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.

Stingray City & Coral Gardens Snorkeling Tour

The last thing you want on a snorkel dive is an ocean-full of snorkelers along with you, right? Escape the large cruise ship crowds on this exclusive Stingray City Snorkel Grand Cayman excursion to Stingray City, a world-renowned snorkeling destination.

With an average group size of only 30 people, you will fully enjoy your time on this Grand Cayman excursion.

You will be transferred from George Town to your waiting motorized cabin cruiser on the other side of the island. Stingray City is located in the shallow waters of Grand Cayman's North Sound.

Stingray City, you will 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 became so accustomed to this, they are now routinely fed by hand!

After your visit to Stingray City, you will enjoy a beautiful snorkeling session at either the Coral Gardens or on the reef, depending on that day's weather.

Time on boat is approximately 2 hours, 30 minutes. Transfer time from downtown to boat pier is approximately 15 minutes each way. Stops are approximately 30 minutes each.

Go Zip Lining and Visit West Bay Beach

After meeting your driver at the pier, you will make your way to the west end of the island, approximately a 30 minute drive, where your exciting, Roatan Zip and Splash Beach Break adventure awaits. Lockers are available for your beach bag ($1 US per locker. Lockers can hold more than 1 bag)

After suiting up for your Roatan excursion, your professional guide will walk you through instructions and a safety briefing to make sure everyone is at ease before starting the zip adventure. Afraid of heights? Never zipped before? This is not a problem. They will walk you through every step of the way until you are zipping on your own.

Then it's time to zip. Your Roatan zip line excursion is on a course set out over more than 25 acres of lush Roatan scenery, you will zip just under 2 miles of cable between numerous platforms. Zips range from a short 40 feet (it will surprise you) to more than 1250 feet at heights from 20 to more than 40 feet from the ground. Depending on the number in your group, your zip time will last between 50 to 70 minutes. New or experienced, young or old, by the end, you will be wanting more. Local staff will be on hand to take pictures for those wanting to purchase "proof" they actually did it.

After soaring through the sky, you will drive to the beach where you can splash in the sea at nearby West Bay. Here you will have approximately 1 1/2 hours to beach walk, swim, rent snorkel gear, or just zone out in a sunbeam, under a palm tree or at the nearby beach bar and restaurant where food and cold drinks can be purchased. Beach chairs are also available for rental. All too soon, it is time to return to reality. Your driver will meet you for the drive back to the cruise pier.

Guests wishing to stay longer at the beach will be responsible for their own transportation back to the pier.