Tour Reviews

Don't just take our word for it. Our greatest reward is a satisfied traveler, and their honest feedback speaks for itself. Here's what our guests have to say about their unforgettable experiences with us.


Mike & Janiece Algermisse
Hockley, Texas
Mayan Experience
Norwegian Spirit

01/28/2009

One of the highlights of my life.

We have been on a lot of cruises and taken many wonderful excursions but this one will be hard to top.

It was one of the highlights of my life. Everyone from The Native Choice who took care of us was courteous and professional. The driver was safe and the large van with 11 people was clean, modern and had a great air conditioner.

Maria rode with us from the port to the Chacchoben Mayan ruins and told us about the area and answered any questions we had. We stopped along the way and purchased fresh pineapple which was delicious.

Ivan joined our group at the ruins as our guide. He has a deep love and knowledge of the Mayan history and culture. He told several touching stories about growing up on the grounds of Chacchoben. It did my heart good to meet someone with so much integrity and pride in his culture. We had two elderly people and a child in our group. Ivan was flexible in accommodating everyone to make sure the tour was enjoyed by all.

The Mayan Experience Tour lunch was awesome. We were greeted at the home by the lady of the house, with a warm smile and a hug. I was truly honored to be there. The buffet-style table was laden with many wonderful treats. Everything was clean and we ate until we could hold no more. When we left we felt like we were leaving family.

It is obvious that a lot of behind-the-scenes coordination and effort has been put into The Native Choice tours to make them happen so flawlessly. Every business should be run like The Native Choice. We enjoyed it so much we are going back again to take clothes and school supplies for the Mayan children. If you want to help the Mayan children, bring a bag loaded with pencils, crayons, coloring books, new or used clothes, shoes, toys, small stuffed animals, etc. If every family that takes a tour brought gifts, we could make a difference for these children. Costco, Sam’s and the many dollar stores are loaded with inexpensive items they can use.


Claudette Glenn
Wichita, KS
Chacchoben Ruins
Royal Caribbean Voyager

01/16/2009

The Native Choice is Costa Maya's best kept secret.

Although you have many positive testimonials on your website, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to thank you and praise you for the tremendous job.

The Native Choice is one of Costa Maya's best kept secrets.

Thank you for an incredible tour!


Donna Nino
Colleyville Texas
Chacchoben Ruins
Voyager of the Seas RCL

01/15/2009

Amazing tour

Ivan,
Thank You so much for the amazing tour and history of the ruins. I love the fact that you were born and raised there and have so much knowledge about the area. Also your knowledge of medicinal plants in the area was fascinating a well.
I am only sorry I missed the part when you showed your mom's "kitchen". I was afraid the group had left and I headed for the front!
I have come home and started reading what I can find online about the Popol- Vuh Very interesting! If you can reccommend any sites please forward to me!
I highly recommend this tour to any one that visits the region!
Maybe next time the weather will be better and I can visit the other Ruin!
Thank You again!
Donna Nino


Mark and Karin Peters
Austin, TX
Chacchoben Ruins
RC Voyager of the Seas

01/15/2009

This was no ordinary tour

We just wanted to let you know what a fantastic time we had on your Mayan Experience Tour.

This was no ordinary tour where you're rushed from site to site, sometimes too far in the back to hear the guide properly. Our group was relatively small (15 in our group, probably 50 in each of the other groups at the site), and we were able to spend some time at each site before our guide (David, who is amazing) gathered us together. He didn't limit the tour to the ruins though; he gave us insight into the cultural, political and religious aspects of the Mayan people. As we were walking from site to site, David was hopping into the bushes to pull out plants that are significant to the Mayan culture.

And we can't say enough about the lunch that we had. The ladies were so gracious, and they certainly can cook!

We feel so lucky that we had you as our guide. You deserve the highest praise.

Good luck!


Gerry and Pat Crouse
Fort Plain, NY
Chacchoben Ruins
Carnival Glory

01/14/2009

The greatest tour we ever took.

Ivan,
Thank you for the greatest tour we ever took. Your knowledge of the Mayan culture and your compassion you have toward people in general is something we will never forget.


Richard Creaser
Vermont
Kohunlich Ruins Premier
Carnival Glory

01/14/2009

A tour worthy of remembrance.

Our expectations were high given the pleasure we derived from our previous tour with Native Choice in 2004.

On this trip we had the pleasure of having Enedina Torres as our guide. As was the case in the past, Native Choice once again provided a tour worthy of remembrance.

The drive to and from the ruins was long, however, Enedina provided us with a host of information ranging from the native flora and fauna, a timeline of the Mayan Empire as well as pointing out areas of interest along the way.

Enedina was a personable tour guide and a magnificent host for our excursion. She readily answered questions and pointed out things we may have missed if left to our own devices. Of course, we will long remember the taste of fresh pineapple and chili she treated us to en route. Indeed, she even offered to stop on the return trip that we might smaple fresh fruit again.

Native Choice is still #1 in our books. Thank you all so very much for making this trip so memorable.


Sarah A
Greenwood, Indiana
Mayan Experience
RCCL Grandeur of the Seas

01/12/2009

This trip was amazing!

This trip was amazing! David was a fantastic tour guide. It was such an enjoyable day at the ruins.

The icing on the cake was when he took us to his village and Ivan's mother and sister made us lunch. That was a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget! They were so sweet to bring us into their home like that and make us feel so welcome.

I would recommend this tour to everyone!


LeAnne Carpenter
Arkansas
Chacchoben Ruins
Norwegian Spirit

01/06/2009

Great tour!

David:

We wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our tour of the ruins last Tuesday. You did such a great job!

We will recommend your tour to anyone that we know will be heading in your direction in the near future. If we ever have the oppotunity to visit again, we hope to see you again.

Thanks again and hope you have a great year!

The Carpenters from Arkansas