Tour Reviews

Julie Osborne
Rothbury Australia,
Kohunlich Ruins Premier
NCL Jade

Amazing

My DH & I caught a taxi(USD$8) the 500m from the port to the Native Choice office. Our tour was scheduled to depart at 10am but as we were the only two on the tour we were off by 9.40. During the two hour drive to the ruins our guide Fabiola talked about the history of the Mayans and the various Mayan sites. After a quick toilet break we made our way into the site and Fabiola described the function of the various ruins. MY DH isn't a keen walker but managed at the pace that was set. I climbed the stairs on three of the ruins for better views and he was happy to remain at ground level. Our driver Heriberto found a group of Howler monkeys as we were finishing our tour of the site. A packed lunch was provided and enough cold water to help cope with the very hot day.

Sabrina
Oran, Missouri
Chacchoben Ruins
Carnival Vista

Fantastic Ruins Tour

We wanted to take a shore excursion when we came to Costa Maya on the Carnival Vista, but didn't want to book through Carnival. After extensive research online, especially here on TripAdvisor, we went with Native Choice Tours for the Chacchoben Ruins Tour. From their website to the booking process to the tour itself, everything was fantastic! All the positive reviews we'd read were spot on. Both our tour guide, Zotz, and our driver were very personable and knowledgeable. The hour drive to Chacchoben went by quickly as our tour guide, who was Mayan, shared so much information with us. We got to see his Mayan birth certificate, learned about the plants and animals and houses and clothes and customs of the Mayan people, and even learned to count in Mayan. They brought a cooler filled with complimentary bottles of water, which was great on a hot day. Along the way, they stopped so we could see pineapple fields and even a very colorful local cemetery. The tour of the ruins was astounding, and the sheer amount of info we learned about the Mayan culture was well worth the trip. In addition, we were able to watch a group of spider monkeys in the trees above us. This was a delightful bonus, and we were never rushed so we had the opportunity to observe them as they jumped from tree to tree. Amazing! I really cannot say enough good things about this tour company, and if you're lucky enough to get Zotz as your guide you are in for a real treat. Thank you, Native Choice Tours!

**I know there are those people, who, like I did, worry about booking with a different tour company than the one the ship uses (because the cruise ship won't wait on you to return if something happens). But for reputable companies like Native Choice, who depend on cruise ship passengers, their goal is to make sure you arrive back at your ship with plenty of time to spare. The tour also doesn't start until one hour after your ship arrives in port, so you have plenty of time to make it off the ship and to their office.

Aria
Atlanta
Chacchoben Extreme
Carnival

Best tour of our trip

If you can follow directions you can find native Choice, the locals and people at the port are very helpful in helping you find the place if needed. The “hardest” part is getting out of the port. The cruise was an hour late, I was very stressed that we wouldn’t be able to the ruins and the lagoon. Our tour was adjusted to make sure we had time for both. My boyfriend really enjoyed the ruins and couldn’t stop taking about everything he learned. The road to the lagoon was slightly bumpy but worth it. The resort/lagoon was beyond nice and if you like privacy the best. The lunch was my favorite. They had a variety of margaritas like pineapple and strawberry. We also went kayaking for free. The driver and our tour guide were very accommodating.

Katrina Comissiong-Williams
Richmond, Virginia
Chacchoben Extreme
Norweigan Sun

Best Part of Our Cruise!

This was literally the most special thing that we did during our cruise! When looking for a shore excursion, we wanted to use a local company and avoid the cattle call that cruise based excursions can be. I am so glad that we went with Native Choice! Getting there is easy once you actually manage to escape from the port, and the crew there was ready for our arrival with a cool can and cold water. There were only six people in our van, and Eliot made the drive to the ruins so special. We learned a great deal about the culture of the Mayans, Mestizos, and of Mahuahal, local plants and wildlife, and agriculture. The 45 minute drive seemed like nothing because he was so engaging (And we got to help with idioms like Cougar, Cub, and Meat Sweats!)

At the ruins, Lorenzo was our guide. He was such a wealth of information, and it was a privilege to learn about history, culture, nature, and archaeology from him.The small size of our group made for a truly immersive and enriching experience. The beauty and power of Chacchoben are unreal, but Lorenzo was able to frame it in a way that made it personal for each of us.

During the drive to the lagoon, the road admittedly makes the trip feel like an abduction, but it is worth the wait. On the way, we got to see a pineapple farm, and Eliot stopped to pick leaves from an Allspice tree so we could smell and sample them. The lagoon and resort are incredible, and we regretted taking a cruise when we realized that we could have been there for the entire the week. The food and drinks were delicious and plentiful, and Eliot was so attentive that he would not even allow me to pick up a plate and clear the table. We were well taken care of the entire time, and the kayaking was a highlight (bring water shoes though, the bottom is rocky!)

Bottom line, I would do this again in a heartbeat, and we WAY underpaid for the amazing experience that we received. I am so grateful to Eliot, Lorenzo, and Native Choice for making our trip so special, and I would recommend them to ANYONE vacationing in Mahahual/Costa Maya.

Mac
Florida
Chacchoben Extreme
Independence of the Sea

Wonderful Day!

VIP treatment all the way, our 11 member family had a van to ourselves with a driver and tour guide (Griselle). Even with the walk several blocks to the Native Choice office we were one of the first groups to arrive at the ruins. Griselle was a great guide, informative, and we had plenty of time at the ruins before heading out for the lagoon. The resort was so beautiful, and the service was first-class. The water is amazingly clear and beautiful and our family had a wonderful time.

Rachel Paris
New Zealand
Chacchoben Ruins
Celebrit Equinox

Elliot is the best!

Elliot, a young chap, guided our 9-strong group to the Chacchoben ruins this afternoon. He was so impressive: fun, engaging, knowledgeable, passionate and such a great ambassador for Native Choice. Thanks also to Pedro our speedy driver. Great tour.

Sydney
Indiana
Chacchoben Ruins
Royal Caribbean

Amazing excursion!

Ron, Rosa, and Sergio were amazing! They were very knowledgable and funny, made it a very interactive and fun experience! We toured the ruins and then went to lunch at a lagoon and everything was beautiful! Would definitely recommend this excursion to anyone who wants to see the ruins at Chacchoben!

Tayla
Mass
Chacchoben Ruins
Norweign Getaway

BEST EXCURSION

I recommend this excursion to absolutely anyone and everyone! The actual site of the Myan ruins is absolutely beautiful and you are able to climb on them and take plenty of pictures and there’s lots of nature to learn our bow that surrounds them. Our tour guide was Fabiola and she was fabulous!!! The van that took us to the site was a very good size and had air-conditioning, she made sure we all had water when we needed it, for both the ride there in the ride back she had a little speaker on where she told us about Mexico it’s self. On the way back she also gave us some Mexican snacks to try and take home and then we were able to stop at a fruitstand and try what they had! She was very accommodating while we were out the ruins and so willing to answer all of our questions and we’ll inform us all about the site of Chacchoben! The day couldn’t have been better. BESDIES The walk to the actual excursion center was a little bit confusing and about a 15 minute walk and it goes through the city not the cruise port. But not really a big deal we just didn’t know. Hope you guys choose this tour!!!!