Tour Reviews

Michael and Terri Taylor
Montgomery, AL
Chacchoben Ruins
Carnival Holiday

One of the best experiences of my life.

This was one of the best experiences of my life. Before our trip, I had researched different excursions and read many positive things about Ivan and his tour of the ruins. Thirteen members of my family were on this trip and nine of us went with Ivan's tour and my brother's family of four bought the excursion from the ship and rode on a bus separate from us with a different tour guide.

We had an awesome time and learned so much. Ivan gave us such a personal tour. Needless to say, my brother and his family did not enjoy the trip. I got to say "I told you so" many times! I have emailed Ivan several times this past year since our trip because he felt like such a friend to our family. I can promise that if you choose "the Native Choice" for your tour, you won't feel like you were dumped together in a crowd or be bored in any way. I hope that we can return to this beautiful place again someday.

The Taylor Family - Mike, Terri, Kristian, Sarah Kate, Anna Beth, Amanda, and Sydney

Richard and Bethany Creas
Derby Line, VT
Chacchoben Ruins
Carnival Miracle

Amazing experience

Our appologies for taking so long to write.

We toured the ruins with David over a year ago and have not once stopped talking about the amazing experience we had. David's knowledge of the ruins as well as the culture and flora and fauna of the region is unparalleled. The small group experience allowed all of us to ask questions and receive answers without fear of getting lost in the babble.

Indeed, there were other guests to the site, from other cruise tours, who started hanging around our small group. With a guide like David you never felt lost in the herd. With a guide like David, you were glad you were "lost" in the jungle, entranced by the remains of a fascinating ancient culture.

We enjoyed our trip so much that we are seriously considering taking another tour with Native Choice on our next Western Caribbean holiday. It speaks volumes that our decision to rebook with Native Choice has less to do with where they take us than it has to do with how they treat their patrons and what we will discover once we get there.

Steven McKosky
Dallas, Texas
Chacchoben Ruins
Miracle

Very impressive site

Ivan,

I just wanted to tell you how much my family and I enjoyed your tour of the Chacchoben ruins on Tuesday 12/13. Before our trip, I had read lots of great reviews of the tour on the internet, and you & David lived up to all of them and then some! Seeing the ruins was a very impressive site. But that’s not what made the tour so great; it was your ability to tell personal stories about the Mayan history as well as YOUR personal history with the site. As I’ve told others, I felt like even if I had been able to stay on the tour for two full weeks I still wouldn’t even have begun to scratch the surface of the amount of wonderful and amazing stories you could tell thru your experiences. Keep up the good work and I wish you both the best!

Sincerely,
Steven McKosky
Dallas, Texas

Mary, Dave and David
USA
Chacchoben Ruins
Explorer of the Seas

Wonderful tour of the ruins

Dear Ivan:

We want to again extend our thanks for the wonderful tour of the ruins you really know your stuff. There is nothing like standing right on the grounds of something so historical and ancient.

My son is doing his school report on the Mayan Ruins and what he learned from you is incomparable to the impersonal, and cold hard data facts, he learned from his books.
Thank you again!!

..Mary, Dave and David...

Jonathon and Jeani Englan
Ntlakyapamuk People Canada
Chacchoben Ruins
Ziuderdam

Wonderful personal service

Dear David and Ivan,

My husband and I wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your tour, and the wonderful personal service you gave us before we even met you.

David, as our tour director (Ivan had laryngitis), did an absolutely fantastic job. From the time of the greeting, where he showed us where we could wait on the beach with a cold beer, all the way to dropping us right next to where we got back on our boat, we didn't have a moments worry... just a good time.

His explanations of the Mayan culture, his family stories, and the way he took time with each of us made this tour the best one we had on our vacation. The time we spent with the Mayan family was a great learning experience. I particularly wanted to thank David for setting up time for us to speak with and be blessed by Don Goyito.

I would encourage anyone reading this to look no further for a tour guide in Costa Maya. The Native Choice is the perfect tour excursion. Small groups, great people, and great prices.

David and Ivan... You're the best!

Richard Hennessey
USA
Chacchoben Ruins
None

Wonderful tour of the Chaccoben ruins

My wife and I had a wonderful tour of the Chaccoben Mayan Ruins with David Villagomez. He was very warm and friendly, always graciously answering our many questions. Having grown up in the area, David had great knowledge of these ruins and Mayan culture. We especially appreciated his insights into Mayan cosmology and spirituality.
David also took us on an intriguing trip into the surrounding jungle area where only a native could find the way. Here he taught us about the plants and wildlife, as well as the changing use of the land. As my wife and I were traveling further south, David gave us excellent advice as to which ruins were best to visit in the Rio Bec region.

In all, we were extremely pleased and grateful for the time we spent with David and highly recommend him for any tour in the area.

Karen Raphael
Brooklyn, NY USA
Chacchoben Ruins
RCCL Empress of the Seas

Truly the highlight of our vacation.

Dear Ivan and David,

I am writing to thank you for escorting us on the tour of the Chacchoben Ruins last week. It was truly the highlight of our vacation.

Your knowledge of the ruin site and ancient Mayan culture was impressive, but what I will probably remember most is your personal stories. Your eloquent description of how each of you grew up, and how you were shaped by your families and Mayan culture was fascinating.

No standard shore excursion package from a cruise line will provide the kind of one-on-one interaction that is possible in the small groups that you arrange. I have already shared many of my friends how you described the impact of electricity (and satellite television) on expectations and aspirations for youths growing up in Mayan villages.

I wish you the best of luck in continuing to grow (but, please, not too big!) your tour business. I hope to be able to visit the area again and would look forward to introducing my family and friends to your services.

Robert L. Pierce
Wood Dale, IL USA
Chacchoben Ruins
HAL Zuiderdam

A truly memorable time

David and Ivan,

Thanks again for a truly memorable time together last week at Chacchoben. The site is impressive, but the highlight came when you shared your knowledge and insights about the Mayan people. Mayans hold a special place in our hearts and we have done much research to learn as much as we can, but I know we learned far more about what a Mayan truly is, by speaking with you.


We wish the two of you all the best. By helping people better understand your heritage and lifestyle, you are doing a great service toward preserving and honoring the Mayan tradition, and the Maya people of today.