The Native Choice Excursions Testimonials

What a great day we had. I didn't know how my twin 8 year olds would feel about the ruins so debated on if we should leave them on the ship that day at the Kids Club. So glad we took them. They got a little antsy during the tour but enjoyed climbing and running around the ruins. Our guide was informative and kept things moving and gave us time to wander a bit and take pictures.

Though I have to say my fave part was the lunch and lagoon part of it. The place they took us was beautiful, first we ate in a very large open air hut. Everything was clean and looked fairly new. They served us chips and the freshest most delicious pico de gallo I ever had. The meal was chicken fajitas with beans and rice, everything was delicious. They brought us more if we wanted it which we kept loading up on the chips and pico. Then it was an open bar, beer, daiquiris, margaritas, pina coladas.

After lunch we went to the lagoon which was the bluest water. We kayaked and the kids played on the water trampoline and slide for hours. Very relaxing and it was a small group so not a hundred tourists. Fantastic day!!

Fabulous!!! Ivan was the BEST tour director I ever had. Given he grew up on the land of these ruins, he gave you a perspective unlike you could ever get anywhere else.

He LOVES his home and consequently he imparts the incredible history of the Mayans and the incredible ruins here that should not be missed.

According to folks on our cruise that took the ships's tour, there's never came close to this one!!!!

I highly reoommend it.

I have used Native Choice several times. They are without a doubt not only the best tour option for Costa Maya, but the best guides anywhere in Mexico!
All guides are knowledgeable, helpful, and entertaining. We love the Mayan Experience where we visit the ruins as well as lunch with a Mayan family.

If you only do one excursion while on a cruise this is the one to do.

Amazing. The company was well- organized and everyone working was friendly. Our tour group consisted of our family of 5 (three children 13, 11, 6) and only two other people! It felt like a private tour. Very different than the crowds on excursions sponsored by the cruise ship. The van was comfortable and clean and the driver drove very safely.

We had a 1.5 hour drive but it went so fast. Our tour guide, Friene, was WONDERFUL! She taught us about the culture of the area. She was personable and fun to talk with. She answered all of our questions. It made the van ride go very fast. When we stopped on a bathroom break (clean/safe place) she helped us pick out some great Mexican treats.

The Ruins were amazing! The masks beautiful. Best Mayan ruins I have seen. All of my children had a great time. Even if some of the people in your party aren't into ruins, the jungle around is breathtaking. I highly recommend this excursion!

We want to commend Native Tours and Joel for a most informative and enjoyable tour of the Mayan temples and an absolutely delicious lunch at a Mayan home. We made our own tortilla which the hostess kindly baked over the open fire in her kitchen and then served us a wonderful native lunch surrounded by beautiful foliage in her yard. Victoria and her two daughters could not have been more welcoming. We would highly recommend this tour which was far less expensive than the one offered by Royal Caribbean to anyone wishing to spend a few hours immersed in the history of this enchanting place.

Just book the tour already! What an operation, what planning, what a tour! All of your fears should be allayed. This native group runs a tight ship. Our tour guide, Joel, was even more concerned about the time than I was. That was remarkable and allowed me to relax and look around, soak up the sun, the ruins, culture, and everything this area had to offer.

Bato (sp?) transported us in a timely manner and we arrived safely at each destination. The vans were air conditioned, spotless, and had seat belts. I was personally very impressed with their condition. They looked almost new.

The Mayan Experience Tour included being taught how to make tortillas Mayan-style and a FANTASTIC buffet of traditional cuisine. After hearing nightmares of passengers picking up norovirus ashore in Cozumel, I was concerned about eating, well, just about everything. I took the plunge and devoured everything that was offered. I used the silverware, plates, and drank the amazing juice from an actual glass. There were no consequences whatsoever. The food was handled with gloves, in a sanitary manner, and hand washing was strongly encouraged for everyone.

Like many other cruise travelers, I hesitated about booking with a private group not affiliated with the cruise line. However, there is no other way to go. We should be supporting these grass-roots operators and allow them to explain their culture and their history.

Kudos, Native Choice!

What a great experience! I have to admit, I was bit nervouse about booking privately and not through the cruiseline, but this was a flawless excursion!!! They run a great operation there.

The ruins were fantastic, the archeologist guide was superb and very knowledgeable.
The lunch at the village was a fantastic, fantastic, experience. My entire family; me, my wife, daughter (12 years old), and my mother in law were completely blown away by this event. The food was unbelievable, and the people were so nice and sweet.

Thank you Native Choice for an unforgettable "Mayan Experience" !!!

The most wonderful tour of ruins, punctuated by Ivan's personal knowledge and tender memories of his childhood home site, followed by lunch and relaxation by a pristine lake with water sport opportunities. It does not get better than this tour. Authentic. Terrific.

We had been to Costa Maya a few times, so we were looking for something different on this visit.

The Native Choice "Blue Lagoon Adventure" sounded interesting so we booked it.

The staff at their meeting point were friendly and helpful. We were the only ones who booked this tour so we were put in a taxi for the 45 minute drive to the lagoon.

I must admit that during the 45 minute ride through flat and wet scrub land, I started to question what were we doing.

But on arrival at Bacalar Lagoon Resort we could not have been more pleased.

The resort is new, with beautiful, well planned landscaping. Flowers were everywhere and set the stage for our visit. We knew we were entering something special.

The change rooms were very clean, the Palapas well placed and clean. The water was warm and the sun hot! A perfect combination. The staff were very friendly. We enjoyed kayaking at our own pace on a beautiful lagoon.
Lunch was also up to the same high standards.

We were only at the resort for a few enjoyable hours; but it was so nice we will plan a trip to spend a few days there in the near future. Simply outstanding!

During our stay the Native Choice staff were present at all times to ensure we were pleased. They too could not have been more helpfull or friendly.

Thank you!

I booked 4 cabins aboard the Magic but my adult son wanted to handle the tour. He had never been on a cruise and I was leary of letting book a tour which was not handled by the ship. On top of that the ship did not dock till noon and we would have to be aboard by 6pm. Course you know what I am thinking, we miss the ship and we are toast.
The tour was paid for online and when we showed up about 15 mins early at our assigned location to meet the tour, they were waiting. There were 8 of us and another couple and two kids joined the tour. We were in a van that easily held us all with a tour guide. The guide was wonderful and informative. Water was included in van. After a guided visit to the ruins we had a visit to Bacalar lagoon for kayaking. Lunch and drinks (including beer and more) he stopped for us to buy fresh pineapple from street vendors. We always were about 15min ahead of the cruise busses which made for a great tour. We did not see the Bacalar included in the cruise tours and while we were there no cruise busses.

Great tour and highly recommended. We would book Native choice again