We bought a port excursion to some of Cozumel's cultural sights while on a Carnival Cruise in Feb, 2024. After touring the San Gervasio ruins (Zona Arqueologica San Gervasio), our bus (with about 40 tourists) travelled next to Zacil restaurant for lunch.
We were first taken to have our photograph taken with a woman in traditional clothes, and would later be given the opportunity to buy the photograph. (Note that other reviewers of this excursion on Carnival's website mentioned that there was traditional music and dancers in traditional clothing at this stop. That was not the case for our tour.
We were next seated in the large and clean dining room. The lunch menu was set, and consisted of traditional Yucatecan food. We started with two appetizers -- (1) fried corn chips with a creamy green dip. I think that this was cilantro lime crema, but I'm not sure. (2) an appetizer called sikil pak which, per our guide, is a traditional Mayan spread that his grandmother still makes. It's made from sunflower seeds (sikil), tomatoes (pak), cilantro, and potentially other ingredients (such as onion, garlic, or lime juice). This spread was served on a small tortilla. The main meal consisted of three street tacos, with each tortilla filled with pleasantly seasoned shredded chicken and topped with pickled red onions, beans, and a small serving of seasoned rice. The "included" drink was hibiscus tea served on ice. All of the food was tasty, not particularly spicy, and was an appropriate quantity for lunch. Our waiter also offered a serving of guacamole for US$8, and/or drinks from the bar. My husband got a can of beer. I'm forgetting the cost but it was comparable to US prices. Our guide mentioned earlier that there isn't any agriculture on the island, so all foodstuffs need to be imported from the Mexican mainland).
Another large group was seated as we were finishing up our lunches, and we were quickly whisked on to our next experiences. Still on site, we next for a lecture on cacao and chocolate tasting. The chocolate samples were small but they had some interesting flavors, including cactus and chili pepper (hot!). Next, and still on-site, we went to another sitting area where we first learned of the availability of pharmaceuticals at the pharmacy next door; no prescriptions needed. Then, we had an amusing lecture and taste of various high-end tequilas, including fruit-infused ones. The 4 pours were generous. Not surprisingly, the chocolates and tequilas were available for purchase.
The restaurant was well-maintained and clean. The Yucatecan food was tasty and seemed authentic. Restrooms were clean. My lower rating is only because of the touristy nature of the experience, and the attempts to up-sale patrons (charges for tea refills and guacamole, US prices for beer and other bar items, photograph with woman in traditional clothes, chocolates, tequila, and pharmaceuticals). We were herded through as new groups came in to follow us through the steps. Also, the waiter and servers weren't particularly friendly. read more