Tour Reviews

Craig Weyant
Atlanta, GA, US
Mayan Experience
Royal Caribbean Independence

A unique, once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

Our little group took the "Mayan Experience" excursion. It was a unique, once-in-a-lifetime adventure! I would highly recommend it anybody reading this. I don't normally leave testimonials, but in this case I couldn't resist. I would suggest that you not hesitate and book an excursion with Ivan and David immediately! You won't regret it!

Susan Glenn
Costa Maya, Mexico
Kohunlich Ruins Premier
RCL Independence of the Seas

Enjoyed it immensely.

I would like to let you know how professional David was concerning our reserved Kohunlich Mayan Ruins trip on 2/4/09. Since my husband and I were the only people who booked this excursion on the above date, he couldn't take us on this tour (they need 6 or more people for this tour to be available). So, David did everything possible to get us an acceptable alternative guide so we could still take a tour of Kohunlich, since this was our main reason for coming to the area. David's choice, Jose Pepe, was a very good guide, giving us quite a bit of information about the area as we drove to the ruin site. We had an hour of free time at the ruin and enjoyed it immensely. Thank you David and Jose.

Steve and Barbara Kurtz
Rockwall, TX
Chacchoben Ruins
Norwegian Spirit

A terrific day in Costa Maya.

Our tour of Chacchoben made for a terrific day in Costa Maya. We were pleasantly surprised to find out that we would be picked up at the tourism village and would not have to make our way to the hotel for pickup.

David was an excellent tour guide who provided lots of interesting information on Costa Maya and the Chacchoben ruins. We arrived at the ruins about a half hour before the ship tour busses arrived so we were ahead of the crowds for much of the tour.

The ruins were far more extensive and beautiful than I had imagined but David showed us plenty in the time alloted. After spending the morning at the ruins we drove into Chaccoben town to drop off a couple who were doing the Mayan Experience tour. Before leaving town to return to Costa Maya, David handed out some of the school supplies I had brought for the local kids. Seeing their eyes light up over rulers, pencils and pens was a memorable experience. I'd encourage others to bring a sack of supplies for the local school - they can use it.

This was one of the best shore excursions we have been on in our 15 cruises, and I recommend it to anyone interested in learning about Mayan history and life while seeing a nicely excavated Mayan city.

Mike & Janiece Algermisse
Hockley, Texas
Mayan Experience
Norwegian Spirit

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

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

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

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

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.