Cozumel Tours & Excursions By Flip — Attraction in San Miguel de Cozumel

The pre-experience was great. Organizer on top of things. Helped us navigate to the launching pad. Cozumel ferry was great. We left ourselves enough time to explore the area surrounding the ferry. All great. Then we took a taxi to Tortuga Club. It the worst location we had in the 2 weeks there. Total tourist trap. Drinks/food, meh. Weird mish-mash of what Mexicans think Americans want in Mexico, including mariachi, tequila pushers, dancers. Very artificial experience. Snorkel guide was also...not great. I describe him a snapper turtle. Say or do the wrong thing and he will bite you. He did nothing to make a community of the folks on the trip. The best tour guides do this. Introducing your self in 3 short minutes goes a long way on these types of excursions. Onward we go. We had 2 short stops and saw nothing, one sting ray the first stop and 3 star fish the second stop. Stop at end with ceviche fish feast on the paddle board was the best part of the trip. Yes, sting rays surrounded us, but that was not comfortable as we had no instructions if they were safe or not. Regardless, definitely didn't feel it was a snorkel tour as we saw no fish and didn't really feel we could snorkel as guide kept yelling at us to stop snorkeling. I would best describe it as a coastal tour of Cozumel. Just not what we expected, hence...

Last week we booked a private boat for Cielo with Flip Tours. I have made many trips to Cielo with Cindy and this by far has been my favorite! Angel and Juan were fantastic! We snorkled in some great spots and saw fish we don't always get to. The food was outstanding as was the company. Thanks Flip Tours for another outstanding trip!!!

Also had a great experience with the Rancho Alejandra (Toledo)! If you truly want the "local experience", this is the one. You begin this experience at the ranch by walking the property with Carlos as he tells you about the over 60 varieties of trees on the property as well as their history in the Mayan culture. Don't worry, there won't be a test at the end! Next you learn how to make Horchata with coconuts from the many trees. So yummy and refreshing! Watch out for the "Crazy Carlos" horchata, you will not want to stop drinking!! Then a little snack with the coconut meat. Next, you get to learn to make Sopa's in the traditional outdoor kitchen for lunch. Next, it's time for some tequila tasting. Wonderful flavors and a little history mixed in. If you tried a little too much tequila, Carlos will bring out the hammocks and you can have a nap (Siesta Time). I highly recommend this tour. It is perfect for...

Bad - #1 - Make you pay an additional $7 a person once you get on the boat to "go into the National Park". Poor taste as we were quoted one price via text and email and then they tack on another $49 to what you owe. Other trips charge you up front for everything. They did not want to charge you up front for everything to avoid the credit card service charges. We didn't bring extra cash and ended up looking bad to everyone else on board b/c we couldn't pay. Bad way to start the trip. This was on top of the dock charge which was $5 a person but I know that they have nothing to do with it. Their website says $3, not $5. #2 - This was more of a large pontoon boat, not a catamaran. #3 - They didn't have flippers for kids. We have taken many snorkelling trips that have flippers for kids. #4 - Diver wasn't interactive at all. Just said follow me. Didn't point out any fish or even recognize if there was something cool below. #5 - Very short time at beach. Website says its 4-5 hours duration. It's more like 2-3 hours. Especially if your the last to get picked up. Good - #1 - The beer #2 - The ceviche #3 - They didn't charge us for the National park fee. One star for...