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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingFive hours total, including a 40-minute drive each way — guided tour of Dzibilchaltún ruins and free time at a private beach club.
This excursion combines a guided visit to the Dzibilchaltún Mayan ruins with leisure time at a beach club. Start your day by meeting your bilingual guide at the cruise ship terminal or your hotel in Progreso or Mérida, followed by a comfortable 40-minute ride to the archaeological site.
At Dzibilchaltún, explore the remains of one of Mesoamerica's largest ancient cities with an experienced guide who shares insights about the Mayan culture and the significance of the structures. After the visit, return to Progreso for approximately two hours of relaxation at the exclusive Silcer Beach Club, where a limited number of guests ensures a tranquil atmosphere. Pack a swimsuit and sunscreen for your time at the beach.
Reviews
The tour was excellent, and the guide made changes to our itinerary, with our agreement, because of a situation beyond their control.
The tour did not meet my expectations. Instead of visiting the advertised Dzibichaltun ruins due to a vendor payment issue, we were taken to Xcambo. The pickup location was confusing and hard to locate, despite the provided instructions. Our tour guide, Tony, was friendly and did his best, but his English was limited. There wasn't much to see at the flamingo site or the Mayan salt production area. Overall, it was disappointing and I wouldn’t recommend this tour.
If you're seeking luxury and glamour, this isn't the tour for you. However, if you value friendliness, flexibility, enjoyment, and knowledgeable guides, this group is perfect. We had a wonderful time on a private tour. The guides were relaxed, friendly, and very accommodating. Although the van was older and the AC could have been better, it didn't detract from our experience.
I was quite disappointed with the experience. The cenote was closed, and they still charged full price for admission. The museum was also closed. We didn't have a guide, and the ruins were underwhelming. There are many better options nearby.
Although we were let down by the closure of the museum and cenote, our guide Carlos adapted brilliantly and provided an excellent experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with him, and his knowledge of Mayan was a fantastic bonus.
We chose to explore the site at our own pace, taking a taxi from Merida. The ruins, which date back to 600 BC, are small but definitely benefit from a guide who can provide insights on the structures. The open chapel made from stones of the original buildings is fascinating; conservators were actively working on it during our visit. Unfortunately, the cenote is polluted and no longer suitable for swimming. The echoes in the main square truly resemble the sounds of quetzals. The highlight is the building of the 7 dolls, with its window strategically positioned for solstices and moon cycles. The site was not very crowded, and we spent around two hours there.
While we did manage to take the tour we booked, it was not what we expected. Our guide, Toni, was wonderful and did her best to ensure we had a good day. However, upon arrival, we learned that the ruin site we intended to visit was closed. Instead, we were taken to another site, which, while nice, did not match the grandeur of our original destination. My husband and I had previously visited Dzibilchaltún and were eager to bring our daughters there, especially for the sinkhole swim. The alternative site was interesting but did not fulfill our expectations. The latter part of the tour was meant to be at Silcer Beach Club, featuring pool and beach access with an all-inclusive feel, complete with lounge chairs and umbrellas. Instead, we found ourselves at a restaurant on a messy public beach, and lunch ended up costing us an additional $150. Overall, I am quite disappointed with the experience and probably won’t choose this company or tour guide again. I rated it two stars solely because Toni was a pleasant guide and shared valuable insights about Mayan culture.
The excursion was pleasant overall, but the frequent changes to the itinerary were a bit unsettling. The ruins and the guide were enjoyable. The beach we visited was rather ordinary, although it had an impressive number of shells, which was quite remarkable. I have never encountered so many shells in one location before.
We booked the Dzibilchaltún Mayan Ruins & Beach Break Excursion based on its online description, but the actual experience was disappointing and felt misleading. Before the tour even started, communication was unclear. The listing stated a 9:00 AM start, but I was informed it began at 8:30 AM when I confirmed the meeting point. We arrived at 8:30, but no one was present. A nearby store had to contact the company, and eventually, someone arrived and sent us to another location. At the next spot, we waited for transportation. Instead of the promised comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle, we were crammed into a small, unclean Chevy sedan. The driver was nice, but this was not suitable for a paid tour. We were driven to the ruins in about 20 minutes. Although the driver covered the entrance fee for the four of us (400 MXN total), we were given no guide despite what was stated in the tour details. We needed to pay an additional guide ourselves at the ruins. That guide was fantastic, and the ruins were stunning, but this should have been included. After about two hours, we were taken to the so-called “beach break.” This was not a beach club as advertised, but merely some tables on the beach. Drinks were taken from a cooler, and food had to be fetched from restaurants across the street. This was far from the relaxing beach club experience promised. In summary, I could have saved money and had a much better time visiting the ruins on my own and then going to Progreso Beach for a meal at a proper restaurant with better service. I'm unsure where our money went. I wouldn't recommend this booking. The disorganization, misleading information, and downgraded experience created a definite feeling of a bait and switch.
Be cautious about the ticket instructions regarding the meeting point for the tour. We took a complimentary shuttle to Progreso to meet our tour driver. The ruins and our guide were fantastic, and the beach was stunning as well.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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