Have an authentic Mexican cultural experience at Pueblo del Maiz (Mayan Cultural Interactive Park), sightseeing on the east side of the island with stops at Punta Sur, and have a beach break at Playa Uvas along with a delicious local lunch.
You'll meet your guide at a convenient location close to your Cozumel cruise terminal (either a short 1-2 block walk or a brief taxi ride depending on the pier). After checking in, the guide will lead your group to the parking area where your island-style Jeeps are waiting. These are 4 seater vehicles that come with standard, stick shift transmission. Each vehicle is shared; if you want the vehicle to yourself you will need to book all 4 seats.
Once everyone is situated in the Jeeps, you will follow your guide out caravan style. Your first stop is at Pueblo del Maiz located in the heart of the island, about 20 minutes away. You'll be given safety instructions and drive through town to reach the Mayan Cultural Park (Pueblo del Maiz which translates to Corn Town). Here, the park staff will welcome you and start your 1 - 1.5-hour guided walk of the park. This walk will give you a true, interactive experience of the ancestral Mayans and how they lived.
See the Chicozapote tree, whose sap is processed into chewing gum, and sample the real stuff. You will visit the palapa of Hun Nal Ye, the Lord of the Corn, where you will learn the importance of corn to the Mayans and how tortillas are made by hand. And yes, enjoy a toasty warm tortilla right off the griddle. Along the winding paths, the guides will explain how the different plants are used for medicine and how the fiber extracted from the henequen plant is woven into sisal rope at the palapa of Soskil. Follow the amazing aroma and stop at the palapa of Ek Chuah, the God of Cacao, to see how they make cacao chocolate and then enjoy a sample. You'll have the opportunity to participate in some of the activities such as the ancient ball game and take amazing pictures of the site with some of the plumes and characters. The walking experience ends with traditional Mayan dance and music.
Stepping back into modern times you'll be driven along the east side of the island. Here, there is very little urban development, just long stretches of sandy beaches and open ocean hence the nickname the Wild Side. Time allowing, the guide can stop for some amazing photos. There will be a stop at the southernmost tip of the island at Punta Sur Eco Park. From a viewing platform, you can watch a colony of American crocodiles that make this their home. Here your guide will continue your history lesson about the ancient Mayans. On your way to the lighthouse, you'll see El Caracol, a small temple that was used as an early hurricane warning device. At the lighthouse, if you feel up to it, you can climb the 142 stairs to the top for spectacular views of the ocean and island. Or you can choose to just visit the marine museum beside it.
Your last stop is a break at Playa Uvas, where you'll be able to relax and enjoy the beautiful beach and lunch. The beach club offers lounge chairs, a swimming pool, umbrellas, and a full-service restaurant and bar. You can rent snorkel gear and do some great snorkeling from the beach if time allows. Included is a delicious lunch of beef or chicken fajitas with beans, pico de gallo salsa, and tortillas. You'll have approximately an hour to 1.5 to enjoy the sun, beach, and ocean at the club before heading back towards town to your original meeting point.
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