Tulum tour okay for elderly?

[bmewborn]

We are going on the western 7-day cruise on 6-17, with a group of extended family. My father wants to visit the Tulum ruins at Cozumel, but he is concerned about the activity level and the heat on the ship's excursion. Has anyone been who can tell us more about how strenuous the walking is, and whether there is protection from the sun, particularly during the beach portion of the trip? He has difficulty walking on even slight inclines and short flights of stairs, but flat terrain is not as big of a problem. Any info on the activity level would be appreciated.

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Howdy,
I have not done this tour, but I have talked to someone who has done it and saw the pictures. i would NOT recommend it for someone who has any trouble walking.
The drop off place is along way from the ruins. You can pay for a tram to take you to the ruins about $3 per person. There is almost NO shade anywhere and the stairs down to the beach are very steep and there are a lot of them!!! The area around the ruins has some level places but mostly it is uneven and people have to really watch themselves, even young healthy people. This is not a good tour for an older person or a young child.
That is my opinion and the opinion of my friend who did the tour.
Good luck on your decision.
mom x4,grandma x4

[ucipass1]

I have been to Tulum and it is definitely not for someone who has mobility issues. It's a good 15-20 minute walk from where you park. Some parts are fairly steep.

AA

[dixieslanding]

hmmm...

I think i would agree. I'm on same cruise w/ wife and 9 and 11 year old... and debating if it's worth it to Tulum. We are going because we have decided.. DAMN THE TORPEDOES... but the kids are young and while we are so so... i've made the decision.. they need to understand the reality of the history. I'm actually expecting this to be our worst day on the cruise as a result. But life is more than cruising. Learning is important.

But if you have any access issues i'd say DEFINTELY avoid Tulum.

Instead.. research (shocking...) non-Disney tours. I suspect if you time them right (we are there ALL day) you will have a more enjoyable time. I'm debating on taking a non-disney tour on Cayman (which my wife and i know... Disney is WONDERFUL.. but sometimes it's better not to be part of the crowd).

[Serangel71]

We are going on the western 7-day cruise on 6-17, with a group of extended family. My father wants to visit the Tulum ruins at Cozumel, but he is concerned about the activity level and the heat on the ship's excursion. Has anyone been who can tell us more about how strenuous the walking is, and whether there is protection from the sun, particularly during the beach portion of the trip? He has difficulty walking on even slight inclines and short flights of stairs, but flat terrain is not as big of a problem. Any info on the activity level would be appreciated.

Been to Tulum in 1981 & 1999 -- definitely would not recommend for anyone with heat or mobility concerns. Take water.. We were there early in May & it was very, very hot. There were some stairs to walk up - not steep but enough & inside the terrain was uneven. Can't remember the steps to the beach but did walk up the steps for the main building (1981).

There are some ruins on Cozumel but not well taken care of. More even terrain but take bug repellent and sun block. Went before Wilma & rocks were laying about - a taste of Mayan history & ruins. And a very short tour. More cover here but some was in the open. The beach they took us to had a great place under cover & cool. Plus great margaritas.

[bmewborn]

Ooooh, thanks for all the advice. Sounds like my dad will definitely sit this one out. What about the beach that the excursion visits (name of the beach isn't given in the excursion description) -- any shade there?

Does anyone know of a non-Disney Tulum tour from Cozumel that DOESN'T include a beach stop? I'd really be in favor of skipping that part and getting back to the ship a couple of hours earlier.

[dixieslanding]

tulum is quite a ways from the ship.... I think we take a ferry to the mainland and a bus from there. It is an ALL day afair. the beach is right there (and there are no changing rooms that i'm aware of) -- google tulum and you will see pictures. If we don't have a good tour guide it will be a dud.

My suggestion is XCaret (spelling?)... it is listed as an option but it appears to be full (because i tried switching). But.. there are independent tour operators.

Call the line and ask. be whiny...

[savblucrab]

We are going on the western 7-day cruise on 6-17, with a group of extended family. My father wants to visit the Tulum ruins at Cozumel, but he is concerned about the activity level and the heat on the ship's excursion. Has anyone been who can tell us more about how strenuous the walking is, and whether there is protection from the sun, particularly during the beach portion of the trip? He has difficulty walking on even slight inclines and short flights of stairs, but flat terrain is not as big of a problem. Any info on the activity level would be appreciated.we just got back from Tulum and it is gorgeous there...some walking but for $2.oo you can ride down the ruins...it is flat there but the steps to the beach are very high but on the bright side the beach there is soooo gorgeous:)

[crusinpsychRN]

We went to Tulum on a July cruise. Very long, exceedingly speedy bus ride with one stop at a tourist trap for bathroom use--bring your own paper! It was at least 105 degrees at the ruins and rides were not easy to find so we walked. This is a very strenuous tour. Only go in cooler (??) months and take bottled water.

[deborahjo]

I was 47 when I took this tour and I felt to was much to hot in November and very unsure footing. Not something I would want my mother doing.