I wished several times my cruise ship would have broken down in Cozumel so we could spend another day enjoying El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort. No joke.
Just minutes from the Cozumel Cruise port you will find the perfectly situated El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort.
Choosing the right shore excursions will make or break your cruise every time. That’s why we put tons of research into each cruise port, identifying the very best shore excursion to go on. The island of Cozumel is no exception.
This very small Mexican Carribean island consists of 95% Mangrove forest, so don’t expect to find a last minute shore excursion to do on your own at this cruise port.
Cozumel does have a good number of typical excursions to choose from like snorkelling, scuba-diving and ATV tours. However, this tiny cruise port town of San Miguel can easily become overrun by thousands of cruisers at the same time which means big crowds and crowded excursions.
So what’s a cruiser to do who likes to get away from the crowds?
We found the best kept secret in Cozumel for cruisers and we are going to share it with you! Let the Traveling Islanders help you get the most out of your Cozumel cruise shore excursion.
First, save some of the more active Caribbean cruise excursions for the other ports with more to offer.
Second, reserve your cruise stop in Cozumel for what could very well be your most relaxing day of your entire cruise vacation.
10 Reasons Why El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort Is The Perfect Cozumel Cruise Shore Excursion
1. El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort Is Just A Short Stroll From Your Cruise Ship
Take a break from wondering whether you will make it back to the cruise port on time. Admit it, we all do this in the back of our minds. But not this time! There was just something so comforting and relaxing to be able to look out from El Cid Resort across the ocean and see my Royal Caribbean cruise ship knowing we could be back on board in minutes if wanted to.
Just a couple minute’s walk down the sidewalk, you will find El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort. Being so close to the cruise port we were able to quickly blend in with those staying at the all-inclusive resort and start relaxing within minutes.
In fact, had we known it was so close to the cruise port we may have opted to sleep in, enjoy a light complimentary breakfast in our room, and eat breakfast at El Cid. The food was fresh and delicious! Especially the fruit.
2. A Cozumel Cruise Shore Excursion Away From The Crowds
We had over 5000 cruisers on our Royal Caribbean Allure Of The Seas cruise ship. In addition, there were 2 other cruise ships in the Cozumel port that day. Needless to say, thousands of cruise vacationers went ashore at the same time. I like a cruise vacation as much as the next person, but if there is an opportunity to get away from the crowds with my family I’ll go for it.
We were in Cozumel during the peak season of March Break. Believe it or not, we were the only cruisers who found the Cozumel secret of El Cid Resort.
We couldn’t believe it!
Literally just minutes away from us were thousands of hustling cruisers, crowding about. No one knew about this gem of a resort. It was the most PERFECT Cozumel cruise shore excursion.
3. Fresh And Delicious El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort Food
Overlooking the ocean just beside the swim-up bar sits La Chopa Restaurant. Impressed at every turn with El Cid Resorts, the food and restaurant ambiance was no exception. Tasty, authentic, fresh Mexican food awaits you on this Cozumel cruise shore excursion.
My personal favourite was the guacamole. It was simply the best I have ever tasted. And it went perfect with our fish tacos. Drinks all around for everyone and banana splits for the kids, made us all feel like we were in tropical paradise…because we were!
I know the food is good on a cruise ship too, but in this case I have to tell, you El Cid was a welcome change. And the freshness couldn’t be beat. The best part is, it’s all you can eat and drink for 6 hours!
4. Cozumel Snorkelling Tour Right Off The El Cid La Ceiba Beach
The Traveling Islanders can’t get enough of snorkelling on a tropical vacation. So we were glad to hear snorkelling was included at El Cid. With our all-inclusive pass, we simply picked up our snorkel gear at the activity desk and dove right in just steps away from our beach umbrella and chairs.
There were fish everywhere with all sorts of varieties and colours.
If you swim directly out from the resort, you can even see a plane crash underwater! This surprised the kids and I as we snorkelled over top.
The current was a little stronger than we would have liked on our visit, but it wasn’t a problem. We easily rode the current to the El Cid beach exit and were just fine.
5. Five Star El Cid Staff And Service
El Cid has a reputation for treating every guest like a VIP. We noticed it the moment we walked onto the resort property. Genuinely warm, welcoming and always aiming to serve is what we experienced all day long. We can’t say enough about how well we were treated.
It was as if we were royalty.
In fact, if we have the opportunity to go on an all-inclusive Mexican Resort vacation, El Cid will be our first choice every time. There is just something about the staff that make you want to come back.
6. The Ocean View Freshwater Pool
If you have kids, then you know water is where they will want to play. If I close my eyes and imagine, I can feel, hear and see it all. The kids laughing and splashing, the swim up bar, the ocean view, the sun and unforgettable family memories.
I wished several times my cruise ship would have broken down in port so we could spend another day enjoying El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort.
7. Simply The Most Relaxing Cozumel Cruise Shore Excursion You Can Choose
I think you’re getting the picture. Minutes away from the cruise port, no crowds, unlimited food and drinks at your fingertips, first class service, a pool, an adult only beach section, beach umbrellas with an ocean view, swim-up bar, away from the crowds, on-site snorkelling and a spa right on the water’s edge.
How can you resist?
I seriously have to spend a week at this resort!
8. El Cid La Ceiba Beachside Spa
There’s just something magical about receiving a massage while listening to gentle waves, chirping birds and feeling the soft caribbean breeze on your skin.
It’s truly incredible.
The spa at El Cid is right by the restaurant and there are two massage tables under a beautiful canopy overlooking the water. This is the epitome of relaxing! Gretta nearly fell asleep as she listened and absorbed all the beauty surrounding her. It was easy to arrange and equally easy to enjoy.
The only difficult part was getting up off the table.
She would have liked to stay for a nap!
9. El Cid La Ceiba All-Inclusive Resort For A Day At The Right Price
What’s Included: For $49 a person, you get everything an overnight resort guest would, aside from the room. This includes access to the Cozumel resort’s beach and pool facilities plus umbrellas, hammocks, towels, nonmotorized water sports equipment and unlimited food and beverages for 6 hours. Children 6 and under are free and ages 7 to 11 are $27.
Passes are for use of 6 hours, but I can’t imagine them rushing you out the door if you stay an extra hour.
10. El Cid Family Fun For All Ages
There is always something to do at El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort. Not so much though that you are overwhelmed by choices and worried you’re going to miss out on something. It was just right.
We all had our favourites.
The kids enjoyed playing on the giant sized chess board, while Papa took on the kids at a game of ping-pong. Nana just liked sitting under the beach umbrella, sipping drinks while visiting with her granddaughter.
I enjoyed taking each one of my kids on a snorkeling tour while Gretta’s favourite was her oceanside massage. What do you think you would enjoy the most?
Such precious memories no one will soon forget.
El Cid, you are simply priceless.
El Cid La Ceiba Beach Resort – Cozumel
Website: elcid.com/el-cid-la-ceiba
Google Map Location:
We were special guests of El Cid during our stay, but our thoughts and opinions are our own.
Just stayed at El Cid for a week. Yes, you are treated like royalty. Yes, the snorkeling is great, even compared with Palancar Reef. Yes, the food was perfect. We hated to leave our new "family". If we go back to Cozumel, this will be our destination. -
Hi Holly! Great to hear you had such an awesome time! We can totally see how you would not want to leave. J -
Having been a repeat guest at la ceiba many times since the 80's, and having just come back from another stay in August, ( including choosing them for our 40th anniversary celebration), I am both proud and angry about your review...I absolutely love and adore the staff and facilities there, am proud of them, but I am now "angry" that this gem is now "advertised" in this way and will no doubt result in change and the problems we have experienced in other resorts. Crew staff on their day off from ships, and day pass passengers begin to take over--- using the limited shade palapas and chairs, loud drinking induced noise and crudeness, and other infringements that begin to be totally unfair to paying hotel guests who are there to stay for a week or two. And as you know, la ceiba is so beautifully small and intimate, these takeovers can easily encroach on to all facilities and peace for hotel guests. ( We actually had an issue - both here and at many other resorts). I totally wish you would not have blatantly "advertised" in this way..I really regret it. And most likely- the next time YOU visit la ceiba, you will see more and more of these changes. La ceiba is and has been totally successful on its own, without the encroachment this will bring. They have known how to "do it right" on their own. Whether or not you received special treatment to write this ( appears so) or not does not impress us-our sentiments here stand true and permanent. The damage is done. We can only hope that our beloved la ceiba of 3 decades+ --- where we traveled as a couple and even brought my mom, will not change No, it's not exactly your "fault", as we can understand your appreciation for it all....we strongly wish it would not have been made so openly public to all of the cruise public v.s. true vacationing hotel guests. Most likely- the next time YOU visit la ceiba, you will see more and more of these changes. -
Thanks Sapa for your comment and sharing your views. I don't think our little travel blog will change El Cid for the worse... but hopefully a few more people will be able to experience this wonderful resort like so many others have. We can also understand how you would want to keep this gem of a resort a secret from the cruisers - Happy travels! J -