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Things to do in Port on the Western Side..

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MarieATL

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Hey everyone... Ok here's the itenerary.. Belize, Isla Roatan, Cozumel and then Grand Cayman.. I've been to Cozumel and Grand Cayman and plan on doing the Stringray City excursion again but the question there is do I use the people that Carnival uses or do I venture out on our own and book it online.. If anyone knows a better avenue let me know.. Next in Cozumel I absolutely loved Mr. Sanchos.. a great beach w/ a bar. I'm all about that. The dilema is in Belize and Isla.. what are the most popular beaches to see.. non touristy if possible and are there things to walk from the boat to see..??? Moped rentals there???? Any ideas or suggestions would be welcome!!!! Thanks in advance...

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Hi Marie...Welcome!

I'm going to bump this up so anyone who missed it will see it. I have been to Cozumel and Grand Cayman, but it was years ago, so maybe someone else here has been there more recently. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!!!

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Marie,

We've been to Belize once and took a snorkel/tender boat directly off our ship to Shark Ray Alley and had a fabulous time snorkeling. Afterwards we went Ambergris Cay to a small town named San Pedro and had lunch. This was in Oct 2002 and there was little else to do there at this city. It was interesting as the main road was dirt with some gravel and mode of transportation was golf carts.

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COZUMEL

One of my favorite stops, on Cozumel, is Chankanaab Park, just a short, ten-dollar (U.S.) taxi cab ride from the dock.

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The park was completely rebuilt in 1996, and has something for everyone. Admission is $10.00 (U.S.), for adults, and children are admitted free.

The beach is less than spectacular, but more than adequate. There are palapas, on the beach, if you want shade. It’s appeal lies in the fact that the reef is just a few hundred feet offshore, and you can rent snorkeling equipment ($6.00 - U.S.) and scuba gear ($20.00 - U.S.) right on the beach. The snorkeling and diving is truly spectacular, with visibility 250 feet, on a “bad day,†and “Unlimited†on a “Good†one!

Within Chankanaab Park is an Archeological Park, which used to be on another part of the island, and was moved to its present site during the 1996 renovation. A winding, jungle-like, trail winds through the Archeological Park, past replicas of Maya, Inca, Olmec, etc; structures and carvings, and leads to a recreated Mayan village.

The park, also, contains a beautiful Botanical Garden, with hundreds of species of plants, and a large population of Iguanas.

But, the centerpiece of the park is Chankanaab Lagoon, a gigantic sinkhole which connect to the sea through a number of underground tunnels. A large assortment of tropical reef fish also make their way into the lagoon, through the tunnels, and can be viewed from the path, and lookout points, which circle the lagoon.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive, but really nice souvenir, or gift, check out Roberto’s Black Coral jewelry, in Sam Miguel, on 5th Street South. Go to the top of the main square, the Plaza del Sol, and turn right. Roberto’s is about three blocks south of the square, on the northeast corner.

His work is, truly, extraordinary and his prices are ridiculously low. By the way, it IS legal to bring black coral into the U.S., if it’s considered “artwork,†and Roberto’s work fits the description.

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The Mayan ruin at San Gervasio has not undergone the major restoration that the Mexican government had done at many of the other sites, such as Chichen Itza, Tulum, Uxmal, etc; and is of interest only to those who are truly interested in Mayan history. It was an important site, historically, since it held the temple of the fertility goddess, Ixchel, but a relatively small one.

GRAND CAYMAN

The usual "tourist" things to do, such as a trip to Hell, swimming with the rays, the Atlantis Submarine, and such, cost the same through the ship's Shore Excursion programs as they do elsewhere, and you have someone to complain to if something goes wrong.

As for me, I just take the tender into town, walk to the Tortuga Rum Cake Factory, order a slice of Rum cake and a cup of coffee, and "people watch."

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When I'm done, I hop the tender back to the ship, and have it all to myself...

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From a review on file here that I wrote a year ago:

Cozumel

Tuesday we arrived in Cozumel to 86 degree sunny weather. The ship berthed downtown across from Carlos and Charlie’s/Senor Frog’s at Punta Langouste, much better location than the new international piers. If you didn’t need to go to a beach, you would not even need a taxi the whole time in Cozumel. Everything is within walking distance. We taxied for $15 to Mr. Sancho’s beach, just beyond Playa Sol beach where we had been last April. Sancho’s has everything Playa Sol has but no admission charge and no crowds. We loved it. Even the snorkeling was better near some sunken boats and debris about 50 yards out from the center of the beach. Taxi back to the ship to drop off our gear and then into town to shop for my wife’s ruby ring for her anniversary present, then to Carlos and Charlie’s to await the ring’s sizing. A nice excuse. We added to our collection of shooter glasses. Looked a bit like spring break in December, in fact. Liquor and cigarettes in the duty free shop at the end of the pier were cheaper than aboard ship, where the selection was VERY limited.

Roatan

Wednesday we arrived in Roatan with cloudy sky. We had to tender in, but after another ship left at midday, we berthed at a pier. An island 37 miles long and 2-4 miles wide, it is about 35 miles off the coast of Honduras and known for its diving/snorkeling. Taxi to the west end is about $26, so we chose to sign up for an excursion for $32 pp about 3 hours before it was to leave. As we left the ship the heavens opened and we were literally deluged. Onto school buses and over the mountains to Tabayana Beach. The BBQ there went on, but little else. It showered lightly on and off all day, and the lifeguards said don’t bother with a mask and snorkel, as the water was rough and murky from the storm. A beautiful beach but a disappointment. That night there was a note in our room that we had been credited 25% of the cost of the excursion.

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