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Mayan Reality Tour

Experience the Mayan Reality on a cultural adventure that will both educate and delight you. Many visitors think of the Mayans as an ancient civilization that disappeared long ago, but the fact is that while many other indigenous groups have vanished or been absorbed into the general population, the Mayan culture, customs, language and beliefs remain strong on the Yucatan Peninsula even today. On this tour you'll witness the reality that faces these remarkable people as their ancient culture collides with and blends into the modern world. Begin your adventure in a small, contemporary Mayan community built up around the remains of an ancient Mayan settlement and visit one of the fascinating ruins located right in the middle of town. Follow your guide into an authentic Mayan house where you'll learn about the local food and the ancient medicines. You'll hear about the sacred Mayan tree and its role in the cosmos as well as legends, lore and prophesies written in the Mayan calendar. If you've visited any Mayan ruin or are remotely interested in the first people that populated the Americas, then you'll be surprised, fascinated and left with a new-found respect for this long-lived culture and the legacy they leave here in Costa Maya.
Average:
3.25 out of 5
3.3
 out of 
5
(4 Reviews) 4
Open Ratings Snapshot
Rating Snapshot (4 reviews)
5 stars
1
4 stars
1
3 stars
0
2 stars
2
1 star
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2 of 4(50%)customers would recommend this to a friend.
Customer Reviews for Mayan Reality Tour
Review 1 for Mayan Reality Tour
Overall: 
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Fun: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Adventurous: 
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Family Oriented: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Cultural/Educational: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
PURPLEBOY
Location:New York, NY
Party size:1
I traveled with:Self
Cruise Date Month:February
Favorite port:Belize City, Belize
I want to go here next:Europe
Date:February 20, 2013
Coulda been better
Well....in retrospect, I wish I had chosen better for Costa Maya. I purposely picked a more mellow excursion because I had a tougher one the day before, but his was too mellow. First the guide Geraldo didn't stop talking for the entire nearly two bus trip. Though informative, it was too much for me. Then he had us stop so he could say hello to his family. Finally we stopped at a small sight where could finally use the bathroom. While he talked some more I visited this lovely Mayan family and bought some bracelets, etc.
The kids were just charming. Our second stop was also nice where we had this terrific authentic Mexican lunch and saw the activities of this Mayan village. This was also very nice. And then the long bus ride home where Geraldo talked more and reminded us how he should be tipped. Although I did enjoy parts of this, I would have prefered another stop and less talking. Because it was a short tour, we did have time to spend at the beach and for shopping which was good.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
Review 2 for Mayan Reality Tour
Overall: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Fun: 
4 out of 5
4 out of 5
Adventurous: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Family Oriented: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Cultural/Educational: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
daydreamer
Location:New Jersey
Party size:more
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:December
Favorite activities:Educational
Favorite port:Roatan, Honduras
Date:December 28, 2012
Not what we thought
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There is a LONG walk in from the boat but they do have tram to ride in if you want. There was a group of 4 dressed as Mayans dancing and playing ball as we waited for the people to arrive for the tour. They were very fun to watch and we felt dressed period correct. A bit of a walk to the bus. Difficult bathroom facilities on the bus. Need to do some serious stairs. Geraldo was our guide and very informative. BUT at times went into way too much detail and lost folks. It is very difficult working through the accent and the detailed information. People were drifting off. This is a VERY,VERY LONG ride. 45 min of bus ride on a very straight road with just nature and a few homes here and there. When we arrived at Geraldo's home village he pointed out many local shops, people, clinic, police station and shared a lot of local information. We stopped here to see the small Mayan ruin. There were a dozen or so kids there selling necklaces, bracelets etc. They had bottled water if you needed some but no bathrooms. Geraldo was very proud of his village and it showed. We walked over to the ruins, took a few pictures and then Geraldo spoke about the Mayan religion. Or at least I think he did. The kids weave in and out between the tour people selling their wears and you could not hear ( again accent combined with information means you have to listen carefully) very well and it was very irritating not to hear what I really paid for. Back on the bus for a ride down the rode to our Mayan host. Again, not what we thought it would be but interesting to walk around their yard and home stead and see their world. Our hostess had prepared a chicken dish cooked in a clay pot in a fire pit. Homemade tostitos and two types of sauces. It was interesting and a good taste of local cuisine. Our host showed us how to make fiber from the agave plant. When asked other questions about his farming he was very friendly but the locals were all stand-off-ish. They had a small spot near the bus to buy some items they had made. Back on the bus for the very long ride back. This long ride is not special to this tour. I heard to get to almost all the sites you had a long ride. Did we get something out of this excursion - yes. Would we do it again - no. There was time for shopping after but the vendors are VERY pushy here. That is a big turn off for me BUT you can barter for better prices here and it amazed me what they would come down to.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Review 3 for Mayan Reality Tour
Overall: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Fun: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Adventurous: 
3 out of 5
3 out of 5
Family Oriented: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Cultural/Educational: 
5 out of 5
5 out of 5
Shir
Location:NM
Party size:3
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:November
Cruise Date Year:2011
Favorite activities:Adventure
I want to go here next:Europe
Date:November 21, 2012
Best excursion
I rate this high as it was the best tour to learn about the current Mayans- right in their own village. Not as hot as others-mostly in shade and tour guide explaining while in cool bus too. A lot more to the tour than just climbing ruiins. Lunch was unigue-chicken that had been cooled underground and served on a homemade corn tortilla.Awesome demonstrations too.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.
Review 4 for Mayan Reality Tour
Overall: 
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Fun: 
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Adventurous: 
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Family Oriented: 
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Cultural/Educational: 
2 out of 5
2 out of 5
Rollo
Location:Long Island,NY
Party size:2
I traveled with:Family
Cruise Date Month:August
Cruise Date Year:2011
Favorite activities:Relaxing
Favorite port:Roatan, Honduras
I want to go here next:Alaska
Date:August 11, 2011
Mayan Ruins
We just returned from our cruise. We were disappointed in our excursion to Costa Maya. It was not a scenic drive to the ruins. The ruins itself were okay but if I had to choose where to spend my money, I would not choose this stop.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.