PacificMountain2012

Malden has it right. Most of the people from the ship are going to be between Calle 80 and Calle 74 (streets) that is also where all the vendors will be. Head up the Malacon east. The farther you go the less vendors. There are a few restaurants (one has a pool you can use) up there as well and small food vendors selling food and drink. The beach is sandy and I don't recall ever seeing a lot of rocks. There are also occasional palms that offer shade. If you have a couple of strollers that would make it a whole lot easier.

Have a good time.

I would say the closer the better. If you are coming in for a weekend departure there is always the possibility of heavy traffic on the 45 south of Houston, if its during the week you'll have to navigate all of Houston's traffic. We are coming in from Colorado in October and will be staying in Texas City before heading down to the ship; closer the better.

If you got off the ship first thing in the morning and then got a cab straight in to Merida, you could certainly spend a few hours there and then head back and have sometime in Progreso. You could probably also do it by city bus but your times in each would be less. It does sound a little hectic however. You might want to just concentrate on one area, then come back again for the other. Merida is a big city, even the central park area is big enough to spend a day at and not see it all.

Been a couple of years but we did the tour to Uxmal with AP. No complaints from us on the tour. The bus we were on was comfortable for the ride there and back. When we got there they took care of all the ticketing and got everyone into the park together. Our guide was terrific really spending time to inform everyone and answer questions. We had plenty of time to explore by ourselves before leaving and importantly never felt rushed. We thought we really got a good deal for the dollar. For what its worth, the Carnival tour there that day left about a half hour before ours and they were entering the park when we arrived, so they got about 20-30 minutes more there. They left the park first and we left shortly after them, however our bus arrived a good 20 minutes before their bus on the return trip. I wouldn't hesitate to use them to go to Uxmal again.

The water is very deep where you snorkel, however this is "float" snorkeling meaning for the most part you will be floating on the surface and looking down. So, unless the water is really choppy there isn't much to worry about. Also, it is a great place to possibly spot a sea turtle.

Not really a "comfortable" airport to stay in. I have stayed at the Springhill Suites nearby before and have found it to be a nice hotel. Last time their shuttle picked me up after midnight.

Visited Tujillo and the Banana Coast about 10 years ago. The beaches there go on for miles along with the jungle. Its actually quite a fascinating area and I would expect a number of interesting excursions could be put together. The cruise ship pier development has been around for quite awhile and controversial among some. It definitely an area that I'd like to go back to.

We are near Denver and are doing a family cruise in October out of Galveston. My wife and I have done several cruises from the Galveston area and have always flown into Houston then shuttled to Galveston, however with the kids in tow this time (10,9,5) the cost for five of us to fly to Houston and shuttle to Galveston is too much. By driving we will save almost $650. The distance is a bit over 1000 miles, so its very doable and we will take a leisurely two days to get there, a day early. We drive quite a bit with the kids, so we will have all the entertainment packed and ready and also have the portable potty ready to go. When we are driving long distances, I always try to stop at places where the kids can get out and literally run around for a bit. It helps them get the ants out of their pants and it seems make the drive a little more relaxing.

Hello all

Just my wife and I travelling and it would make her cruise if she could see hummingbirds (don't get them in UK ) ... not sure they will be there April time?

Thanks

Anytime the flowers are blooming the hummingbirds will be out. Flowers blooming in April? Certainly a very good chance for that. Good places to see them include Punta Sur Park and the Central Plaza in San Miguel. We saw Emerald Hummingbirds (Cozumel only I am told) at the Money Bar last time we were there, so you never know, just keep your eyes and ears alert!

The AP bus is the public bus and it drops off at the station indicated in the lower left of the map above. AP also offers a tour of Merida by bus or van that is separate from their regularly scheduled bus service to and from Merida and Progreso. Hope this helps.

We will be in Cozumel in 2 weeks. We have been there once while visiting Cancun. Didn't seem like there was much to do. We go to Cancun twice a year so we have done everything on the mainland. We have decided to stay on he island. We were thinking about going to a resort or beach area. We like to avoid the crowds. We don't mind paying a premium for that. Money is not an issue. Is there somewhere we can go where the crowds will be small or nonexistent. Maybe somewhere the kids cn play in the water while me and my wife lay around and eat chips and salsa......

Might want to look at Playa Palancar. It is small and a bit farther away from the piers, so there is usually not that many people there. They have a nice beach there, plenty of places to relax and serve good food and drink.

Alternatively, you could catch a cab to the the eastside and hangout at Chen Rio or one of the other places on the beach. Cash only, but there is usually plenty of solitude.

Thanks for the replies!! About what time should we leave the ship to make it in time for the Uxmal trip? 7:30 or 8am?

When we did it a couple years ago, we got off the ship early, probably between 7:30 and 8:00. We took the bus to Progreso and after we purchased our tickets to Uxmal, we had time to walk around the market area and buy a few things before the bus left.

Note: Bring water and a hat with you. They have two seasons there hot and hotter! There are very nice bathrooms at Uxmal and some food available there. There is also a small market place just outside the front of Uxmal.

Have a great time!

For all who are whining about fine dining and tablecloths, take a look at the very very high end steak house in nyc. Would you call this elegant?

 

Looks like Peter Luger Steak House to me, certainly one of the top, if not top steak houses in NYC. Some others top restaurants that have dropped the table clothes include Girl & The Goat in Chicago and Saison in San Francisco. Table clothes or no table clothes argument has been going on for sometime in the industry. Preference is just a matter of opinion.

I posted a map below of the Plaza Mayor area in Merida where you are heading. If you look at the bottom left of the map, you'll see where the public bus drops you off. There is plenty to see in the Plaza Mayor from the cathedral to the various museums that surround the square. You could also spend time there just people watching and relaxing. When you first arrive, head over to the the "Informacion" stand. There are two in the plaza, both can be identified by their large blue "I". Here you can get maps, directions, and information on anything in the area.

There is plenty of shopping in the plaza, but for more serious shopping, so to speak, head about two blocks southeast to the "Bazaar de Artesanias" area. Its on the lower right side of the map. In this area you will find store and stand after another selling local goods as well as designer and designed knockoffs. Looking at the map you may want to head there first after leaving the bus station.

For lunch my wife and I really enjoyed La Chaya, which is located on Calle 62, about two blocks north of the plaza. Also El Trapiche is a good inexpensive family place, it is also on Calle 62 about a half block north. Both are on the left hand side of the street.

After lunch take your DD for a treat, Helados Colon has the best ice cream and sorbet around. Its located on the Plaza, under arches, on Calle 61 near the corner of Calle 62.

Only other advice is to bring small bills ($1's, $5's, and $10's, maybe a couple of $20's), if possible or you'll get a lot of pesos for change. Don't count on smaller places taking a credit card.

Have a great time!

For transportation you might try Galveston Limousine Service. They offer private charter service to the cruise port as well as their regularly scheduled service. Elite Limousine of Houston also has shuttle buses that would fit your need.

Playa Palancar will fit the bill. Quiet, nice beach, and good food. Great snorkeling nearby by boat if interested.

The Carnival excursions will start at the ship.....so to speak. You will still have to walk off the ship and through the small shopping area before boarding your bus. You will not however have to go all the way to town. You do not need FTTF for this excursion you'll have plenty of time. Enjoy Uxmal!

When you go to their bus terminal in Progreso you will get a ticket for and take the city bus to Merida. Their tour buses, for the most part, do not pickup at the terminal.

Here is info: http://www.autoprogreso.com/Transportation.html

The Progreso bus terminal is about two - three blocks from where they let you off when you get to Progreso. If you ride the bus to the end in Merida, you'll end up five easy blocks from the city plaza, you can see the terminal on the map, lower left. You can be let off earlier, Plaza Mayor, where you want to be, just ask.

Thank you for the info! I was looking at autoprogreso to take us into Merida & back. Your pricing seems to be a lot cheaper than what the website says. Anyways, if we decide to just tour Merida on our own, what are some must see places? How about to eat? Recommendations?

The AutoProgreso bus referenced here is the city bus, not the tour bus - Its very easy to catch and cheap. There are plenty of restaurants in the plaza and just adjacent to it. La Chaya, a couple block off the plaza is worth the walk. I also highly recommend ice cream at Helados Colon which is in the plaza. Sight seeing wise, the buildings surrounding the plaza are almost all historic, including the cathedral, its ok to enter it and look around, provided something not going on inside. The plaza has the feel of an European center to it. Below is a map of the plaza and the area around it with some of the highlights.

For those of you who have been to Merida or Uxmal I need some help/advice please. I want to do both but obviously cant so I am torn. I understand Merida has a population of 1,000,000 so it seems it would be very crowded. How is it around the square? I want to see the cathedral and do some looking around and maybe some shopping along with some lunch.

 

On the other hand I want to see the ruins too and Uxmal sounds like a nice excursion from what I have read. I dont know if anyone else in our group would want to walk around looking at ruins with me so I might have to it alone.

 

So in your opinion which excursion do you prefer, and why? Thanks ahead of time!

We have done both.

If you want to see ruins, it does not get any better than Uxmal. You'll see everything up close, you'll walk on them, and climb on them if you want. The tours are very informative and well worth it. Its a fairly long bus ride there and back and it can be hot there.....its still worth it!

Merida is a big city. However the city center park area is a relatively small area and worth the visit. There are plenty of restaurants and shopping right there, not to mention the cathedral and other buildings to see. There is great shopping a block off the square. Also the ice cream at Helados Colon, on the square, is worth a visit. Take the city bus there or get a cab there.

Uxmal:

Merida:

Merida Map:

Jim, we are doing the Uxmal bus tour through Carnival on July 3 (on the Triumph). Myself, DH age 53, two sons ages 20 and 11. I think I've read that the bus ride is about an hour and a half, one way; is that what you recall? Once at Uxmal, are there restrooms available? And is there anything we should take other than hats, sunscreen, cameras . . . I'm thinking we should all take a bottle of water too.

 

Any other details?

We did AutoProgreso, but it's the same bus ride and as I recall it was about 75 minutes there and around the same coming back; traffic plays a roll in the exact time. The ride is a great time for a nap both ways! They have restrooms there and they are ultra clean. You will definitely need hats and sunscreen, as its going to be hot hot. Also there is plenty of shade there. Do bring water, although there is a restaurant and stores there; generally speaking the welcome/information center is modern with plenty of amenities. Have a great trip!

Great information; looks like you had a great time. Thanks for taking the time to post this. One questions, did they have wave runners available?

There are a number of tour agencies listed at Yucatan Today, you can find them on this page http://www.yucatantoday.com/en/topics/tours-yucatan.

I know people that have used Lawson Excursions, one of the agencies listed above, although I haven't used them, and all recommend their service, same with Mayan Ecotours.