Tour Reviews

Elise & Frank
Franklin Square, NY
Mayan Experience
NCL Epic Cruise

This tour was fantastic

We took the Mayan Experience Tour with David on 11/29/10, we were on the NCL Epic. This tour was fantastic, David was extremely knowledgable and also fun on the tour. The ruins were amazing and the lunch with the Mayan family was fun and educational at the same time. Others took excursions with the cruise line were not as happy as we were and paid a lot more money for it. We would recommend this to anyone. Thanks again David for a great experience...until we return again.

Mercedes Zayas-Alvarez
Miami, FL
Dzibanche Ruins Premier
NCL EPIC

I hightly recommend it!

We were hesitant about going on a tour that would take so many hours but it was a great decision. Francisco, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and gracious. He was a wonderful teacher. We had a great driver as well. He was so efficient that we even had additional time to explore a beautiful lake and have a delicious, authentic Mexican lunch at a local restaurant.

Since we only had another couple in our tour party, the whole experience was very personal. This was an "off the beaten path" destination and I hightly recommend it! Thanks to Francisco and his driver for an unusual and valuable experience.

Amy Hyden
NOLA
Mayan Experience
NCL Spirit

Fascinating

The ruins were beautiful as was the land around them. I found it fascinating that there were obviously other ruin sites on the property that had yet to be unearthed. I was very interested in the plant tour and how the Mayan people used the materials around them. However, I can not express in words what Ivan brings to this tour. He is a wonderful story teller and I was hanging on every word. The Mayan civilization is described in a way that you could sit and listen for multiple days...unfortunately, you do not to have that time! I was overwhelmed with the amount of knowledge Ivan had and his story telling and white board drawings helped to make things more concrete. The ruins tour was wonderful, but to end here would be such a loss. If you take the Mayan experience tour you are taken from the ruins to Ivan's mother's house where the experience really begins. You are shown how traditional families live, how their houses are set up, you here about traditional foods and get a chance to make your own corn tortillas. The storytelling continues and Ivan explains what was made for your lunch and how it is prepared. Being a typical American, I worried I would get sick, but everything is super clean and well prepared. The food was wonderful... I am embarrassed to say I asked for more! We had tamales, chicken, rice, beans- all with delicious sauces and seasoning. The hibiscus tea and flan were outstanding! The family members and Ivan's mother were so gracious....you wanted to stay for dinner too! Ivan continues to tell stories and answer questions. I was amazed when one of Ivan's stories comes to life in front of you....I don't want to give it all away! When it was time to leave I actually got choked up because of how nice a time I had, how much I had learned and I was so grateful I had taken this tour. What a blessing it was to see and hear through Ivan. If you go through Costa Maya and don't take this tour, you will miss out ! It is not every day that you get a cultural experience like this that asks for nothing but your appreciation in return. I would love to here the stories and information again!
Thank you Ivan and please thank your mother again!
Ever thought about a cookbook?

Cindy Brown
Hudson, OH
Mayan Experience
Liberty of the Seas

It was a great excursion.

Our family enjoyed our Mayan experience, especially the Lunch at the Mayan home. The Ruins were beautiful, and it is amazing to think that they were only recently uncovered. The highlight of the tour was definitely going to the Mayan home. The kids loved making the tortillas, and the food was delicious!

We did not get to walk in the village and interact with the Mayans, which was a bit of a disappointment. We had school supplies, which it was my understanding we would be able to give to the kids directly, but instead they were given to the host mom. I was really hoping my kids would get to see the excitement on the kids' faces. Also, our driver did not talk to us on an intercom, so I feel we missed out on learning about the culture and history of the Mayans. Our tour guide, Joel, did a nice job at the ruins. All in all, it was a great excursion. I just feel like we missed out on a few things that I read about in other peoples' comments.

Pamela Hutchins
St Louis, MO
Chacchoben Ruins
NCL Spirit

Native Choice was wonderful

There were 3 cruise ships in Costa Maya that day. The port is suppose to max out at 2 ships. Apparently there was some kind of emergency and an extra ship had to dock without much notice.

It was crazy, what I love about Costa Maya is it is small and personal and it was difficult on everyone that day. This was my 3rd visit.

Native Choice was wonderful under terrible conditions. The information and personal attention were top notch. They cost way less than the cruise excursion, gave wonderful pre arrival instructions and really seem to care about their clients.

Our group of 10 children from 8 - 16 and their parents all came away with a greater understanding of the Maya culture.

On our next trip we will use Native Choice again and hope there are no surprise ships in port.

Danielle Lambart
River Rouge, MI
Chacchoben Extreme
Oasis of the Seas

All I can say is WOW!

All I can say is WOW! This was an amazing day and tour. I highly recommend this tour to everyone. The guides were friendly and very informative. This is a must in Costa Maya!!!

Laura Campbell
Portland, OR
Mayan Experience
Celebrity Solstice

An incredible experience

Chacchoben Ruins tour led by Veronica was an incredible experience for all of us (~30). Veronica's friendly but intelligent manner and keen awareness of group dynamics kept everyone happy and interested.

We dined on authentic Mayan cuisine which was a big highlight for our entire cruise! She share so much history and culture with us, and her love for it came through clearly. We were so impressed with Veronica's devotion to the community (art, cuisine, family); it was obvious she could be in "better locales" but she chose to keep Mayan culture alive. We all loved this tour and would go back again!

Harlene Elenbaas
Everson, Wa
Mayan Experience
Celebrity Solstice

Thanks for a wonderful tour

Thanks for a wonderful tour of the ruins followed by lunch with a Mayan family. The tour was enjoyed by all 14 of the people in our group. Eliu was very knowledgeable about the Mayans and we didn't feel herded or rushed, even though we were with a fairly large group on a bus. The fresh pineapple was wonderful! God bless you and keep up the good work, Eliu.