Every Western Caribbean cruise will have Cozumel as a port of call. The little island has made catering to cruisers its number one priority. I have yet to tire of this wonderful place, and this stop was one of the most memorable to date. This visit we spent the day at the very beautiful, and very large, beach club called Chankanaab. Our decision was based solely on one factor...three of us wanted to swim with a dolphin.
Choosing to participate in a dolphin swim was a difficult decision for me. I am honestly uncomfortable with dolphins being kept in captivity for human enjoyment. When I was a teen my dream was to be a Marine Biologist. I owned a collection of Jacque Cousteau books and dreamed of working with marine animals. Veterinary medicine ran a close second.
My dreams were shattered by a particularly poor biology teacher in high school. I did not take another science class until I returned to college at the age of 25. Imagine my shock to find I still loved science and that it was very easy for me as well. By then I was married with children and nursing seemed a better fit. I will admit that after 20 years of nursing, my heart still belongs to the animals. So, the dolphin swim was a purely selfish endeavor...and one I will never forget.
While DD, DSIL, and myself, frolicked in the water with DH watching, DS and DDIL found a comfy beach spot and began working on their tan. The beach is very nice at Chankanaab, and especially popular with snorkelers. What it does not have is the nice sloping sand beach entrance into the water. It makes up for this in size and beautiful grounds, but for me it is a one time visit kind of place.
There is a fee to enter the facility, unlike Mr. Sancho's, our go to beach in Cozumel. It does have a reproduction of Mayan ruins, a lagoon, and gardens that are lovely and very enjoyable to walk through. We saw some pretty impressive Iguana's up close and personal there.
I actually did not snorkel at Chankanaab. There are stairs to enter the water and they were ridiculously crowded. Once past the stairs a snorkeling class/group were flailing around in the water. I gave up and decided laying on the beach with food and drink was a preferable way to spend the rest of my day.
My daughter and I were talked out of some money for a picture with an Iguana and a Parrot...but the pictures were so worth it! And yes, the Iguana is perched on my head.
The dolphin swim was worth any residual guilt...though I will not do it again. Big tip...do not book the swim through your cruise line!! We saved almost half by booking it directly through Chankanaab. They even send you a voucher for your cab fare. And it includes your entrance into the park. It is also refundable if bad weather causes your swim to be cancelled. Save yourself some money and book direct.
All in all we enjoyed a relaxing day at the beach...even my DH, who stayed fully dressed right down to his shoes and socks! Enjoy the pictures...and...
Bon Voyage ~Marla
Costa Maya, Mexico. A port made specifically for cruise ships. Yep, look up the history of Costa Maya and you will find it is quite short, as in non existent. Built by savvy developers in 1995, its purpose is simply to bring in tourists.
As a port it tends to bring mixed reviews. The shoppers are not impressed, though the pier does offer the "International" experience, Diamonds International, Tanzanite International, color changing clothing International...OK, you get the idea. But if you want to hang out in a fancy pool all day, it does have that! Seriously though, it is a great area...if you get away from the port.
We did just that, though we did divide up. DH and I, along with our DS and DDIL, decided to explore the nearby Mayan ruins. Meanwhile, DD and DSIL decided a lazy day at the beach was more their speed. We all had a wonderful day, but today I will focus on the Mayan experience.
Once again, after some intensive research, I decided to forgo the cruise ship tour and go with an independent local company. What ensued was one of the most memorable days of my cruising experience. I found a gem in this company, and we had an amazing experience that put the cruise ship version to shame. Our trip to the Chacchoben ruins was led by a man who actually grew up playing among the ruins. The Native Choice is run by Ivan Cohuo, who's father built next to the ruins in the 1940's. His knowledge is incredible! You will not find this on any cruise ship excursion.
Chaccoben was wonderful, and as Ivan was training to be a Mayan healer, his botanical knowledge was fascinating! We learned so much, and with a small group it was easy to ask questions.
Additionally we had the experience of eating a traditional meal with a Mayan family at their home in the nearby village. Again, a very unique experience that the ship didn't offer.
They had the typical Mayan kitchen...a small open air hut separate from the main room...so if there is a fire their home will not burn down. No gas, propane or electricity to cook with, Just good old man made fire.
We learned to make corn tortillas and learned a lot of fascinating cultural facts. Mainly that a bride is valued mostly for her tortilla making skills! You see here our DDIL trying her hand at it. Behind her is Ivan.
The meal was delicious and most the ingredients are actually found in the garden surrounding the home. The Hibiscus tea was wonderful!
After lunch one of the woman put on traditional dance clothes and shared their dances with us. She began with a traditional woman's dance which included a beer bottle balanced on her head, then had others join in. My DS and DDIL had a blast!
We finished with a tour of their home, a single room hut. They are actually quite well to do, as they have a concrete foundation and electricity in their hut. They even had a 10" TV and a sewing machine. And yes, they do sleep in the hammocks, which are tied up out of the way during the day.
They were a wonderful, gracious family, and we enjoyed our time with them. Looking at this picture you can see why we decided that our DDIL must be of Mayan descent! My DS, at 5'10", was a GIANT!
Upcoming: DD and DSIL's beach experience in Majahual.
Bon voyage! ~Marla
My number one favorite port? Cozumel, Mexico...hands down the winner. We have been there three times and I still look forward to my next visit. I have a to-do list for Cozumel that just goes on and on. The plus is that practically every Western Caribbean cruise includes a port call on this wonderful little island, so if you cruise very often, you are likely to find yourself visiting this little slice of Mexico.
The trip on Rhapsody was our first Western Caribbean cruise and therefore our first visit to Cozumel. My DDIL (Dear Daughter-in-law) was especially excited as this was her first visit to Mexico as well, though she is 100% Mexican heritage. She said her dad always said she couldn't visit Mexico because they would try to keep her! So needless to say, this was the port she had been waiting for!
We had planned a relaxing beach day in Cozumel. After much internet research I chose a beach that had no entrance fee, and was somewhat popular with the locals. However, our first job at hand was actually getting to the taxi's!
We anchored at the International Pier, there are two large piers in Cozumel, and it is large and busy. It took us quite awhile just to meander through the area. We discovered shopping in Mexico was quite enjoyable! While definitely eager, the vendors are not overly pushy, and they are willing to bargain, big time! Especially when it comes to jewelry! What starts at $350 will make it's way down to $80 if you are patient and have cash.
Once we arrived on the street, taxi's were lined up waiting. All taxi's in Cozumel have set fares and they are quite reasonable. Most drivers have enough knowledge of the English language to get you where you are going, but I enjoyed learning enough Spanish to at least look like I was making an effort. My DDIL knew enough to have a small conversation with a vendor and it made her day.
Our destination was Mr. Sancho's Beach Club. Again, no fee to get in...but something to know about Cozumel...all beaches are public. You are paying for the access to the beach. So if you want, you can walk along the beach and try many different places without paying their entrance fees.
Mr. Sancho's is wonderful, just enough tourism to make it fun, but not as well known as the more busy beach clubs. They have a variety of activities available, so everyone can usually find something that fits their style. There is small area of shops at the entrance, horseback riding, ATV rental, parasailing, banana boats, jet ski's, pools, massages, a restaurant and bar, and of course plenty of lounge chairs and palapa's.
I spent the day in the water snorkeling, my favorite cruise pastime! DH spent his reading in the shade, with a beautiful view of the water. DD enjoyed a wonderful massage and shopping, while DS & DDIL went parasailing for the first time. The food was delicious and inexpensive and the water was fabulous! It was just a wonderful experience in every way! We fell in love with that little beach that day...and with Cozumel as well.
Dragging ourselves back to ship was difficult...but the prospect of visiting the pier again made it less painful. The kids hit Senor Frogs while DH and I shopped a little and made our way back onto the ship. Side note...if you are a fan of Kahlua, it is an incredible bargain in Mexico...stock up.
Our kids made it back to the ship with about 15 minutes left to board, dragging DDIL along behind them as she wept over leaving her "homeland" and wearing her new pink sombrero, which became a fixture of sorts for the rest of the cruise! She was now officially in love with Mexico.
Next: More great Rhapsody memories!
Bon Voyage! ~Marla
