Sep 26, 2024
Excellent trip, great guide, great transportation, great food, only bad part was getting out of the literal tourist trap - Amazing trip, easily done in 5 hours. Worth it! We took the cruise ship and booked this separate, we had our own private guide and car for the ruins and bacalar, incredibly knowledgeable guide, great car, saw monkeys. At first because it was just from noon arrival to 7pm they were worried we'd be able to do it so, but we actually got back at 5, so no worries, easily done.
Let me tell you how to get out of the tourist trap, see my map red doesn't work at all, the route with the arrows is blocked off permanently. The red line will have a rope across it when you arrive because they want to route all the regular cruise ship chartered excursions through it. You can just hop the rope, they can complain, but ignore them and keep walking, there's no customs or border or police or anything there. If you don't want to do that, walk through and around, you will see wooden gates that look like fences, these actually not locked, but are latched from the outside when you arrive and after an hour or two they open these.
The current only open method is to walk all the way around the outside as shown on my map and you'll find a quick turn down another pathway to even more shops... Continue past these and you'll get out.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 19, 2024
The best tour guide! - We had a great time on the tour! Our guide Leo was amazing, he gave us so much information about Mayan culture, customs and the region in a whole. The food at the restaurant was so delicious and with handmade tortillas. There were only 4 people in our group which made for a more personal feel. The car was spacious with A/C, The boat was very nice and comfortable with shade. we had lots of time to visit multiple spots at the lagoon and had so much fun swimming around. We didn’t have to think about anything. Leo provided water, sodas, tequila, beer and made sure we arrived back to the port with more than enough time to spare.
Review provided by Viator
Sep 11, 2024
Unforgettable experience! - This was a fantastic excursion, and Leo, our guide, was excellent! He was very knowledgeable and made sure everyone had a great time! Would highly recommend going on this excursion to learn about the mayan culture and see these beautiful places. Also, the lunch was amazing! I will be dreaming about those tacos!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 10, 2024
Nice Blend of History and Relaxation - This tour was a fantastic blend of history and relaxation. We took a bus (about an hour)to the ruins where the guide gave us a informative tour of each area. He took pictures for each group. It was hot and humid but not miserable. We then took another trip in the bus to Bacalar, where we got on our own boat and traveled out to a section of the lake that is very shallow and clear. We hung out in the water (shallow enough to stand, so you don't need to know how to swim), drinking tequila shots, chips and local, fresh pineapple. There were a few other boats coming and goin but it was not crowded and each tour had plenty of room to feel private. We went for lunch (very good) and then we were returned to the port 30 minutes before we had to be on the ship. Really a nice day.
The worst part is getting through the maze of shops (owned by Royal Caribbean) at the port to find your tour operator.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 10, 2024
Wonderful combination of history and relaxation! - We really enjoyed this trip. Nice explanation and tour of Chacchoben. Lazing around in the Bacalar waters was our favorite. It really is clear and beautiful. It's shallow so you don't have to worry about swimming. You can literally sit in the water or go out deeper and swim if you want.
Review provided by Viator
Sep 6, 2024
Fantastic Excursion - Would definitely recommend this tour. The lagoon was beautiful and the Mayan ruins were very cool to learn about. The authentic Mexican lunch and fresh pineapple/mango were both fantastic. Our guide, Juan Corona, and driver, Saul, were amazing!
Review provided by Viator
Sep 2, 2024
Fun day at the ruins and the lagoon!! - We had a personalized tour from Saul and had a wonderful time! We were the only 2 people in the vehicle with Saul and enjoyed learning Spanish on the 1 hour drive from the cruise port to the Mayan Ruins. We were the first ones off the boat and arrived first at the ruins, so we had the place to ourselves for about 20 minutes. The ruins were fascinating!! Then we went to the beautiful lake Bacalar! the colors were beautiful! Saul met the boat driver at the dock and he took just us out to swim. The water is fresh and there are no fish in it and it was not deep. We felt like VIPs on a private tour! I always book excursions with local companies so to support local business. As with other local tours, Saul was great in getting us back to the boat in plenty of time. Local companies like this one also are better in that there are small groups and you are not having to follow a crowd but can have a more personal experience. I highly recommend this company and would use them again!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 2, 2024
Great family experience! - Juan Corona and Andres as driver provided a wonderful family day trip from the port to the pyramids and then the lagoon! Such a beautiful location to visit and spend time on vacation. Truly hidden gems. Lunch was a nice treat and Tino provided good top coverage. Check out the video on how to navigate the port to the meeting place. We returned in plenty of time to make the boarding. 10/10. Recommend to all.
Review provided by Viator
Sep 1, 2024
Amazing tour and people - We had the best time with our tour guide, Joseph. Joseph’s passion for Costa Maya shows in all he teaches you along the way. From pick up to drop off our group of 4 had the best time. I highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Aug 24, 2024
Amazing Experience! - Swimming in the 7 colors lake and having a very knowledgeable guide to the ruins. The boat guide was very funny!
Review provided by Viator