Tours ~ Playa del Carmen
~ Mexico:
Snorkeling ~
Most cruise ships offer a variety of snorkeling trips. You may visit Xel-Ha National Park, south of Playa del Carmen;
take a party boat to a shallow offshore reef; or visit a seaside beach with good snorkeling conditions. Most trips include
equipment, transportation and refreshments. 3 hours. US$45-$55.
Xcaret ~
An excursion to this popular water-culture park is usually offered by ships docking at Calica. You can snorkel and visit
Maya ruins and a museum during the day. At night you can enjoy entertainment programs. 4-5 hours. About US$55.
Tulum and
Xel-Ha ~ This tour usually includes a bus ride to the Maya city of Tulum, on the edge of the Caribbean Sea, and a stop at Xel-Ha National Park.
The park has a clear blue lagoon that's visited by colorful fish. Time is often allowed for swimming and snorkeling. Professional
guides provide historical information. A US$10 fee is collected from those planning to videotape the ruins. 8
hours. About US$90.
Coba ~
About 25 mi/40 km inland from Tulum, Coba is thought to have been a commercial hub of the Maya civilization.
Passengers travel by bus to see some of the tallest Maya temples discovered so far (not all of the ruins are excavated, however).
A US$10 fee is charged if you plan to videotape the ruins. 8 hours. About US$85.
Chichen
Itza ~ Some cruise ships offer this trip by bus and by air; we recommend flying because the site is
so far inland (125 mi/200 km from Playa del Carmen) that much of the day is taken up riding the bus. Sights to see at Chichen Itza, considered among the most important archaeological sites in Mexico, include
pyramids, temples and the largest ball court in Mexico. Space on the plane is limited, so book early. If you do
take the bus, you'll have about 2-3 hours to visit the ruins. (Both tours provide a box lunch and a guide to interpret
the sights.) If you plan to videotape your tour, you must pay the Mexican government US$10. By plane, 6-8 hours,
about US$205 per person; by bus, 8-10 hours, about US$105.
Golf ~
Play a round at the championship course at the Playacar resort complex. 5 hours. About US$180 for 18 holes.
Cancun
Shopping and Sightseeing ~ Cruise passengers usually board a bus in Playa and travel to Cancun for stops at various beaches, shops, malls, craft markets and restaurants
in Mexico's best-known resort area. 6-8 hours. About US$50.
