Excursions - Chichen Itza and snorkeling - advice needed

We just noticed the link in steeve's signature pointing to Discount Cancun Tours! - The best in the business, and they seem to have a much better price than our travel agency is offering. We planned to visit Chichen Itza, and maybe do some snorkeling.

Do we have to book online in advance, or we can book the excursions at the hotel ?

Do they come take you at the hotel, or must we go somewhere in Cancun to start the excursions ?

And there are 2 different excursions for snorkeling, the Isla Mujeres Catamaran Public and the Reef Snorkel Adventure in Puerto Morelos. Does anyone have experience with one of these ? Is the one un Puerton Morelos shorter ?

 

If you can get 6 pepole you can book a private tour

 

from a previous post

From a previous posting last month from Steve



'''Yes, the prices went up a little on Jan 1st, also the cost for a guide. Here's the updated info:



Repost from a similar thread re private Chichen Itza Tours if arranged via me and Entertainment Plus.

The way private tours work is you are hiring a van and driver for the day, so the more people you have to split the costs between the cheaper it is per person.

6 people is about the break even point where the cost is similar to booking an equivalent public tour. Public tours are 40 seater buses which depart from and return to a central collection point, and take you all round the places that they make a commission from.

With more than 6 on a private tour then not only will you save money you'll get a much more personalized service, stop where and when you want and choose your departure time.

Prices per person are as follows, based on number of adults
1 $299
2 $149
3 $119
4 $91
5 $79
6 $73
7 $68
8 $65
9 $62
10 $60

Includes:

• Round trip air-conditioned transportation exclusively for your group. Pick up and drop off direct at Temptation.
• English speaking driver, entrance fee to Chichen Itza, tolls and parking
• DOES NOT include guide in Chichen-Itza (approx $75 USD between the group) or tip to the driver if warranted

Itinerary:
It is a 2 ½ hour ride there, you have the van and driver for 10 hours. I suggest a 7 - 10 AM departure (tour buses arrive around 12 noon and for me I would leave early at 7 or 8). Stay there for 2.5 - 3 hrs. Walk in the town, buy a few gifts, have lunch at one of the restaurants in Chichen-Itza village, head back to Cancun early or go to Valladolid to see a small town. ALL sites of ruins close at 5PM. Please plan your time accordingly.

Option: If you want to see the Light & Sound show (Wednesday), your suggested pickup time is 11AM in the winter or midday in the summer. This gives you almost 3 hrs in the ruins before the show. Light Show Hours: 6PM - 7PM Winter; 8PM - 9PM Summer. NB The light show is currently closed for renovations and still not yet open as far as I know.

Add On option Ik Kil cenote & buffet lunch: Stop at the beautiful cenote Ik Kil to swim in the fresh waters and have a buffet lunch of traditional dishes from the Yucatan including salads, rice and beans, grilled fish, chicken in an orange sauce, pork loin done in a classic Mayan sauce, beef tips, fettuccini primavera, fresh fruit, desserts and tea or coffee. Does not include tip or other drinks. Additional cost: $12 per person

Add On option Ek Balam Ruins: Climb the ruins and see the distinct carvings up close. Additional cost: $10 per person


'
Info taken from Entertainment Plus website''

 

I will inquire about setting one up for the 25th of April.

 

You can actually book any of the tours with as few a people as you like. I just doesnt work out as far as prices go in comparison to others. We booked the Chichen Itza tour with Il Kil Cenote(with buffet lunch) for 2 people and it was definitely worth it. Would have been nice to get a few more people on the trip for companionship and cost savings but even paying the higher prices, you don't have to deal with the crazy public tour bus crowd, no touristy shopping along the way if you don't want and the driver can and does talk to you letting you know a bit about the history and linage of the country and area.

The buffet was actually very good but you have to pay for your drinks(anything other than water). The Cenote is a must see. It is like you stepped into some kind of wonderland. The private tour also allows you to get the "free pass" as we called it at Chichen Itza. The driver takes you straight past any of the other lines and just right to the ruins.

 

Thanks for the info, we are planning for the 25th if any one is intersested

 

20th or 21st for us if anyone is interested.

 

People are afraid to be able to get up in the morning

 

Lol I am too, but Rob is adamant we do this. So wish me luck! It may be a charter for 2!

 

yea i was looking at trying to get a private tour to the pyamids and also the cenotes/zipline tours between april 27-may 4