These Are a Few of My Favorite Western Caribbean Cruise Things (Part 1: Cozumel & Progreso, Mexico)

As I plan and prepare for four cruises this year, I want to share my past port experiences by region, in this case the Western Caribbean.  I’ve been on nearly a dozen cruises worldwide, most of which cruised out of Galveston, Texas (living in Houston, this is extremely convenient for me).  Every single cruise out of Galveston stops in Cozumel, Mexico, a little island off the eastern coast of Mexico near Cancun.  And some cruises also stop in Progreso, Mexico, which is on the mainland of the Yucatan Peninsula.  These commonly visited ports deserve their own blog post (read the blog post dedicated to Belize, Honduras, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica here).  These are a few of my favorite things…

 

 

Past excursions & experiences from the port in Cozumel, Mexico

Fly High Adventures Zipline & Beach Resort

• This recent excursion was a blast!  What seems like an intimidating and scary activity was actually very safe with great guidance before and during.  We spent at least a half hour zipping through trees and then spent the rest of our day at a resort within walking distance of the port.  The “monkeys” (zipline helpers at each station) were so helpful and fun to interact with.  The resort had incredible views of the port, massage tables, a gorgeous pool (featured at the very bottom of My Cruise Kit: The Practical & the Ridiculous), and snorkeling equipment available.  I would happily do this excursion again!

Amazing Secret River

• This excursion on the mainland (meaning more travel getting to the location) was fun for us geology nerds, and not as dangerous as I had expected.  We explored an underground river in a cavern!  All gear is provided, as well as constant guidance.  We were not allowed to bring any of our own camera equipment into the cave, and naturally the pictures taken of us were ridiculously expensive.  We didn’t purchase any but were perfectly happy enjoying our time tech-free in the cave.

Mayan Ruins of Tulum & Playa del Carman

• The Mayan Ruins of Tulum, sitting on a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, are gorgeous!  I recommend going once for the views, however, we would probably not visit again from Cozumel due to the amount of time spent in the boat getting to the mainland and the bus driving down to the site…and of course the travel time on the way back.  If we ever visit Cancun not on a cruise, we’d love to spend more time there.

Cooking Class

• ANY cooking class!  We generally love interactive/hands on excursions and these were no exception.  It’s always fun to see how the locals prepare their cuisine!  Of course you eat what you cook, and you drink while you cook/wait!  Dancing is optional (I don’t, because I’m super awkward on a dance floor).  And some cooking classes include a beach or pool trip, which is why you cruised to Cozumel in the first place!

 

Cozumel Pros

• Shopping at the port!
• Massage on the beach…yes!
• Gorgeous weather always!
• People watching *those* drunk people coming back to the ship at the end of the day.  Except that ONE time I was one of them…

Cozumel Cons

• We’re tired of excursions on the mainland because of precious downtime in transit (boat, bus, shuttle…all of it), so we tend to stay on the island now.
• I don’t want to purchase silver jewelry or hand beaded things, not the first time I’m asked, or the second, or the third.  All of these things can also be purchased at the port on the way back to the ship.
• PLEASE be careful with liquor at all-inclusive resorts and bars.  After a bad experience with *some* kind of poisoning, we have begun to only drink wine and beer.  Sad, I know.

 

What are some of your favorite Cozumel things?

 

 

Past excursions & experiences from the port in Progreso, Mexico

Uxmal Mayan Ruins & Hacienda Ochill

• I had SO MUCH FUN on this excursion to Uxmal Mayan Ruins and was happy to be able to climb some of the ruins!  The tour was very informative and the site was well kept.  Just crazy hot!  Attire smartly and stick to the shade.  After visiting the ruins, we visited Hacienda Ochill for lunch, drinks, and a lovely walk around the estate.  I would definitely do this excursion again!

Shopping & Merida City Tour

• If you don’t get your fill of shopping in Cozumel, the excursion that visits Merida, the capital of Yucatan, is less commercial (bartering is a thing there).  I enjoyed it, but visited over 10 years ago and don’t remember much…except at how much money my mother spent there.

 

Progreso Pros

• The Yucatan culture is strong and proud here, and I love the local food.
• Everyone is incredibly nice and happy to interact.

Cozumel Cons

• HOT…dress in very light layers and bring a hat/sunglasses.  Trust me, I’m from Houston and even I’M crazy hot there.

 

What are some of your favorite Progreso things?

 

 

In one of my prior blog posts, I’ve shared a two-part checklist for cruising that includes essentials and luxury items that should fit into (1) a backpack and (2) a single rolling suitcase.  Read about and download my Free PDF Backpack Packing List (Carry-On Packing Checklist for Cruising) and Rolling Suitcase Packing List (Single Suitcase Packing Checklist for Cruising) here.

 

 

More Cruise Tips, Packing Lists, and Past Cruise Adventures:

First 24 Hours on a Cruise Ship: Do’s and Don’ts

Cruise Tips: Planning and Packing

My Cruise Kit: The Practical & the Ridiculous

A Cruise Must: Chef’s Table on Carnival Cruises

Cruise Packing Lists: Backpack & Rolling Suitcase Packing Checklists

Carry-On Suitcase Packing List (Packing Checklist for the Overhead Bin)

Carry-On Bag Packing List (Packing Checklist for Under the Seat)

Read about our Mediterranean cruise here and British Isles cruise here and Alaskan Cruise here.

Don’t forget a corkscrew (read about my TSA-compliant Carry-On Corkscrew here)!

 

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