only one Mayan Ruins you can see, choose Chichen Itza. It’s the most impressive Mayan Ruin excursion on the peninsula, and will make for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Drawbacks are that the Mayan ruins are largely roped off and that Chichen Itza enjoys large crowds with little shade. Also, if your cruise is going to make port in Cozumel, you’re likely too far away to make an enjoyable excursion to Chichen Itza and still make it back to your ship on time.
Coba. Coba is the road less traveled when it comes to Mayan ruin excursions, and with its overgrown jungle paths, Coba is sure to make visitors feel like they are Indiana Jones. The jungle has not been cleared, and the ruins are still in a state of excavation, but thousands of Mayans were thought to have lived in this ancient city and some say you can still feel their presence. Coba not only has the second tallest pyramid on the peninsula, but you can climb it.
San Gerviaso. This is the largest Mayan ruin site on Cozumel, but it is very small compared to those on the mainland. Because Cozumel was considered a sacred island by the Mayans, these ruins were once a ceremonial center for worship. This is a very accessible Mayan ruin excursion for travelers whose cruise ship finds port in Cozumel, and because it’s also a short excursion, it may be ideal for those with children.
Tulum. The Mayan ruins at Tulum are sometimes described as a smaller Chichen Itza. If your cruise has a port on the mainland, the Mayan ruins at Tulum are not hard to get to, and are considered a must-see experience by just about everyone who goes. You can’t climb on anything, and much is roped off, but the cliffside view by the turquoise water is spectacular. If you’re taking your excursion from the port of Calica the excursion will last about 4-5 hours with plenty of time to get back to your ship, even if you book the tour privately. However, if your cruise port is in nearby Cozumel, you should expect this Mayan ruin excursion to take 7 hours. (If your port is in Cozumel, you might not want to chance booking this Mayan ruin excursion privately. Take what the ship offers, knowing that they won’t leave you behind.) Passengers who have taken the longer tour from Cozumel find fault with the cruise excursion’s mad dash for the bus. The ruins have a beautiful beach for water lovers, but the trip may not be for the faint of heart. While most describe relatively even terrain that’s easy to navigate, the sun can be brutal and there’s reportedly very little shade. One passenger likened the strenuous walk to the “Bataan Death March”.
Xunantunich. If your cruise will sail to the port in Belize City, you may consider visiting the Mayan Ruins at Xunantunich which are said to be the most impressive ruins in Belize. There sits the tallest temple in Belize, which you can climb yourself for an amazing view. Excursions to these Mayan ruins will last between 5-6 hours, and though the ruins themselves are in the midst of a rainforest, they are said to be very accessible for those with mobility issues.
Altun Ha. This Mayan Ruin is also situated in Belize, and was once a magnificent ancient city and trading post. Altun Ha is also considered a highly accessible Mayan Ruin excursion for those with mobility issues, complete with a smooth, manicured green lawn. The excursion is likely to take approximately 4 hours. Consider too the possibility of combining this excursion with a trip of the river so as to take in the exotic wildlife of Belize.
Lamanai. Also for cruise ships that make port in Belize are the ruins at Lamanai, which was once a Mayan ceremonial center. Because it’s deep in the rainforest, this Mayan ruin excursion might take you up river, giving you the opportunity to see rare wildlife like toucans and howler monkeys! The trip can take 6-7 hours, and while not ideal for those with limited mobility, no one seems to have compared this excursion to a death march.
Tikal. If your cruise has a port of call in Guatemala or Belize, the Mayan Ruins at Tikal may be on your list of places to visit. In its prime, Tikal was the capital city of a vast Mayan Empire and features five major temples. There’s about 4-5 hours of walking involved in this tour, not including the transportation time, so it may be wiser to choose a different site if your time in port is limited.
Chacchoben. Costa Maya is another cruise port that features Mayan Ruin excursions, and Chacchoben will surely be at the top of the list. Though you can’t climb the ruins, private tours with very knowledgeable and passionate guides are available. While Chacchoben is smaller and considered less impressive than some other ruin sites in the Caribbean, most travelers report an intimate experience and give this Mayan ruin excursion high marks. Chacchoben is said to be very accessible even though surrounded by jungle.
Kohunlich. Exceptionally well-preserved ruins make this ancient Mayan city set in the jungle hills a treat for history lovers. Kohunlich has carved masks, raised pyramids, and you can touch history. This Mayan ruin excursion takes about five hours, so there may be time to add other activities to your agenda while in port. The ruins are not large, but the trek is also not considered overly strenuous, and shade can be found aplenty.
