4.7 / 5Two Port Best of the Caribbean Adventure Package
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Small
Moderate
An approximate 10-minute walk from the cruise pier is required to reach your departure location. Full details will be provided in your electronic ticket upon confirmation.Costa Maya's Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
Chacchoben, "the place of red corn" in the Mayan language, is a ruin which may date from 200 B.C. The structures found here date from 700 A.D. The site is quickly becoming one of the most popular amongst Costa Mayan excursions.
Due in part to its location away from large cities and cruise destinations, and with the more famous sites such as Tulum getting all the attention, the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, an excellent example of the most brilliant civilization of the new world, remained in obscurity. As you walk through the jungle filled with evidence of temples, courtyards, and pyramids, you will feel the connection and harmony between nature and history. Along the way, your guide will tell you the journey the city has taken, from the myth of its creation through the collapse of the great Mayan civilization. As you stand in the heart of this abandoned Mayan ceremonial center, your senses will begin to adjust to the sounds of nature. This Costa Maya excursion covers more than two square miles in an area known as the "Region of the Lakes," due to the number of lakes and lagoons in the area.
Most of the walking is over even-packed dirt and grass on a circular path that passes three excavated and restored pyramids, as well as walls and staircases. The site is far from being completely uncovered, and you will see excavation on several mounds that are known to contain additional structures. Some structures still bear traces of the red pigment with which they were originally coated. At the base of the largest pyramid is a large stone slab called a stela with a Mayan hieroglyphic inscription.
Climbing on the temples is restricted out of respect to the deceased and their spirits.
The ruins site has a service area that includes restroom facilities and a cafeteria. Locals from Chacchoben village have a small shopping area at the site, where they offer handmade souvenirs from their village. Keep in mind that in places like Chacchoben, you are expected to negotiate the prices, so be ready to exercise your Espanol and have some fun!
Please Note: There is a fee to use a video camera at the archeological site (not included, approximately $4 US). Credit cards are not accepted at the site for fees or shopping, but US dollars and local currency are.
Standard
Moderate
An approximately 5 to 10 minute walk from the cruise ship tender pier. Coral Gardens & Barrier Reef Snorkel with Stingray City Tour
Avoid the crowds on the cruise ship excursions on this motorized cabin cruiser tour to Stingray City, the world renowned snorkeling destination located in the shallow waters of Grand Cayman's North Sound. With an average group size of only 30 people on this Grand Cayman excursion, you will fully enjoy the exciting experience of swimming and interacting with stingrays!
After departing George Town, you will transfer to the boat on the other side of the island. Once at Stingray City, you'll be able to interact, feed, and swim with these beautiful and gentle stingrays!
Stingray City is believed to have begun years ago when stingrays would gather in the sandbars of the North Sound to feed on the leftovers that fishermen would throw overboard as they anchored there to clean their fish. After many years, the stingrays have become so accustomed to this that they're now routinely fed by hand!
After your visit with the stingrays, you will reboard your boat for a trip to the beautiful Barrier Reef, where you will don the included snorkel gear and explore the underwater world of the reef.
Your next snorkel stop will be the Coral Gardens of Grand Cayman. This shallow reef is less than 10 feet to the bottom, and is known for its fish and invertebrate population. Here you will see large schools of fish such as grunts, yellowtails and sergeant majors, along with the semi-resident green-sea turtle.
Time on the boat is approximately three hours. Transfers are 15 minutes each way