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The Native Choice

wernew2cruising

By wernew2cruising,
in Costa Maya

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edmonton2

edmonton2

Posted
Posted
I know...:( I've sent them emails through their website as well as from my email to them. Not heard anything back. Hoping someone has used them recently.

 

I emailed Native Choice about 3 weeks ago about booking an excursion in 2016 (not currently available on their website). They replied and said it would be possible in the next couple of days...still not available...and they did not reply to my most recent email two days ago!

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c-leg5

c-leg5

Posted
Posted

There are a couple of email addresses on their contact page one to info one to ivan not sure if you have tried both of those?

 

My other suggestion would be perhaps to reach out to Cozumel Choice - David Villagomez has connections to both and can perhaps help out, if it is a problem with website or email?

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wernew2cruising

wernew2cruising

Posted
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There are a couple of email addresses on their contact page one to info one to ivan not sure if you have tried both of those?

 

My other suggestion would be perhaps to reach out to Cozumel Choice - David Villagomez has connections to both and can perhaps help out, if it is a problem with website or email?

 

Thank you..I emailed their info contact. I will try and Ivan and if I don't hear I will try Cozumel Choice.

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FireEater

FireEater

Posted
Posted

Can anyone with recent experience using this company give insight on how it went?

 

A friend just saw a post about them from 8 years ago and is interested in using them.

 

One warning I gave her was if she books non line excursion, and they get back after scheduled departure time, she can either swim to the ship or catch a flight to the next port..

 

Anyone hear about them ever running late and people missing the ship departure?

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DiamondDiva

DiamondDiva

Posted
Posted

They have an excellent reputation on Trip Advisor for service and transport. We have done many private tours off cruises as well as ship tours. But we only go with private companies we research here and on Trip Advisor.

 

Have them booked for our Oct Infinity trip.

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girlofsummer

girlofsummer

Posted
Posted

Just got back from our cruise today (Thurs Feb 26, 2015). We booked the extreme tour in Costa Maya with the native choice and were very pleased with the service. Ivan was our information guide at the Chacobben ruins and he was very informative. At the second part of the tour we went to the lagoon and swamed, and kayaked, were served a nice lunch with margaritas, sodas or beer (all included in price). So yes, they are still around, and we quite enjoyed our excursion with them. Would not hesitate to use them again.

 

Hope this helps....

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Skai

Skai

Posted
Posted (edited)

Another option, aside from Native Choice, is Toucan Tours Costa Maya. Their stand is located right outside of the port gate. IIRC the rate for the DW and I was negotiated for $45pp (which included admission & fee for a ruins tour guide) from the nice lady running the booth.

 

Our driver not only to took the two of us and another group of three to Chacchoben, after our time there and when asked, he then took us to a beach restaurant in town and waited while we had lunch and drinks before taking us back to the ship. I'm not sure if Native Choice offers this same option.

 

It was a nice day.

Edited by Skai
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  • 1 month later...
dixiechick

dixiechick

Posted
Posted

During a recent cruise to Costa Mayo, Mexico we took The Native Choice: Mayan Experience. Costa Mayo is a small village and the main attraction is the Mayan Ruins. We had a wonderful time with Maria our guide. There is about a 4 block walk to their office where you depart on the tour.There were only 6 of us and we had the ruins practically all to ourselves as there were no other cruise ships in port. The park where the ruins are located is about a half hour drive and we were in a nice, air conditioned van. The tour at the park are conducted by Mayan descendants and they were obviously proud of their heritage and

very informative. After completing our tour of the ruins, we then visited a small Mayan Village for lunch. A grandmother and her family hosted us in a beautifully landscaped house. Truly an oasis in the village and when you walk in a beautiful surprise! We helped make homemade tortillas and had a delicious lunch with native foods. I highly recommend this tour and ask for Maria - she is a very sweet person, highly personable and a wealth of knowledge!

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  • 1 month later...
Racer70

Racer70

Posted
Posted

My wife, daughter and I went on the Chacchoben Extreme tour on January 21, 2015. We were on Royal Caribbean's Vision of the Sea while in port at Costa Maya. After making our way through the busy port and we were able to use the directions to the offices of Native Choice, which is well outside of the port.

 

Once at the offices of Native Choice, we checked in and were given our wrist bands and boarded a nice air conditioned van. Our van had about 11 total people. Our guide was Diego and he was very friendly, funny and informative.

 

We made our way to Chacchoben, which was about 50 minutes. We stopped at a little food stand along the road and Diego purchased some fresh, sweet pineapple from a Mexican family and everybody was able to enjoy a piece of pineapple.

 

Once we arrived at Chacchoben, it was hot, sunny and crowded. There was a lot of tour buses and others there too. There was a large gift shop and bathrooms and snack bar. Diego led the group into Chacchoben explaining the culture and history at each site. He was more than happy to take pictures of you and your family. We saw howler monkeys and lots of beautiful flora, trees etc. in addition to the Mayan ruins.

 

After our tour of the ruins, we boarded our van and headed to the Bacalar Lagoon, which is a private resort on the 7 Colors Lagoon. The resort is about 20 minutes from the ruins site, and you must take a rough dirt road through the jungle to get there. The resort is very pretty, quiet and private. We were escorted into the main building to eat lunch. We were served chicken fajitas, soft drinks, beer and other alcoholic drinks, which were all included in the price of the tour.

 

After lunch, we were able to change into our bathing suits and swim, kayak or sit around near the water. The water was nice, but bring your water shoes because there is a lot of coral/rocks just off shore until you get into deeper water and it will hurt your bare feet.

 

We were able to swim for about 1.5 hours or so and then it was time to head back to the Costa Maya port to board the ship. The tour was very nice. Diego was a great tour guide and was always keeping us on time. In fact, he wears a watch around his head to make sure of the time.

 

Forget the cruise ship tours with 30, 40 or more persons. I highly recommend booking a tour with The Native Choice if you value a professional, local company who cater to its client's needs and offer and provide exactly what they promise.

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minaco

minaco

Posted
Posted

We used the Native Choice a few years ago for a Mayan Experience/Chaccoben ruins tour. It was a fabulous day! We are using them in November for the extreme tour option this time around. Excellent service, quick to respond to emails and top notch drivers.

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minaco

minaco

Posted
Posted
We are also going to do the extreme tour in Nov. Looking forward to it.

 

 

Which ship and sail date are you going on? We will be in Norwegian Star sailing out of Tampa on 11/29.

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  • 1 month later...
natasha216

natasha216

Posted
Posted
During a recent cruise to Costa Mayo, Mexico we took The Native Choice: Mayan Experience. Costa Mayo is a small village and the main attraction is the Mayan Ruins. We had a wonderful time with Maria our guide. There is about a 4 block walk to their office where you depart on the tour.There were only 6 of us and we had the ruins practically all to ourselves as there were no other cruise ships in port. The park where the ruins are located is about a half hour drive and we were in a nice, air conditioned van. The tour at the park are conducted by Mayan descendants and they were obviously proud of their heritage and

very informative. After completing our tour of the ruins, we then visited a small Mayan Village for lunch. A grandmother and her family hosted us in a beautifully landscaped house. Truly an oasis in the village and when you walk in a beautiful surprise! We helped make homemade tortillas and had a delicious lunch with native foods. I highly recommend this tour and ask for Maria - she is a very sweet person, highly personable and a wealth of knowledge!

Sorry, but I'm still learning how to use this site. How much was this excursion, and do you have to book in advance or do they have a kiosk at the pier? Thank you.

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