Best Buy Tours to Tulum from cruise ship, back to the ship on time?

[Minn.cruisers]

We would like to book an excursion in Cozumel to the Tulum site with a local tour operator vs the cruiseline. Cruiseline excursions are so overpriced, but also would like to book through local family tour operators, it is their livelihood. There are so many recommendations to take the ship offered tours d/t the fear of not getting back to the ship on time. Has anyone taken tours with the local operators and had no problem getting back on time, or even time to spare? We would like to tour with Best Buy, they have wonderful reviews on Trip Advisor.

[mrsfuzzmo]

I can't recommend anything but a ship tour. I've cruised to Coz more times than I can count and stayed on the mainland just as many. There are so many factors that can cause a delay in a trip to the mainland and down to Tulum that I wouldn't chance it....unless....Cozumel is you last port and you don't have any issue getting a flight home from there if you miss the ship.

 

We've almost always had a delay leaving Cozumel because the ship tour to the mainland was delayed. If the ship sponsored tours have delays, the private can as well.

[wantocruisemore]

I would only do this through the ship. Tulum is not on the island of Cozumel and you have to go by boat to mainland and then long bus ride to site. We did it years ago and at that time the ship pulled over to let people go by boat on this tour and then ship continued to Cozumel. Not sure how they do it now.

 

What are your other stops? There are much better sites that are easier to get to from other ports.

 

See the thread below titled recommendations for Tulum tour. Makes some good points.

[crewsweeper]

You should visit some websites other than vendor sites, on Tulum and getting there from Coz. The key take aways are the ferry schedules and the mode of transportation you take from Playa del Carmen to Tulum. Be sure you have some options/alternative available if the car/tram/bus breaks down. Leave the ship as early as you can and catch the earliest ferry you can. Be sure you leave Tulum with enough time to get you back to the ferry dock at Playa at least 15 minutes before scheduled departure, if not 30 minutes prior. You should be on the dock when the ferry from Coz is pulling in. That might cut your time at Tulum short, but you're better safe than sorry. And if you're early for the return ferry, there's plenty of places within walking distance for a snack or quick drink. Also, be sure you are aware of the differences between your ship's time and local time. For example, if the return feries are scheduled for 1PM and 3PM and your ship is leaving at 5PM and the ship is on Eastern time, you'll need the 1PM return ferry not the 3PM, as that won't get back to Coz until nearly 4Pm Coz which is 5PM ship time. Again, better to cut time short at Tulum than risk missing the ship. Keep at least one watch on ship time. One tip is to try to time your ferries with the ship excursion, especially on return, so find a few friendly faces on the ship excursion beforehand so you can keep them in sight.

 

So long as you have these items covered, you'll have as enjoyable time as the ship excursioners will, and maybe a bit better.

[JimAOk1945]

It's best to book your excursion through the cruise line. It's a very long day involving a long ferry ride and bus ride both ways. Too many things can go wrong to risk going with a private vendor.