Century Shore Excursion Roatan & Cozumel?

[true45]

This is our 10th Cruise - 2nd on Century (May 10 2010) - but we don't know anything about Roatan and were not happy with Cozumel last time. Everything we are hearing says beaches are very crowded & we did experience that - lines of beach chairs in rows, etc. We are a couple, no kids. We would like a quiet beach or tour without forced shopping stops. Does anyone know if taking taxis is safe in either port? Has anyone found a beach on their own. Happy to take Celebrity's excursion if it is worth it. Thanks for your advice.

[floridatravelersforlife]

They also had a civil rebellion in the country within the past year.

 

We were there 2.5 years ago and found the place marginal. Just starting to blossom into a tourist port.

 

Funny we enjoyed Cozumel, but we took independent excursions on the mainland like Tulum.

[librarylady19]

We were in Cozumel in November (2nd visit). We rented a car (Avis is at cruise terminal - was $75 for the day). We drove to southern point of the island and visited Punta Sur; beautiful, uncrowded area. There was a lighthouse, beach with a few chairs and a concession stand, and changing rooms. We only had to give a tip ($10 I think) to get a couple of chairs. We then drove to Coconuts on the east side of the island for a delicious lunch (ceviche, shrimp fajitas) with a marvelous view. We enjoyed the freedom of having a car and felt completely safe. The downtown tourist area is ok, but wasn't the highlight of the day. Lots of pressure to buy from the storekeepers and lots of drunken touists (from Carnival I think!!)

Here are some photos:

http://travel.webshots.com/album/576146954rPSVFH

[Tuna Fish]

My wife and I would recommend the Nachi-Cocom Beach Club for a day in Cozumel. We went there two years ago, and had a great day. It is a private beach club. They limit capacity to 100 people. Everyong gets a beach chair and what I call a little palm shack to hide from the sun. All inclusive - food, liquor, beer, soft drinks. Also has a great pool and large jacuzi with swim up bar. They have some jet skis and other stuff you can rent. We found it no better when our first beers after arriving and floating around in the ocean dried up only to find Carlos delivering a iced tub of long necks at the water line so we would not have to hike back to the bar.

The food was good quality, and a nice extensive menu for all.

They did from time to time push buying the welcome photo they took. (really a nice photo).

Overall experience was great. We are sailing on Solstice in May and have booked again via Island Marketing. The taxi ride is easy and cost around $15.00 each way. Nachi will call a cab if you give them advanced notice of your departure.

[OhioDogLover]

We were there last summer and took the kids (and their grandparents, believe it or not, two 70+ year olds) out four wheeling. The kids (20 yo) and grandparents loved it. In fact, Grandma wants to go again! She looke dgreat with the helmet! So, if you are looking for something more on the active side, try that.

Ohiodoglover

[luvtocook]

We did the Celebrity Magical Island beach & lobster lunch tour in Roatan last week. Although we had a good time and the food was actually good, it was nothing to write home about. We went to West End, VERY bad roads, nice beach with clear water but tons of sea grass. We did a snorkel tour ($20 extra) that was worth the whole trip, excellent reef. The electricity was out in the hotel and too hot to sit there & eat so we ate down at the beach.

Several years ago we went to Paradise Beach on Cozumel, VERY nice facilities. this time, we didn't get off the ship.