Incredible Shore Excursion in Mexico

During my cruise with Dinogo in the Western Caribbean, I had the chance to enjoy one of the most AMAZING shore excursions in Mexico. After exploring all the fabulous options, we opted for the “VIP Exclusive Tulum & Cenote Swim With Mayan Lunch.” Given Michael's background as a history major, I knew we had to include a visit to the Mayan Ruins. However, choosing between the Tulum Ruins and the Cozumel Ruins proved challenging! After some research and discussions with my family, we settled on the Mayan Temples of Tulum due to the outstanding reviews! And what a PERFECT day it turned out to be for the four of us. I can't express enough gratitude to Dinogo for such a magical experience!

MORNING: We disembarked from the ship at noon when we reached the port in Cozumel, Mexico. After connecting with our tour guide and fellow travelers, we took a ferry for a scenic 45-minute ride to Playa del Carmen on the Mainland. Then, we boarded a comfortable, air-conditioned van, setting off for a day rich in Mayan culture and cuisine!

Upon arriving at the stunning Temples of Tulum, we dedicated around two hours to exploring Mayan history with our knowledgeable guide, Alen. We marveled at the main structures: “El Castillo,” the Temple of the Descendant God, and the Temple of the Frescoes. Afterward, we made our way to the shore to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking beach! I’m definitely returning for a swim next time I’m in Tulum. Just look at this stunning view!

After our visit to the Mayan Temples, we boarded our bus to a private Mayan Village that isn’t accessible to the public. There, we learned about the lives of modern-day Mayan descendants and had the chance to refresh ourselves with a cenote swim. For those unfamiliar (like I was), a cenote is a vast natural pool located in the jungle. To reach the cenote, we enjoyed a picturesque kayak ride through the lush emerald green jungle.

The photographs simply can't capture the beauty of this place. The cenote swim was genuinely one of the most breathtaking experiences I've ever had. Swimming in those waters with the stunning exotic flora surrounding us felt completely surreal and AMAZING! After that, we strolled through the village and enjoyed a unique Mayan lunch. Our feast featured chicken, fresh local vegetables, salad, guacamole, rice, beans, and coffee. For dessert, our hosts treated us to a tasting of some of their favorite village fruits. The Mayans serve these fruits with a blend of sugar, salt, and spicy chili flakes, which adds a delightful sweet heat to an already delicious flavor. I have to say, it was some of the freshest and most flavorful pineapple I've ever tasted!

It was truly heartwarming to connect with the families who are part of this Mayan culture. There are 13 families residing in this village. This was indeed a remarkable adventure, and I can’t wait to return to Tulum someday to spend more time here!