From port, can we go to Tulem without a tour excursion?

[scrapperluv]

Hi all!

 

I'll be in port at Cozumel and would like to take a trip to the ruins in Tulum. From the reviews I read, a lot of people have complained that the tour guides have the tourists stand in the sun while they talk for 45 minutes. I don't really want a tour guide and just want to wander around. Is there a way to do that or do I have to book a tour and go along with a guide?

 

I know the guides have a lot of information to share, but I've always preferred to read up on sites and explore on my own. I just wonder how difficult it will be to find my own way from the cruise ship port to the ruins and back. Are there any excursions that just offer transportation then allow us to venture off on our own? What do you think?

[bguppies]

You definitely can try to do it on your own or with an independent tour, but some things to take into consideration...

 

First you have to take the 45 minute ferry ride to Playa Del Carmen, then there, rent a car, find a bus, etc.. for the hour ride to Tulum. (and that is if you are docking in town on NCL or Disney. Carnival or RCCL you need to add 7-10 minute cab ride into town and back.)

 

So you are basically, easily, tying up 4 hours with buying tickets, renting vehicles and transportation.

 

Most people prefer to do a tour through the cruiseline with Tulum, just due to the extreme length of travel on not the greatest roads, with not the best vehicles.

A lot of risk of breakdown (not just yours but an old chicken truck or bus on the road), etc.. slowing the trip at some point.

 

Plus the ferries run on the hour, but not EVERY hour, and if anything would slow down your return to catch the ferry back that you need (delay returning rental, traffic, etc) it will be at least 1, if not 2 hours for the next ferry and the ship will not wait, unless it is their own tour running late.

 

Just a few things to think about before trying to get to Tulum on your own. (or through independent excursion)

Edited March 29, 2014 by bguppies

[bguppies]

Couple of nice maps I found while researching a trip to Tulum.

 

[dcikon2]

We took a tour the first time we visited Tulum. We much prefer going to the ruins independently. You won't be able to go swimming below the ruins with a tour. The ADO bus station in Playa del Carmen is only 2 blocks from the ferry. I would take the collective. They are located a block west of the bus station. The problem will be feeling comfortable to go there on your own. Both the bus and collective drop you off at the highway. It's about a quarter mile walk to the entrance. The beach is a must do!

[scrapperluv]

Well, I'd love to do it as an excursion if the "tour guide" would let us wander off once we got to the ruins. I really, really don't want to time standing in one place listening to the the guy : )

 

Do you think it'd be incredibly rude if I took off on my own once we got there and didn't stay and listen?

[bguppies]

Well, I'd love to do it as an excursion if the "tour guide" would let us wander off once we got to the ruins. I really, really don't want to time standing in one place listening to the the guy : )

 

Do you think it'd be incredibly rude if I took off on my own once we got there and didn't stay and listen?

 

I would just make sure to find out exact time to meet when it's time to leave and be back early...

 

It's your excursion.

 

I would say though, to tip the guide, if you choose to ignore their work. (maybe tip him/her before you split off, to ensure they come get you at the end)

Would be the considerate thing to do.

[JimAOk1945]

Well, I'd love to do it as an excursion if the "tour guide" would let us wander off once we got to the ruins. I really, really don't want to time standing in one place listening to the the guy : )

 

Do you think it'd be incredibly rude if I took off on my own once we got there and didn't stay and listen?

 

We did just that and have done it before on other tours. After we arrived at the site, I spoke to the guide before he started his spiel to ask if we could wander around and meet up with the bus later. He was very accommodating and told his how to get back to the parking lot and what time to be there. I coordinated my watch with his before separating from the group and gave him a tip as well. We had a great time walking around and my wife took loads of pictures. I kept track of the time and we had no trouble getting back to the parking lot and finding the bus.

 

After we arrived back in town, there was a huge line waiting for ferries on the way back to the ship since there were other ships there as well. We found out later that over 300 passengers (including us) were well over an hour late returning to the ship. It was a long day but well worth it in my opinion.

 

We booked this excursion through our cruise line. I highly recommend it.

 

My wife made a slide show for her website with pictures she took on our excursion. You can view it at the link below

 

http://nancysoasis.com/2012tulum/tulum.html

 

Happy Cruising!

Edited March 29, 2014 by JimAOk1945

[RVRCLC]

Well, I'd love to do it as an excursion if the "tour guide" would let us wander off once we got to the ruins. I really, really don't want to time standing in one place listening to the the guy : )

 

Do you think it'd be incredibly rude if I took off on my own once we got there and didn't stay and listen?

 

I have never stayed with a tour guide. I go off on my own every time.

[crewsweeper]

Do check the return ferry times in relation to your ship's departure time. Ferries depart Playa for Coz every 2 hours on the odd hour. For example, if your ship is on Eastern time and leaves at 5PM, you can't catch either 3PM ferry from Playa. You'll need to catch the 1PM. That may cramp your time. Plus you will need to buy your ferry ticket before boarding and sometimes they refuse to sell tickets right at departure time even though the ferry is still at the dock and still loading passengers.

 

But do get off the ship as early as you can so you can get in as much time as possible. If you can get all your ducks in a row, Tulum has a very beautiful setting.

[geoherb]

We went to Tulum two weeks ago on our Ruby Princess cruise. Princess offers a Tulum Mayan Ruins and Beach Break excursion that includes 90 minutes of time at the beach. Unfortunately it was closed the day we were there due to rough surf.

 

I agree about the 45-minute talk from our guide. I was fortunate to find a patch of shade. There were also some birds nearby and iguanas that held my interest more than the guide. I took some great photos of them.

 

Overall, I felt misled by the description of our excursion, which made it sound like the tour guide would be leading us around the ruins, pointing out the various attractions:

 

Once inside Tulum's majestic walls, you are escorted by your English speaking guide for a 45-minute narrated overview of the ancient walled Mayan city of Tulum, originally settled as a marine trade and ceremonial center for the vast Mayan empire. Visit famous "El Castillo" castle ruins known for its unique astronomical orientation, situated on a spectacular 40-foot bluff overlooking the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea. Admire the Temple of the Frescos known for its detailed carved figures and frescoes, depicting original Mayan paintings and writings, the Temple of the Descending God, the House of Chultun and the House of Columns, adorned by Tulum's iguanas. Experience and photograph the breathtaking views from the towering cliff.

I learned more about our guide's ex-girlfriend and his daughter than I did about the Mayans. I'm glad we finally got a chance to see the ruins. I just wish the guides escorted us through the ruins for the 45 minutes instead of having us stay in one place.

Edited March 31, 2014 by geoherb

[erries]

I agree with the majority here: do a ship excursion but wander off on your own once you get to the site. We did a Tulum excursion through Royal several years ago, and it was over eight hours altogether. There's so much travel time involved (and our bus *did* break down and delay us by about an hour), I wouldn't want to risk missing the ship if you do it completely on your own and get hung up somewhere along the way trying to get back. We didn't initially plan to leave our tour group at the site, but eventually broke off when we got tired of the slow pace and just kept them in eyesight the whole time. I like one of the suggestions above about coordinating with your tour guide and syncing watches so you know exactly when to meet back at the bus.

[preschool teacher]

Sounds great going with the ship and breaking off on your own...with a tip to the tour guide.......can you climb the ruins there? And I love the idea of going to the beach!!!! But I read it's a long walk to the beach

....is that true? Thanks!

[lollylew]

.can you climb the ruins there? And I love the idea of going to the beach!!!! But I read it's a long walk to the beach

....is that true? Thanks!

 

OH NO!! They are VERY strict about not climbing over the ropes that surround the ruins. Accidentally step over the ropes and there are people there blowing whistles at you!

 

The beach is right below the ruins but you do have to walk down a steep staircase to get there.

 

Sent from my KFTHWA using Forums mobile app

[mrsfuzzmo]

Sounds great going with the ship and breaking off on your own...with a tip to the tour guide.......can you climb the ruins there? And I love the idea of going to the beach!!!! But I read it's a long walk to the beach

....is that true? Thanks!

 

The only ruins you can climb is one at Coba and that's a pretty good hike from Cozumel. I would leave that to a trip to the mainland. That being said, it's AMAZING and I would recommend it (and the climb) over Tulum in a heartbeat, but others think differently.

 

As far as getting there yourself, if your ship is in Coz for a long day (say 8 am - 6 pm or later) then I would go for it. No need to rent a car, just get off the ferry, hire a taxi, OR take the Collectivo (as mentioned above). A taxi will probably run you $40-50 each way so take that into consideration since the collectivo will be about $4 pp each way. If you did rent a car, the road between Playa and Tulum is awesome! It's a straight shot, super stretch of double laned highway. No need to worry. It will take you about 40 minutes. Beware, though, that they do have "topes" or speedbumps every few miles to keep the speeding to a minimum.

 

If you really want to go, and your time is shorter than that in port, I'd definitley do a ships excursion.

 

Personally, we like to do things on Cozumel (awesome island) when in Cozumel and leave the ruins and mainland things to mainland trips. It's just a lot of time and energy to even get there and back, that we like to enjoy the extra time on Coz.

Edited May 15, 2014 by mrsfuzzmo

[Pitzel]

Hi all!

 

 

 

I'll be in port at Cozumel and would like to take a trip to the ruins in Tulum. From the reviews I read, a lot of people have complained that the tour guides have the tourists stand in the sun while they talk for 45 minutes. I don't really want a tour guide and just want to wander around. Is there a way to do that or do I have to book a tour and go along with a guide?

 

 

 

I know the guides have a lot of information to share, but I've always preferred to read up on sites and explore on my own. I just wonder how difficult it will be to find my own way from the cruise ship port to the ruins and back. Are there any excursions that just offer transportation then allow us to venture off on our own? What do you think?

 

 

Due to the timing and logistics, I would highly recommend going with a tour through your cruise line. We got back with maybe 45 min to spare before all aboard -- too close for comfort if anything would have delayed our return.

 

Our tour guide was marvelous. That said, we did wander away from the tour group after 15 min when our 4 yo got restless. We followed her instructions and made it back to the bus in plenty of time, exploring a lot on our own.