TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums Cancun - Isla Mujeres - Mexico Cozumel:Cheap/Easy way for Tulum Ruins & Beachstop

All,
I posted earlier on beach on a Cozumel cruise stop. We've now decided to see Tulum as early as possible after ship arrives and spend remainder of day a t a good snorkel beach withfood drinks. We are a group of 8 and trying to avoid cruise ship excursion prices. We are used the planes, trains, feries and automobiles in Europe to connect the dots to sights and save money. Are their cheap ferries between Cozumel and mainland? Is their a safe bus to Tulum you can count on? We won't need much time to absorb the ruins. We're interested but not archaelogists. I just want our youngins to see some history/culture on their first trip to Mexico. Any experience/help is appreciated. Safety is #1, saving dough is #2.

You mean to ferry from Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen and then to Tulum and to return to Cozumel for some beach time before your ship leaves??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> How long are you in port? Unless some other poster knows how to do this, there is no way that would be doable!

The ferry costs about $15 each way and takes 40 minutes.

The bus station is just up the hill from the ferry dock. Collectivos are two more blocks from there.

Yes, it's safe.

LBI is correct. That will be a tough way to go in one day. You might want to charter a boat from Coz directly to Tulum Ruins. 8 people might make it an effective price point and much more enjoyable.

That is one of the big reasons the Port of Calica is receiving more cruise traffic and the impetus for rumors about a high speed train.

I agree with the others that seeing Tulum ruins and also having any significant beach/snorkel time on Cozumel is ambitious for a Cozumel port of call stop. How much time will you have? If you were going to try it, I would suggest that you go with a taxi or two from Playa (not bus or collectivo) to the Tulum ruins. I think you would have to figure at least two hours for round trip taxi rides and I would think at least 2 hours, given catching the ferry etc, for round trip ferry rides. Many people swear by the collectivo's or buses but I think that can vary.

We have 9 hours in port with a 9am arrival. My experience is they are there bright and early. Allowing for 2 hours (ferry/cab or bus) each way), 1.5 hours looking at ruins. Leaves 3.5 hours in the sun at some beach.

I'm reading the beaches at Tulum are very nice as well.

Should we just camp out at Tulum? Is it walkable between the ruins or do you nee a cab?

Or should we head back to either a Cozumel Beach or a Playa Del Carmen beach.

Looking for your trusted TTOL experience/opinions.

Did you not read the above posters??? I don't get it. You are in Cozumel. Why don't you find excursions to do there? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />Sounds to me you are trying to pinch every penny out of this trip but if you miss your boarding you are in big trouble and it will really cost you!

Yes, thank you for your inputs. The ship has excursions that have Tulum and beach stops, so they can do it. They are $150/head. Worldwide, I've usually researched enough to venture on my own and make it back to the ship on time. So with a large group of 8, I am trying to pinch every penny and see it all (culture and beach). You should my med cruise especially my stop in Livorno, Italy (Saw Florence & Pisa all in one day via trains, buses, cabs).

It looks like I will seek to be first off ship. Catch the ferry to Playa del Carmen. Catch the first possible ADO bus to Tulum. Do the Chevy Chase or more at the Temples/Ruins. If really cool, hang out if not go to beach.
What I haven't heard yet is if there is a beach walkable from the ruins?? As always, If public transport fails me, I'll have dough necessary to hail a cab and haul butt back to the ferry dock.

Interested in more inputs...Thanks

If you insist,

Cabs take only 3 passengers each. You will need two cabs or a van. Hire them round trip. Don't pay until you are returned to PDC.

There are other busses too. Besides ADO check Mayab and Verde.

Pack a lunch.

Pray for no delays in the ferry schedule, it happens.



Look at a map! The ruins are directly ON the beach. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Just curious. When you say you are with a large group of 8, are you footing everyones bill or are they all on there own? If that's the case, why worry what the costs are unless you are paying for all then that's understandable. By the way Tulum has one of the nicest and best beaches in the Caribbean! Hope you get to enjoy it.

I'm footin the whole bill, one calls me "honey", the others call me "money bags" (aka dad)

I think that you can get 4 or more in one taxi depending on size, of course. I do not recall taxi's being limited to 3 pax. Go for it. I would hit the beach when back in Coz, however, as opposed to spending beach time in Tulum - I do not have strong enough nerves to take chance of problem on way back to Coz.

I think I agree. I can get sand/surf back in Playa or on Cozumel. See the ruins and move on. I found these guys on the internet. Anybody ever seen or used them. It sounds like a winner. Private van meets you at the pier and waits for you buy the hour.
http://www.cozumel-tours.com/private-tulum-tour.htm

Hey Pelican Pirate, Please invite me on your next cruise, I will be happy to join you! And I certainly will call you "honey" or whatever name you desire! LOL. Have a great trip, you sound like a real special person and all of those on board with you should be grateful. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

Oh! Sorry!
That is correct. 4 passenger limit.

Couple of ideas for you to consider 1. hiring a private shuttle to meet you at the PDC ferry terminal. I frequently have a private shuttle waiting for me at CUN to take me to the PDC ferry, it is a bit more expensive than the bus but is easy & cost effective for larger groups. They may make you a round trip deal or wait for you. Alternatively you can take the local bus back to PDC. 2. In PDC head over to the ADO office and ask when they have a Tulum Direct bus available, it's about 25-30 pesos more than the local bus (you might not get to sit together on the local, since it will have passengers already on board). Take the local back to PDC, since it will be empty.

IMHO the beach on the south side of Tulum is superior to the north.

You can do self-guided tours of the ruins, but get a map/guide.

thanks

Have you gone on Cruise Critic and asked if anyone else has done this from a cruise ship in Cozumel? They may have a better time reference on how long it all took.
When I was an the beach in Tulum, any cruise ship excursions that came to the beach only had 1 hour.
Have you also considered Akumal? Closer to PDC. No ruins but good snorkeling with turtles