paty2k

Hearing both balcony and floor seats are good. Is there a single row of tables and chairs in the balcony around the show area? Trying to determine how well the viewing would be from the balcony if anyone could give me a better idea. Thanks!

We booked the Chacchoben Ruins tour directly with Native Choice. I read many reviews that were all very favorable. I emailed Ivan a tour director and he promptly replied to my questions. It wasn't a very long walk to their office from and ship and I completed payment at their office with credit card. Everyone was great! Vans were comfortable and fairly new, water was given to each person. There was a second guide with us besides Ivan for our small group of 8.

I would highly recommend Native Choice and if possible, request to have Ivan Cohuo as your guide. Ivan's father found the ruins, he grew up there and played on the temples. Nothing so personal as having first hand information. He was also very informative about his country and answered any questions.

You will not go wrong and I doubt you will get a better tour than going with Native Choice.

We were also dropped off right at the port and had plenty of time to shop and visit the port as their tours were first thing in the morning.

PS we booked Tulum with NCL and the sight was great but the tour guide... Wish Native Choice was in all ports!!

We were concerned as well as this was our first cruise and time out of the country experience. We paid the deposit of $30.00 ($15.00pp) with a credit card from the Native Choice site. Through emails with Ivan (Tour Director) he said we could pay the balance with the credit card when we arrived or in US dollars. We did bring cash in case, but used the credit card and it was fine and experienced no problems. I noticed on the reservation sheet when checking in most paid in full already, but you don't have to.

Being the experience we had with them I will not hesitate to pay in full from their site.

Hope you have a great time and hope you get Ivan as your guide!! Enjoy !!!:)

We booked with Native Choice (and will ONLY use them when revisiting) for their CHACCHOBEN MAYA RUINS TOUR: Being a private tour company, they have been removed from the port by the cruise companies (SHAME on all you cruise companies) and requires you to walk to their office about 4 blocks away. Walk was okay and the two of us felt safe. They were allowed to drop us at the port on our return. The girls at the office welcomed you with smiles and very helpful with getting you set to go. We were divided into small groups (we were 8 or 9) with two guides. "Al", a beautiful young woman who was always ready to take pictures when asked. Our driver (can't remember his name) was very nice, always extending a hand to help you get in and out of their comfortable up to date van and handing us cool water. We were with Ivan Cohuo, one of the tour directors. I had corresponded with him before booking and he was prompt to reply to my emails. This excursion was the high light of our cruise and mainly due to our guide, Ivan Cohuo. We learned so much about the Mayan people, their culture, Mexico and the ruins from him. No matter what the question was he would spend the time to answer you. What was so incredible besides having a small group (felt just for you) was that Ivan's father founded the ruins of Chacchoben, lived there and Ivan was born and grew up at the ruins! You can't get any more personal and factual than this! He showed us a building where his mothers out door kitchen and his home was and explained the fun he had growing up and playing there on the ruins. He explained each ruin, found pieces of pottery to point out to us, spider monkeys, trees and fruit to make gum - the wealth of information was fascinating! Ivan is so passionate about his heritage and gets everyone so excited. We volunteered to return and assist when excavation continues!!! PLEASE use Native Choice tours as your excursion choice at Costa Maya, you will not find a more passionate source to give you the most in depth and personal time NOT to mention far less expensive!! Thank you Ivan and Native Choice, you at beyond A+++++!!!

Hope you follow through using them, you will not be disappointed, but as another viewer mentioned, wifi there is not up to the standard in the US and slow.