Costa Maya Mexico Cruise Port Guide
My first experience in Costa Maya was rather epic, starting with a $20 beach massage, shopping and margaritas on the beach, and ending with a harrowing march out of the sea into an exclusive beach resort. There were policia, giant iguanas, and barbed wire scrambles. But that's a story for the dinner table.
My second experience was far more tranquil and less like a girls gone wild exploit. Here I'll share with you the best ways to (safely!) explore Costa Maya Mexico's cruise port - from the Señor Frogs of it all, to the more relaxed Malecon boardwalk. Learn about the beach breaks, the watersports, the day trips to Mayan ruins, and all the other fun you can have on a Costa Maya shore excursion.
Vamos!
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Where Is Costa Maya?
Costa Maya sits a good 2.5 hours south of Tulum, near the northern Belize border. It's a rather isolated port, with much of the land surrounding it being a nature preserve.
There are four main towns to explore in the area:
⛱ Mahahual
🇲🇽 Chacchoben and Limones
👙 Bacalar
🎣 Chetumal
The Most Popular Costa Maya Tours
My Picks
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Is Costa Maya Cruise Port Worth Getting Off the Ship?
Even if you don't leave the port area, you should definitely get off the ship!
At the dock and port area you'll find a swim up pool bar, plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops, and a safe haven just for cruise passengers.
Most people will take ship tours, hang by the port area pools and bars, or take a taxi to Mahahual. It's a very relaxed day!
🏖 Costa Maya Beaches and Beach Breaks
For an easy going day, cruise passengers will love the relaxed atmosphere of the 'beach break' excursion.
Typically for a fixed fee you can get access to a beach club, an open bar, and lunch, too. Some clubs have free to use paddleboards, kayaks and other fun water toys.
Maya Chan Beach: Private beach resort for cruise passengers
Playa Mahahual: a short taxi ride away
The Krazy Lobster: It's a free to enter, toes-in-sand beach restaurant with amenities like beach massages, palapas and beach chairs, etc. There's also free wifi and free kayaks to use.
Hayhu Beach Experience: for those seeking a more private, luxe beach day
Pez Quadro Beach Club: Another beach club full of amenities
Compared to ship prices, getting a day pass to a beach club is definitely the way to go. Some excursions of my last sailing were quoting beach breaks up to $450 for private cabanas. Ouch. Instead, browse the offerings on Viator like this beach break that includes food and drinks.
Costa Maya Watersports & Beach Activities
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🤿 Cenotes and Watersports Near Costa Maya
Reef Snorkeling
These tours focus on seeking out colorful reef life, including turtles! Book your tour here.
Mayá - Lost Mayan Kingdom Water Park
If you dig water slides, lazy rivers, ziplining and other adrenaline fueled family activities, this kitschy park is for you. Learn more about the Lost Mayan Kingdom here.
Cenote Sayab Kuxtal
About 1 hr and 40 minutes from port, this is a beautiful cenote if you've never been to one. It has a relaxed jungle garden feel, with a waterfall and plenty of amenities for swimming and having a snack.
⛱ Mahahual: Best for Shopping and Beach Massages
Distance from Costa Maya Cruise Port: 5 minute taxi ride
What is there to do in Mahahual, Mexico for a day?
The Malecon beach boardwalk
Shops and restaurants
Beach massages
Scuba and snorkel activities
Beach clubs
In my experience, massages cost about $20 for 30 minutes, and it is best to leave your valuables with someone while you are having your beach massage.
As for the boardwalk - no plan is as good a plan as any. Get a cheap taxi (usually paid for by the head), and they'll drop you in the center of the boardwalk area.
Easily find restaurants, beach clubs, and some darn good breakfast chilaquiles if you are off the ship early enough at Cafe Colonial!
For walkers, I recommend venturing further down the boardwalk than most, to discover Restaurant Sulumar. It's very authentic and quiet compared to the rest of town, and you can even get your beach massage there!
For another more centralized beachfront meal, consider the equally authentic Nohoch Kay.
Bring peso or dollars for shopping, and enjoy a really easy day out.
🇲🇽 Mayan Ruins at Chacchoben and Limones
Distance from Costa Maya Cruise Port: 1 hr by bus or car
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Cost Comparisons
These are the closest ruins to the port and this is the most popular tour to book! Compared to the ship prices (starting at $93 and going up to $264 depending on the add-ons (beach break, lunch, etc)), this pre-booked shore excursion through Viator costs only $58 per person.
You can even make a stop at Playa Mahahual on the return, so you don't have to miss out on the shopping and beach time!
Would you rather skip the beach in favor of more Mayan Culture?
Some tours offer a Mayan village visit after seeing the Chacchoben ruins, which is an awesome opportunity to experience traditional tortilla making, and sometimes even coffee or chocolate production. Try this tour that visits the ruins, and offers lunch at a Mayan family home.
👉 My Pick: The ruins with lunch! It's an easy day, well organized, and includes both the culture and history of the Mayan ruins with the modern Mayan village for an authentic and delicious meal.
You get to make your own tortillas and then they serve up delicious local specialties, including a refreshing Agua de Jamaica (hibiscus juice) to wash it all down.
Cocina Maya, or traditional Mayan Cuisine, is outstandingly delicious. You can learn a little more about it on my post about Ix Cat Ik, a traditional Mayan restaurant in Valladolid further north in the Yucatan.
If you are looking for authenticity, the Chacchoben Ruins and Mayan Village tour offers the most cultural experience in the Costa Maya area.
More Mayan Ruins Near Costa Maya Cruise Port
Ichkabal Mayan Ruins
The ship tour is 6 hours, and isn't recommended for anyone over 70. It's 25 miles west of Bacalar, making it a long day.
Ship Tour Price: $132-204
Kohunlich Mayan Ruins
These ruins are 2.5 hours each way from port, making it a long day with the promise of only a boxed lunch and an interesting set of ruins.
Ship Tour Price: $145-224
👙 Bacalar
Distance from Costa Maya Cruise Port: 1 hr 15 min - best for a pre-arranged tour with transport
What is there to do in Bacalar, Mexico for a day?
Take a boat ride on the Lagoon of Seven Colors
Visit the fort at Fuerte de San Felipe – a 17th-century stone fortress
Wander the waterfront
Take a bamboo raft down a natural lazy river
My POV: While the beautiful scenery is more than worth the drive, some may want to get similar watersports experiences closer to the port so the whole day isn't spent in transit.
🎣 Chetumal
Distance from Costa Maya Cruise Port: 2 hrs each way, meaning 4 hours round trip from the port - best to take a cruise excursion so you don't miss the boat.
Time Permitting, Here's What to Do in Chetumal:
Most ships won't offer tours here due to constricted time, but it's worth a mention if you do have enough wiggle room in your schedule. Go for the shopping along the Malecon, museums, waterfront vistas, and a larger city feel.
You can visit the Oxtankah Mayan Ruins and then Calderitas for an authentic fishing village vibe for lunch.
💎 Hidden Gems in Costa Maya
Eco Parque Bacalar and Los Rapidos
Head just south of Bacalar for a unique rafting trip on a bamboo style float, sipping sparkling wine and checking out the eco parque surrounds as you go. It's a really cute tour, starting at $122 on ship tours or around $108 directly on the tour operators website (Tourlanders).
Los Rapidos plays host to this day on a natural lazy river, and the bamboo tour option is only available as part of a pre-arranged guided tour (the ship deal seems like a steal with transport and guarantee back to port).
Similarly, you can float down the lovely and calm canal setting with a kayak rental as a DIY tour, costing only $200 pesos (about $20 per adult) instead. You still get the vibe of the float, without the arranged tour or bamboo raft.
Lunch and drinks are available on site.
Lahun Tiku Pueblito
This 'hidden gem' is actually a pre-fab village built specifically to feel super Mexican without being wholly authentic. Enjoy cooking classes, beach access, cultural performances and rituals, and so on. Where it lacks in authenticity, it makes up for in educational value. Enjoy it for what it is - a kitschy, albeit classy, cultural escape in Costa Maya.
Limones Village and La Playita Stop
Limones is a small village just minutes from the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins. Many ship tours offer rural escapes to this town, which includes things like a tractor pulled cart ride through town to see its modest Mayan ruins and a colorful cemetery. Almost all Limones stops include a visit to La Playita, a restaurant with an expansive pool and swimming area.
If You GoHere's some added advice on what to pack for Mexico (especially with kids), and what to expect in other nearby ports of call: |
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