Key West and Cozumel day activities with 11 year old
November 4, 2019 6:25 AM Subscribe
We will be cruising with day stops at Port of Key West and Port of Cozumel in late December. We would like to go snorkeling, interact with dolphins, caving, and eating. Any suggestions?
I assume that traveling with the cruise groups is more crowded and expensive. Was this your experience? We are pretty well world traveled but haven't cruised before. It will be me, my husband and 11 year old girly. She is very much not into long hiking and sight seeing, but shorter or more adventurous trips would be fine. I'm looking for water activities. I SCUBA but my hub and kid do not, so snorkeling would probably be super awesome for all of us. Do you recommend a company? Dolphins would be sweet, too. Any good cave experiences in Cozumel? Also, any burning tips on cruising would be welcome, too. We will be on a 5 night Celebrity Infinity ship with concierge service.
I assume that traveling with the cruise groups is more crowded and expensive. Was this your experience? We are pretty well world traveled but haven't cruised before. It will be me, my husband and 11 year old girly. She is very much not into long hiking and sight seeing, but shorter or more adventurous trips would be fine. I'm looking for water activities. I SCUBA but my hub and kid do not, so snorkeling would probably be super awesome for all of us. Do you recommend a company? Dolphins would be sweet, too. Any good cave experiences in Cozumel? Also, any burning tips on cruising would be welcome, too. We will be on a 5 night Celebrity Infinity ship with concierge service.
On Key West with kids, you want to eat at Blue Heaven. You sit outside, it is casual to the extreme, there are roosters, and all of the kids go feral and run around and play ping pong in a yard area while a reggae cover band plays. Pretty much perfect for KW.
posted by Mid at 7:17 AM on November 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Mid at 7:17 AM on November 4, 2019 [2 favorites]
I agree about starting early and going over from Cozumel to Playa del Carmen. From there with a kid I would go to either Xel-Ha or Xcaret parks (sorry, on my phone so can't link). Doable as a day trip if you plan ahead.
posted by gudrun at 10:08 AM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by gudrun at 10:08 AM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
I visited Playa del Carmen with a guided group earlier this year.
- We were discouraged from visiting the captive dolphin activities because their animal rights record is awful.
- Lots of hassle from people trying to sell us things in the city.
- If you are going to Cozumel specifically I would ask the concierge for a recommendation; it's a pretty island but there are a lot of tourist traps.
- Chichén-Itzá is within range of a long day trip from PdC, but it's 2h each way by land plus the boat from Cozumel, so probably a bit much for you. On the other hand, the ruins at Tulum are close (1h) and very pretty.
- Swimming at cenotes is a lovely way to spend a late afternoon.
posted by Urtylug at 11:12 AM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
- We were discouraged from visiting the captive dolphin activities because their animal rights record is awful.
- Lots of hassle from people trying to sell us things in the city.
- If you are going to Cozumel specifically I would ask the concierge for a recommendation; it's a pretty island but there are a lot of tourist traps.
- Chichén-Itzá is within range of a long day trip from PdC, but it's 2h each way by land plus the boat from Cozumel, so probably a bit much for you. On the other hand, the ruins at Tulum are close (1h) and very pretty.
- Swimming at cenotes is a lovely way to spend a late afternoon.
posted by Urtylug at 11:12 AM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Please avoid dolphin outfits. One day your eleven-year-old will learn about the appalling death rate of these captives, and she may not thank you for the experience. +1 for cenote swimming and Blue Heaven.
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 11:25 AM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by 2soxy4mypuppet at 11:25 AM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Key West Butterfly Conservatory could be great place depending on the temperament of your child. Low-pressure, relaxing and lovely to look at. A full walk through takes about an hour, but if you’re in a hurry you could do it in 30 minutes.
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 3:50 PM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by The Pluto Gangsta at 3:50 PM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: One of my favorite things to do in Cozumel, though this may or may not be your style, is to go to a day-trip all-inclusive resort called Mr Sancho's. You pay a flat fee to get in (looks like the going rate is $55 for adults and $35 for an 11-year-old) and get access to unlimited food and drink, beach loungers, etc. It looks like they no longer include snorkel in their price, unfortunately, but if memory serves there are interesting areas to snorkle if you bring your own equipment. For an extra $12 you can also get access to their ocean water park with slides and stuff.
Enjoy the cruise, I love Celebrity and concierge class is nice as hell!
posted by Hold your seahorses at 8:12 AM on November 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
Enjoy the cruise, I love Celebrity and concierge class is nice as hell!
posted by Hold your seahorses at 8:12 AM on November 5, 2019 [1 favorite]
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Find a tour to do a cenote or two.
Or pay the extra to find someone to do a private transport. You can do a couple cenotes and be back to Playa Del Carmen in time to walk around 5th ave before taking the ferry back to the ship.
(I prefer cenotes where they just let you swim instead of take a tour with a group but that is personal preference)
posted by beccaj at 6:43 AM on November 4, 2019 [1 favorite]