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Biosphere - 6/7/2012 8:53:30 PM

ROCKETDOG07

Posts: 25
Joined: 1/4/2010
From: New Jersey
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Need some recommendations. My husband and I are staying in Akumal Hotel Caribe July 21-28. Have been to Akumal several times and never got a chance to visit the biosphere. Can anyone recommend a really good tour group. We will not have a car and we were thinking of renting a jeep for the day. But after reading some reviews on Trip Advisor I am thinking a guided tour might be the way to go. Also read tour group is very important on what kind of experience you will have. Need some help from all you long time locogringo's. Very excited just booked the trip today...

Post #: 1

RE: Biosphere - 6/8/2012 5:26:23 AM

Badger

Posts: 5830
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From: Northern Wisconsin
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Great folks here.....

http://www.itourmexico.com/

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RE: Biosphere - 6/8/2012 7:45:59 AM

TomKatWpg

Posts: 576
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From: Winterpeg, Canada
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Another vote for itour! You will love their service.

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RE: Biosphere - 6/8/2012 7:35:31 PM

ROCKETDOG07

Posts: 25
Joined: 1/4/2010
From: New Jersey
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Thanks, checked out itours and looks like they will be the one.

Post #: 4

RE: Biosphere - 6/12/2012 7:35:22 PM

wyosunlvr

Posts: 265
Joined: 10/7/2007
From: "Wyoming"
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Went on the itours day trip in September......they were great! Word of warning though....get a jeep with A/C if you can and be prepared for a long day and an extremely rough road. We are from Wyoming and are used to remote, 4X4 roads but holy crap when they say it's rough they mean it! I thought the drive was never gonna end! We left our hotel @ 9am and returned @ about 930pm.....you spend as much or more time driving(5-6hrs) as you do seeing stuff but all in all a really cool experience! Enjoy!

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RE: Biosphere - 6/13/2012 9:58:08 AM

gerber

Posts: 820
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From: Alberta
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quote:

ORIGINAL: wyosunlvr

Went on the itours day trip in September......they were great! Word of warning though....get a jeep with A/C if you can and be prepared for a long day and an extremely rough road. We are from Wyoming and are used to remote, 4X4 roads but holy crap when they say it's rough they mean it! I thought the drive was never gonna end! We left our hotel @ 9am and returned @ about 930pm.....you spend as much or more time driving(5-6hrs) as you do seeing stuff but all in all a really cool experience! Enjoy!

Sounds like a full, but interesting experience. We're still interested...

However I can't seem to get ahold of itours. The Contact Us form on their website won't let me submit a question. I've tried sending them a message on FB. No reply. Any ideas?

Do you remember what you paid per person for the day back in September?

Post #: 6

RE: Biosphere - 6/13/2012 2:32:02 PM

Chopperita

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Joined: 4/24/2007
From: Brooklyn, NY
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Cesiak (Centro Ecological Sian Kaan) also does a nice tour. We took it a few years ago. Much of it by panga boat with some time in the water floating downstream, then lunch, a little beach time, a cenote swim. They pick you up either at their office right on 307 (so easy to collectivo to and from) or at your hotel if you're staying in Tulum and bring you to their center in the biosphere. Can't remember what it cost, but not expensive.

Post #: 7

RE: Biosphere - 6/13/2012 2:39:18 PM

Seagoat

Posts: 4353
Joined: 11/13/2007
From: Sunny Alberta
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chopperita

Cesiak (Centro Ecological Sian Kaan) also does a nice tour. We took it a few years ago. Much of it by panga boat with some time in the water floating downstream, then lunch, a little beach time, a cenote swim. They pick you up either at their office right on 307 (so easy to collectivo to and from) or at your hotel if you're staying in Tulum and bring you to their center in the biosphere. Can't remember what it cost, but not expensive.

I've done that tour as well and it is nice. No rough road to contend with and floating down the canal was awesome (even with my broken arm in a cast)

Seagoat

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RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 8:34:04 AM

gerber

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From: Alberta
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Seagoat

I've done that tour as well and it is nice. No rough road to contend with and floating down the canal was awesome (even with my broken arm in a cast)

Seagoat

What if someone wasn't into the "floating" part? My husband isn't a swimmer and wouldn't enjoy floating either. If he was the only one in the boat... he might feel a little conspicuous... Were there any people on your tour that didn't do the float?

Post #: 9

RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 9:20:40 AM

Chopperita

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From: Brooklyn, NY
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Everyone floated when we did the tour but I think you could skip it if you really want to. It was a highlight though so I wouldn't skip it unless you don't go in water at all.

After you get out of the boat to see a small ruin they distribute the life vests from the boat which most people didn't put on but laid on them on our backs but a few people put them on all the way. The boat left ahead of us and met us again downstream. It was slow and gentle and no real swimming. kind of like tubing but with a life jacket instead of a tube.

When we did it they only took 12 people a day (2 boats 6 people each) so you and your husband would be a third of your little group.

Post #: 10

RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 10:01:21 AM

Seagoat

Posts: 4353
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From: Sunny Alberta
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quote:

ORIGINAL: Chopperita

Everyone floated when we did the tour but I think you could skip it if you really want to. It was a highlight though so I wouldn't skip it unless you don't go in water at all.

After you get out of the boat to see a small ruin they distribute the life vests from the boat which most people didn't put on but laid on them on our backs but a few people put them on all the way. The boat left ahead of us and met us again downstream. It was slow and gentle and no real swimming. kind of like tubing but with a life jacket instead of a tube.

When we did it they only took 12 people a day (2 boats 6 people each) so you and your husband would be a third of your little group.

Chopps, you are correct. Gerber...no worries if your hubby doesn't want to float.
I wanted the float to be longer.

There is a gentle current in the canal, so no work is required. It really was a highlight for me. It was interesting trying to climb the boat ladder with only one functioning arm...oh boy!

Seagoat

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RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 11:07:50 AM

ROCKETDOG07

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From: New Jersey
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Thanks for the great feedback on this post. Do these tours go all the way to Punta Allen? I noticed some include Jeeps and some don't. Has anyone gone on a tour that does alittle bit of everything? etc. canal float, cenote swim, snorkling & boat ride with the jeep included.

Post #: 12

RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 4:22:40 PM

wyosunlvr

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From: "Wyoming"
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The itours jeep trip starts in Tulum....you drive by jeep to Punta Allen where you have a light snack. We loaded up in boats and then traveled to see the dolphins. We then toured around by boat looking for other marine life(turtles, rays, starfish etc), we then headed out by the reef where we snorkeled for idk probably an hour. They then took us to see some mangroves and to swim in a gorgeous little lagoon. We then headed back to Punta Allen where we ate and then headed back to Tulum. We really enjoyed the day.

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RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 4:46:26 PM

gerber

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From: Alberta
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quote:

ORIGINAL: wyosunlvr

The itours jeep trip starts in Tulum....you drive by jeep to Punta Allen where you have a light snack. We loaded up in boats and then traveled to see the dolphins. We then toured around by boat looking for other marine life(turtles, rays, starfish etc), we then headed out by the reef where we snorkeled for idk probably an hour. They then took us to see some mangroves and to swim in a gorgeous little lagoon. We then headed back to Punta Allen where we ate and then headed back to Tulum. We really enjoyed the day.

How do you think a non-swimmer would fare? Did anyone stay in the boat when you snorkeled at the reef and swam in the lagoon? And no, a lifejacket won't cut it.

Post #: 14

RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 5:31:42 PM

Seagoat

Posts: 4353
Joined: 11/13/2007
From: Sunny Alberta
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quote:

ORIGINAL: ROCKETDOG07

Thanks for the great feedback on this post. Do these tours go all the way to Punta Allen? I noticed some include Jeeps and some don't. Has anyone gone on a tour that does alittle bit of everything? etc. canal float, cenote swim, snorkling & boat ride with the jeep included.

I honestly don't get the "jeep" thing. I'm not a fan of ATV's, so I prefer the less bumpy alternative which is by boat. They did take us down to the bridge at :Punta Allen via the lagoon, but the focus wasn't on snorkelling. I think it was touted as a wildlife/birding tour. I saw many bird behinds as they flew off due to the roar from the speedboats racing down the canal! LOL

Cheers,
Seagoat

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RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 6:19:31 PM

wyosunlvr

Posts: 265
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From: "Wyoming"
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If your non-swimmer is good with boats then they will be fine. Everybody on our boat snorkeled but they made us snorkel in life jackets which was annoying lol so Rick and I returned to the boat early and just hung out. Incidentally the "swimming" lagoon is about waist deep so your non-swimmer may enjoy that as well!

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RE: Biosphere - 6/14/2012 6:48:26 PM

ROCKETDOG07

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From: New Jersey
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Thanks wyosunlvr that is exactly what we are looking to do. We definitly love the water especially in Riviera Maya. Not so much in New Jersey I like to see my feet when I get into the water.

Post #: 17

RE: Biosphere - 6/15/2012 11:06:15 AM

kandt

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Joined: 7/26/2010
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i ditto what wyosunlvr said. and I also will put in another vote for iTours. They were great to deal with. The trip to Punta Allen and the entire day is one of my overall favorite and best memories from all of our trips to RM. It was so worth doing.

Were you able to get in touch with iTours? I remember I had trouble with the website inquiry form, but someone gave me a direct email. I'll look and see if I can find it for you.

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RE: Biosphere - 6/15/2012 11:11:43 AM

kandt

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Hi - did you get in touch with them?
DougSR gave me the direct email when I was having the same trouble: itourmx@hotmail.com
worked like a charm!

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