Panama Canal & the Pacific Coast

Discover the ruins of a pre-Columbian Mayan religious site during a visit to San Gervasio. Located on the northeastern side of the island of Cozumel, San Gervasio is a Mayan site dedicated to Ix Chel, goddess of the moon and fertility. Mayan women would make the pilgrimage to this site and present offerings to the goddess. Take a tour of the remains of this expansive complex; today, the stone structures are missing their roofs and upper walls; and view Las Manitas (“Little Hands”), which was the residence of the Mayan ruler of Cozumel. On your way back to San Miguel, see the many coves and strands that make Cozumel a beach-lover’s paradise. Back in town, enjoy some free time to shop and explore at your leisure, or transfer directly to your ship.

Discover the traditions of the Indigenous Mayan people of the Yucatán during an immersive cultural experience. Transfer to Pueblo del Maíz, a cultural park dedicated to preserving the traditions of the Yucatán’s pre-Hispanic cultures. Join your guide for a walk among the traditional huts of a reconstructed village, uncovering rich layers of heritage as you explore. Try your hand at seeding corn, revered in this region, and listen as your hosts share the story of the village’s creation. Next, observe the process of turning cocoa beans into chocolate—a sacred food in Mayan culture—and join a music workshop to discover ancestral music and use ancient instruments to create rhythms inspired by heritage and nature. Learn about the Mayan writing system during a painting activity and cap your day by watching a dance performance that honors ancestral rituals, accompanied by ceremonial music.

Sample a taste of Mayan culture and enjoy a traditional dance show. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach to the Mayan Cacao Company, where you will be greeted by your host. Delve into the fascinating history of chocolate and hear about its influence on Mayan cuisine. Cacao was considered a “food for the gods” and was consumed for its health benefits. Experience firsthand the traditional method of making chocolate and enjoy a tasting. Continue your tour to El Barriecito, where you will take your seat to enjoy a traditional Mayan dance performance. Be captivated by the music and colorful costumes as you watch this beautiful art form that celebrates their powerful connection to the natural world and a rich cultural heritage. Afterward, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Step onto your ATV (all-terrain vehicle) and ride through lush vegetation into inland jungles. You will first travel by motor coach to a local ranch—your base camp—and hear a safety briefing. Then, enjoy an hour’s ride into the nearby forests—a lush setting few visitors to Cozumel ever see, perhaps spotting birds and butterflies along the way. Follow your lead guide down winding dirt roads to a small replica Mayan house that you can explore. At a chiclero base camp, learn about harvesting chicle, the basic ingredient of chewing gum, and hear the story of Wrigley’s—one of the world’s leading confectionary giants. Continue your thrilling ride, over the rugged terrain as your make your way back to base. Helmets, bandana, goggles and bottled water will be provided.

Experience fascinating marine life and admire the beauty of the Caribbean Sea on our Discover Scuba excursion. Marvel at the underwater world as you float beside vibrant reef fish, friendly turtles and brightly colored coral. Cozumel is a scuba diver’s paradise, with warm, crystal clear turquoise waters, colorful sponges and diverse marine life. It is no wonder that Cozumel is consistently rated as one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations. Perfect for beginners, this PADI-licensed training session will teach you some basic dive procedures and safety signals in waist-deep water. After, you will progress to the open waters for your first-ever underwater experience. This course will take you to a depth of up to 25 feet. All instructors hold PADI certificates and are fully qualified. After your dive, enjoy relaxation time on the beach or head back to the reef for some snorkeling.

Come and experience the true taste of Mexico and discover how Mexico’s national drink is made. Embark on a scenic drive to the Mayan Cacao Company, where you will meet your expert guide and begin your tasting adventure. Enjoy an engaging and entertaining experience as you discover the importance of chocolate in Mayan culture and cuisine. A far cry from today’s sweet treat, the Mayans enjoyed their chocolate as a bitter, unsweetened beverage, with chili. Browse the boutique and savor the company’s artisanal chocolate, then continue your journey to Barriecito. Upon arrival, you will also hear how tequila has been produced from pre-Colombian times, through the colonial period, right up to the present day. Enjoy a taste as you get to know your reposado from your blanco while you also learn to make guacamole and nibble on tacos. Afterward, you will return to your ship.

Take part in a hands-on cooking and dancing experience that is second to none. Two dancing chefs will instruct you on how to make a variety of delicious fresh salsas, as well as an authentic margarita and a frozen strawberry version. You will have the chance to sample an assortment of beverages, including lime and strawberry margaritas and Jamaican hibiscus herbal tea while you snack on your culinary creations of tasty cheese quesadillas, crispy taquitos and freshly made corn chips. Then, once you have mastered your cooking skills, your dancing chef will have you moving and swinging to the uplifting sounds of salsa music. After class, you will return to your awaiting ship.

Learn to cook a traditional Meso-American style dish and savor the delicious results at a beachside cookout. Tikinxic, or “dry fish,” is a classic meal in the Yucatán region; the fish is prepared whole and marinated with tasty achiote paste and sour oranges, then wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked beneath a wood fire. Following a short transfer to the Barracuda Beach Club, located on the northwestern shore of Cozumel, head to the white-sand beach and meet your instructor, who will lead you in a hands-on demonstration on how to make tikinxic. After your fish is grilled to perfection, sit and enjoy the delicious results, accompanied by refreshing margaritas. Following your meal, you will have free time to relax at the club, perhaps taking a dip in the pool or just admiring views of the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, before returning to your ship.

Discover the rich traditions of Oaxacan culture during a unique, hands-on painting workshop. Upon arrival at your venue, you will watch a short video about alebrijes, the brightly colored folk art sculptures of fantasy creatures that originated in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Then, you will receive your carving, a blank canvas for you to create your own personal work of art. Grab your paint and brushes and follow the instructions of a local expert, who will assist you along the way. At the end of your session, you will have a memento to take with you as a reminder of your magical interaction with Mexican culture. Afterward, enjoy a taste of Yucatecan snacks, such as empanadas, codzitos (fried tortilla rolls), salbutes (fried puffed corn tortillas) and panuchos (refried tortilla with beans), accompanied by a margarita, then return to your ship.

Explore Cozumel’s southern coastline aboard a catamaran and savor a barbecue lunch on the water. Take a short walk from the pier to meet your crew and board your vessel. After a short safety briefing, you will set out along clear blue waters and trace Cozumel’s southern shores. Take in the views of the low coastal greenery lining the shore as you follow a route that takes you past Arrecife de Cozumel National Park, which has protected the reefs of Cozumel since 1996. These waters are home to fringing reefs, coral heads, seagrass beds and sand channels used by rays and turtles for navigation. During your journey, your crew will prepare a fresh barbecue lunch on board, which you can enjoy while soaking up the relaxed ocean atmosphere. An open bar is also available for guests, featuring refreshing cocktails, beers and non-alcoholic options. Later, return to your ship.