CCL-Carnival Cruise Line celebrated Cinco de Mayo by announcing that it anticipates 3+ million guests to embark on its ships to travel to Mexican ports this year, with the number projected to increase to 3.5 million by 2024.
Among the ports, Cozumel is the most favored by CCL guests, with ~1.6 million visitors expected to visit this year. In addition to Cozumel, Carnival ships regularly visit other Mexican ports such as Puerto Progreso, Costa Maya, Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, Ensenada, and Mazatlan.
Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "Fifth of May") is a yearly celebration held on May 5th to celebrate Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Image: Port of Cozumel (Quintana Roo Mexico, Riviera Maya)
CCL offers a range of tours and excursions throughout Mexico, and here are 5 experiences that are particularly enjoyed by guests in the most popular Mexican destination of Cozumel:
Ancient City of Tulum: Guests are taken to the ancient Mayan paradise kingdom of Tulum where they can learn about the history of Mayan culture and see a former Mayan trade site that is perched on a cliff. A guided tour is provided to explore the main temples, such as El Castillo, the Temple of the Descendant God, the Maya Water Temple, and the Temple of the Frescoes.
Adventure Jeep, Snorkel & Anemona Beach Club: This tour showcases the natural beauty of Mexico's east coast. It takes guests to Punta Sur Ecological Park, which is the largest nature reserve in Cozumel. The tour includes a visit to Anemona de Mar Beach Club, one of the most exclusive, secluded, and untouched beaches located in the natural reserve, as well as a stop at the Celarain Lighthouse, which provides the perfect backdrop for a tequila tasting session.
Tabasco's Chef Maestro, Cooking & Tasting: Guests can learn the secrets of traditional Mexican regional cuisine and prepare a delicious three-course meal under the guidance of a master chef. Along with the meal, guests also learn how to prepare the perfect margarita.
Amazing Secret River: This tour takes guests to one of the Cozumel region's most unique natural treasures - a series of caverns connected by underground waterways called the Rio Secreto Natural Reserve. Visitors are guided through a subterranean world to marvel at natural formations as they wade through the many caverns and swim in the crystal-clear cenote.
Xcaret Park: Xcaret Park is located next to the Caribbean Sea in the Mayan jungle and offers a wide variety of different activities for guests to enjoy. Visitors can explore the aviary that provides sanctuary to more than 1,500 native birds, swim in the underground Blue, Manatee, and Mayan rivers, and see the aquarium that showcases the richness of Mexico's coral reefs. Xcaret Park and its attractions honor Mexico's natural wonders and the wildlife that inhabit them.