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Posted on 02/21/03
From: John & Shelley MacKenzie 
To: webmaster@travelnotes.cc

Feb 16/03

We just got back from Mexico/Mayan Riviera. We stayed at Occidental Grand Flamenco Xcaret Resort. Included in our stay was a free pass into Xcaret Eco-Archaeological Park per person per stay. We are glad that the free pass was included, because we would have been disappointed had we done the excursion on our own money which would have cost us $79.00 USD per person. Advice, if you plan on going there bring water to drink as the beverages were very expensive and we recommend the guide tour through the underground caves etc. as they were very educational. Now, Xel-ha was something else! We took the Xel-ha / Tulum excursion 8:30 am to 6:00 pm which cost us $99.00 USD per person, this was an all-inclusive at Xel-ha for drinks, food, snorkeling and locker. However, you have to leave collateral when getting the lockers and snorkel gear which would be id, room key and/or money. Just like everyone else, we DIDN'T have enough time at Xel-ha. It was a 40 min ride to Xel-ha from our resort but we had to do pick ups at other resorts which made our ride 2 1/2 hours. All we had time to do was snorkel and eat lunch then off to Tulum. On our next trip to Mexico we will go to Xel-ha on our own time taking a taxi. Tulum was beautiful once visited though you wouldn't need to go back. Have a great vacation!

Posted by Val on 06/16/02

Tulum as per Kris Klinger

Some time in January, Kris posted some valuable information. We took her up this meaans of transportation. Once arriving in PDC, we headed to the bus station. We purchased one way tickets to Tulum for 28 pesos per person. The Collectivo (van) back from Tulum to PDC was 20 pesos each. It worked like a charm. The bus drops you off across from the entrance of the ruins. After seeing the ruins, stand along the the highway, the van approaches, flashes it's light, you wave and it'll stop and pick you up. Yep, that easy. I've been to Tulum many times and have never had a tour guide here. Although my favourite place to drag all my friends, it's small in comparison to other ruins.

Posted by marlon on 06/15/02

hi,
if you wanna go to Tulum without tour is simple.
when you arrive at PDC just go to the bus terminal, the bus leave each 15 or 20 minutes i don´t remmember exactly,and is around 45 minutes to go there, and then you need walk like 1.5 mille just until the Tulum´s entrace... To come back to PDC just go to the main avenue and there you can wait the bus.

the other way to go there, rent a car but, i think that isn´t good idea because you can´t enjoy the car all day long and you´ll spend like $60USD o more...!

any way... just go there because the place is really beautifull and wonderfull... don´t forget take you camera... and have a nice day in Tulum.

Posted by Chica Feliz on 06/15/02

My only advice would be to get some information on the ruins before you go...internet sites, books, etc.  It's much more interesting to know the history and meanings behind the people and the ruins.  Of course, while you're there, you can always latch on to a tour group and hear what the guides have to share.  Wear very comfortable walking shoes and have fun!

Posted by Rosel on 05/07/02

Don, we were there in January.  We also usually go to Coz.  I think you'll love it.  Snorkeling is excellent.  You can take a kayak out to the reef.  Or you can go to the rocky area south of the roped off area.  Lots of coral and fish.  The dive shop does inexpensive snorkel trips to the area by the Tulum ruins.  Have a great trip.

Posted by Donna on 07/11/01

We did this but rented a car in Playa and liked this alot since we didnt have to depend on or wait on a bus to take us any where. We went to COba first and then to Tulum. This was an all day thing but we liked it alot. Just be sure to take along plenty of water to COba and a fan. I have pictures of these if you want them let me know.

I have done this a few times,

Zip acros on a later ferry the night before.  Rent a car and park it. go back to Coz and in the morning get on the very first ferry.  This will get you to the ruins by 6 or 7 well before anyone else.  Some times you can sneak in and have the place to yourself.  I have been at tulum for a sunrise and its really neat. Well worth the extra ferry ride.  

It used to be that none of the car rental places opened in Playa until 10,  but that might have changed.  

Posted by Laura on 01/23/01

Very cool but they don't let you walk around on the structures.

Posted by Joel on 11/09/00

I agree with Jidan.  Get an early start and catch the ferry over to Playa.  Rent a car there and just head south on 307. You can easily do both in one day.

You will reach the ruins of Tulum first but not too far past that is the (right) turn to Coba.  It is just amazing to see the immediate difference in lifestyle you will encounter within a couple of kilometers of the turn off...It's like you've gone back 50 years in time.  The road will eventually lead you right to the ruins in Coba.  We were there in October and following were some notes I took then:

About 45 minutes west of Tulum, are the very impressive ruins at Coba.  Due in large part to its location between Tulum and Chichen Itza and its abundant water supply, at its height, from about 400-800 A.D., Coba was a trading center with a population of over 55,000.  While restoration is now an ongoing process, currently less than 5% of the ancient city has been reconstructed. It is an excellent trip for those seeking a site that does not attract as many visitors as some other better-known ruins.  Among the structures there are the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan, two beautiful small ball courts and some still impressive remnants of the Mayan road system.  On a recent trip in October, 2000, the entrance fee was N$30 (just over US$3) per person and the optional services an English speaking guide for 1-1/2 hours for a group of 4 was an additional N$350 (less than US$40).  While still relatively close to the Cancun-Tulum corridor, the modern village of Coba is still very much “Old Mexico” where you’ll find that Mayan rather than Spanish is still considered the first language.

http://www.cancunsouth.com/bocadito/BocaCoba.html
http://www.differentworld.com/mexico/places/coba/coba.htm

Posted by maria on 11/08/00

I also disagree with Dave, I loved Tulum. It was breathtaking. We went on our own and got a guide at the place. I know that you could also go to Coba on a bus from Tulum. Ask where the bus station is to go to Coba while you are in Tulum. A taxi will take you to the bus station for about $2US dollars. I regret not having enough time for Coba:(
Have fun!!
Maria

Posted by tat2chas/dermadiver on 11/06/00

Tulum & Xcaret : A nice day trip (+photos)

To do both in one day, it's best to rent a car. If you can over-night in PDC or Tulum, a bus may be a cheaper option. I always get the car. With a car, you can go to Grand Cenote in the early morning, hit Tulum before lunch & have lunch before going up to Xcaret. The Hotel Acuario, on the highway @ the Tulum A.Z., has good food & cold beer. It's also a decent place to spend the night.

These photos are from March 1999:

THIS IS A VIEW OF THE 'SUNHOUSE' FROM THE EAST SIDE OF 'EL CASTILLO'


ONE OF THE MACAWS WHICH ARE RIGHT INSIDE THE ENTRANCE TO XCARET

For more photos, click on the link below.

See my photos of RivieraMaya at PhotoPoint

Posted by Suzanne on 11/06/00

My hubby and I took a tour of Tulum and Xel-Ha on Oct. 30th, 2000.  We did the package which included everything---ferry from Cozumel,  bus ride (air conditioned van), entrance to Tulum w/ tour guide, all-inclusive visit to Xel-ha for $89 per person which included everything-- food, snorkel equipment, food, drinks, locker, towels. 

Tulum was very interesting---definately helped to have a guide.  Ruins by the beautiful sea where you can take a dip on a sandy beach which was a refief because it gets pretty hot there.  Saw lots of iguanas.  Would have liked to have about 30 more minutes there.  We stayed all totaled
about 2 hrs. 

Xel-HA was beautiful---sorta of like a place at Disneyworld.  Because we had an all-inclusive we first headed to the seafood restaurant, Mexico Lindo.  We had appetizers, entree, and maragaritas which was all delicious.  Then picked up our snorkeling equipment, fish were everywhere of course and lots of little coves to snorkel in.  Try to make it to the floating bridge where there is a dispenser for fish food. The fish will practically jump in the air for the food.  Afterwards, more maragaritas then a short walk to check out the place.  We didn't get to check out everything as we were only there from 1pm to 5pm and were pressed for time.  We really enjoyed the place but with the all-inclusive deal; we would have liked to have spent all day there.
Four hours was just not enough.  Next time we will go on our own either on a bus or rent a cab and stay the day. 

On our return the van dropped off the guests who were in staying at Playa del Carman so we didn't arrive back to the ferry until 6pm.  You can stay in Playa del Carmen and check out the place as you will already have your boarding pass for the ferry.  Delivering guests was a waste of
time although it was nice to see the different resorts.

Posted by R&R on 11/02/00

we did the Tulum/Coba tour and had a great time.  It was a long day though, 8am at the ferry, bus to Coba, lunch at a small restaurant in jungle, bus to Tulum, bus back to ferry.  Got back to hotel around 7pm... it was about $85 per person and included ferry, bus, tour guide, entry fees.. everything but lunch.  I think most of the Tulum/Xel-Ha tours include lunch and run about the same price.

Posted by MLS on 09/22/00

Re: Xel Haa or X-Caret?

I have done both and frankly, I was not happy with the cost or crowds.  Coz is just as pretty and cheaper.  A worthwhile trip would be Tulum.
Very impressive and a world class vista from the temple.  You would also get a look at a very different view of tourist development some of the country side.

Posted by Gerb on 08/13/00

We did this trip last year as a bus tour and it was a great day. It's got eaverything you wanted.
Inspiring ruins at Tulum and Awsome snorkeling at Xel-Ha. You'll love it.

Posted by Kelley Morgan on 08/12/00

I would recomend Tulum, it is a shorter trip, with the added enjoyment and a refreshing ocean to jump into! The ruins are set atop a cliff overlooking the caribbean. Down below, at the beach entrance, to the left and right are open caves with schools of tarpon seen from the outside of the caves.

Posted by Diverdan on 08/08/00

Just got back from going to Tulum. It was one most unforgettable places we visited. I rented a car online in Cancun. Drove to Puerto Morelos and took the car ferry across to Cozumel. After a Four-night stay we took the car ferry back across. We drove South through Playa de Carmen to Akumal. We had lunch at the beach club there. We then drove on to Tulum and stayed there a couple of hours. There is also a beach at Tulum and many of the locals were taking advantage of it. There are also  stores and restaurants there. We drove on by Xelha because you can go to Akumal for free. If you plan on spending the day the $39.00 pp at Xelha for an all inclusive beach club might be worth it. Xcaret is also there and charged $19.00 pp to get in.

and if you have any interest in the local history it's pretty interesting.  It's also not a large site, so it wouldn't be an all day trip like some of the larger ruins in the area.  You could easily take the early ferry over to Playa, catch a bus or rent a car, see Tulum and be back on the island by 2ish.  If you make reservations for your mom in the afternoon, you might be able to fit everything in.  
Adding Xhel-ha to the equation changes things a bit, as you might want to stay here and do some snorkeling for a while.  My personal opinion is that Chakanaab Park is similar enough to Xhel-ha that you should be happy with one or the other, but don't need to try to squeeze in both during such a short trip.  
Did you know that Cozumel has a few small archaelogical sites of it's own?  If you are going to the East side of the island you might want to incorporate those into your trip - it's a nice little way to start off, and then you can save the mainland tours for another visit when you have more time.   (I'm a big fan of not booking every minute when on vacation - could you tell?)
Have a nice trip!

Posted by pappatop on 07/03/00

If you also love water, do the Tulum/Xel-Ha trip.
It is definitely a must-do.  Tulum is awsome, and the snorkeling at Xel-Ha is wonderful.  There are three restraunts in Xel-Ha and our trip was all-inclusive which included meals, drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and all the water and fish you could want.  Do the river Snorkel while there, take the train (tram) to the river head and snorkel down, almost a mile, way cool!!

Posted by Ron and Robin on July 3, 2000

We took a tour to Coba and Tulum and really enjoyed both.  You have to take the ferry over to Playa, then a bus takes you on to the ruins.  Coba was the first stop and the tour guide marched us off into the jungle on a mile and a half hike and he spoke continuously about the Mayan people and
their history.   It was hot, humid and exhausting but well worth it if you enjoy history and ruins.  No time was given for exploring on your own since you could bet lost very easily out there.  Not a good tour for anyone unable to make the long hike.  After that we stopped for lunch, then arrived at Tulum in the afternoon so it was less crowded.  Tulum is breathtaking but small.  You can easily tour all the building in an hour at a leasurely pace.  There are also many stores and vedors to sell the usual stuff but we noticed the prices were much higher than in Cozumel. Very good tour, left Cozumel at 8am, returned at 7pm.

Posted by gg on June 20, 2000

We took two kids ages 10 and 12 to both Tulum and Coba. We had a rental car. Tulum is extremely tourist driven and commercialized.  It's beautiful, but they try to sell EVERYTHING to you. They even put their hands out at the bathroom door. By contrast, Coba is an unbelievable gem in the jungle. Truly gives the sense of mayan history and how life really was. Hard to get to, bumpy road and the poverty in Coba city is heartwrenching. But an experience the kids will carry with them for life.  Lots of walking and climbing.

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We went on an air conditioned motor coach tour of Coba and Tulum in February.  We had a wonderful day and really enjoyed both.  (Check out my posted trip report.)  I would imagine that it would be more hot and humid this time of year on the mainland, so be sure to bring a water bottle....though there were cold water bottles provided on our bus as well as $1.00 Coronas.  There is a lot of walking to do at Coba.  And we did not see anyone excavating when we were there.  Sorry.  We are very happy that we took the tour and would like to take our daughters there sometime.

Posted by Sam I Am on February 7, 2000

My husband and I went on the Tulum Tour with Mr. Pinky when we first went to Cozumel 3 years ago.  The first half of the day was spent at Tulum and the second half at Xelha (spelling).  We were a member of the "Pinky Family".  He was extremely informative and we learned a little about the ruins and the people.  I say a little because you would need to study them for years to get an idea.  We happened to see Mr. Pinky at the docks last year, still doing tours.

Posted by Linda on February 7, 2000

Posted by Amando Rose on February 7, 2000

There are several different ways to approach this.  You could book the trip through agents set up at your hotel (everything is arranged for you but generally this is the most expensive way to go); take the ferry over to Playa del Carmen and either: rent a car, hire a taxi, or take the bus.  The bus will be the cheapest way -- the bus station is just off the main plaza.  There are car rental places on the street as soon as you get off at the pier in PDC.  I'd make arrangements in advance.  It will be one of the more expensive ways to go if you only go to Tulum.  I'd suggest driving out to Coba as well (both places can be done in one day and you can still get in some beach time).  You could also hire a taxi -- if you have at least 2 or more people going this maybe a cost effective way to go and gives you an opportunity to get to know someone from the area (your driver)and who might be able to give you information and suggestions about other things to do while in the area.

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