should we do Coba or Tulum on Freedom of the Seas excursion?

[momrules]

debating on which would be better to do Coba or Tulum ruins. Both are offered as excursions on FOS (May). Tulum is 6 hrs. and Coba is 8 hrs. We are family of 4 with 2 young adults and like history. Tulum is shorter and looks really neat to sea along the ocean, but at Coba I understand it is not as well excavated, but you can still climb the pyramid. My kids would love to do this (ok - me too!). Is it worth the extra time and travel to go to Coba over Tulum. Would like your honest opinions on this. Thank you.

[lovevacadays]

I think the beautiful setting of Tulum, the chance to walk down to the beach, and the shorter distance makes it a better option over Coba. Unless, of course, you really have your heart on walking on the pyramids. I thought Tulum was a long day so Coba would be stretching it for me. With kids, you might also want to consider that Coba adds an extra 2 hours to your day.

[momrules]

thanks for your input - the kids are 21 and 18 so it wouldn't be to much for them plus they both commented on possibly climbing a pyramid - but I'm leaning towards Tulum because of the long trip

[mattp420]

I've been to both and couldn't recommend Coba more highly.

 

WAY less crowded and much more interaction with the ruins. The drive wasnt much worse I didn't think. Maybe 30 minutes.

 

Tulum is cool but everything is roped off. Coba was like walking back into time. Many of the ruins including the big pyramid are only half excavated so it really feels different...you're deep in the jungle.

 

Also cool was the carving which is one of the origins of the 12/21/2012 conspiracy.

 

Highly recommended!!

[Colorado Kat]

I would do Coba, but definitely do a ship's excursion. Then you are safe if there are delays. Either of these you have to do the ferry to the mainland.

 

I would also choose Coba since they still let you climb a pyramid. It won't be too many years, and that will be off limits. I went to Chichen Itza when we were still allowed to climb up, and I loved it!

[mattp420]

I would also choose Coba since they still let you climb a pyramid. It won't be too many years, and that will be off limits. I went to Chichen Itza when we were still allowed to climb up, and I loved it!

 

We were able to climb Chichen Itza too back on our honeymoon in 1998. So incredible.

 

Here are a few pics from Coba:

 

 

 

 

[Sassy's Mom]

Here are two pictures from last spring in Tulum. The beach picture is taken from the cliff above the sea. While we couldn't climb on the structures themselves, there was plenty of opportunity to get very close and the photo ops were amazing. I do have to say that our guide was absolutely amazing. He truly had a heart for the Mayans and it was evident by not only his knowledge but his passion as well.

 

The only thing that would stop me from giving the excursion a 5 star rating would be the ferry ride. It was VERY rough.

[momrules]

Thanks everyone for your input! RC shore excursion for Coba includes a lunch and show about the Mayans with the tour. Has anyone done the shore excursion with RC? Not sure if I want to take the chance of having less time to tour the ruins because we have to leave for the lunch and Mayan show - not really interested in that. We just want to tour the ruins and climb the pyramid. I'm willing to spend the extra travel time to Coba if we plenty of time to tour. I know Coba is spread out and you can rent bicycles to ride through the jungle, but if we only have 30 min. to see the ruins because of the show/lunch, then I will stick with RC Tulum tour. I know this is long, but I want to get my moneys worth. This is something I always wanted to do. Thanks in advance.

[jkskrap]

It was fun to read your post since we are wondering the same thing! Kind of funny--- we ALSO are going on Freedom with our 2 kids ages 18 and 21.

 

I think we will do the Tulum tour just because it is a little less time and it drops you off in the city where the girls can do a little shopping before grabbing a taxi back to the ship. I have been to Tulum many, many years ago and enjoyed it. Back then you could climb all over it, but it makes sense that they have had to stop that. It isn't huge but it will give the kids a taste for it.

 

The other one is tempting . . . Let us know what you chose and how it went!

[momrules]

It was fun to read your post since we are wondering the same thing! Kind of funny--- we ALSO are going on Freedom with our 2 kids ages 18 and 21.

 

I think we will do the Tulum tour just because it is a little less time and it drops you off in the city where the girls can do a little shopping before grabbing a taxi back to the ship. I have been to Tulum many, many years ago and enjoyed it. Back then you could climb all over it, but it makes sense that they have had to stop that. It isn't huge but it will give the kids a taste for it.

 

The other one is tempting . . . Let us know what you chose and how it went!

 

 

Hi - I'm probably leaning towards the Tulum tour just because of travel time and the extra lunch/show. Would rather have the total time at the ruins. Not looking forward to the extra 2 hours travel time especially if the ferry ride over is rough to begin with. Maybe we will be on the tour together! Probably wont decide till closer to the cruise in May.

[kahliasmom]

I am wondering about Coba, Tulum and I believe Chichen Itza is offered on RC Oasis as well. Kind of leaning toward Tulum.

[elcuchio24]

I've been to both and couldn't recommend Coba more highly.

 

WAY less crowded and much more interaction with the ruins. The drive wasnt much worse I didn't think. Maybe 30 minutes.

 

Tulum is cool but everything is roped off. Coba was like walking back into time. Many of the ruins including the big pyramid are only half excavated so it really feels different...you're deep in the jungle.

 

Also cool was the carving which is one of the origins of the 12/21/2012 conspiracy.

 

Highly recommended!!

 

Coba is a much more authentic, less touristy experience. That would be my choice, but when I went it was from an AI in Playa Del Carmen, so a shorter ride without any time constraint......

[LADYBIRD]

I also want to do one or the other but dont know what "the traditional purification" is on the coba tour???

[elcuchio24]

I also want to do one or the other but dont know what "the traditional purification" is on the coba tour???

 

Probably a local medicine man with incense, etc.

[LADYBIRD]

also, sounds to me like the Tulum one drops you off downtown and you have to take a taxi back, the Coba one doesnt say so im assuming it drops you off at the boat??? I want to be dropped off at the boat

[mattp420]

I went on the Carnival Coba excursion so can't comment on any extra activities. We made a stop at a souvenir shop/restroom area on the way but that was the only side trip we made. Spent about 2.5-3 hours at Coba.

 

The day was long and there wasn't any time at all for shopping or a nearby beach like there is at Tulum but my attitude is that you can shop or go to the beach at any of the other stops...this is one of the only sites where else can you still CLIMB a Mayan pyramid.

 

Was reading that they are probably going to close it down to the public next year so am glad I got to experience this before it's too late.

[mericker]

I have been to Chichen Itza, Tulum and just got back from Coba. Chichen Itza is by far the best; however, I wouldn’t plan to do this excursion from a ship. I drove from Cancun and was able to spend lots of time and avoided tour buses. I also drove to Tulum (different day) and again when the tour buses showed up the place was packed. I was able to climb the temple at Chichen Itza but now you can’t. If you don’t ever think you will get an opportunity to ever go to Chichen Itza in the future, I would definitely try to go there. Tullum was very beautiful but very crowed. I tell people it’s like an outdoor museum. You can look but don’t touch. It’s not very spread out so this is something that would be great for older people or people that have a tough time walking. Kids would probably want to go down to the water and play. There is no shade so bring lots of water and wear a hat. Now for Coba which we did as an excursion on the Carnival Magic…well about everyone got sick on the ferry as the water was very choppy (it was a little windy). The ferry ride was about 45 minutes. We got onto a bus and stopped to buy some souvenirs and use the restroom. Our guide was of Mayan descent and was very passionate so the 1.5 hour bus ride didn’t seem too bad. We only had 1.5 hours to visit the ruins (really wished we had more time). We only got to see a small portion of the ruins but were able to climb 138 feet to the top of the main temple. The climb wasn’t bad and the view was awesome. My dad of 68 made the climb with his bad ankle and my 19, 16 and 5 year boys’ wife and I made the climb. A few others didn’t want to try to climb. Some of our party used rickshaws. A two seated bike that one of the locals pedaled around, which was $10. Then it was back to the bus. We did buy a few souvenirs at the ruins but didn’t have any other shopping time. The ferry ride was much better as the water was much calmer. Our excursion was 7 hours so 3 hours on a bus 1.5 hours on a ferry boat were pretty rough. Tulum will probably be the same for many years as most of the restorations have been completed along with Chichen Itza, however, Coba hasn’t been restored much and there are many ruins to be unearthed. So really think about what you want from this type of excursion and choose accordingly. Oh…our tour guide said that you may not be able to climb Coba much longer. He said they may close it down in the next few months. My 5 year old son really enjoyed this excursion but slept the whole way back to the ferry boat. Sorry this is so long.

[momrules]

thank you for your reply - I like details. We would really like to climb the ruins at Coba - but not sure if the long trip plus the lunch and mayan show would cut into the actual time of touring the ruins. So at this point, I'm leaning towards Tulum and doing with the cruise ship tour. Probably won't decide to closer to our cruise in May.

[1stimer2010]

I have been to Chichen Itza, Tulum and just got back from Coba. Chichen Itza is by far the best; however, I wouldn’t plan to do this excursion from a ship. I drove from Cancun and was able to spend lots of time and avoided tour buses. I also drove to Tulum (different day) and again when the tour buses showed up the place was packed. I was able to climb the temple at Chichen Itza but now you can’t. If you don’t ever think you will get an opportunity to ever go to Chichen Itza in the future, I would definitely try to go there. Tullum was very beautiful but very crowed. I tell people it’s like an outdoor museum. You can look but don’t touch. It’s not very spread out so this is something that would be great for older people or people that have a tough time walking. Kids would probably want to go down to the water and play. There is no shade so bring lots of water and wear a hat. Now for Coba which we did as an excursion on the Carnival Magic…well about everyone got sick on the ferry as the water was very choppy (it was a little windy). The ferry ride was about 45 minutes. We got onto a bus and stopped to buy some souvenirs and use the restroom. Our guide was of Mayan descent and was very passionate so the 1.5 hour bus ride didn’t seem too bad. We only had 1.5 hours to visit the ruins (really wished we had more time). We only got to see a small portion of the ruins but were able to climb 138 feet to the top of the main temple. The climb wasn’t bad and the view was awesome. My dad of 68 made the climb with his bad ankle and my 19, 16 and 5 year boys’ wife and I made the climb. A few others didn’t want to try to climb. Some of our party used rickshaws. A two seated bike that one of the locals pedaled around, which was $10. Then it was back to the bus. We did buy a few souvenirs at the ruins but didn’t have any other shopping time. The ferry ride was much better as the water was much calmer. Our excursion was 7 hours so 3 hours on a bus 1.5 hours on a ferry boat were pretty rough. Tulum will probably be the same for many years as most of the restorations have been completed along with Chichen Itza, however, Coba hasn’t been restored much and there are many ruins to be unearthed. So really think about what you want from this type of excursion and choose accordingly. Oh…our tour guide said that you may not be able to climb Coba much longer. He said they may close it down in the next few months. My 5 year old son really enjoyed this excursion but slept the whole way back to the ferry boat. Sorry this is so long.

 

 

 

So glad you wrote this.......Can you tell me this...?? We are on the Liberty in April..Want to do the Coba tour through Carnival. I saw that it docks by a dock with a large walkway. At the end of that dock/walkway there was a beach. Where do you go to get the ferry? and then once off the ferry are you in another part of the island? And thats where you catch the bus? Sorry for all these questions..but I am just a little confused!!! Thanks so much!

[mericker]

We walked off the Carnival Magic down the pier made a left and went a short distance made another left down the pier to the ferry boat. When the ferry boat got to the main land we were escorted down the pier to a waiting bus (nice tour style bus but no restroom) and off to the ruins. After about 45 minutes we stopped for restroom break and souvenirs shopping. This is the most time you get to shop. At the ruins we just followed our tour guide, climbed the large ruin and then back to the bus. Use the restrooms before getting back on the bus as there were no stops back. There are a couple of shops at the ruins but we were really rushed. The bus got us back to Playa del Carmen and we got off went down the pier and back onto the ferry boat. No place to shop at the pier but there is a sandy beach. Once back to Cozumel at the same dock, we were off the boat and headed back to our ship. There are a few shops and huts for souvenirs but didn’t have much time.

[cruiserlover1969]

We walked off the Carnival Magic down the pier made a left and went a short distance made another left down the pier to the ferry boat. When the ferry boat got to the main land we were escorted down the pier to a waiting bus (nice tour style bus but no restroom) and off to the ruins. After about 45 minutes we stopped for restroom break and souvenirs shopping. This is the most time you get to shop. At the ruins we just followed our tour guide, climbed the large ruin and then back to the bus. Use the restrooms before getting back on the bus as there were no stops back. There are a couple of shops at the ruins but we were really rushed. The bus got us back to Playa del Carmen and we got off went down the pier and back onto the ferry boat. No place to shop at the pier but there is a sandy beach. Once back to Cozumel at the same dock, we were off the boat and headed back to our ship. There are a few shops and huts for souvenirs but didn’t have much time.

 

THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for this!!! Makes me feel a bit better...I kept reading that you had to rent taxi bikes which I am thinking.."great..a way to get lost!" I keep hearing that the ferry boat is like a roller coaster and to bring meds. LOL I will make sure I have those for sure!

 

Otherwise did you have a great time on the cruise????

[jkskrap]

thank you for your reply - I like details. We would really like to climb the ruins at Coba - but not sure if the long trip plus the lunch and mayan show would cut into the actual time of touring the ruins. So at this point, I'm leaning towards Tulum and doing with the cruise ship tour. Probably won't decide to closer to our cruise in May.

 

Let us know what you decided (when you decide!). And make sure and post your thoughts after the cruise. We are looking forward to it!

[momrules]

Let us know what you decided (when you decide!). And make sure and post your thoughts after the cruise. We are looking forward to it!

 

still did not make reservations yet - but as of now, after talking to all family members, we will probably do the Coba tour. They, including me, want to climb the ruins before they are closed. We have discussed the long time getting to and back and realize we probably will not have a whole lot of time at the ruins, but the fact of still being able to climb seems to far outweigh everything else. Will probably either book right before we leave or just book on ship. Will try to remember to post after tour when we get back. Hope you have a great time as well. On a side note: saw someone else post that a couple of weeks ago the ferry was broke down and did not run so I also planned to have a backup plan just in case. We will do either Paradish Beach or some other beach in case ferry is not running and can't do Coba. Glad I saw that cause I didn't have a backup plan planned (haha). I know we could stay on the ship, but want to see Cozumel.

[jamharris]

Wow, thanks for the great info. We weren't sure what to do, but now we're definitely doing the Coba tour. We want to see it before it closes! We decided to book it through the ship though just in case of any delays/problems with the ferry. Thanks again!

[cruiserlover1969]

This was a great tour!!!! After you get off your ship, you walk down the pier, turn left, walk past the "carnival inspired stores" i.e Del Sol, Diamonds Intl, Pirana Joes etc... and then you make another left to get on the ferry that will take you to the main land. The tour guy is standing at the end of the pier directing you where to go. The ferry boat wasnt that bad...its actually pretty big and they serve you coffee and snacks for a price if you want. The guys there are also entertaining. Once we got off the ferry, the tour guys were standing there with signs. Angel was our tour guide, Manual was the driver. They made a great team! He had us laughing from the time we boarded till we got off. We loaded on a bus very comfortable. Drove about 40 minutes, stopped at a mayan outlet store, (thats your potty break LOL) and then off to the ruins. Angel stopped at several locations through trail, you can rent the rickshaw to take you otherwise it wasnt that bad of a walk. We got to the ruin and he told us you got 30 minutes to get up and back down! LOL It was the best thing we did on the cruise! Its definitely once in a lifetime thing. After we hustled back to the bus, and were handed a half ham sandwich, chips, water and a cookie. My suggestion----there is a little tiny resturant right where we parked..Get some mayan food. I wish I had noticed when we pulled in because I definitely would have gotten some. Just to taste if nothing else. After boarding...Angel talked a little more and then announced it was Siesta time and he wouldnt talk again till we get back to Playa de Carmen...and he woke everyone up 10 minutes before we hit port by waking us gently with the microphone. He was a character to say the least. Oh i forgot...when you are going to the ruins he will tell you a story about mayan necklaces and such and then he will try selling them. A kid boards the bus on the way home and gives them to you. pretty expensive and yes we bought it into it. anyway after that...you tip the guys and off to the ship you go. You do have some time to shop right there at the pier but its the same stores you will see at all the ports.

 

If someone can tell me how to post pictures...I will add the pictures from the tour...