Belize, Costa Maya, Cozumel. Unrelated to other post.

[Follicle Genocide]

Gentlemen. I have a dream. That dream is that sometime during my cruise next week and on the aforementioned ports of call, I will have a taco. Not just any taco, mind you, but a hand-made taco. The kind where the tortilla is made by hand and cooked on a hot griddle, preferably in an open market. Does anybody know where this dream can become a reality? :001_tongu

[aodenkou]

I have been on a number of crusise and I think you may be lving a dream. We were just in Costa Maya and the port is owned by one of the crusie ship lines (Royal Carib I think). So it's a mass of shops that are rather new and you don't get anywhere near a "local" village. Outside the compound is a small town that was built for the people that work in the shops and support of the port. Personall I don't think I would walk around in that "local" area. Belize once again is a port area that is built up for the tourists and I don't remember seeing something there that might fit your bill.

Now in Cozumel it's a tourist town and it will have a lot of places to eat, but I don't remember seeing street vendors.

You might ask the shore excursion desk about finding something like that - but don't expect that they will answer you. They will direct you to locations that are approved by the cruise line.

You "might" get a taxi to take you to a local place to eat, but be careful if you do. Not that you will get mugged (but you might). The food standards are not what we are used to here in the US and a few years back I did eat off the beaten path and got REALLY sick. I just don't take that chance anymore.

Depending on the crusise line you may have a shore excursion that could provide you with a chance to sample some food. I passed on a cooking class in Cozumel in favor of a swim with dolphins. But next time I go to Cozumel I plan on taking the cooking class. On Holland America in their shore excursion package you will have a "Mexican Cuisine Workshop and Tasting". If you are not on Holland America they may have a similar excursions on other lines. Holland America and Carnival are in the same company.

Duration: Approximately 5 Hours
Price : $$

Learn how to prepare a full Mexican meal while having a lot of fun. This totally unique experience with Mexican cuisine will begin as you are greeted on the pier an escorted to a bus for a scenic ride to Playa Mia Grand Beach Park. Upon your arrival, a prestigious chef will lead you through the art and wonders of cooking fine Mexican traditional cuisine. You will have an individual work station with all ingredients and utensils ready for you to learn the secrets of preparing and serving some of the most delicious recipes from this internationally acclaimed kitchen. A full domestic open bar is offered for you to enjoy at any time. You’ll discover a set of cooking skills you never knew you had! The chef will assist you every step of the way and answer your questions. He’ll let you into some of the finer secrets of traditional Mexican food preparation. Finally, all participants we’ll be served their own creations accompanied by fine Mexican wines and a festive atmosphere. Then, after all the “hard work,” you will have leisure time to enjoy Playa Mia’s beautiful facilities while you soak some sun and bathe in the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean before you and your newly-learned recipes are returned to your the ship.

OH BE SURE TO TELL THEM YOU ARE WILLLING TO UPGRADE YOUR CABIN IF THEY NEED YOURS! We got an upgrade to the Penthouse Suite over New Years! Talk about sweet!

[Go West Young Man]

Don't worry, you're not going to get mugged in/around Costa Maya or Cozumel. We've taken 'collectivos' (mini-bus taxis) and taxis around theremany times in various states of sobriety and never had a problem.

Regarding your taco, it's going to depend on how long you have in port but it should be totally doable. Find a local driver, tell him what you want and when you need to be back and go for an adventure!

[ImaRobot]

Belize is not the place to get a good taco, you should go to Belize and get some rice and beans with pork, and a nice flour tortilla. If you crave a taco Cozumel is probably your best bet.