We are going on Carnival. We will port at Cozumel and Calica. What is the best way to see the ruins?

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scubabob

Contrary to what the first response has said. There ARE ruins on Coz. Two very interesting sites that are actually more important than the ones on the mainland. Each takes about 1 1/2 hours to see and both are located on the opposite side (east) of the island that the cruise ship dock is on.
They're about a 20 minute drive tops, from downtown San Miguel. You have two options. Rent a VW Bug or most cabbies will give you a tour of both sites. A jeep is an option, but expensive and not worth it for the short trip. Besides, you aren't allowed to off road with it anyway.
If you rent the VW you can spend part of the day continuing right around the southern part of the island and end up back in San Miguel again. There aren't any kid safe beaches on the eastern side, it's usually pretty rough and good for boogie boarding only. The western side has a number of safe swimming beaches opposite the reefs but I'm not sure how many are public access.
Here's some links on the ruins http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Cozumelruins?From=Activities
http://www.mayasites.com/gervasio.html
and a map of the island showing the cruise ship dock in town where everything is, relative to it.
http://www.gocozumel.com/island-map.htm
That map also lists the decent dive sites on the west coast. If you are scuba certified, you'd be crazy to pass up the chance to dive those reefs. They are part of the second longest barrier reef in the world.
Have fun on Cozumel, it's the Maui of the Carib.

El Conquistador

Unless your kids are up to climbing steep steps up the tulum city ruins it isnt the best for them. because the climb up is long and steep and the going down is just as bad because the steps are small and steep. you do know that the visit to the ruins takes up the whole time that your ship is at port and you will have no time to do anything else. but i'd say if you want to anyways rent a car because you have 3 kids and i guess to parents and each one is getting charged if you go thru the cruise appointed tour guides. plus car comes in handy because you can leave whenever you feel like instead of waiting for the whole tour to end. that way you can go around your car and see the beaches.

moonwalker

I lived in tulum for months its hour drive to tulum ruins that's all you will have time to see ask around many tours or if you want the El cheep o go to playa get a bus to tulum walk to the ruins or it may go to the ruins if you leave early AM you can see ruins spend some time on the beach lunch at Don Armando's beaches are specular HAVE FUN

chey_one

They are a very good sight to see. Take insect repellant!!!!

I would suggest though that you book thru the cruise line because if you are delayed getting back to the ship and you booked thru the cruise line - the ship will either wait for you or fly you to the next port. If you book on your own & are late getting back - you may miss the boat!

Enjoy your trip.

Robb

There ARE ruins on Cozumel, but time is the real issue. Your best bet for the day would be Chankanaab National Park... It is a short cab ride from the southern pier where most ships dock. They have a beach with snorkeling and scuba, restaurants, and a nature trail that takes you through real and reproduced ruins. I took my kids there when they were12, 14 & 15. They loved it.

granfran

Just got back from a Carnival cruise on Nov 4th (the one that the gentleman fell from the the 6th story balcony). Even though it was our very first cruise we didn't book thru the ship, which several people told us we should cause it was safer, but it was more expensive. We were charged $20 a person We made sure the tour company was certified through the city of Cozumel, I don't know if that was the reason for the safety or just the fact that we were so many. We were a party of 7 and we used a tour company that was very very good. I can't remember the name but hopefully by the end of this answer I can remember it. The price included the tour took to the Mayan Ruins which were the actual ruins not replicas. It was awesome. And sightseeing around the city and to the beach. Just make sure you disembark early so you can have the whole day to enjoy everything fully. We kinda had to hurry because we were lazy and started out about 10 - 1030 AM.

shoe s

yur cruise director will have a program laid out for you to choose from at each port, I dont belive there are any ruins on cozumel

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