Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio — Attraction in Isla Cozumel

No roads, no single entrance fees, and no refunds. I was looking forward to showing my kids the San Gervasio ruins, but this is a waste of time, money, and gas. Note that you have to drive to the center of island, walk really far before seeing any ruins, and have to pay multiple entrance fees (one is cash only). The combined entrance total will cost $14.50 per person, but tour guides will cost extra. The main entrance is right off of Trans de Cozumel road. This is driveable, but then you get to the main lobby area which is 6 km (or 3.7 miles) farther in. It is here where you pay multiple times, then have to walk an undetermined distance through the jungle in order to see the ruins. Though they could not tell us how far we would have to walk before we would see any ruins, I should have been suspicious from all the bug spray they were trying to sell us ($1 for them to spray one person's body). As they did not warn us how far we would have to walk, we could not make the long hike through the sporadically marshy trail with 3 small kids and so we had to turn around and leave. I asked for a refund, they laughed at me, and said, "No refunds after you pay." At least the entrance that was paid with a credit card can be disputed, but the cash entrance will be a loss. Even though they have no official cruise tours here, I figured I would give it a shot to enrich my kids with some culture. Instead, I brought them to the remote recesses of Cozumel and paid multiple times to hike through the jungle for an undetermined amount of time. Avoid this site and stick to the beautiful beaches that Cozumel is known for, and if seeing ruins is in your agenda, stick to places like Costa Maya that are more well known for their beautiful, well preserved, and clearly identifiable...

As with most things in Cozumel, it’s a tourist trap. Yes, there are ruins. They’re not as old as you’d think (most churches in Europe are older) but they’re unique and special sites in Mayan history. So, that’s cool.

BUT it’s run as a tourist trap for cruisegoers, which ruins it. You’re scammed every step of the way. First you have to pay entrance into a flea market - people pushing junk - THEN you have to pay entrance into the site. The second fee is CASH-ONLY and you can not skip the flea market area. Before we entered we asked if we could pay by card and they assured us yes (we forgot to take out cash!). We had no problem paying to get into the flea market area with a card. But if you don’t have the 80 pesos in cash for the entrance to the actual site, yikes. We were 60 pesos short. They won’t refund you the amount you already paid to get into the flea market and they’ll deny that they lied about being able to pay entrance with a card. After a lot of fighting with the staff, we ultimately had to buy a t-shirt from one of the vendors with a card in order to get cash back to pay - it felt like this happens a lot. All for 60 pesos.

As for the site itself - buildings have been restored and are clearly labeled with a description in English. As a result, you don’t need a guide (which defend upon you as soon as you enter). Paths are not well maintained and are very muddy, which makes it slippery and easy to fall - so watch out for that. Once inside, if you avoid the cruise crowds, you’ll have the place to yourself.

As someone who loves history, skip it. There are better ruins in other parts of Mexico. This isn’t...

Humidity Hurdles and Disappointing Experience

While it boasts wild nature and intriguing history, several factors dampened the overall experience.

Let's address the negatives first: the staff exhibited a cold demeanor, lacking the warmth and friendliness one expects when visiting such a renowned site. Additionally, the surroundings were plagued by relentless humidity, giving rise to a multitude of voracious mosquitoes. This detracted from the enjoyment of exploring the area.

The Mayan Temple does offer an insightful glimpse into the captivating world of ancient civilizations. The artifacts and historical significance held within its domain are truly fascinating. However, visiting at noon proved challenging due to the scorching sun, and I must admit that the distance from the city center does diminish its appeal.

It is important to note that while the Mayan Temple possesses unique features and a rich history, there is room for improvement. To enhance the visitor experience, I suggest implementing measures to combat the mosquito issue, such as providing repellent or improving the area's drainage system. Additionally, increasing staff training in customer service would contribute to a more welcoming atmosphere.

And so I recommend exploring alternative attractions that offer a more satisfying experience. However, if you do choose to visit the Mayan Temple, plan your excursion during cooler hours and come prepared with...