Western Caribbean cruise.....snorkeling vs historical sites?

Question

going on a cruise and between the following ports if i could only go snorkeling once what port should i do it
and same thing for checking out a historical site??


Cozumel, Mexico
Belize
Costa Maya,
Nassau, Bahamas

Answer 1

Depends on what you want to see. Did your cruise info give you any ideas of what excursions that they offer at the different ports? If so, check them out on-line and see what you'd like to do.

I went snorkeling off of Cozumel and thought it was great and did historical everywhere else but I really like historical things.

If you're so-so historical interest, Xcaret is a good choice as it's historical with touristy influences such as dolphins and snorkel through an underground river bit. Hard-core historical, Tulum and Chitchen Itza were fantastic.

Belize is great for outdoor hiking and such, don't know if they have snorkeling there where your port of call is.

Have a great time.

Answer 2

It really depends on what you want to see. The Islands on the Western Caribbean are completely different from the Islands on the Eastern. The Bahamas are not a really good destination, and I would not waste my time staying in the Bahamas for a 7 night cruise, as many Eastern/Western cruises go to one Bahamas port anyway. Having been to Nassau many times, it is not that great of a place. You see it once, then that is about it. Its also way overpriced for some things - such as the Dolphin encounters at Paradise Island. The fact is that most of the short cruises (4 days or less) end up there, and many first time cruisers take those - and consequently, it costs more for some things than in the Caribbean proper (the Bahamas are not really in the Caribbean). I like the Eastern Caribbean better, and I think St. Maarten and St. Thomas has more to offer than the Western Caribbean. But the Western Caribbean tends to be more popular with first-time cruisers. If you want to go to a beach, the best beach in the Caribbean is Trunk Bay at St. John. You will probably want to book a ship-excursion to that beach at least as a first time cruiser, as getting there on your own takes some planning to ensure you get back in time for the ship to leave. If you book a cruise with the ship - although it is more expensive - they will wait for you if you don't arrive on time (if you go on your own - and if you are late - you will miss the ship). Another notable beach in St. Thomas is Magen's Bay. At any rate, as I said, the islands are different and if you like the cruise you go on, you will at some point want to take in the other side.

Answer 3

Just got back from that cruise. For my money, unless you go to Chichen Itza, which has been restored, you are in for a verrrrrrrrry long bus ride to no where sucking up 6 hours of time. One ruin to see...this one.

From Cozumel, you can do it. But you have to travel.
http://www.chichenitza.com/

Costa Maya...4 hours in a bus (2 each way) 2 hrs on the ruin site, and it wasn't THAT great. Long long day. Wish I had been snorkeling. It was ok.

Belize- the second greatest reef in the world... You are going to skip that? Get out there and snorkel.

Nassau...shopping. There isn't anything to see in the water.

Answer 4

Absolutely you must snorkel in Cozumel. Jacque Cruseau declared Cozumel the 100% best warm water dive and the west coast of British Columbia, Canada the best cold water.
My husband and I have snorkeled Cozumel and it is AMAZING!!! But do not leave anything of value on the beach - someone liked my wrap.
Belize would likely be the stop for historical stuff, tho we absolutely love the Mayan Riviera - Yukatan peninsula for exploring ruins / pyramids. Watch for birds too!!! Very Special, do not know where you are from, but do enjoy!!!


Just read "parsonel"'s answer and NO NO NO to Xcaret re historical tho we did enjoy it, it is fake and algae is taking over thus less and less fish... we went there 5 years in a row before we moved to Barbados.
But then, you did not list that as one of your stops so...... stay on the island of Cozumel and snorkel there. Seriously, it IS THE BEST in the world.
If you were going to the Yukatan I would definately say do Chitchen itza but more so Coba... Talum is TOOO touristy, Coba is still being uncovered and thuis AWESOME.