best cruise excursions in costa maya

The Best 10 Costa Maya Cruise Excursions For 2024

Looking for the best Costa Maya cruise excursions? Look no further! I’ve compiled my picks for the best Costa Maya excursions for cruise passengers, so you can be sure to have an amazing time while you’re at this tropical cruise port.

Looking For The Best Cruise Excursions In Costa Maya?

You’ve come to the right place! All the best Costa Maya cruise excursions are featured right here, so you are sure to find the one that fits your particular needs. Every single one of these tours comes very highly rated, and we’ve even highlighted user reviews to help guide you in making your choice.

My husband and I have been to Costa Maya many times over the years while on  Caribbean cruises . We know the breathtaking beauty and the thrilling adventures found in Costa Maya firsthand, as we’ve done so many of these ourselves. To experience it yourself, all you have to do is book a tour, and enjoy this beautiful port of call!

Don’t have time to read this whole article? Book this Chacchoben Ruins and Bacalar Lagoon tour now. It has a perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!

Costa Maya is a versatile destination that caters to a wide spectrum of travelers. Adventure enthusiasts can dive into thrilling activities like snorkeling or scuba diving. History buffs can explore some of Mexico’s ancient Mayan ruins such as Chacchoben and Kohunlich, providing insights into Mayan culture.

For relaxation, the area offers pristine beaches and luxurious resorts, with spa facilities that offer rejuvenation and stunning ocean views. Culinary explorers will appreciate the diverse food scene, combining local and international flavors.

Costa Maya truly has something to captivate every traveler, whether it’s adventure, culture, relaxation, or culinary delights. This is why we continue to come back to this cruise port, time after time!

Our Top 3 Picks: Best Costa Maya Excursions For Cruise Passengers

Chacchoben ruins & bacalar lagoon.

Chacchoben Day Trip

Mahahual and Costa Maya Birdwatching

Top costa maya cruise excursions, #1. chacchoben ruins and bacalar lagoon boat excursion.

Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 7 hours | Check Rates And Availability

Our number 1 top pick gives you a fantastic day of exploration and relaxation! With this Mayan ruins and Lagoon tour , you’ll get to uncover the wonders of the ancient city of Chacchoben and bask in the beauty of Mexico’s stunning Bacalar Lagoon, all without blowing your budget.

Whether you’re into history or simply want to soak up the natural beauty, this tour has you covered. And don’t worry about hunger or thirst – you’ve got lunch and a variety of refreshments available, from snacks to beer and tequila.

Leo, our tour guide, was amazing! So incredibly knowledgeable. It was a small group- our family and one other family. The ruins are not to be missed and the lagoon is stunning. It was an amazing day! Marina ( see more reviews )

This incredible Chacchoben Ruins and Bacalar Lagoon tour is all about making the most of your day without stressing about the cost. Oh, and did we mention tacos? You get to experience the absolute best of Costa Maya in our top excursion pick for cruise passengers.

#2. Chacchoben Day Trip In Costa Maya

Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 3 and 1/2 hours | Check Rates And Availability

If you’re looking for a shorter adventure during your time in Costa Maya, this Chacchoben Day Trip Excursion is perfect for you. Your driver and your guide are both local residents, and experts in the local history and significance of the sites.

You get to see incredible Mayan ruins, temples, and pyramids, and learn all about the fascinating history of the Mayan people. Your guide will point out the local wildlife, and you may even get to see any number of exotic creatures. Typically, you’ll also get to stop at a local spot for some fresh pineapple.

This excursion was excellent! It was well organized, comfortable, and our tour guide was native to the area and knew a tremendous amount about Mayan history and the tour sites! The tour guide and the drivers were lovely, knowledgable, and friendly — a real highlight of our trip! Vivian ( see more reviews )

This Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour takes about 3 and 1/2 hours, making it perfect for a quick adventure during your time in Costa Maya. They provide bottled water during your tour as well, which you always need in the hot Mexican sun!

#3. Mahahual and Costa Maya Birdwatching

Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 5 hours | Check Rates And Availability

While birdwatching might not be the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a cruise excursion, this Costa Maya birdwatching tour is absolutely incredible and is a must-do. The Yucatan Peninsula is a thriving hotspot for avian life, and you get the opportunity to see all kinds of rare and elusive bird species.

The expert guides on this tour know all the best places to see the birds, and you could see owls, parrots, spoonbills, and so many more. A maximum of 6 people take this tour at a time, keeping it highly personalized, and a delicious Mexican lunch is also included, so you don’t even have to worry about that aspect either.

Mahahual Ecotours owner Victor Rosales is by far the most knowledgeable tour guide I’ve ever used. His knowledge of birds and animals of Costa Maya is amazing. Additionally he has so much interesting information on history and Mayan culture that he is willing to share, it becomes an amazing experience like no other!! Laurie ( see more reviews )

This Costa Maya birdwatching excursion is ideal for all ages and experience levels. It’s truly a wonderful way to spend your time in Costa Maya, and it’s definitely an experience I recommend.

#4. Costa Maya Sport Fishing

Rating: 4 and 1/2 Stars | Tour Length: 3 hours | Check Rates And Availability

For anyone with even the slightest interest in fishing, this Sport Fishing Excursion in Costa Maya is absolutely a must-do. You get the opportunity to catch awesome tropical fish species, and then you even get to eat your catch of the day back at the Nacional Beach Club.

These waters are absolutely brimming with all sorts of fish, from the fierce barracuda to the colorful mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel, speedy wahoo, and the elusive tuna, among others. It’s an amazing excursion, guided by a friendly and very knowledgeable crew.

Nick was a great and fun host. He had great conversations with us as we fished, made sure we were able to eat fish caught at the beach, and walked us to our transportation to ensure we made it back on time. There were four of us and we were each lucky enough to catch a barracuda. We had the restaurant prepare us tacos and they were amazing. Highly recommend this fishing excursion. John ( see more reviews )

This Costa Maya Fishing Excursion is exactly what you need to get away from the crowds at the port or on the more popular excursions. Enjoy an incredible day out on the water, testing your skills in landing colossal fish species, and the best part? You get to savor your own catch – it’s the ultimate reward and the perfect way to spend your time in Costa Maya!

#5. Bacalar 7 Colors Lagoon With Transportation From Costa Maya

Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 6 hours | Check Rates And Availability

This Bacalar Lagoon tour is ideal for those who want to bask in the beauty of the 7 color lagoon and see all it has to offer. “Cenote Esmeralda” starts you off with magical blues, and “Cenote Cocalitos” introduces ancient stromatolites, nature’s cool living stones. Dive into the “Black Cenote,” an open-sky oasis, and see the Pirate Channel – pirates once sneaked in here for treasure.

On Wednesdays, instead of a Lagoon tour you get access to Cocalitos Beach Club – think clear waters, snacks, fruits, and even adult beverages. It’s the perfect way to soak up the beauty of the Bacalar Lagoon.

This was by far one of my favorite excursions! Gabby did such an amazing job telling us the history and making this trip memorable. The lagoon is magical and something you don’t want to miss! The tacos are authentic and were literally one of the best meals I had this week! I was super worried about getting back to port on time and they made sure we got back in plenty of time! Amber ( see more reviews )

This 7 Colors Lagoon Excursion is a fantastic way to spend your afternoon in Costa Maya. Round trip transportation is included, and your tour will have a maximum of 20 passengers.

#6. Ancient Chacchoben Mayan Ruins + Mayan Experience

Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 5 and 1/2 hours | Check Rates And Availability

This Mayan Experience Excursion gives you an incredible look into the past. First, you head to the ancient Mayan ruins where you can uncover incredible monuments and soak up the jungle’s natural beauty.

Next, you visit the village of Chacchoben, where the modern-day descendants of the Mayan people show you daily bits of their culture. You’re going to be blown away by traditional dishes prepared using age-old techniques passed down through generations. The flavors are straight out of Mayan history and it’s a real treat for your taste buds.

The Mayan Experience was amazing . Our guide Lorenzo was very knowledgeable and made sure to cater to my 82 year old mother. The best part was the lunch. The woman who made the lunch were so kind and fun to talk with. They made the experience great. Jason ( see more reviews )

This Mayan Experience cruise excursion in Costa Maya is absolutely fantastic and a wonderful choice for all ages. Transportation is included, as well as bottled water and your delicious authentic lunch.

#7. Cooking Class With Open Bar + Massage

This Costa Maya cooking class is the perfect excursion for anyone who wants to try their hand at making delicious Mexican treats while also staying close to the cruise port. It’s located just a block away from the port, meaning you don’t have to worry about being a dreaded “pier runner”.

You learn how to make scrumptious guacamole and ceviche using the freshest local ingredients. All the while, you get to sip on unlimited beverages (try a margarita, trust me!), and then top it all off with a relaxing 30 minute massage.

Macarena was incredible ! The other staff (bar tender and chefs) were top notch and attentive. It was such a calm setting after being on a big cruise ship. We made ceviche, guac, got massages, drank beer and hung out by the pool all day! 10/10 highly recommend! Christopher ( see more reviews )

This cooking excursion in Costa Maya truly is a fantastic experience. You get to create delicious food, sip on fantastic drinks, get a wonderful massage, and rest assured that you can still get back to your ship on time.

#8. Discovery SCUBA Diving For Beginners

Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 3 hours | Check Rates And Availability

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to dive like a pro without experience or certification, this Costa Maya SCUBA diving excursion is perfect for you. You start with a quick theory lesson at the dive shop, then a hands-on practice in shallow water.

Finally, you get to test your newly learned skills as you explore colorful coral reef formations with your certified instructor by your side. You can dive up to 40 feet, and see all kinds of vibrant marine life around you. It’s a fantastic way to spend your time in Costa Maya!

Awesome experience , Charlie was a great instructor!!! Highly recommend …… If you have ever wanted to dive then do this !!!!!!!! Nathan ( see more reviews )

This SCUBA diving excursion in Costa Maya is a wonderful opportunity for beginners to experience SCUBA diving in clear, warm, tropical waters. It’s an excellent option for a Costa Maya cruise excursion!

#9. Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon and Kayak Adventure

Rating: 4 and 1/2 Stars | Tour Length: 8 hours | Check Rates And Availability

This excellent Costa Maya excursion to the Bacalar Lagoon gives you the opportunity to kayak in the same waters where pirates used to roam. This historic spot now offers you a chance to relax, swim, and soak in the lagoon’s beauty.

The Lagoon itself holds an incredibly diverse array of marine life, and is simply stunning with its variety of blue and turquoise colors. It’s gorgeous to look at, and kayaking through it really adds to the experience.

The Seven Color Lagoon kayak trip with Elliot and Abner was fantastic . The site is absolutely beautiful . Elliot explained so much about the local area and culture and was accommodating to all kayaking skill levels. The food and drinks were great, especially the expertly prepared salsas. Elaine ( see more reviews )

With a maximum of 15 participants, this Costa Maya kayak excursion offers an intimate experience away from the crowds. Transportation is included, and you also get to savor delicious food and drinks during your time at the Lagoon. It’s the perfect way to spend your time in Costa Maya!

#10. Private Luxury Beach Club with Transportation

Rating: 5 Stars | Tour Length: 4 and 1/2 hours | Check Rates And Availability

This VIP Private Beach Club excursion in Costa Maya is just what you’ve been looking for if peace and tranquility is your thing. Your experience starts with a designated driver who’ll whisk you away from the cruise port to your own private paradise. Your private deck, complete with a personal bathroom and shower, awaits, and you can bring up to five friends or family members along.

Picture yourself surrounded by lush greenery leading to the turquoise Caribbean Sea. You’ll enjoy personalized food and drink service as you indulge in delicious treats and signature beverages. Take a dip or snorkel in the crystal-clear waters near the world’s second-largest barrier reef. Kayaks, paddleboards, and land activities like volleyball and soccer are also available.

This place is extraordinary. The views of the beach and the cleanliness and comfort of the facility was outstanding . What surprises me the most was the FOOD! Best lobster ever!! The service was amazing. Five star experience – first class all the way. Steven ( see more reviews )

This private Hayhu Beach Club excursion is the perfect way to relax in luxury during your time in Costa Maya. It’s the ideal recipe for a day of relaxation, breathtaking views, and personalized service, and is definitely something you don’t want to miss out on.

Frequently Asked Questions About Costa Maya Cruise Excursions

Got questions? Don’t worry, we’ve got the answers to the most frequently asked questions about Costa Maya cruise excursions.

What do I wear on Costa Maya cruise excursions?

What you wear is going to depend on your particular excursion. If you’re going to the beach you’ll need a swimsuit and coverup, sandals, and maybe snorkel gear. If you’re exploring ancient ruins or taking a food tour you’ll want comfortable, light clothing, and comfortable closed-toed shoes.

You definitely want to remember sunglasses, and/or a hat, and sunscreen. If you’re going in the ocean,  you need to have reef-safe sunscreen , meaning it does not contain Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, or Octocrylene, among other ingredients.  Just because the label says “reef-safe” it does not mean that it is.  Instead, opt for a mineral sunscreen, like  Blue Lizard ,  Thinksport,  or  Sun Bum Mineral .

Remember to also pack any necessary personal items, such as a camera, insect repellent, and any medications you may need. It’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast for the day of your excursion to ensure you’re prepared for any changes in weather conditions.

Are Mayan ruins worth visiting on Costa Maya cruise excursions?

Absolutely, exploring the Mayan ruins in Costa Maya is a must. Sites like Chacchoben and Kohunlich offer a captivating glimpse into the Mayan civilization’s history and architectural achievements.

With experienced guides and lush jungle settings, it’s a rewarding way to connect with an ancient culture and its impressive remnants. Many Costa Maya cruise excursions offer combo tours to see Mayan ruins along with beach breaks or other activities too, making it a perfect way to spend your day while in port.

How far is the beach from the Costa Maya cruise port?

Mahahual Beach is very close to the port, taking only a few minutes in a cab. A little further south you’ll find Yaya Beach and La Bamba Beach.

Approximately an hour inland is Bacalar Lagoon, where you can find white sands and private beach clubs. The best way to visit is definitely via an excursion, on which you can take boat rides, kayak, visit the Beach Clubs and more.

What’s the best time of year to take Costa Maya cruise excursions?

The prime time for taking Costa Maya cruise excursions is during the dry season from late November to April, boasting ideal weather for outdoor activities. While this period coincides with peak cruise season and increased crowds, November or April can offer a quieter experience.

It’s wise to avoid the hurricane season from June to November and always monitor weather forecasts for the best excursion experience.

Final Thought On Costa Maya Cruise Excursions

Cruising is one of my favorite ways to travel, and these cruise ship excursions are sure to make it one of yours too. Any one of these is sure to give you an incredible adventure during your time in Costa Maya.

I featured the 10 best Costa Maya cruise excursions in this article, but if you still can’t decide, let me help you make that choice!

Still can’t decide on the best Costa Maya cruise excursion? I suggest this Chacchoben Ruins and Bacalar Lagoon tour. It has a perfect ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating!

Costa Maya cruise excursions vary from beach trips, to exploring historical ruins, seeing tropical wildlife, and more. No matter what you pick, you can be sure that you’re going to see absolutely beautiful landscapes and have amazing adventures along the way.

Additional Caribbean and Cruise Resources and Information

My husband and I absolutely LOVE the Caribbean. It’s our go-to vacation location, whether with or without the kids. We take Caribbean cruises, stay in all-inclusive resorts, and go back time and time again. Here are some of our other articles that you may find helpful and informative.

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Hi there! My name is Rachel, and I'm a travel enthusiast, writer, and lifelong learner. With over 16 years of marriage and two amazing kids, I've learned that traveling is one of the best ways to bond and create lasting memories with loved ones. I'll share everything I learn, from tips and tricks to specific product and business reviews, so you can make memories around the world too!

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Top 10 Costa Maya Excursions

• YaYa Beach Club Day Pass ($25.99)
• Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Sightseeing ($59.99)
• Chacchoben Ruins & All-Inclusive Beach ($109.99)
• Certified Scuba Diving ($74.99)
• National Beach Club Day Pass ($154.99)
• Beginner Discover SCUBA Diving ($109.99)
• Certified SCUBA Diving from YaYa Beach Club ($64.99)
• Hayhu Beach for Couples ($269.99)
• Reef Snorkel & Beach Club Day Pass ($29.99)
• Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Lagoon Combo ($99.99)

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• Arrive and leave at any time, 100% flexible!
• Access to all of YaYa Beach Club facilities!
• Snacks and open bar depending on which day pass package is purchased (see shopping cart)!

• Round-trip transportation from your cruise ship terminal in Costa Maya!
• Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured transportation!
• English-speaking certified guides!
• Entrance into the ruins at Chacchoben!
• Unlimited bottled water and soft drinks onboard the transportation!

• Round-trip transportation from your Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• English-speaking certified guide!
• Chacchoben Mayan Ruins site entrance fee!
• Guided tour at the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins!
• Cold drinks during the ruins part (water bottles and sodas)!
• All-inclusive beach break with beverages and food!

• Convenient meeting location, the closest to the Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• English-speaking certified PADI and SSI shore excursion divemasters and instructors!
• All necessary dive gear is included!
• Use beach club facilities afterward (Day pass add-on required)!
• Observers may wait for you at no extra charge at the beach club!

• Round-trip paid transportation from your Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• Full access to all facilities such as plunge pool, lounge chairs, and showers, among others!
• WiFi, towels!
• All you want to eat, order off the menu including lobster (seasonal)!
• Breakfast is also included for early ship arrivals!
• Open bar with top-shelf labels!
• Exclusive Costa Maya All Inclusive Beach Break offered by Shore Excursioneer!

• Convenient meeting location close to the Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• English-speaking certified PADI dive instructors!
• Use beach club facilities afterward!
• No SCUBA dive or snorkel experience is needed!
• Option to purchase picture package on site!

• Convenient meeting location close to your Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• English-speaking certified PADI dive excursion instructor!
• PADI-certified dive shop!
• Dive gear can be rented on-site!
• Choose from 1 or 2 tank dives!

• Private round transportation from your Costa Maya Cruise ship terminal!
• Private area for you and your partner apart from the rest of the club!
• This Jungle Romantic Getaway Day Pass at Hayhu Beach is valid from 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM!
• A 100 USD Credit to order from the menu!
• Use of all common areas (Bar, shaded Lounge, and restaurant.)!
• Full use of the facilities such as loungers, sunbeds, use of kayaks, paddleboards, beach showers, restrooms, etc!  

• Easy convenient meeting location close to the Costa Maya cruise terminal!
• English-speaking certified snorkel shore excursion guide!
• Snorkeling excursion by boat with 40 minutes of guided snorkeling!
• Snorkel set including varied-sized fins, sanitized snorkel, silicone mask, and vest!
• Full use of Krazy Lobster Beach Club facilities!

• Round-trip transportation from your meeting point!
• English-speaking drivers and federally licensed shore excursion guides!
• Guided visit of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins!
• Lunch and beverages at the famous Bacalar lagoon!

• A $300.00 USD credit towards your group's Beach Club menu tab!
• This VIP Beach Day Pass at Hayhu Beach is valid from 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM!
• Full access to all facilities such as lounge chairs, puffs, showers, and kayak, among others!
• Private deck for you and up to 5 of your friends/family!
• Shaded lounge and dining area!
• Welcome drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)!
• Escape completely from the cruise crowds and enjoy this exclusive Beach Club!

• This El Fuerte Resort Day Pass is valid from 08:00 AM to 07:00 PM!
• Access to all of the club facilities including chairs, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and shaded palapas!
• Delicious lunch from selected items (see below)!
• 5-Hours Open Bar!
• All snorkel equipment including mask, sterilized snorkel tube/mouthpiece, fins, and flotation vest!
• Free Wi-Fi!
• Only 20 day passes are available per day!

• Los Arrecifes Day Pass is valid from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM!
• 3 package choices for adults!
• Special packages for teens and children!
• Lunch and Open Bar depending on which package is purchased!
• Complimentary Free Wi-Fi!

• Round-trip transportation near your Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• Complimentary bottled water!
• One soft drink or one beer per person!
• Visit the Seven Colors of Blue Lagoon and boat ride!
• Scenic sightseeing and stop at Pirates Channel!
• Refresh, play, and relax at the unique Bacalar Lagoon of the Seven Blues!

• English-speaking certified guides and staff!
• Snorkeling at 2 of Costa Maya's best reefs!
• Complimentary bottle of water!

• Private round-trip transportation from the meeting place near your Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• Private, English-speaking, certified guide!
• Entrance fee to Chacchoben Mayan Ruins!
• Bottled water during the excursion!

• Full access to all facilities such as lounge chairs, restaurants, and showers, among others!
• 4 hours of Open Domestic Bar!
• Chips and salsa.
• 4 Costa Maya Beach Day Pass Packages to choose from - Open bar with snacks, Open bar without alcohol, and Facility access only!

• Guided walk and entrance fee at Chacchoben Maya Ruins!
• Box lunch - one sandwich and one seasonal fruit!
• Visit the Seven Color Lagoon!
• Boat ride through the Seven Color Lagoon!
• Refresh, play, and relax at the unique Bacalar Lagoon of Seven Blues!

• One-way transportation to Ibiza Beach Club is included!
• English-speaking certified snorkel guide!
• Snorkeling excursion by boat with 40 minutes of guided snorkel!
• Bottle water while snorkeling!
• 2 hours of open bar!
• One snack included! (Please see items below)
• Full use of Ibiza Sunset Beach Club facilities!
• Small groups only for a personalized experience!

• One-way transportation from your Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• Bilingual (English and Spanish) speaking, professional chef/guide!
• Learn, create and enjoy your own Mexican ceviche!
• All utensils, materials, and equipment are provided for the class!
• Use of all the facilities at no extra charge such as lounge chairs, hammocks, restrooms, and many others!
• Domestic Open Bar including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages during the cooking class!

• English-speaking certified excursion guide!
• Site entrance fees at both Dzibanche and Kinichna ruins!
• Guided excursion at the ruins!
• Cold drinks!
• Return to port or optional drop off at Costa Maya village!

• Round-trip transportation from the Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• Site entrance fee at Kohunlich!
• Guided tour of the Mayan ruins!
• Snack of sandwich, seasonal fruit, and a cookie!

• This Ibiza Sunset Day Pass is valid from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM!
• 2 package choices for adults - All Inclusive and Day Pass!
• Food and drinks included (see options below)!

• This VIP Beach Break at Ibiza Sunset Beach Club is valid from 08:00 AM to 07:00 PM!
• Full access to all facilities such as lounge chairs, and hammocks, among others!
• The open bar is available for up to 7 hours!
• Breakfast, lunch, and snacks from selected items (see below)!
• Towel service for all members on your booking!
• Use of paddleboard and bike during the beach break hours!
• 30-minutes massage!

• 3 Costa Maya Beach Day Pass Packages to choose from - Unlimited Bar and Beach, All Inclusive, and the VIP Pamper!
• 100% Deposit Back Guarantee for cancellations at any time and for any reason!

• This Costa Maya beach club day pass at La Chilangaloense is valid from 09:00 AM to 07:00 PM!
• Access to all of the club facilities including chairs, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and shaded areas!
• Delicious lunch from a selected menu (see below)!
• 5-Hours Open Bar for adults!
• 5-Hours non-alcoholic drinks for Teens and Children!
• Only 45 day passes are available per day for the beach area!

• Convenient meeting location close to the Costa Maya cruise terminal!
• Private fishing charter cruise excursion in Costa Maya!
• English-speaking certified staff and captain!
• All necessary fishing equipment including lures and live bait!
• Bottled water!

• Private round-trip transportation from your Costa Maya cruise ship meeting point (drop off at your pier)! 
• Air-conditioned, fully licensed, and insured shore excursion transportation!
• English-speaking and federally licensed drivers!
• Traveler insurance!
• Native local English-speaking private Costa Maya Excursion guide! 
• Entrance fee into Chacchoben ruins!
• Private guided excursion at the Chacchobben ruins, INAH certified bilingual excursion guides! 
• Bottled water! 
• A visit to Chacchoben Village and interaction with a local Mayan family at their home with a tortilla-making lesson! 
• Complimentary Mayan lunch - varies daily! 

• This Costa Maya diving cruise excursion is for certified SCUBA divers only!
• Complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, and fruit on the boat!
• Enjoy complimentary lionfish ceviche afterward!
• Use beach club facilities at no extra cost (additional food and beverages may be purchased)!
• Help save the coral reefs and hunt lionfish!

• Round trip transportation near your Costa Maya cruise ship terminal!
• Air-conditioned, fully licensed and insured transportation!
• English speaking certified guide!
• Guided tour and entrance fee at Chacchoben Maya Ruins!
• Visit the Seven Color Lagoon for swimming and kayaking!
• Lunch and drinks!
• The use of kayaks!
• Refresh, play and relax at the unique Bacalar Lagoon of the Seven Blues!
• No previous kayak experience needed - fun and easy family excursion!

• English-speaking certified shore excursion guide!
• Automatic ATV!
• A scenic ride through the village!
• Safety helmet!
• Entrance fee to beach club!
• 2 complimentary drinks and lunch at the beach club!

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Chacchoben Ruins & Beach

Mayan Experience

Mayan Family and Seven Color Lagoon

Seven Color Lagoon Adventure

Snorkel and Boat Tour

Costa Maya Reef Snorkeling

Two Tank Local Scuba Diving Trip

Discover Scuba Diving & Beach Break

Snorkeling and Beach Break Combo

Bacalar Cenotes and Lagoon Exploration

Diving Refresh

Kohunlich Mayan Ruins Tour

Dzibanche Mayan Ruins Tour

Kohunlich and Dzibanche Ruins

Costa Maya Beach Break (Beverages Only)

One Tank Local Scuba Diving Trip

Advanced Deep Dive Adventure

Costa Maya Underwater Navigation Adventure Course

Costa maya excursions & cruise tours.

The cruise port town of Costa Maya lies on the Yucatan Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It boasts a rich history, soft beaches, and a stunning coral reef just offshore, making it a desirable Caribbean destination. The port of Costa Maya also serves as the closest access point to many of Mexico's lesser-known and less excavated Mayan ruin sites, offering visitors an incredibly worthwhile experience easily accessible directly from the cruise ship. Caribbean cruise lines send hundreds of thousands of cruisers to Mexico's second-busiest port every year. Discover the excitement that awaits in this lively port of call!

Ancient Ruins Excursions

A few of our top cruise excursions and tour sites include the Mayan ruins at Chacchoben, Kohunlich, and Dzibanche, which are three of Mexico's best-kept secrets. At the archaeological site of the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, you can learn about the rich history of the area and later spend time with locals who will teach you how to make traditional and authentic Mexican food (not tacos). At the Kohunlich Mayan Ruins, you can visit many still intact rooms of a Mayan palace. Lastly, the Dzibanche Mayan Ruins, believed to be an early capital of the Kan Dynasty, feature important temples of Mayan history, including pyramids built using 5th-century Maya architectural methods. In Costa Maya, there's no shortage of sightseeing opportunities!

Guided Tour Adventures

After marveling at these incredible pieces of ancient Mayan history, swim with dolphins in Costa Maya's dazzling blue waters for a day excursion complete with excitement and intrigue. You should also scuba dive to see the wide variety of sea life in Costa Maya. If you're looking for a snorkeling excursion, make sure to visit the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, full of amazing tropical fish and coral formations.

For some adventure, consider a boat tour or a kayak or canoe rental at the Bacalar Lagoon, also known as the Seven Color Lagoon by locals, where you can also see the wonderful cenotes (natural deep-water wells). There are many gorgeous places to swim, windsurf, paddleboard, and sail.

And if you're looking to relax, take a beach break and enjoy one of Costa Maya's beautiful beaches. Mahahual Beach is a great place to relax, with plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas available. There's also an excellent beach club with an open bar and comfy lounge chairs right on the sea! This little town is known as a quiet place in the evenings and then springs to life when the cruise ships come in. We have Costa Maya shore excursions and tours for every activity level at every price point, so read our ratings and book one today!

Family travel with a toddler

Port and Shore Excursions in Costa Maya (Guide)

So you booked a cruise with a stop in Costa Maya, also known as Mahahual, Mexico. Here’s our port and shore excursion guide to Costa Maya and which shore excursions you can consider based on our personal experience. 

We have visited this cruise port at least twice on a Virgin and Royal Caribbean cruise, and you can read our other cruise-related articles below to help you plan and know what to expect. 

Related Virgin Voyages cruise articles: 

Our other cruise travel series, what is a shore excursion .

• Is it better to book a shore excursion with the cruise company? 

The cruise line guarantee that the ship will wait for you in case something happens while on a tour

It is more convenient to book with the cruise line than outside companies , pros of booking with outside tour companies, you support the local economy by booking direct with a local tour company, shore excursions in costa maya port, chacchoben ruins shore excursion in costa maya, 7 colors lagoon tour shore excursion in costa maya, kohunlich tour from costa maya, dzibanche shore excursion in costa maya, which is a better costa maya tour: chacchoben, kohunlich or dzibanche , the native choice costa maya review , what to do in costa maya port , do port costa maya shops take usd, are you planning your costa maya port excursion , share this:.

• Why book a Virgin Voyages Cruise
• Virgin Voyages Restaurants Guide – what restaurants are there and where to eat onboard
• The ultimate guide to Virgin Voyages activities on the ship/What to expect during Scarlet Night
• Port Guide and shore excursions in Costa Maya 
• Port guide and shore excursions in Bimini/What to expect at the Beach Club at Bimini
• Virgin Voyages Shopping Options
• Two weeks in Alaska
• Rhapsody of the Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Review)
• Holland America Alaska Cruise Review (MS Noordam)
• Our First Ever Cruise (Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas Review)

When your cruise ships docks at a port, you essentially have a choice: stay on the ship or explore the city where the ship is currently docked in. If you choose to explore the city surroundings where your boat is docked in and get off the ship, you are essentially going on a shore excursion. 

There’s two ways to do a shore excursion: go with a tour or DIY it. Some ports are easy to DIY and can save you a bit of money since you don’t have to pay for tour guides and you rely on walking or public transportation to get around. 

The other option is going with a tour that’s either sold through the cruise ship or going on a tour with an outside tour company. 

Is it better to book a shore excursion with the cruise company?  

It depends. Here are some pros and cons of booking a shore excursion with the cruise ship. 

This is perhaps the biggest thing that the cruise lines tour on why you should book with them. If for some reason something happens while you are on a tour, the cruise ship will wait for your party until you are back, no matter how long the delay is. 

Say your bus breaks down in the middle of the road or there was an accident forcing the roads to close and be blocked, whatever the reason for the delay, the ship will wait for you. 

If you choose to go with an outside company and get stuck in the road, you are on your own. This is the absolute worst case scenario as other outside companies do guarantee that you will be back on time. The case above happens very rarely, but it does happen! 

Once you have your ticket for your excursion, all you need to do is show up at the appointed date and time at the location mentioned on the ticket. Cruise line representatives help you get to the correct bus and make sure that you get out of the ship on time. 

When booking with outside tour companies, you will have to make your way to the meeting point yourself at the appointed time. 

Cost. It is generally cheaper to book with outside tour companies than with the cruise line. For a shore excursion in Kohunlich in Costa Maya, we paid $75 per person for a private tour. 

Compare that to around $130 per person for the 7 Colors Lagoon tour from the cruise line. We are saving almost half! 

For our other tour to Chacchoben, we paid $50 per person on a public tour. It costs almost twice as much with the cruise line! (Royal Caribbean at the time)

By choosing to book with an outside tour company, you help support the local economy by supporting small businesses. Usually the tour companies who supply tours to the cruise lines discount the price of their tours to the cruise companies. The profits are then kept by the cruise line itself instead of being reinvested back to the local economy. 

To make a profit, these tour companies are relying on economies of scale: the more people book, the better their margins are. 

You get a more personalized and intimate tour when booking with local tour companies and you help support their small businesses along the way. You support their bottomline while saving money for yourself too! 

There are a few tours you can do in Costa Maya, with a mixture of the major variations below. Here are the most popular tours. 

Within an hour from the cruise port, one can visit the site of an old Mayan ruin called Chacchoben. If one is looking for culture and history while on vacation in Costa Maya, then Chacchoben is the place for you. 

Because of its proximity to the cruise port, it is the most popular tour destination from Costa Maya. You have to do this tour if ruins are your thing. 

A local Mayan guide taught us how to count in Mayan, provided a history of the place, and gave us lots of useful information about the site. The tour includes entrance fees and transportation to and from the cruise port. 

You can even climb up the ruins if you are physically able to. Don’t miss the chance, there are only a limited number of ruins you can physically climb in Mexico.

Located in the town of Bacalar, the 7 Colors lagoon got its name from the 7 different colors the lagoon takes, depending on the season and how deep the water is. 

One can swim, kayak, and participate in other water sports while at the 7 Colors Lagoon. Or you can just opt to relax and laze around by the water, soaking the warm sun of Mexico. 

There are tours that combine the lagoon with Chacchoben, or you can opt to just do the 7 Colors Lagoon by itself. 

Another Mayan site that’s accessible from Costa Maya is Kohunlich. Not many people go to this site, as it is 2 hours one way from the cruise port. 

We took this tour the second time we had docked in Costa Maya and honestly, the two hours flew by so quickly. On our way there, we chatted with our guide, who gave us a lot of information about Mayan ruins. He even told us about the people of Teotihuacan and the Aztecs and how different they were from Mayans. 

He pointed out towns and the history of the cruise port of Costa Maya. The port is owned privately, and was a recent development. He even mentioned that before the cruise port was created, the roads were not paved. There’s loads of wildlife in the area, where you may see them crossing the road at night. 

Kohunlich is interesting. It was a merchant town where people from all over used to sell their goods in the market. Kohunlich’s ruins used to be houses where the nobles lived, with a temple. The highlight of the site are these huge faces carved in stone, rebuilt every time there’s a new leader. 

Another Mayan site 2 hours away from the cruise port is Dzibanche. The site is only 20 minutes away from Kohunlich, so some sites offer a tour of both Kohunlich and Dzibanche. Unfortunately, we did not have enough time at port to do both. 

Dzibanche looks a bit more like the typical Mayan site, so if you had a choice to pick between Dzibanche or Kohunlich, pick Kohunlich. 

We did not get a chance to visit this site yet but we will definitely go when we get a chance to have a shore excursion in Costa Maya. 

If you don’t have much time at port, pick Chacchoben. You can get your Mayan ruins visit without the need to rush around. 

However, if you have a bit more time ashore, around 9 hours or more, do Kohunlich. Seeing those huge faces engraved in the stone was a definite highlight. Unlike other Mayan sites that we visited, Kohunlich is relatively quiet. There’s not as many visitors to the site given that it is a bit farther. 

Even though there’s 4 ships at port while we were there, we managed to get a private tour of Kohunlich since nobody else booked the same tour we did. 

We booked our Chacchoben and Kohunlich tours with a local company called The Native Choice . They are not located inside the cruise port, but they provide detailed instructions to find their office. 

Located 4 blocks away from the port, the Native Choice only accepts cash if booking a tour on partial payment. Unless you are paying in full when you book, there are no other credit card options. 

Each tour has a local guide and they utilize minivans for their tours. Our first tour to Chacchoben pre-covid, there were around 14 of us in the van. 

During the pandemic, we had a private tour to Kohunlich as nobody else booked the tour! 

This company is great, only asking for $15 per person in deposits for the tour, with the remainder payable when you arrive at their office. They guarantee that they will get you back to your cruise ship before they depart and have flexible cancellation policies in case your ship changes their itinerary and can’t dock anymore. 

Not a sponsored listing, by the way. We paid for the tours ourselves nor did we get any freebies from this company. We just like them a lot so we gave them a shoutout. 

The port of Costa Maya is like it’s own shopping and mini theme park mecca. You could opt to just stay and explore the port if you wish. There’s a pool area where you can hang out and swim (not sure if additional fees apply), a mini zoo with flamingos, a ropes and obstacle course, and shops. 

The shops are your usual souvenir shops, peppered with a bit of jewelry and local goods. There’s even a duty free shop where you can opt to buy alcohol. There are some deals available on the souvenir shops on knick knacks you can bring home to commemorate your trip. 

No need to exchange your USD to Mexican Pesos, most of the shops in Costa Maya Port price their goods in USD and take credit cards and dollars. 

You will see signs for $5 for a whole rack, mix and match for $10 to $15 and more. 

Even the chocolate shop, restaurants and activities on the port itself accept USD as a major form of payment.

Did we miss any exciting shore excursions you can do while at Port Costa Maya? Leave them in the comments below. Would love more ideas about where to go and what to do on our next visit to the port! 

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THE 10 BEST Costa Maya Tours & Excursions

Costa maya tours.

• Archaeology Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
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• Motorcycle Tours
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya

2. Private beach, all inclusive.

3. Bacalar – 7 Colors Lagoon Excursión Costa Maya

4. Chacchoben & Bacalar Combo Excursion Costa Maya

5. One Day Tour to Chacchoben Mayan City and Bacalar Lagoon with a Certified Guide

6. All-inclusive VIP Pack, Massage + transportation by La Chilangaloense Beach Club

7. Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Day Trip

8. Private sport fishing in costa maya, mahahual

9. Snorkel boat tour in search of turtles

10. BACALAR Seven Color Lagoon Boat Excursion from Costa Maya

11. Private Tour in Chacchoben Ruins from Costa Maya with Snacks

12. Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon and Kayak Adventure from Costa Maya

13. Cooking Class+Open Bar+Pool Access+Relaxing Massage by Catrina

14. Explore Costa Maya: Chacchoben Ruins and Bacalar Lagoon Tour

15. Salsa & Salsa cooking lessons + Beach Break, with pick up

16. 3 Hour Costa Maya Snorkeling Excursion - La Leyenda ECO-TOURS

17. Bacalar Private Charter Shore Excursion

18. Costa Maya Sport Fishing

19. ATV Adventure & Open bar Beach day + Lunch by La Chilangaloense

20. Two tanks local diving for certified divers, SCUBA gear included

21. Costa Maya Snorkel Tour

22. Day Pass to Private Clothing Optional Beach Resort in Xcalak

23. CHACCHOBEN Mayan Ruins Excursion Costa Maya

24. PADI Discover Scuba Diving

25. Jaime's at the Blue Reef Beach Club with all you can eat & Drink

26. One Day Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Adventure with transportation and Lunch

27. All-Inclusive Costa Maya Beach Escape

28. Ancient Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mayan Experience from Costa Maya

29. Costa Maya Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mexican Lunch at the Beach

30. Costa maya ,snorkeling tours with turtles and reef

What travelers are saying.

• Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya
• Private beach, all inclusive.
• All-inclusive VIP Pack, Massage + transportation by La Chilangaloense Beach Club
• One Day Tour to Chacchoben Mayan City and Bacalar Lagoon with a Certified Guide
• Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Day Trip
• Mahahual Ecotours
• Doctor Dive Costa Maya
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17 Best Things to Do in Costa Maya [Cruise Port Guide]

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If you’re going on a Western Caribbean cruise, there’s a good chance that you’ll be visiting the port of Costa Maya, Mexico. Costa Maya serves as a gateway to the Mexican Caribbean, offering many fun and interesting things for cruise passengers to see and do!

The Costa Maya cruise port was specifically built to cater to cruise passengers, providing many activities and attractions both in and around the cruise terminal. Although a few years ago this port was lesser known than popular Cozumel , Costa Maya is now frequented by several cruise lines.

There are a lot of great things to do in Costa Maya while on a cruise, including activities right at the cruise terminal, shore excursions to Mayan ruins, and beach clubs.

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  

Where Is Costa Maya Cruise Port?

Costa Maya Cruise Port is a popular cruise destination located on the eastern coast of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo, near the small fishing village of Mahahual. Costa Maya, Mexico is approximately 124 miles (200 km) south of Playa del Carmen and 149 miles (240 km) south of Cozumel.

Situated on the Caribbean Sea, Costa Maya is an ideal destination for cruise ships exploring the Mexican Caribbean region. The Puerto Costa Maya is in close proximity to popular tourist attractions, such as ancient Mayan ruins and beautiful beaches, making it a popular stop for cruise itineraries in the Western Caribbean.

Costa Maya Cruise Port Overview

Cruise ships typically dock at the Costa Maya Cruise Port, and it’s common to have three to four cruise ships dock at a time.

Passengers can walk off the cruise ship along the t-shaped pier into the cruise port area. However, it can be a longer walk than it looks. If you have an excursion to meet, allow at least 15 minutes to walk to the meeting area.

There are free trolleys available for cruise passengers who have have difficulty walking or would like the service.

Once in the Costa Maya port, you’ll find a large swimming pool with a swim up bar and free lounge chairs. There are several restaurants (many serving Mexican cuisine) and bars, boutiques, and shops selling local crafts and souvenirs.

You’ll find a tourist booth with information for local beaches and excursions that will take you outside of the cruise port area. There is also a meeting area for those who have pre-booked Costa Maya shore excursions and tours.

Costa Maya cruise port was severely damage by Hurricane Dean in 2007 and took several years to recover. We visited recently while on a Virgin Voyages cruise, and could see that the area has much improved.

Costa Maya – What Cruise Passengers Need to Know

The currency in Costa Maya, Mexico is the Mexican Peso. However, US dollars are widely accepted. Keep in mind that you may receive change in Pesos, even if you pay in US dollars.

The symbol for Pesos is $, like the US dollar, which can cause some confusion. It’s a good idea to double check pricing when making a purchase in US dollars, as well as to check the change that you’re receiving.

ATM at the Costa Maya Cruise Terminal

If you prefer to use the local currency, you can withdraw Pesos at ATMs, which are located within the Costa Maya cruise terminal.

The official language in Costa Maya, Mexico is Spanish. However, English is widely spoken by tour guide, shopkeepers and restaurant workers at the cruise port and surrounding tourist areas.

When venturing outside of the cruise terminal area, the locals may be less proficient in English, but overall communicating should’t be a problem. Knowing a few words or phrases in Spanish, including please and thank you, is always helpful.

The weather in Costa Maya, Mexico, is typically warm and tropical throughout the year, with temperatures ranging from the(mid-70s to low 90s Fahrenheit (mid-20s to low 30s Celsius).

The dry season, from November to April, is mostly sunny and rain-free. The wet season, from May to October, is generally humid with occasional rain and sun showers.

How to Get Around in Costa Maya

There are a few ways to get around Costa Maya as a cruise traveler.

If you’re planning to stay in the cruise port area, walking is the easiest way to get around. There is a complimentary trolley to bring cruisers from the ship’s pier to the cruise port.

Taxi, Shuttle or Golf Cart

Taxis, shuttles and golf carts are available to take you to areas outside of the cruise terminal, including the Mahahual Village.

Booking a shore excursion is best if you want to venture further out and away from the Costa Maya cruise port.

Best Things to Do in Costa Maya Cruise Port

Many cruise passengers decide to hang out around the free saltwater swimming pool in the centre of the Costa Maya cruise port, followed by a bit of souvenir shopping.

There’s nothing wrong with this port day plan. However, if you’re wondering what to do in Costa Maya cruise port, there is a lot more to see and do!

Beaches in Costa Maya Near the Cruise Port

Heading to a local beach is a popular activity for many cruise passengers. These are the most popular beaches and best beach clubs for a day visit:

1. Mahahual Beach

Mahahual Beach is a 5 minute taxi ride from the Costa Maya cruise port. This natural beach is great for cruisers who are looking for an inexpensive beach day. Check reviews for Playa Mahahual before you go, as occasionally sea weed can be an issue at this popular beach.

2. Maya Chan Beach Resort

The Maya Chan beach club is located approximately 4 miles away from the Costa Maya cruise port. Maya Chan Beach is popular with cruise passengers visiting Costa Maya for the day. You can book Maya Chan Beach as a shore excursion with the cruise line or opt to go on your own.

With soft sands, turquoise waters, and a relaxed atmosphere, it offers a tranquil escape from busy cruise ship life. You can unwind on comfortable lounge chairs, enjoy delicious Mexican cuisine, and even snorkel to explore the marine life.

Maya Chan beach is considered by many cruise visitors to be the best beach in Costa Maya, Mexico.

3. Uvero Beach

Located about 20-30 minutes from the Costa Maya cruise port, Uvero Beach is a more secluded beach option for cruise passengers. You’ll find soft sands and calm waters, making it a great spot for swimming and sunbathing.

4. Costa Maya Beach Clubs Near the Cruise Port

There are several beach day clubs nearby the Costa Maya cruise port. These include:

• Malecon 21 Beach Club
• Chunky Monkey Beach Club

An all inclusive beach club with an open bar can be booked with Resort for a Day.

Costa Maya Excursions & Things to Do

5. relax at swimming pool and loungers.

As you enter the Costa Maya cruise terminal, you’ll see a large resort style pool with a swim-up bar. Kids and adults are free to use the saltwater swimming pool and complimentary lounge chairs.

If you’re looking for an easy and fun way to spend the day in the Caribbean port, this is a good option.

6. Costa Maya Cruise Terminal Attractions

Within the Costa Maya cruise port area, you’ll find several attractions and cultural performances including:

7. Aviarius

Above the boardwalk area, you’ll find a trail of hanging bridges where you can encounter exotic birds. The tropical birds are beautiful and there are a lot of opportunities to take some good photos.

8. Papantla Flyers Dance of the Flyers

One of the most popular things to do at the Costa Maya cruise port, is to watch a performance by Paplanta Flyers. The Danza de los Voladores (Dance of the Flyers) is a traditional and artistic Mexican flying performance on that takes place on a very high pole within the central square of the cruise port.

9. Chacchobeen Mayan Ruins

Visit the ancient Mayan ruins of Chachobeen with a cruise line shore excursion or a local tour operator. When you meet your tour guide, you’ll board a bus that will take you over to one of the most interesting archeological sites in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins are located about 30 miles (50 km) from Costa Maya. The journey by bus or taxi is about 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic and road conditions. Cruise passengers should use caution to make sure that they are back to the cruise ship on time.

At the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, you’ll learn about ancient Mayan history and architecture, while exploring the Mayan temples. On site, along with a tourist shop, there’s a small taco and burrito stand that sold some inexpensive and delicious Mexican food.

Based on our own personal experience, this was one of my families’ favorite excursions and we found the Chacchobeen Mayan Ruins excursion well worth the price!

Tip: Bring mosquito repellant as you’ll be walking on trails through the jungle.

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10. Dolphin Discovery

Swim with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery, located minutes away from the cruise ship with the Costa Maya cruise port. A dolphin swim and dolphin encounter is offered. Photos are available for purchase as well.

There is a viewing platform at Dolphin Discovery where you can watch the dolphins interact with their trainers and people, as well as get a great view of the cruise ships.

11. Lost Mayan Kingdom Water Park

The impressive Lost Mayan Kingdom Theme Water Park is visible from your cruise ship. This is a great way for families to spend the day in Costa Maya. Plunge down towering water slides, float along lazy rivers, and brave challenging obstacle courses. Don’t forget to take lots of photos and videos to preserve the memories!

12. Snorkeling Excursions

Book a catamaran or boat tour to explore the coastline, snorkel in pristine waters, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. Shore excursions are available through the cruise line as well as through local vendors.

13. Scuba Diving

Scuba diving excursions allow visitors to view the vibrant marine life of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest barrier reef.

14. Bacalar – Seven Color Lagoon

Take a small group tour from Costa Maya cruise terminal to the Bacalar Lagoon, frequently referred to as the seven colors lagoon. This lagoon and cenote is gorgeous, with the most pristine crystal clear turquoise waters.

15. Water Activities

If you go to Mahahual or one of the other local beaches, you can participate in several water sports and activities. Kayak in the crystal-clear waters of a pristine beach, go fishing or paddle boarding.

16. Taste Local Flavors

There are some really good restaurants and bars, even the Costa Maya cruise port area. Try some traditional Mexican dishes or some well loved favorites (like nachos, salsa and guacamole).

You’ll find fresh juice, authentic Mexican chocolate, tequila tastings and more.

17. Souvenir Shopping

There are plenty of things to buy in Costa Maya, Mexico that are reasonably priced and make good souvenirs. Cruise travelers can shop on the main street or boardwalk in the small town of Mahahual, or simply shop at the boutiques at the cruise port.

Things to Buy in Costa Maya

• Handcrafted souvenirs
• Mexican chocolate
• Tequila and Mezcal
• Local spices and hot sauces
• Mayan inspired crafts and artwork
• Mexico t-shirts
• Handmade soap
• Jewelry/silver

Costa Maya Cruise Review

During our recent cruise to Costa Maya on Virgin Valiant Lady, we decided to do a day trip to Chacchobeen Mayan Ruins. We’ve been to Costa Maya cruise port on past cruises and wanted to explore this region beyond the man made cruise terminal.

We met our cruise sponsored shore excursion at the meeting spot and had a good 50 minute drive to the archeological site. The park guide showed us around the ruins and Mayan temples and explained about the ancient culture and people. While visiting, we saw spider monkeys in the trees above.

After touring for about 2 hours, we made our way back to the cruise port on a comfortable coach style bus. I was glad we did this tour in Costa Maya, as visiting other Mayan ruins sites like Chichen Itza is a far distance from this port, as well as Cozumel.

While we enjoy the popular Costa Maya cruise port, and they’ve done a great job making sure there are plenty of things to do near the cruise ships, it can get crowded. With 3 to 4 ships in port at a time, the swimming pool and lounge chair area is too busy for me. However, it might be a good port to visit in the morning. Then,head back and stay on the cruise ship while everyone else is in port !

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Walk from Costa Maya Cruise Port to Mahahual?

The distance between Costa Maya and Mahahual is approximately 2.3 miles (3.8 km). It will take about 45 minutes to walk into town. Taxis are readily available, and only cost a few dollars if you’re too hot or tired to walk.

Tip: On the way to Mahahual, you’ll come across a lighthouse. It’s worth stopping for a photo.

Where to Find Free Wifi at Cruise Port?

You can find free wi-fi all around the Costa Maya cruise terminal.

What is Costa Maya Known For?

Costa Maya is a popular cruise port and tourist destination located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo. The cruise port is known for it’s amenities and activities designed specifically for cruise passengers.

In addition, Costa Maya is known for it’s beach and water activities, Mayan ruins, the small village of Mahahual, cultural performances, eco-tourism and shopping and crafts.

Is Costa Maya Safe?

Yes, Costa Maya is generally considered safe for tourists and cruise travelers. The Costa Maya Cruise Port area in particular is quite secure. Like all destinations, visitors should take the usual precautions to protect themselves from petty theft.

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Final Thoughts on Costa Maya Cruise Port Things to Do

The Costa Maya is becoming one of the most popular cruise ports on Caribbean cruise itineraries. The Costa Maya cruise port is a gateway to beautiful beaches and cultural experiences in the Mexican Caribbean.

From an easy day spent by the pool at the Puerto Costa Maya cruise port to exploring ancient ruins, there’s a lot for cruise travelers to do while in Costa Maya, Mexico.

Have you been to Costa Maya on a cruise or are you going to? Please let me know your questions, tips or what you enjoyed in Costa Maya cruise port.

Happy Cruising!

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Costa Maya cruise excursions

The best of costa maya, mexico.

Costa Maya Catamaran Sailing Snorkeling Excursion – $200us

• 1.5 hour Private Charters
• Sailing & Snorkeling Excursion
• Up to 4 Passengers per private Charter

Costa Maya Beach Break Day Pass – $69us

• Costa Maya Exceptional Beach Break Day Pass, guaranteed Palapa/Shaded Umbrellas and Beach Chairs.
• All day full Open Bar included! That's right, all drinks are included in the price, all day long!
• A multitude of delicious lunch options included! For Vegetarians too!

Costa Maya Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Butterfly Farm Excursion – $54us

• Entrance fees into the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Site & Butterfly Farm are included.
• Chacchoben Excursion Pick up from the Port area of Costa Maya.
• 14 Seater, A/C Vans with Federally Certified bilingual Drivers

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and Beach Break Excursion – $87us

• Entrance fees into the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Site & Costa Maya Beach Pass included!
• Pick up from the Port area of Costa Maya.
• Costa Maya Beach lunch included!

Dzibanche & Kinichna Maya Ruins Excursion – $75us

• Entrance fees into the Dzibanche & Kinichna Mayan Ruins Site are included.
• A/C Vans with Federally Certified bilingual Drivers.
• All Guides are bilingual and INAH certified.

Costa Maya Snorkeling and Fishing Private Excursion – From $250us

• Costa Maya snorkeling and fishing private charter.
• 2.5 Hour or 5 Hour Boat Charter, beach to beach in beautiful Costa Maya..
• Choices of Snorkeling, Fishing or a combination of Snorkeling & Fishing Charters.

Costa Maya Kohunlich Maya Ruins Excursion – $75us

• All Guides are bilingual and INAH certified
• 14 Seater A/C Vans with Federally Certified bilingual Drivers
• Entrance fees into the Kohunlich Mayan Ruins Site are included.

Costa Maya ATV Excursion – From $80us

• The Excursion is 2.5hrs. Due to the fun nature of the excursion the tour is rain or shine.
• Ride along the Costa Maya beautiful Beaches!
• Tour meets inside the port, no additional transport necessary.

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Cabo San Lucas Excursions

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We guarantee a full refund of your excursion deposit if your ship can not make it into the port of Costa Maya.

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What to Do In Costa Maya Mexico Instead of an Expensive Shore Excursion

After almost three years, I recently had the chance to return to Costa Maya. Why was I excited? Costa Maya has always been one of my favorite cruise ports in the Western Caribbean.

A stop at the Costa Maya cruise port is a great excuse for anyone to eat good local food and simply relax on the beach.

If you’re going to Costa Maya on your cruise, lucky you! By the time you’re finished reading this article, you’ll know why it’s one of my top Caribbean cruise ports . 

And you’ll learn how to save money here, too.

Best Things to Do In Costa Maya, Mexico

In This Post...

You don’t have to spend a lot of money.

In this article, I’ll explain how to spend a really great day in Costa Maya without buying an expensive shore excursion.

Puerto Costa Maya (the port’s official name) and the nearby sleepy town of Mahahual was once a rural fishing village. It wasn’t until 2002 that this region was transformed into the popular cruise ship destination. 

Costa Maya was the first “manufactured” cruise port in the Caribbean, but the infrastructure didn’t last too long. In 2007, Hurricane Dean had a devastating impact in the area. Costa Maya cruise port was closed for a little over a year. 

Finally, Costa Maya reopened and the port complex has been growing ever since.

Where is Costa Maya, Mexico?

When your cruise is going to Costa Maya, most people wonder, “where is it and what’s there to do when I get there?” Actually, a lot of people haven’t even heard of Costa Maya, Mexico. Or they’ve heard the name but have no clue what to do there.

Situated along the turquoise-colored Caribbean Sea, Puerto Costa Maya (Costa Maya cruise port) and its nearby towns rest between the sea and the deep jungle.

Geographically speaking, Costa Maya, Mexico is located on the Yucatan peninsula, near the southern border of Quintana Roo, one of 32 Mexican states. 

What to Do in Puerto Costa Maya Instead of a Shore Excursion

Cruise lines offer full-day and expensive shore excursions to visit the incredible Mayan pyramids, dolphin encounters or snorkeling. That’s great if you want to spend time on a motor coach.

Then there are the on-site tour operators who greet cruise passengers as they enter the port, hoping to pick up some last-minute business. These hard workers offer many of the same excursions as the cruise lines.

When I’m in Costa Maya, I just want a really good lunch and a cold drink. Followed by a couple of hours lounging in a beach chair or floating on a mat in the ocean.

Here’s how to do exactly that, save a bundle of cash and have one of the best port days ever. Head over to the town of Mahahual and its beautiful beaches.

How to Get to Mahahual Beach from Costa Maya Cruise Port

Directions from the cruise ship complex to the transportation area has changed over the last few years. As of this update, here’s how to get to Mahahual and the beaches on your own.

Update:  This little breezeway path behind the stairs is now closed.  

You can’t “cut” through behind the stairs anymore to the taxi and transportation area. Now you have to walk past a zillion shops and snack bars until you come to the beautiful pink flamingoes.

Look to Your Right, Across from the Flamingoes

2.   There are of course more shops.   But what’s special about Amorino is that it’s the quickest (and maybe tastiest) shortcut to the transportation area out of the cruise complex!

Be polite as you cut through the shop and maybe promise to stop on your way back for a creamy gelato.

3.   Once you’re on the other side of Amorino’s, you’re getting closer to the taxi and rental area.   Plus you’ve avoided at least another dozen shops that try to lure you inside to buy.

PRO TIP:   Some of these locally owned shops have wonderful items, including unique turquoise and sterling silver jewelry, so plan to have some time to browse or shop on your way back to the ship.

4. Here’s what you’ll see as you approach the taxi area.   Yes, you’re in the right place…it’s undergoing some improvements so don’t mind the appearance. Keep walking…

Here’s where you can rent a golf cart or hire a taxi. The trolley and/or shuttle are currently not operating, at least not when I was there.

Take a Taxi or Golf Cart to the Beach

You can take a $8 taxi ride (that’s per taxi for one or more people) to anywhere in Mahahual. Or you can rent a golf cart for the day.

The current rate for a golf cart is $60 for a four-seater or $80 for a golf cart for 6 people for the entire day.

The golf cart rental company employees are wearing red shirts, thus the company name, Red Shirt Golf Carts!

A reader recently emailed me that you now need to make a reservation if you want to rent a golf cart! You can Google them and call Mayahual Red Shirts Golf Cart rentals to reserve your golf cart.

5.   Take a taxi to 40 Canons/Cuarenta Cañones/40 Canones.

Tell whomever is driving that you want to go to 40 Canons Hotel or in Spanish, simply, Cuarenta Cañones. It’s a 10-15 minute ride until you reach the last stop at the end of the road. The town is actually Mahahual.

The driver will stop at the entrance to the hotel. Enter the whitewashed breezeway at 40 Cañones and walk towards the beach. You can’t miss it.

And Then There’s This – 40 Cañones Beach Club

and this…

Spend the day on the beach – there are several beach clubs along this stretch of promenade. All charge a fee.

Pez Quadro , the Beach Club at 40 Cañones, has an All You Can Drink package that also includes a meal, wifi and lounge chair for $85 per person. 

There’s also an all you can drink non-alcoholic package with the same amenities for only $45 per person. That’s a bargain price for sure. The food at the hotel is excellent.

Add a lobster meal and it will cost more; $119 and $60 respectively. 

Where I Prefer to Eat Lunch

Personally, I always go to the outdoor dining area at the hotel for a fabulous lunch. At 40 Canons you can choose Italian or Mexican. The owners are Italian and serve traditional Italian meals.

I love the shrimp fajitas. Guacamole is awesome, too…everything there is good. A full lunch with a drink will run from $12 to $30 depending of course if you order a fresh-caught lobster or a cheese quesadilla.

If you go with the Pez Quadro Beach Package, one dish is included in the rates.

After lunch, I like to take a walk along the promenade then head back to the hotel and the beach club.

You’ll find the beach and town quiet, peaceful and pretty much undeveloped.

When it’s time to head back to your ship (be sure to allow at least a full hour) just walk back to the road through the hotel. Taxis are usually available, but leave enough time just in case you have to wait.

As you drive back to Costa Maya (for a short distance it’s a different route) look for these rainbow-colored cabanas.

Once back at the cruise port, just follow the crowds out towards the pier. You can buy any last minute souvenirs from the hundreds of stalls and shops at the complex. Or that gelato I mentioned earlier!

Too tired to walk? Take the complimentary trolley back to your ship.

Seriously….You Could Have This…

Or You Could Have This…It’s Your Vacation

The beautiful beaches of Costa Maya, Mexico. One heck of a cruise port!

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82 comments.

Hi Jennifer, thanks SO much for your positive feedback. Much appreciated. I’m so glad that you enjoyed your stay in Costa Maya and especially at Pez Quadro! And thank you for taking the time to write about your experience after your cruise. Happy cruising! Sherry

We just followed you plan for Pez Quadro a few weeks ago and it was perfect. The cabs were easy to find, the beach was great and the food was delicious. Thank you so much! We are going on the same cruise next year and will do this again.

I’ve been in Costa Maya once on a cruise to see the Mayan ruins. If I were on a ship that stopped there again, I’d probably stay on board.

Hi Whitney, Thank you for your glowing comment…really made my day! While the Mayan ruins certainly are interesting to see, sometimes you just need to sit on a beach and relax. I totally get it! Thank you for signing up for my newsletter, too. I hope to get an Icon of the Seas review asap. Happy travels and Cheers to the pina colada! Sherry

Hi cruise maven! Im not really into things like this but i read your article (above) for about 3 minutes and thought, oh my goodness this is the kind of right to the point with specific information I need and what she says….she gets ME. You hit the nail on the head. Mayan ruins …. great if you want to sit on the bus but I want to be on the beach drinking a beer or pina colada, with my wife snorkeling or swimming or doing nothing in a bathing suit! Thanks for being here and I will pay attention. FYI, next cruise is the Icon of the Seas, November, 2025 (we just got back from a Caribbean cruise in December) Hopefully by then you will have some feedback about the Icon of the Seas or its sister ships. I signed up for your newsletter and …Thanks again!

Hi Anita, Yes, I was there late last year and updated the post to reflect the changes I noticed that happened since 2018. I hope I did not miss anything that also needed an update.

Have you been back here since 2018?

Hi Penny, Thank you for reading my article and taking the time to ask your question. It all would depend on the amount of time that your Mayan ruins tour lasts. So without knowing that information, all I can suggest is to allow 45 minutes each way from cruise complex to Pez Quadro, based on taxi availability. How much time you plan to spend in Mahahual is up to you of course. Thanks again and have a terrific cruise and day in Costa Maya.

how much time does it typically take to do this? We would like to do this after visiting the mayan ruins.

Hi Bill, I’d check with your ship’s shore excursions – they’ll have all the other types of things to do besides eat. Thank you for your question and reading my article. Have a great trip!

Hi Kathy, Thanks for reading my article. I’ve never known it to be necessary to reserve at Pez Quadro, but if you’d like to ensure a space, you can reserve a package on their website at https://www.pezquadrocostamaya.com/ . If you’re not interested in a package with lunch and/or alcohol, then you could just walk up and, unless everyone on your ship is there, I would like to think that you could pay when you get there. Have a wonderful day in Costa Maya! And thanks again for reading the article.

Hi Sherry thanks for the information on Costa Maya. Do you know if you have to have a reservation for the beach club next to the hotel, or can you just walk in? Our ship doesn’t dock until 1 pm so I’m not sure what we will want to do since it will be getting dark around 6.

i’D LIKE TO DO MORE THAN EAT! Any info on snorkleing, swimming, etc?

We will be in Costa Maya in June. We were told to rent a golf cart and go to the end of the road an check out several of the beach locations as we head back. They have always felt safe there and said the experience is great. Have you tried this? We do have a golf cart reserved but want to make sure it’s a good option before we get there. Excited to explore!

Hi, Sorry to read about your unfortunately experience in Costa Maya. I don’t know what cruise line or hotel was included in your shore excursion, but it sounds awful. You should have been told to wear water shoes at the beach as the shore line can be very rocky and have shells. As for the military showing up, it’s not uncommon. In fact, the other day I heard there was some trouble in Mahahual, so that could account for the police presence.

I hope you brought your complaint to the shore excursion staff and hopefully received a refund or onboard credit. Mahahual is a quaint fishing town with some good restaurants and beach-y hotels.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I was in Costa Maya a couple weeks ago. If you do not leave the Port it is beautiful. However, we chose to leave the port and take what they called the “beach excursion”. We had been to Belize the day before so were excited to visit the beaches at Costa Maya. DON’T !!!! It cost us $80 a piece to go on the “beach excursion” and I have to tell you it was terrible. We took a tour bus, best part of trip. On the way to the beach there was not but run down buildings and garbage everywhere. When we got to the “resort”, there were old mattresses and garbage all around. The smell well it was horrible. However, we were stuck there, tour bus could not return to ship. So here we are stuck there! We walk inside and the sea grass and rocks were so horrible that you couldn’t get in the water if you wanted to. But I wouldn’t have wanted to anyhow because you have to PAY to use the bathroom. So you know the people that were going in the water were going for one reason. The vendors aggrevate you until you just can’t take it anymore and lose your cool. I had the same lady ask me 7 times if I wanted my hair braided. My hair is 2 inches long. NO NO NO I don’t. I finally had to get rude. It was free drinks all day ! The menu said the drinks had alcohol in them but the did not ! I was to afraid to try the food that the place was just nasty ! When we were finally able to LEAVE the beach. We saw trucks with guys in the back of them with face mask and machine guns. We that can’t be safe! In conclusion, for now, stay away from Costa Maya!

Hi Brooke, Thank you for reading my article about Costa Maya. Yes, shopkeepers and taxis will gladly accept US dollars. In fact, that can give you a little bit of a bargaining point when shopping. Be sure to have small bills, too. I hope you have a wonderful time!

Thank you for your helpful post! I have a question about paying for a taxi and the entrance fee to 40 Cannons. Do they accept US Dollars for payment or do we need to use pesos? Also, ca we use dollars to purchase items from the tourist shop?

Hi Sallie, Thank you for reading my article and taking the time to ask your question. I was in Costa Maya a few months ago and did not see any bicycle rentals at the cruise complex or outside of it. If it was me, even if there were bicycles to rent, I would not rent one. But that’s my personal opinion. Once you get to Costa Maya and leave the cruise complex, you may see bike rentals, but again, I did not. Enjoy Costa Maya whatever way you choose to explore and spend the day. Have a fun cruise!

Thank you for the informative blog on what to do in Costa Maya. I will be there in March with my two grown children and am wondering if there is a good bike rental option (instead of golf cart or taxi) located near the cruise ship landing.

Hi Fernando, Thank you very much for taking the time to recap your experience. I’m really happy to know that everything worked out as planned. I’ve eaten at the hotel many times and have not been disappointed. I’m not a big fan of shrimp, so I have ordered other dishes and none have disappointed. Costa Maya, in my opinion, is just a relaxing day at the beach, away from the over-crowded cruise center and not spending hours on a motor coach. I’m glad it worked out for you. Thanks again for your comment. Much appreciated.

Had a fun time with the family today. Instructions were easy to follow and made everything seamless. A few notes from my experience…. hailing a cab can be a bit caotic as they are not that organized. Also, not sure what changed but today they were charging $4 per person per trip to go to 40 canones. Perhaps not exactly a surprise but path to and beaches were not really clean which was sad to see. I hope the locals can straighten things up a bit to enhance the experience. By the way I did look for trash cans at the beach and there were none found where we were. Dining at 40 Canones was good but not great with rustic and well priced food. Bottom line it was still an awesome experience and we would do that again in a hearbeat. The local feel at the beach was great. Definetly a better and much cheaper uption than the excursions sold by the cruise and others.

Hi Kim, Thank you for the update. I’ve added the Mayahual Red Shirts info to the article. Thank you very much for taking the time to let me know so I can update the info. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Good morning. We are currently in costa Maya and I just wanted to bring it to your attention that the golf cart rental have to have a reservation.

Hi Janice, Thank you SO much for your kind words. I’m really happy that my directions to the taxi area, short-cut and more were helpful to you. I have to agree that I’d rather spend a day at 40 Canons than take a shore excursion in Costa Maya…or spend the day anywhere else! They have it all. And thank you for taking the time to submit your comment upon your return. Hopefully, it will help others, too. Much appreciated!

I followed your instructions (and pictures!)! This was my most memorable day on my cruise. 40 Cannons was lovely. Beautiful beach, precious people, very peaceful. Your directions with the pictures and taxi costs were the BEST. This was the best ‘excursion’ by far. Thank you Sherry, it helped so much!

Hi Alison, I apologize for this late reply as your cruise departure day is so close. I was just in Costa Maya two weeks ago and I’m in the process of a completely updated post.

Unfortunately, the trolley is no longer running. However, for your group of 6 people, there are golf carts for rent for 4 or 6 passengers. The company is Red Shirt rentals and you’ll find them in back of the cruise complex, as I describe in the article. The cost is $80 for the entire day. They’ll give you a map of where you can and cannot go (where the roads end).

The beach club at 40 Canones, Pez Quadro, has a fee and you can purchase a day pass online ( https://www.pezquadrocostamaya.com/ ) on their website or when you get there. As for “free” public beaches…there are a few between the cruise port and 40 Canones. You’d probably be better with paying for a day pass just to have a chair and umbrella, plus a meal and/or alcohol. Keep in mind that much of the shoreline can be a bit rocky, or have a lot of shells that make walking barefoot uncomfortable. Aqua shoes are a good solution. Depending on weather and time of year, there can be a lot of seaweed that washes up to the shoreline, too.

There are other beach clubs along the Costa Maya shore, but I have not ventured all the way out there. Chunky Monkey seems to have good reviews but it’s not affiliated with a hotel like 40 Canones.

I hope you get this information before your cruise! I hope to post the update on Monday, Nov. 7.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my article and send your question. Have a wonderful cruise!

Hi Kristie, Thank you for reading my Costa Maya article. I was just in Costa Maya two weeks ago and I’m in the process of a thorough update to the post. Since the pandemic, the tram/trolley is no longer running. Instead, there are only taxis and golf carts for rent.

A taxi would be your best way to get to Mahahual. While I totally understand your comfort level, it is possible to find others to share the taxi ride. For the return, you’d either be on your own, or from 40 Canones, you could walk along the wide Maleçon (promenade/sidewalk) to find others waiting for a taxi. For me two weeks ago, I stayed onboard the ship until almost everyone went ashore. When I walked to the taxi area, there were some people with whom I could have shared an air-conditioned taxi. I chose not to only because I didn’t want to get into a small car with other cruisers and I didn’t have a mask with me. Otherwise, I would have gone. It’s $8 per trip (not per person) is what I was told.

The taxis are regulated (there’s a dispatcher) and in a queue for passengers.

I’ve always felt safe taking a taxi alone in Costa Maya (and Cozumel), but again, I completely understand the concerns of traveling as a solo female in a foreign country.

I’ll have all the updated info and new photos posted hopefully by tomorrow (Monday).

Thank you again for reading my article and I hope the update will help clarify any questions you may have about getting to Mahahual.

You said that you can take a tram to the hotel. Can you take the tram back to the port? I don’t know if I’m am comfortable riding alone in a taxi.

I’m so happy I came across your article, I’m going on a cruise next week and we are stopping at Costa Maya for a day, my husband and 4 children ages 6-11. We dock at 12:30 to 7pm so i’m just looking for a little trip to the beach with the kids to do some beach combing, play in the sand and back to the boat for dinner. I plan on taking the trolley there as it sounds really fun for the kids. I have a few questions I hope you might be able to answer.

Is the beach you mentioned public? Can I access it without having to go to 40 Canones Beach Club?

Does the trolley take you back to the cruise ship pier or do you have to take a taxi (there are 6 of us)?

Thank so much for any more advice or tips you can give me.

Hi Christine, Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m heading to Costa Maya as I’m typing this, so I’ll look for the Crazy Lobster! I don’t know if it is in Mahahual or at the cruise port center, but I’ll do my best to find it! As for a beach without a fee…there’s a very small beach area at the cruise port (a dip your toe in the water size beach) but you have to get to Mahahual to find the nicer beaches. Most if not all are not smooth sand into the water so bring aqua shoes. The beaches at Mahahual depend a lot on the weather for either rocks to walk over, too much kelp or smooth sand.

If I find Crazy Lobster, I’ll let you know! Thanks very much for reading my blog posts! It’s much appreciated. Have a wonderful cruise!

HI Sherry, I love your blogs! I have just consumed all your information for Cozumel and Costa Maya. I cruise there next month. I also subscribed to your newsletters. I do have two questions about Costa Maya. Have ever eaten at the Crazy Lobster and if so, how was it? Is there a free beach I can enjoy? THANK YOU! Christine

Sorry you had such an awful experience. 40 Cañones is a hotel and restaurant. Across the sidewalk is Pez Quadro, the beach club for the hotel. And yes, the beach club has different prices. A day package with unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, one entrée, lounge chair and wifi is $45 USD. If you want all you can drink plus the same other amenities, then it’s $85 USD. Add lobster and the first package then becomes $65; the second package with booze and lobster etc. is $119.

So if your taxi driver said $65, that would be for the non-alcoholic package with lobster, lounge chair and wifi. I have no clue why you were charged $10 tax on your $26 meal!

I always just go to the hotel for their wonderful restaurant, walk the promenade, head back to the hotel and get a taxi.

Maybe your next visit to Mahahual will be better. Thank you for taking the time to read my article and send your comment.

Asked taxi driver to take us to 40 Cannons Beach. He said they charge $65 per day. He suggested another place, $15 pp per day. What a rip off. Food bill $26 plus $10 tax plus tip. I argued a bit about $10 tax, to no avail. Came back by taxi (now $4). Cimplained to taxi fellow about $10 tax. They are sorry. Is it true the 40 Cannons charges $65 to get in?????

Hi Ali, Thank you so much for taking the time and remembering to come back to my site for your comment! I’m really glad to hear that the restaurant is still top-notch and I’m looking forward to a revisit as soon as I can. Again, thank you! Sherry

Thanks for recommendations. The lunch at 40 Canones was delicious!

Hi Jeff, Thanks for reading this article. I agree…there are more things to do in Costa Maya. My objective with this particular article was to delineate the over-crowded cruise ship complex from a day in relaxing Mahahual. I will work on a new article for Costa Maya with more to do there. Thank you for the suggestion. Much appreciated.

There are quite a few more things to do than sit on a beach! Please cover some of those too.

Hi Jen, Thanks very much. I just replied to a comment yesterday that the breezeway cut-through could be blocked. Now it’s confirmed. I guess too many people figured out the short cut and bypassed the shops and vendors. Thank you very much for the update. I’ll add it to the article in an update. I hope you had a good day in Costa Maya.

FYI: As of two days ago, that pass through next to the stairs is closed!! You must walk all the way around to get a taxi or golf cart. Use the map the ship gives you to find the taxi area.

Hi Lesley, Thank you for reading my article. Yes, there is a fee for the beach club and its amenities. Pez Quadro is the Beach Club associated with 40 Canons Hotel. There’s a link to Pez Quadro in my article where you can book your day pass. My day in Costa Maya means lunch outdoors at 40 Canons and then a leisurely walk along the pathway, turn around and walk back to the hotel for a taxi back to the port. But the Beach Club is a good value with several inclusions (lunch and drinks, wifi, etc) to choose. Just be sure to leave a couple of hours or so for your return to the ship. Someone emailed me to say that at the cruise complex, the little cut-through breezeway that I mention in a photo now has a vendor booth or something in front of it? But it’s easy to find the taxi rank or the trolley.

Have a wonderful cruise and a perfect day in Costa Maya! Thank you again for reading and taking the time for your question.

So there is no charge to use their beach? We will be there next week as a port of call and am not interested in any of the cruise line excursions. I just was a beach and a local place to eat and can go back to ship whenever I want to. Thanks for this info!!

Hi Stacy, Thank you so much for your email! I’m so glad you enjoyed your time in Costa Maya. It is a beautiful place. Also, thanks for reading my article and taking the time to write after your cruise. It’s much appreciated! I look forward to my next cruise that includes Costa Maya! Happy Travels!

Was at Costa Maya last week. It’s absolutely beautiful!

Hi Tammy, Thank you very much for your kind words. It sounds like you’ll have a wonderful family cruise vacation! For Costa Maya, and considering how many people are in your group and the expanse of ages, this may be one of the few times I recommend a ship’s shore excursion or possibly through a 3rd party. Though in your case, just going with the ship’s tour would be the simplest plan, IMO.

Personally, I like to just spend the day having lunch on the beach in Mahahual, just a short taxi ride from the port. But with your group, an air-conditioned motor coach ride to one of the three Mayan ruins could have something for everyone. Most tours include time at a beach as well. And people can nap on the drive back to the port! Have a wonderful cruise! And thanks again for writing.

Hello Sherry, Thank you for your blog.. Our family will be taking a cruise in April 2022 to Costa Maya. At this time there will be approximately 15 of us. Do you have any suggestions, we have age group from 3 18 year olds to 77 yrs young…. TIA for any advice or suggestions you may have. Tammy

Hi Maureen, Thank you for your question. Yes, there is a fee for a day pass to 40 Canons Beach Club. Adults prices range from $45 USD to $85 USD depending upon the type of pass – alcoholic or non. Pez Quadro is part of the hotel. Personally, I’ve never used the beach club (the beaches in Costa Maya can be covered with seaweed) but I’ve had some outstanding meals at the hotel. I love Costa Maya and hope that you have a wonderful visit. Thank you again for your question and reading my article. Sherry

Sheri I’m looking for pricing to enter 40 canons beach club. Is there a price to enter the beach club? Is it per person or adults pay? I was also looking for a website for 40 canons but only found Pez Candro. Could you direct me where to look? Thanks!

Hi Jim, Thank you for taking the time to write and for reading my blog! Much appreciated. I’m not sure what you mean by “port experience”? Is this a Royal Caribbean shore excursion? There are options to purchase tours once you are in the cruise port pool complex but if there’s a trip that your really want to take, you might want to purchase it as soon as possible. Your travel agent or someone at Royal Caribbean should be able to find an answer to your port question. I’m familiar with spending time in Mahahual not a planned tour excursion. Sorry I can’t be of more help. It’s a wonderfully peaceful place to visit once you’re outside of the pool complex. Have a wonderful cruise! Sherry

Great blog, thanks for the information on Costa Maya. I will be visiting there next March with our granddaughter and wanted to know what the cost of the port experience should be. Royal wants about $40pp but can’t you purchase tickets once you get to the port area directly? And what if you only want to see the animals/birds, can you only do one thing?

Thanks, Jim

Hi Michael, Congratulations on your oldest graduating into high school – perfect time for a celebration cruise. You’re best bet is to read other comments online about Costa Maya. You can also contact a travel agent who can possibly arrange shore tours for you and your family.

The only change in my article is that the short-cut to the taxi at the Costa Maya cruise complex has been closed. Now you have to walk all the way around the complex to get to the taxi/trolley boarding area. Costa Maya is great if you want a simple beach day. But be aware that seaweed has been an ongoing issue along the entire stretch of Costa Maya beach and going into the water isn’t pleasant. This could of course change at any given moment.

Have a fabulous family cruise! Thank you very much for reading my articles and taking the time to write. Sherry

I am going to be going on a cruise and stopping in costa maya and want to make sure I’m well prepared for what we will be doing. We are going to be there the week of may 23 2020. I have 2 kids going 1 is 9 the other 13 and this is their first cruise. The 13 year old is going to graduate 8th grade so kind of a celebration and they both want to go to the beach. Can you email me some details so I can have everything in line for what we need to do and what to do so we are not spending that much money. Thank you for your time.

Hi Alan, Thank you very much for taking the time to write your comments. All excellent points. I am disappointed to learn that the little short cut by the stairs is no longer available. It was nice to escape the shopping mall en route to the taxi area.

Yes, I’ve read about the seaweed problem being an ongoing issue with no end in close sight. Personally, I rarely go into the water so thank you again for your report on the seaweed/sargassum and snorkeling. The few times I have, I remember the shoreline being rather rocky and full of shells.

I will work on an update to the article asap. Thank you again for your really great comments. Much appreciated. Sherry

Just a little feedback from our trip here on 7/11/19.

1-You can no longer pass under the stairs to the taxi area. They have walled that off so you have to go all the way through the mall area, out the back, through the parking lot/security and then you find the taxis. Everything went well with the taxis, no issues getting there or back.

2-This and some surrounding resorts are now part of some cruises excursions so it’s not as secluded as it once was. We still had no issue getting seated or anything along those lines, just worth noting.

3-The seaweed/sargassum is overrunning this beach all the way up and down. They were extending the fence offshore during our stay and attempting to keep up with removal but it was pretty thick and you had to go through it to get to the water.

4-Snorkeling off the beach was not worthwhile. You can go beyond the fence (make sure to pay attention when crossing just past there as it is the path the boats take to get in/out of the bay) but even that was just sand and sea grass, mostly conchs not really anything in the fish area. There is a stand right beside the chairs that will take you out on a boat to snorkel for a very reasonable rate but we did not try that during our stay.

5-You will experience numerous vendors passing through the seats trying to sell things. They are very friendly but also respectful if you indicate no interest they will not continue to pursue. You can haggle on price (we did buy a couple things) but I have no idea how to haggle so I’m sure they enjoyed me being there…

Food and drinks were good and staff was very nice. They were able to accommodate my eldest daughters Celiac (gluten allergy). The $20pp fee is adults only…I didn’t realize that so I was trying to eat and drink for 4 including my kids to reach my misunderstood $80 threshold which was only $40 (whoops), but no complaints as it was all very good. All in all it was good, just wanted to call out some items that have changed since the original column was written.

Hi Brenda, Thank you very much for your nice comment; much appreciated. I will try to add your email address to my newsletter list and I think you will receive a double-check email asking you to please reconfirm that you want to receive my newsletter. Then if you click “yes” you’ll be on the list. Thank you again! Have a wonderful cruise and visit to Costa Maya. Sherry

Thoroughly enjoyed reading your info on Costa Maya regarding upcoming cruise. If you have a Newsletter please sign me up!!

Hi DeOndra, Thank you for writing – it’s much appreciated. Since things change all the time, I would suggest that you contact the hotel direct. When I’ve been there, I’ve eaten lunch in the hotel restaurant (fabulous!) then walked across to the beach area and tipped the person for a chair. I’ve never tried the fishing excursion so I can’t advise on that one. Whatever you do, have a wonderful day in Costa Maya! Sherry

Hi there! My question is, if we pay for the all inclusive in advance, would we be eating in the actual 40 canons restaurant or just quesidallas off a menu in a lounge chair? I love the looks of the food and atmosphere of the actual restaurant . I would also like to know more about the fishing excursion that is mentioned in the Pez Quatro website, like how often do they really caught anything. Just trying to figure out the best option before November. Thank you!

Hi Trisha, It sounds like you have some good plans in place. For Mahahual, your kids can snorkel near the shore but while the water in Mahahual is usually calm, be aware that there could be a current or a rocky shoreline to wade through til it was deep enough. But everything else you’ve mentioned seems good. Yes, there are a lot of beach chairs and for a small gratuity I would think that the person collecting the entrance fees would rustle up 10 chairs for all of you to be near each other. I am not familiar with making reservations ahead of time to reserve lounge chairs. If you are referring to just staying at the cruise complex, then rounding up 10 chairs near each other could be interesting. I hope this was helpful. Have a wonderful family cruise. Sherry

Hi! Going next month and my kids love to Snorkel (11& 15yrs old). Can they swim out some and snorkel or would you recommend we find an excursion to do that? As of now plans are just to do lunch, little shopping and hangout at the beach. Also, are there always beach chairs to rent on beach? Can I reserve in advance? It’s a party of 10 and I want to make sure we can all sit together. Thanks!

Hi Esteban, Good question. Aside from going to Mahahual on your own, I wouldn’t suggest venturing out of the town limits without being on some kind of a group tour. You can have a really nice day in Mahahual without spending a lot of money on a full day tour to the Mayan ruins -though they are really beautiful and amazing to see. If you rent a golf cart, there’s not much to do with it after a couple of hours. Puerto Costa Maya is just a recreation complex and the ride to Mahahual is only 10 – 15 minutes away.

I’d suggest taking either the $3 dollar trolley or a taxi down to 40 Canons, have lunch, relax at the beach and stroll along the promenade. Either way, have fun! Thanks for your question. Sherry

Going there in April but would like to deep more in the area….is the area big & secure??? Also, besides the golf carts are there any other options to move a little more??? Going with my parents and want to explore a little more…thanks!!!

Hi Liliana, Lucky you…Costa Maya is one of my favorite ports. You could follow the suggestions in the article and you can read the positive comments from readers. Have fun! Sherry

we are going for first time to Costa Maya, we are very exiting after I read all these comments,, we love the beach and w e are looking to relax in a pretty beach very clear where you can really relax, and enjoy the ocean and have some appetizers and a refreshing drink, where do you recommended to go?

Hi Dale, I’m SO glad everyone had a great time in Costa Maya and that my advice and directions worked! I totally agree that I’d also like to spend a 3-4 laid-back days in Mahahual at 40 Cannons. The food at Maramao is excellent and the ambiance is so very easy.

Thank you for sharing your follow-up for Costa Maya. If you don’t mind, may I take a part of your comment to use on my website? Just a little blurb in the sidebar. I would only use your first name and last initial. I hope you’ll approve, but if not, I totally understand.

Regards, Sherry

We followed your advice and glad we did. Cab ride to 40 Cannons was $8 for our group of 4. We checked out the area and two people had 45 minute massages for $20 each. We had lunch at Maramao. Very good and run by great people. Lobster and fish dishes as well as Italian. Prices were very reasonable and gave us access to the beach. We would not have found this place without your recommendation. I would consider going back to this place for a longer stay.

Hi DeeDee, Good question. There are “free” beaches but if you want a lounge chair, you’ll pay a fee. Since you’re planning on a drink and a snack, that would surely take care of the cover charge. I’d suggest taking the trolley to the end at 40 Canones (why not have lunch and a drink there?) and then walk the promenade until you find whatever appeals to you. Have a wonderful time. Sherry

Hi Sherry, we will be at Costa Maya/Mahahual with a cruise. We want to go by trolley to Mahahual. Is there a part of the beach without paying a fee? Or a bar where you can just can have a drink and a small snack?

Hi Sarah, I always have lunch at 40 Canones and then just go across the pavement to the beach. If you only want to use the beach then yes, there would be a fee. Have fun!

Is there a fee to get in? I read in one post there is a meal and drink package?

For a family, a day at the beach in Costa Maya is a good option, as long as you purchase beach chairs with shade. While most of the shoreline is smooth sand, depending on weather, current etc, aqua shoes are a good idea in case of a pebbly shore as you walk into the water. Meals and snacks are available along the promenade and you can sit and enjoy a nice lunch at 40 Canones. Though with a 2 yr old, I don’t know how relaxing it might for you! Actually, in thinking this through, your best and simplest bet might be to just spend the day at the cruise ship venue, right there at the port. Easy to push a buggy, you can find shade, there’s a kids pool area and you can head back to the ship much easier. Looking back to when my kids were small (first cruise at 5 and 7), the simpler I kept activities, made for an easier and more pleasant cruise experience.

Have a wonderful cruise! Sherry

We are heading here in March. We are a family with smaller children (2-13), and was wondering if this would be a great place to come as a family? There aren’t a lot of options through the cruise line. I am more worried about missing our boarding time, since it’s early afternoon!

Have fun! I love Costa Maya. Enjoy your lunch at 40 Canones and save time to walk along the promenade, too. If you think of it, please drop me a note when you return and let me know how it all worked. Thank you! Bon Voyage! Sherry

We will be there in August. I am so excited to try this out.

Hi Mary Ann,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such a nice note. I’m happy that you and everyone enjoyed their day at 40 Canons. It’s one of my favorite self-made cruise days! If you don’t mind, may I use your first three sentences as a quote/testimonial? I will only include your first name (I don’t know your last name.) Thank you again for your note (it made my day!) and I hope you’ll approve. Sherry

My husband and I and another couple followed these instructions last week when our cruise ship stopped in Costa Maya. This was one of the best days we ever had. We followed your directions and had no problems. We never saw the little makeshift table you spoke of to get a ride on the trolley or taxi but there were a lot of people there who spoke English that could get us a taxi. The taxi was $2 a person. The taxi driver understood Forty Canons easily and we had printed out the paper to show him in case he didn’t. When we got to Forty Canons, we were so pleased. It is a beautiful resort. It sits on a promenade where you can take a leisurely stroll and looks at the wares that the locals were selling. It was very easy to negotiate a price when we wanted to buy something. We were greeted by one of the beach attendants who spoke English. He said the beach chair and umbrella was $20. We told him no, we would pay $10 so he said ok. He let us pick out where we wanted to sit. It was not crowded at all and had a wonderful scenic place to sit. The water was crystal clear and the beach was nice. There are locals who walk around trying to sell you stuff but when you just shake your head no they smile and leave you alone. It was not a problem. The attendants on the beach are there to serve you drinks and lunch if you want to order anything. It was not expensive at all and the drinks were delicious. It was very easy getting a cab back to the ship. There were many outside the hotel. All in all, we loved everything about the day.

Hi John, That plus some good food and you’re right! The beaches are gorgeous, too. Sherry

any place off the beach with good snorkling

Hi Christina, Happy 10th anniversary! If you follow the directions in the article, you should have a pretty easy time getting to Mahahual and the beach. When you get to 40 Canons Hotel, you can ask anyone about renting a beach chair with them. Otherwise, you can cut through to the beach and walk along the promenade until you find a location you like. Bring US cash in small bills, too. Have a great time in Costa Maya! Sherry

We are headed here next week. Do I need any type of reservation or do I just walk in? I don’t speak Spanish well so I’m nervous. I want to have a great relaxing day as it’s my 10 year wedding anniversary the day we will be there. How do you get a seat on the beach? Just walk up and pick one or do they give you one

Hi Paula, Please contact a travel agency in your area or if that is not convenient, contact the cruise line directly and they can send a brochure. Sherry

Need liturature for your cruises to Alaska my address is Pau, Corning,box1i3, ap,Arkansas,72422t. 1la Rogerssend me literature on your cruises .

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What to do in Costa Maya Cruise Port? 18 Exciting Excursions

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Welcome to the Caribbean! The Costa Maya Cruise Port is one of the most fantastic and sought-after destinations.

With its pristine beaches, lush jungles, and ancient Mayan ruins, it’s not surprising that it has become a favorite spot for visitors from all over the world.

However, there are so many amazing things to do in this Caribbean port that you may not know where to start!

From visiting stunning archaeological sites to swimming with dolphins in crystal-clear waters, there are plenty of activities that will make your time here unforgettable.

So if you’re looking for an exciting and enjoyable cruise experience, read on as we explore some of the best things to do in Costa Maya Mexico and the surrounding areas!

Best Things to do while in Costa Maya Cruise Port

Historical sites in costa maya.

Costa Maya, like many areas in this area, is rich in Mayan History . While you are in port, you might consider exploring these ancient ruins and learning more about their culture.

We visited Altun Ha in Belize and it was a wonderful experience. Even my kids enjoyed exploring the ruins.

1. Chacchoben

If you’re looking for a unique experience, head to the nearby Chacchoben Ruins. These impressive ruins are just a short drive away from the cruise port and will let you explore some of the ancient temples and artifacts that were left behind by the Mayans hundreds of years ago.

Chacchoben Ruins are about 50 minute drive from the cruise port, so it’s best to take a tour.

This is one of the most popular tours of Chacchoben. It includes air-conditioned transportation to the ruins and a guide to point out all of the highlights and has a “back to the ship” guarantee.

➡️ Book a Tour to Chacchoben Here

2. Kohunlich Ruins

Kohunlich Ruins are some of the oldest Mayan ruins in Costa Maya and make for an interesting day trip.

This archaeological site features various plazas and structures, as well as large masks carved into stone.

You can also find hieroglyphs throughout the area that tell a story about this ancient culture.

Kohunlich is about two hours from the cruise port, so it’s best to take a tour.

This Kohunlich shore excursion will include round-trip transportation by air-conditioned coach and an expert guide who will provide all the information you need about this fascinating archaeological site.

➡️ Book This Kohunlich Ruins Tour

3. Fuerte San Felipe, Bacalar

Fort Bacalar is an amazing place to visit when you are in Costa Maya. It was built over 250 years ago and has stories of pirates, Mayans, and Spanish settlers.

It is full of history and secrets that you can explore while there.

➡️ Book a Bacalar Tour Here

Beaches in Costa Maya

If you don’t want to take a history tour, that’s ok, because there is still plenty more to do in Costa Maya.

If you are looking for a day in the sun and warm Caribbean sea, check out these beaches near the Costa Maya Cruise Port:

4. Mahahual Beach

Mahahual Beach is a great spot for snorkeling, swimming, and relaxing. With its white sand and crystal-clear water, this beach will make you feel like you’re in paradise. Plus, there are plenty of restaurants and bars along the beach for when you need to take a break

This is the closest beach to the cruise port, and therefore is definitely the most crowded, so if you are looking for isolation or peace and quiet, this isn’t the beach for me. If you take a tour while in port, you will likely end up at Mahaual Beach at the end of your tour.

5. Maya Chan Beach

Book a day at Maya Chan and you won’t regret it – despite being the farthest beach away from the Costa Maya cruise port, this beach’s top-rated option provides plenty of activities to make up for it.

You have to book a reservation at Maya Chan similar to a shore excursion and they will reserve a cabana for you.

The Maya Chan team will collect you at the port and take you back when it’s time to depart, a journey of approximately 20 minutes.

Relax and soak up the sun in your own private cabana, complete with two comfortable chairs, a bed, and even a hammock. Plus – they will deliver delicious food and drinks right to you! (Chips, salsa, Guacamole, Rum punch).

Indulge in an impressive taco buffet for lunch, and enjoy a selection of specialty drinks from the bar all day long!

The beach’s staff works diligently to ensure that the seagrass is cleared from the shoreline, thus allowing you to take full advantage of the beach. If you prefer, you can hang out in their freshwater pool.

They also have kayaks, snorkel gear, and floating beach mats for use and will deliver you drinks by kayak while you are in the water.

6. YaYa Beach

YaYa Beach is a great spot if you want to get away from it all. The secluded beach is located in the Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, and there are no crowds here.

You can enjoy snorkeling , kayaking, swimming, or just relaxing under one of the many palapas on the shoreline. It’s a great spot to enjoy the Caribbean sunshine and nature!

Just a 10-minute ride away from the cruise port, Yaya beach is readily accessible via taxi or shuttle for around $4 per person to and from Costa Maya.

One drawback to this beach option is the numerous local vendors trying to sell things to you throughout the day.

You can purchase a day pass for YaYa Beach with different options with a $5 deposit.

7. Seven Colors Lagoon

Also known as Bacalar Lagoon, the Seven Colors Lagoon is a must-see for those looking for something truly unique. The Mayans called this place Siyan Ka’an Bakjalal, which means “place surrounded by reeds where the sky is born.”

It’s said that there are seven distinct shades of blue in the water, from deep-sea indigo to sunset violet.

This amazing sight can be reached by boat, taking approximately 25 minutes from the Costa Maya port. Here you can snorkel, swim, and explore the different colors of the lagoon.

You can also take a tour with a guide or rent a kayak to explore the area on your own. Make sure to bring plenty of sun protection and snacks!

➡️ Book a Tour to Seven Colors Lagoon by clicking here

8. Pez Quadro Beach Club

To experience one of the most beautiful beaches in Mahahual, take advantage of this day pass to gain access and revel in the Pez Quadro Beach Club, located at 40 Cañones Hotel.

In addition to your day of beachside bliss, get exclusive access to a complimentary open bar and 1-course lunch, luxury lounge chairs, sparkling bathrooms, and showers, plus Wi-Fi.

➡️ Book A Day Pass at Pez Quadro Beach Club with no deposit necessary

Water Activities near Costa Maya Cruise Port

Are you looking to be near the water, but still be active and try something fun? You’re in luck, there is plenty to do in Costa Maya.

9. Free Swimming Pool

Just like Grand Turk , at the cruise port, you can swim in a large saltwater pool at no cost. There is music, food, drinks, and a lively atmosphere to enjoy without leaving the port.

It is a great place for cruise passengers to hang out for the day, and you can either lounge in a beach chair or order drinks from the swim-up bar.

10 Dolphin Discovery

If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, check out Dolphin Discovery. The facility offers the opportunity to swim with dolphins and explore the natural beauty of Costa Maya.

With the Maya Chan team’s expertise, visitors can learn about local marine life, enjoy a variety of delicious food and drinks, and relax and soak up the sun in hammocks on the beach.

At Dolphin Discovery , visitors can take part in Dolphin Encounter, Royal Swim, and Special Swims activities. Guests will also receive exclusive access to a private beach and lagoon where they can relax after swimming with dolphins.

11. Snorkel

The clear blue water off the coast of Costa Maya is perfect for snorkeling! With an abundance of coral reefs and sea life, you will be sure to have a wonderful time exploring this aquatic paradise.

Snorkel equipment is available for rent from local vendors, or visitors can take part in snorkeling tours with experienced guides who will show them the best spots in Costa Maya’s waters.

➡️ Book a Snorkeling Tour Here!

If you haven’t heard of snuba, it’s a combination of Scuba Diving and Snorkeling. You can explore the depths of the sea while still getting to experience the beauty of Costa Maya’s underwater world.

Snuba tours take place in a safe, shallow environment and are ideal for those who want to explore deeper than traditional snorkeling but do not have the experience or desire to go scuba diving.

If you are already dive certified, consider booking a guided dive tour while visiting Costa Maya. Professional dive instructors can take you to some of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean.

From underwater Cenotes and caves to coral gardens and rock formations, you will see it all while exploring Costa Maya’s underwater world.

➡️ Book a Dive Tour Here !

14. Power Snorkel

Power snorkeling is a super fun way to explore the underwater world. With a powerful motorized scooter, you can zip around the lagoon or explore deeper waters while snorkeling.

The Power Snorkel tour takes place in the crystal-clear waters of Costa Maya and is perfect for those who want to explore further than traditional snorkeling.

15. Boat Tour

For the ultimate in luxury, consider booking a catamaran tour. Getting out on the water is a wonderful way to enjoy a day in Costa Maya.

With a catamaran tour, you will get to relax in the sun for a few hours and enjoy all that Costa Maya has to offer. Enjoy amazing views of the coastline, delicious food, and drinks, plus swimming and snorkeling stops along the way.

➡️ This is the top rated boat tour in Costa Maya

16. Paddle Board, Kayak, or Jet Ski

If you want to explore the local coastline, why not rent a paddleboard, kayak, or jet ski? All of these are great ways to get out and about on the water.

Rentals are available from local vendors near the cruise port and offer easy access to the waters around Costa Maya. You can explore the coastline at your own pace, or join a guided tour for the ultimate experience.

Other things to do in Costa Maya on a Cruise

17. atv rides.

For a thrilling adventure, take an ATV tour of Costa Maya’s jungles and beaches. Enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the Mexican jungle as you make your way up and down the trails.

ATV tours can be booked from local vendors near the cruise port and offer an exciting way to explore Costa Maya.

This popular tour includes lunch and a beach break! Be sure and wear closed-toed shoes and a swimsuit under your clothes!

We did an ATV tour in Aruba and had so much fun!

➡️ Click Here to Reserve the best ATV Tour in Costa Maya

18. Take a Bike Tour

If you really want to get a feel for the area, consider taking a bike tour. There are 2 options available near the Costa Maya cruise port. You can rent a bicycle on your own, or join a guided tour.

➡️ Click Here to Check the Availability of Electric Bikes Or ➡️ Book a Guided Bike Tour Here

Costa Maya Cruise Port FAQ’s

Where is costa maya.

Costa Maya is located in Quintana Roo, Mexico along the Yucatan peninsula. It is a popular cruise port for western Caribbean itineraries and is visited by many cruise ships each year.

Do you need a shore excursion in Costa Maya?

While there are plenty of great shore excursions in Costa Maya, you can explore the area port area and use the pool area without an excursion.

Is there anything to do at the port in Costa Maya?

At the port, you can enjoy a plethora of activities such as swimming with dolphins, relaxing in an expansive pool, mingling at bars and clubs, indulging yourself with a massage or two, and lastly shopping for souvenirs.

Is there a beach within walking distance of the Costa Maya cruise port?

Mahahual is the closest beach to the port, but it is about a 40-minute walk. Your best bet is to take a taxi.

Is the pool free at Costa Maya cruise port?

Yes! The pool area at the Costa Maya port is free to use with no excursion necessary.

How far are the ruins from Costa Maya port?

Chacchoben Ruins are about 50 minutes from the Costa Maya Cruise Port.

How far apart are Cozumel and Costa Maya?

Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel are about 130 miles apart.

Why Costa Maya is so famous?

Costa Maya is known for having large Mayan Ruins.

Is Costa Maya a tender port?

No. The pier at Costa Maya is large enough to hold four cruise ships.

How do you get around Costa Maya?

The port area is walkable in Costa Maya, if you would like to venture further away, you can take a taxi or a tour.

What is the best beach close to Costa Maya port?

The closest beach to Costa Maya Port is Mahahual, and because of this, it becomes quite crowded. While it is beautiful, if you are looking for a peaceful beach, this may not be the best option for you.

Is there shopping in Costa Maya?

Yes! You can souvenir shop right at the cruise port in Costa Maya.

Is Costa Maya worth visiting?

I think everywhere is worth visiting at least once! Costa Maya has a little something for everyone, whether you are looking for adventure or relaxation, you can find it in Costa Maya.

Final Thoughts on Things to do at Costa Maya Cruise Port

In conclusion, there is something for everyone to do and enjoy at a Costa Maya Cruise. From exploring the ancient Mayan ruins to relaxing on the beach, Costa Maya has something for everyone.

Whether you’re looking for adventure and excitement or just want to relax and enjoy the scenery, you can find it at Costa Maya.

With its beautiful beaches, ancient history, and plenty of activities to choose from, a Costa Maya cruise will be an unforgettable experience.

Chantelle Kincy

Chantelle is a nationally syndicated travel writer, and travel advisor. An avid cruiser, Chantelle has explored many parts of the world through her travels. She is also a dedicated National Parks enthusiast and loves to hike in these beautiful locations. To further her expertise in the industry, Chantelle has taken numerous courses to become a specialist in various destinations, including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, and Alaska. Through her blog and advising business, Chantelle shares her love for travel and helps others plan their dream vacations.

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8 Things to Do in Costa Maya Mexico Port (The Best Costa Maya Cruise Excursions!)

Do you have a cruise stop in Costa Maya Mexico?  Are you looking for fun things to do in Costa Maya while on a cruise? Want to book an awesome Costa Maya cruise port excursion? 

Awesome! You are in the right spot! 

We just went on a family cruise to Costa Maya Mexico with Royal Caribbean on the Allure of the Seas . Costa Maya port was on our itinerary.  We were pretty excited to book an awesome Costa Maya Mahaual Mexico tour.

Our group was pretty big.  We had 22 people. We decided on a few Costa Maya shore excursions and divided and conquered. This gave us a little taste of what Costa Maya had to offer. 

In this post, we are going to list some of the best things to do in Costa Maya Mexico. This will include the best all-inclusive private beaches in Costa Maya and Costa Maya activities such as the Chacchoben ruins, Bacalar, snorkel excursions, and activities located right at the port of Costa Maya. 

Let's explore all of the best things to do in Costa Maya Mexico!

If you want to save this information for later be sure to pin this to Pinterest.

This post may contain affiliate links (Including Amazon) that will give me a commission at no additional charge to you. 

Where is Costa Maya Mexico?

If you have planned a cruise with a stop at the Costa Maya cruise port you might be wondering “Where is Costa Maya?”  

Costa Maya Mexico is on the Yucatan Peninsula.  It is 4-5 hours south of Cancun ,  just over 3.5 hours from Playa del Carman and Cozumel , and about 2.5 hours from Tulum. 

Although Costa Maya could be a day trip from Cancun or any of the major tourist sites, it is mostly enjoyed by cruisers. 

This entire coast is a major tourist area with all-inclusive day resorts and beautiful beaches.  The Costa Maya cruise port is a Caribbean hidden gem.

Costa Maya Mexico Cruise Port

Costa Maya Mexico cruise port was actually built just for cruisers. The port is owned by cruise lines.   Most locals who work here have to travel far to get to work.  

Costa Maya Port

Be excited if you have booked a cruise to Costa Maya Mexico! The Costa Maya port is nice! 

The Costa Maya port is almost like a resort with a huge pool at the center with lounge chairs and souvenir shops all around.

Cheap or Free Things to Do at Costa Maya Port

If you do not want to book a Costa Maya excursion you can hang out at the port. There are a few things that you can do without leaving the port.  We are going to explore a few of them! 

1. Salt Water Pool

The pool is free to all cruisers.  You can swim and relax on the beach chairs.  After you spend some time in the pool you can walk around and shop.  This Costa Maya activity is completely free! 

It was nice to just grab a chair and relax.  Depending on how many cruise ships are in port will determine how busy this pool is.  It is really a great Costa Maya excursion.  

2. Papantla Flyers

If you want to enjoy Mayan culture, you will want to see the Papantla Flyers.  This is absolutely free and located near the pool. 

There is a large pole in the center of Costa Maya Port where the sky-high dance ritual is performed.  

5 men climb almost 100 feet in the air to perform the ceremony.  One man sits in the middle playing a flute or drum. The other 4 men attach themselves to a rope and swing upside down.

It is quite impressive and a little scary to watch! 

3. Aviarius

The Aviarius does cost money.  This activity is included in the Port Pass (which must be purchased through the Cruiseline) The pass is something to consider if you want to do this activity and gives you the option to do a few more. 

Adults: $14

Children: $12 

The Aviarius extends across a bridge to a bird sanctuary. You will be able to see flamingoes and all kinds of exotic birds.  They will give you birdseed to attract them to you.  

My son loves birds.  This is something that we will do next time we visit Costa Maya.  

4. More Things to Do in Costa Maya Port Activities

• Maya Sanctuary
• Chocolate Tour
• Salsa Cooking Class
• Mexican Cooking Class
• Tequilla Tour
• Dolphin Swim

These are all fantastic things to do in Costa Maya! One thing that I really like about all of these options is that they a within walking distance of the cruise ship.  

Excursions in Costa Maya

If you booked your Costa Maya shore excursion through the cruise line, you will not have to walk very far.  There is a designated place where you can meet your Costa Maya tour guide and head off.  

Some members of our group did the Bacalar tour through the cruise line.  

My Costa Maya Cruise Research

As I did research, I found that booking through the cruiseline was much more expensive compared to booking through Viator .  

We had some reservations as most of the tours were hours away from the port. (Bacalar and the ruins)  If you book through the cruise line, if anything goes wrong they will hold the boat for you.  If you book through a third party you take your chances.

We had 22 people with us, so saving money won out for most of us  We booked our tour of the  Chacchoben ruins tour through Viator .  It was so much cheaper. Luckily, everything worked out and we made it back to the ship with plenty of time to spare!   

We were really impressed with our tour guide and company.  It was a fantastic experience. 

Getting to Costa Maya Excursions

Getting to the 3rd party Costa Maya tour companies in Costa Maya Port is a process.  You actually have to walk out of the port area.  It can take up to 20 minutes. 

5. Chacchoben Mayan Ruins

If you are interested in seeing the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins be ready for a drive! It is located about 42 miles away from the Costa Maya Port.  It took us about an hour to arrive.

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins 

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins are very well preserved.  You can even climb on some of the structures which is very cool. As a side note, I have been to Chichen Itza which is a New 7 Wonders of the World site. 

Chacchoben was not nearly as big as Chichen Itza but was still pretty cool.  The one thing that was tough was the humidity.  It was so hot.  We were so glad that the tour company had water bottles for us.

Our Family Costa Maya Experience

Another really cool thing about Chacchoben is the wild monkeys in all of the trees.   It was really fun watching them.  If you book a tour of Chacchoben you will have a guide that will tell you all about the culture and some of the neat archeological finds. 

We had a great time except for the fact that it is very  hot in August. Our younger kids (11 and 8) were dying and complaining.  At one point our daughter just sat down and didn't move for at least 20 minutes.  My son was more adventurous and climbed to the top of the ruins.  He loved it! 

Luckily, there is a beach stop after touring the Chacchoben ruins.  

6. Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon

Booking a Bacalar excursion from Costa Maya is what most of our extended family and a few of our kids decided to do. 

Bacalar Seven Seas Lagoon is gorgeous.  The blue water is beautiful. The tour included a boat ride and swim.  There was also a lunch provided.

It is about an hour away from the Costa Maya port.  Having booked through the cruiseline, we thought it was really expensive for what was offered on the tour.  We didn't have a ton of time to swim and then had to head back to the ship.  

My family had a fun time but next time I would book through Viator as it was 1/3 of the cost for the exact same tour.   

The advantage of booking the cruise line was you didn't have to walk a mile to get to the tour company, so keep that in mind if that is a concern.  

Overall this was a fun adventure on the beautiful blue waters of the lagoon.  We have a lot of teenagers and they loved it. 

7. Costa Maya Private Beach All-Inclusive

My father-in-law swears by an all-inclusive beach experience.  He said that booking a Costa Maya excursion to an all-inclusive beach was 100% the way to go.

He loved that the waiters would even walk out in the ocean to take your drink orders.  He felt like it was the best service he had ever experienced.  

There are lots of all-inclusive Costa Maya beach excursions some are good for families who just want a beach day and some are better for adults only.  

Fun Beach Things to do in Costa Maya

•   All-Incusive Beach Day at Los Arrecifes
• Maramoa Beach Party Day Pass
• Costa Maya Beach Break
• Day Pass to Pez Quadro
• Costa Maya Beach Break From Port
• Private Beach
• Costa Maya Excursion to Nacional Beach Club
• Costa May Excursion to La Chilangaloense

Any of these would be perfect if you want to just relax and enjoy the view! 

8. Costa Maya Snorkel or Scuba Diving from Mahahual

Mahahual is the closest beach to the Costa Maya port.  There are catamaran tours that will take you out and let you snorkel or scuba dive. You can also snorkel from the beach.  

There are lots of great options in this area.  The water is so blue and the visibility is fantastic! I am more of a snorkeller but scuba diving is also a great option for your Costa Maya Mexico excursion.

Things to Do in Costa Maya (Snorkel and Scuba)

• Snorkel Tour In Search of Sea Turtles
• Costa Maya Snorkel Tour
• Snorkeling from Costa Maya Mahahaul 
• Costa Maya Snorkel (Reef and Turtles)
• Introduction Scuba Dive
• 2 Tank Certified Dive

Book Your Costa Maya Shore Excursion

Hopefully, this list of all the fun things to do in Costa Maya Mexico helps you plan your Costa Maya cruise excursion! There are so many fun options in all price ranges! 

There are a few more Costa Maya excursions that are only offered through the cruise lines.  Look at all of your options when planning your cruise.

For our family reunion  on the Allure of the Seas cruise our port stops were Galveston ,  Roatan , Costa Maya, and Cozumel.  We had so much fun, and I know you will too! 

Please ask if you have any questions!  

Facebook Community

Do you have any more questions? Join my   Travel Community on Facebook .    This is a great group that can help answer any travel questions you might have.  I also try to add any deals that companies send me as well.

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14 Comments

I’ve been to Mexico many, many times but haven’t been to Costa Maya. So many fabulous cruise excursions to experience!

It is a fun area!

We have heard great things about Costa Maya, but haven’t been there. My fear of heights kicked in just looking at your photo of the Papantla Flyers! I think I’d be heading straight to the saltwater pool.

haha It is a pretty cool ritual!

Costa Maya is so gorgeous. I just love the color of the water — and it’s so warm — lots of fun water sports.

The water is beatiful!

Costa Maya Mexico looks amazing! I have loved every all-inclusive beach I’ve been to.

There is a lot to do for free there!

Cruising is one of my favorite get-a-ways! Costa Maya sounds like an amazing place to visit! it’s so beautiful.

It is a really great port stop!

Costa Maya looks like a fun excursion! I’d want to stop there and explore.

It is so fun and really nice!

I would love to swim with the dolphins! That would be so much fun. Honestly, even just being in the sun I would be happy. Somedays I don’t remember what it feels like to be warm.

I know! I love the sun!

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7 of the Best Costa Maya Shore Excursions with Norwegian

The gorgeous white sand beaches and azure waters of the Caribbean Sea have been attracting visitors to the Yucatan Peninsula since the 1980s. This tropical paradise retains much of its natural beauty including spectacular ancient Mayan ruins – many designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites – plus picturesque cenotes and underground pools, as well as an array of natural jungles and wildlife. Costa Maya is also home to the Mesoamerican Reef, the world's second longest reef, making it a fantastic location for diving and snorkelling during your Caribbean cruise with Norwegian. Here are some of the top Costa Maya shore excursions for you to enjoy!

Ready to start planning? Explore all Costa Maya cruises .

1. Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & All Inclusive Blue Lagoon

As one of the most popular archaeological sites on the Yucatan Peninsula, the impressive Chacchoben Mayan ruins offer visitors a glimpse into history. These jungle flanked ruins are home to a classic step pyramid, as well as an abundance of native birds, and wildlife including monkeys. After your narrated, guided tour, you’ll be off to visit the Blue Lagoon, where you’ll enjoy lunch, and complimentary drinks – plus, you’ll have the opportunity to soak up the sun or go for a refreshing swim.

2. Mayan Reality Tour

The Mayan Reality Tour shore excursion offers an interesting combination of the past and the present. You’ll be able to view ancient Mayan ruins, learn about Mayan cultures, including their use of textiles, and will visit a contemporary Mayan village. Then you’ll be off to experience what it’s like to live in a typical Mayan household, where you’ll get to sample some of their delicious, homemade cuisine. You can also get in some souvenir shopping with local artisans.

3. Costa Maya Beach Getaway

Sometimes what you need on vacation is just to sit back and relax. How does a picture-perfect day at the beach sound? Well, there’s no better place in the world to enjoy turquoise waters, white sand, and of course, a tropical drink in your hand! This beach getaway takes you to one of the most popular beach clubs in Costa Maya where you’ll be able to enjoy an open bar, and a happening beach party, along with a restaurant, and a souvenir shop. And whenever you decide to go back to your ship, there’s a convenient shuttle running regularly, so no waiting time.

RELATED CRUISES: 7-Day Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans 7-Day Caribbean Cruise from Miami 7-Day Caribbean Cruise from Tampa

4. Kohunlich & Dzibanche Ruins Combo

What's better than exploring Mayan ruins in Mexico? Exploring two archaeological sites in one amazing shore excursion , that’s what! The Dzibanche ruins offer two incredible temples – one with an inner burial chamber, and the other offering amazing views of the entire complex from the very top. The next stop is the large ancient city of Kohunlich, home to the remarkable Temple of the Masks, honoring a Mayan sun god. Since both sites are flanked by natural jungle, you might also have the chance to spot monkeys and colorful native birds such as toucans.

5. ATV Jungle & Beach Adventure

Want to add some adventure to your Costa Maya beach experience? Check out this ATV Jungle & Beach Adventure ! First, you’ll have the chance to ride around on your own ATV as you follow paths, and trails through natural jungle terrain. Some visitors to the area may only see the jungle from a distance, but this fun undertaking will bring you right into the thick of things. Second, you’ll head off to the gorgeous white sands at the Uvero Beach Club where you can enjoy the sunshine, and ocean views, along with on-site dining, and a refreshing beach bar.

6. Beginner & Certified Scuba Diving in Costa Maya

When you're visiting the beautiful Costa Maya area, you'll be doing yourself a big disservice if you don't explore the colorful underwater world! Whether you're a certified diver or want to try diving for the first time, Norwegian Cruise Line has you covered. The Discover Scuba shore excursion offers an introductory, guided dive of about 45 minutes where you're sure to see corals, and a variety of sea life. If you're already a certified scuba diver, you'll be happy to know your two-tank dive will include the services of an eco-friendly dive shop, how cool is that?

7. Dolphin Swim Adventure

We all know everyone loves bottlenose dolphins, right? Here’s the opportunity of a lifetime to get into the water with them on an exciting dolphin swim adventure ! After donning your lifejacket, and getting some educational instructions, you’ll have the chance to snuggle, cuddle, and enjoy spending quality time with your new marine friend, plus you’ll be able to swim alongside them. The in-water dolphin adventure lasts about a half-hour, but the breathtaking memories, and love from your new bestie are sure to last an entire lifetime!

Norwegian Cruise Line offers cruises to Costa Maya on some of their Caribbean, Panama Canal, and Repositioning itineraries. The 12-Day Picturesque Panama Canal, Costa Rica, and Cartagena cruise from Miami on board Norwegian Joy in the fall of 2019 would be the ultimate way to experience Costa Maya, Mexico! This awesome cruise will give you the chance to experience Costa Maya, plus The Bahamas, Costa Rica, Honduras, Belize, and the iconic Panama Canal. Wow!

A Travel Guide to the Costa Maya Cruise Port

Costa Maya is one of Mexico’s most popular ports, located near the southern border of the Mexican state Quintana Roo. The name of the western Caribbean port means the Mayan coast, which is quite fitting (and literal) since it is a port located there. This port is mostly rivaled by the Cozumel port, which has more excursions .

Nonetheless, this port overlooks the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and has made a name for itself. The area surrounding the port is tailored to cruise passengers, so tourists often appreciate the offerings of the area. The small town near the port is called Mahahual and has everything cruisers may need . This town is a tourist hot spot with some of the best shopping. While Costa Maya’s cruise port is not very central to other popular Mexican cities, it has its own unique offerings. Learn more about this port and its best offerings to travelers.

Is the Costa Maya Cruise Port Popular?

The Costa Maya cruise port is not as popular as some other modernly developed ports. The area has a lower population, so travelers will notice that it is not a very bustling port. However, the port is actually quite popular for its unique shape and style. The T-shaped pier offers travelers a long cruise terminal, which is meant to accommodate traffic flow. The cruise port is the gateway to Mahahual, which has fantastic Mayan attractions, comfortable amenities and delicious food.

The port is also known for its clean environment, but it is important to note that the beach is not immediately accessible from the port area. It has a welcoming and warm charm which can even be experienced through the locals. The locals of the Costa Maya cruise port area (Mahahual) are very friendly and speak English well. This means that travelers may find it easier to get around without a language barrier.

What Cruise Lines Dock There?

Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, Virgin, MSC, Holland America, Costa and Aida cruise lines all dock at Costa Maya. Due to the port’s shape, it can not handle a high number of cruise ships at one time. In fact, it can handle at most four ships at once. Depending on the docking schedule, this maximum capacity may be unpleasant for travelers. Since the surrounding area is not exceedingly large and the port is quite slender, there can be crowds. If travelers are excited to leisurely explore this cruise port after departing from their ship , it may be worthwhile to research the port schedule.

This predetermined schedule can help travelers gauge how busy the port area will be. Costa Maya’s port schedule seems to consider its slender pier by scheduling only two ships at one specific time. This helps to alleviate some of the potentially frantic energy that may occur when several large cruise ships are unloading their passengers. Some travelers may choose to opt out of particular cruises if their established itinerary says they dock on days where the port will be overwhelmed with ships (and therefore, cruisers). Port days and staggered arrivals are important factors that help this small cruise port juggle large crowds.

Things To Do Near the Costa Maya Cruise Port

Travelers have plenty to do around the port and in Mahahual. In the cruise terminal travelers will find plenty of amenities. These include a tour informational desk, restrooms and ATM’s. Some of the fun things near the port include pool bars, crafter’s markets and The Dolphin Discovery. The Dolphin Discovery is one of more popular attractions since it offers shows and opportunities to swim with aquatic mammals. Other than those options, there is an array of restaurants, spas, museums and cuisine tastings in Mahahual.

For travelers who are comfortable straying a little further from the port, there are other adventurous places to visit. The Maya Chan Beach is a private beach resort available to cruise ship passengers. Tours of the Chacchoben Mayan City are enlightening and active excursions for tourists. For tourists who are tired of the beach and want to try something new, Mayá The Lost Mayan Kingdom may be the perfect fit. This new park located in the Mayan jungle is an adventurous traveler’s dream. It is filled with exciting experiences like zip lining, a coaster and huge water slides that come out of a structure resembling a massive Mayan temple.

Transportation

Cruisers certainly have to rely on public transportation when getting to and from excursions or simply exploring a destination. So, ports are considered much safer and nicer for cruisers when public transportation is readily available. Costa Maya has great options for cruise passengers trying to utilize their time off their ship. For groups with children, mobility difficulties or even travelers that simply prefer not to walk down the long pier there is a trolly. This free trolly transports guests on a continuous loop. Travelers that, by chance, arrive during a crowded time (when the maximum capacity of four ships are in port) may have to wait a bit for the trolley to return. Once travelers get to the cruise terminal, they will need to secure transportation to Mahahual.

The most popular options are the local shuttle, taxis or golf carts. The shuttle bus to Mahahual and taxis are pretty affordable options since they both cost around $3 per person each way. Golf carts are a better fit for those who want to independently explore. But travelers will pay a hefty price for that autonomy (compared to the other transportation options) as golf carts cost around $30 each hour to rent.