COMBO TOUR Merida & Dzibilchaltun

We were on Carnival's Ecstasy in February and really wanted to take the economical route of travelling on the public buses to see both MERIDA and DZIBILCHALTUN. Instead we booked the Combo Tour for $40 pp at the little market right where you disembark, and we're really glad we did. We received priority boarding on the shuttle bus. Our tour bus met us right at the shuttle stop and we were briefed by a wonderful tour guide on the way to Merida where we were escorted through the plaza, The Govenor's Palace, the Cathedral, and then on to Dzibi for tours of The Museum of the Mayan People, Temple of the Seven Dolls and had time for a swim at the cenote. The tour bus took us straight back to the ship (NOT to Progreso for a transfer) adding at least an extra 30 minutes to our excursion. I know this can be done cheaper, but heck! When you're not familiar with the area and have to be back at the ship by 3:30 p.m., every little thing helps! For us, the services of the tour guide were worth the fee alone, and we're happy to support local tourism wherever we go. I would recommend this tour for anyone who wants to see these two locations with a native guide and not be stressed out about getting lost or missing the boat.

Hello, could you give me more information on this? Where is the shuttle stop? How much time did you spend in each place? Was the cenote cold?:eek: Thanks!!!!

Hello, could you give me more information on this? Where is the shuttle stop? How much time did you spend in each place? Was the cenote cold?:eek: Thanks!!!!

When you get off your ship, you'll walk through a little market area. There is a tour operator in the market and this is where we bought our wristbands at about 9:30 a.m. At the end of the market is where the free shuttle bus loads to take passengers down that long, long pier. Once we had purchased our combo tour wrist-bands, we were taken to the front of the long line-ups and boarded first. This shuttle bus goes into downtown Progreso and stops on a street where various busses meet. Just showed the wristband and were directed to the correct tour bus. Boarded this bus at about 10:00 a.m.

We did keep up a brisk pace the whole time, similar to any group tour, but there were only about 20 of us, and the pace seemed fine. I see I made an error in saying that we had to be back on board by 3:30 . . . . it was actually 2:30 p.m.! Even more reason not to take chances!

The cenote was refreshingly coolish, but so beautiful. Little fish swimming all around. You'll find a photo of the Dzibi cenote on http://www.yucatantoday.com. Those are lily pads floating on the surface . . . . very pretty!

Did the ship leave at 5:00? If so, why did you have to be back by 2:30? Also, did you have time to look around Progreso at all? Thanks for all the info!:)

Did the ship leave at 5:00? If so, why did you have to be back by 2:30? Also, did you have time to look around Progreso at all? Thanks for all the info!:)

Our ship was departing at 3 p.m. Gee . . . 5 p.m. would have been nice. Have they made a schedule change?

We did not have time to look around Progreso, but if you were able to catch one of the first shuttles of the morning, then you would have a little time before meeting up with the tour bus.

Our ship was departing at 3 p.m. Gee . . . 5 p.m. would have been nice. Have they made a schedule change?

 

We did not have time to look around Progreso, but if you were able to catch one of the first shuttles of the morning, then you would have a little time before meeting up with the tour bus.

All my paper stuff has from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Did you get off at 9:00 am?

All my paper stuff has from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Did you get off at 9:00 am?

For the Feb. 19th sailing of Ecstasy, we were in Progreso on Wed., Feb. 21st from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. The next day was Cozumel from 8 a.m until 4 p.m. I see that your cruise does the reverse order, so maybe that is why you have different times. Lucky you! We didn't exit until 9 a.m. anyway. I like your hours much better!:o

How long total would you say the tour was? Thanks again!

How long total would you say the tour was? Thanks again!

10 am Boarded shuttle near ship

10:30 am Tour bus left Progreso

2:30 pm Tour bus drops us off at ship

I guess the actual tour was 4 hours. Yucatan in a blender!:D

Great Information!!!

I noticed you sailed in March. Which tours did you do? We sail in December. Thanks for any informaion.

Prairiegirl. Sounds like a good, but brief overview. When others take this tour consider going back to Merida for a land vacation. That's what I did and now have been back three times for the most relaxed, comfortable and enjoyable vacations of my long life.

I noticed you sailed in March. Which tours did you do? We sail in December. Thanks for any informaion.

We took a tour from a vender as we got off the bus in town .(Progresso) We just went with the Meridia tour. My only complaint is, we did not have enough time in Meridia. We had time to eat and that was it. No time to shop or look around. Then when we got back to Progresso and had very little time to look around there. If I had to do it all over again, I would have just went to Meridia independently.:)

hey autum sun,did you do the combo tour for $40 bucks or something different. i'm heading that way next week & want to make my plans ahead of time. also when docking is there a cab/bus to carry you to progresso? thanks for the input. gg

hey autum sun,did you do the combo tour for $40 bucks or something different. i'm heading that way next week & want to make my plans ahead of time. also when docking is there a cab/bus to carry you to progresso? thanks for the input. gg

We just did the Meridia tour . I believe it ran around $25. Yes, when you dock there will be a bus to take you down the very long pier to the town of Progresso. I would like to add that the beach was very nice in Progresso. I didnt expect that from reading different reviews. I wish I would have had extra time to spend there. Hope you have a great trip!:)

We just did the Meridia tour . I believe it ran around $25. Yes, when you dock there will be a bus to take you down the very long pier to the town of Progresso. I would like to add that the beach was very nice in Progresso. I didnt expect that from reading different reviews. I wish I would have had extra time to spend there. Hope you have a great trip!:)

Hi Autumn Sun

Can you tell a little more about the Merida tour you took....how long, what you did etc....we are going in August and would value any info you might pass along....thanks

Hi Autumn Sun

Can you tell a little more about the Merida tour you took....how long, what you did etc....we are going in August and would value any info you might pass along....thanks

Well, my tour is not a good one to judge by. We had to help a Princess ship stop and look for two college kids who went overboard. This in fact caused a chain reaction with the rest of our cruise. We had less time in port than we normally would. With our tour, they used our bus not only for the Meridia tour but they transported another tour along the way. It was not far out of the way but did take up extra time having to drop them off and pick them up. It was interesting to see some of the area between Progrsso and Meridia. We really had no time to do anything in Meridia. It was shop or eat, one or the other. No time for both .I would say we were there for about an hour. I stilled enjoyed it. Again, I dont know if all the tours go the way ours did. I really thought the beach was nice in Progresso though! Enjoy your trip!:)

As I've said many times, Merida is sooooo easy to visit on your own, using the AutoProgreso bus system. No tour is necessary. Trip is $3.00 RT.

As I've said many times, Merida is sooooo easy to visit on your own, using the AutoProgreso bus system. No tour is necessary. Trip is $3.00 RT.

If I had to do it again, I would do your way!:D I was just a little nervous with time constraints.:)

As I've said many times, Merida is sooooo easy to visit on your own, using the AutoProgreso bus system. No tour is necessary. Trip is $3.00 RT.

About how long is the ride and how often do busses run? I've, in my past life.......LOL (previous marrige) been on many Mexican busses, mostly Nuevo Laredo to Queretaro and Mexico City to Queretaro (ex's home town), so I have no problems riding and taking the family on them, I just want to make sure I don't miss the boat (pun intended)

Again, thanks for all the info you provide:cool:

The regular bus runs about every 15 minutes and takes 30-40 minutes to downtown Merida. The terminal is only three blocks from the central plaza in Merida and in the middle of the historical area.

Would love to spend a month there next time.

The regular bus runs about every 15 minutes and takes 30-40 minutes to downtown Merida. The terminal is only three blocks from the central plaza in Merida and in the middle of the historical area.

Would love to spend a month there next time.

hdawson...thanks for all the info you provide for this port. It makes things alot easier for alot of people.....one last quickie question - should we have some peso's handy for Progresso or Merida?

Cheers agian,

Gregg

Greg. Naw. Pesos are not necesary. Dollars are welcome at about 10 pesos to one US dollar.

Greg and all. Carry small denominations of US dollars. Change will likely be in pesos.

As I've said many times, Merida is sooooo easy to visit on your own, using the AutoProgreso bus system. No tour is necessary. Trip is $3.00 RT.

I am sure it is easy, but I like having a tour guide to tell me about the sights, history, etc of the area. Is that possible here?