Finding the BEST shore trips can be a challenge, especially when you are booking independent cruise excursions without the help of your cruise line. However, booking your shore excursions independently can save you quite a bit of cash. Here are some of my favorite shore trip operators in the Caribbean.
The BEST Shore Trips for Your Next Caribbean Cruise
Jamaica Shore Excursion
Chukka Adventures- at Good Hope Estate
Whether you are looking for a shore trip that is relaxing or one that involves thrills Chukka Adventures has got you covered. Located in 5 different incredible destinations (Jamaica, Belize, Grand Turk, St Lucia, and Antigua) Chukka Adventures is sure to have a destination tour perfect for your Caribbean itinerary.
We booked their Good Hope Estate Ultimate Thrillseekers Pass on our last trip to Falmouth, Jamaica for our large multi-generational party. I was worried about finding a shore trip that would appeal to our large range in age groups (3-76 years old), but Good Hope Estate was a perfect fit. This once sugar plantation dates back to the 1700s and is a gorgeous property. They have several different packages depending on how active you want to be. Both packages include lunch but you have to pay the higher price to have your alcohol included 😉
Those who are adrenaline junkies will enjoy ziplining, driving all-terrain vehicles, and tubing down the river. While those who are a bit slower paced can tour the estate, enjoy rum tastings, hang out with the gorgeous birds in the aviary and take a dip in the pool. Everyone will enjoy the delicious local Jamaican jerk chicken served at lunch. But, beware those Jamaican’s like it spicy! Another thing I loved about CHUKKA is that they provide transportation to and from the cruise ship making it incredibly easy to book independently.
Another thing I loved about CHUKKA is how amazing their staff was with all of the kids, actually with all of us. They went out of their way to ensure every one had an amazing day.
Check out our experience below:
Shore Excursions Cozumel
We are torn between two of our favorite shore excursions in Cozumel. We love Mr. Sanchos, an all-inclusive beach club where you can sit back and relax by the beach, but we also love hanging out with the locals by taking a Food Tour with Cozumel Chef. Either way you can’t go wrong with these two amazing shore excursions in Cozumel.
Mr. Sanchos
Mr. Sanchos is a private beach club with the largest strip of beachfront in Cozumel. Here you can enjoy delicious food & drinks (all you can eat) while you swim in the pool, lounge by the beach or play at the aquatic park.
Mr. Sanchos makes an awesome shore excursion in Cozumel for large groups because everyone can start at the beach and then add-on additional tours like parasailing and horseback riding right there. Our big party had a blast! And, I can guarantee we will be back. Oh, and if you go ask for Elvis, he is the BEST waiter ever!!!
Take a peek at our experience:
Cozumel Chef Food Tour
If you are looking to experience more of the local flavor in Cozumel I highly recommend a Food Tour with Cozumel Chef. You will be whisked away in an air conditioned van to various delicious eateries, you will also be taken to a local market and learn all about the history of Cozumel. This tour is great with kids too. Read more about our experience with Cozumel Chef in this post here.
BONUS!!
Learn the secrets to savings tons of money by booking independently. Read this post for details!
Do you have a favorite shore excursion in the Caribbean? Share it with me in the comments, or pop over to Facebook and join our conversation over there.
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*We were guests of CHUKKA Adventures, Mr. Sanchos Beach Club and Cozumel Chef. However, all thoughts and opinions expressed above are, as always, 100% my own.
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There was a big age range in your group. The Good Hope Estate sounds like fun, we have never been to Jamaica but hope to soon. The Cozumel Chef food tour sounds like our sort of thing.
The food tour was fantastic and definitely a wonderful way to get a peek into local culture.
Wow! All these places make us miss the hot sun! Going on a cruise seems to be a great way to visit some of the Caribbean islands! Looks like you had a great time!
Yes, cruises have allowed us to sample a bunch of the Caribbean islands. It is a fantastic way to travel with young ones. No changing room, there is kid-friendly activities and kid-friendly food back at the boat but I still get a dose of culture when we port 😉
Sounds like a lot of fun. Loved your first hand information that you can book Chukka independently so easy. I imagine that the concierge on the cruise line might be holding onto that secret.
I agree I think there are certain travelers who feel safer booking with the cruise line and that is understandable. But, really for seasoned travelers its SOOO easy to book shore excursions independently and they usually charge about half the price as the cruiseline does. Helps when I am tugging around 5 kids 😉
I’ve heard such amazing things about Cozumel! That water looks so crystal clear and wonderful – especially since it’s winter where I live, haha.
That’s perfect that you were about to find Chukka adventures with their range of activities for your diverse group. Love the ziplining options as well as the rum tasting. The Cozumel food tour is right up my alley as well. A really fantastic cruise experience.
It is great when you hit that sweet spot and everyone in the group is happy. The food tour was pretty amazing. I hope you get the chance to try it someday! Happy Travels!
Very useful tips, since how to book affordable and quality shore excursions was something we grappled with the one and only time we cruised, several years back. I’m smiling thinking how much my son would love holding those fluorescent yellow birds!
It is a scary thing, to book independently the first time. But, I think as long as people take a few precautions they should be fine. The birds were lovely 😉 Happy Travels!
You’ve highlighted some great shore excursions here! We’ve had great success in booking tours independently from the cruise lines too – great advice. Cozumel looks beautiful, I’ll have to put it on the list.
So, happy to hear that you have had success booking independently as well. I know it has really allowed us to afford to do more on each trip, as it stretches our budget a little further 😉 Happy Travels!! BTW- I may be moving to Canada soon, for real, depending on all the current craziness in my country. Mike and I are weighing options.
Zip lining and tubing in Jamaica sounds like my idea of fun!! I haven’t been to any Caribbean islands yet but they’re on my list!
I think I would choose the food tour as well as I am a big fan of them, although Mr Sanchos looks like a great day out, very relaxing so I imagine It would depend on how tired I was.
Amazing! I love Cozumel, but I still need to make a Jamaica Stop. Thanks for sharing.