Sailing the High Seas with Disney
Disney Magic Ports of Call
I enjoyed just a pinch of the magic found on the Yucatan Peninsula as our voyage had two ports of call, Cozumel and Progresso. In Cozumel, immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry as you stroll through vibrant markets and taste authentic Mexican delicacies. Then, discover the natural wonders of Progreso, venturing out to uncover ancient Mayan ruins and amazing ecosystems.
Our first stop on this magical carpet ride cruise? The island of Cozumel, Mexico.
Cozumel was interesting as you arrived, and I had no idea what to expect, but the mall was different from what I thought I'd see! The Disney Magic docks right at the port entrance to a shopping centre in Cozumel (Punta Lagusto), with tons of places to pop in, shop a little, and have a bite to eat if you so choose.
Since I did not plan any port excursions for the Cozumel leg of the trip, we decided to wing it. It's pretty walkable through the many market stalls, and the shop keeps selling its wares. We found a museum to visit (of course) and were delighted to see the history as it was explained first-hand. The Museum De Cozumel wasn't a tourist-type attraction; instead, it had what seemed to be a few locals and non-American tourists. It was CHEAP $8/each to enter for each adult and was a beautiful look into Mayan cultures and traditions.
The adventurer took over, though…
In Progresso, we strapped on our adventuring shoes and went dune buggy riding (the oddest, funniest, unique adventure experience ever. Make sure you have someone who can drive a stick and go) to the ancient Mayan ruins of Xcambo. Seeing those stone pyramids and plazas up close makes you appreciate how advanced the Mayan civilization was. Plus, it's one of the few Mayan ruin sites you can still climb, so of course, we did! Afterwards, we had a "beach break" at a little beach club on the ocean with our tour guide, Auturo.
What really struck me…
…was how the Spanish colonizers tried to erase so much of the indigenous culture. You could see it in the remnants of Catholic churches built right on top of sacred Mayan spaces. It was fascinating and heartbreaking to imagine the clash of worlds that went down centuries ago and changed how we see the world now on the ground we were walking.
A little note:
The vibrancy of culture and accessibility of it all right off the ship was outstanding. I will leave you with a parting gift, though. Book the port excursions through Disney. Many people offer tours right at the port, but through Disney, you have a guarantee with who they work with in case anything comes up. It's better to keep all the worries in one place!
