Costa Maya, Mexico Cruise Port Guide

Table Of Content

• Do cruise ships dock, or is Costa Maya a tender port?
• Best Costa Maya Beaches Near the Cruise Port
• Where is Costa Maya, Mexico?
• Costa Maya Cruise Terminal Attractions
• Best Things to Do In Costa Maya, Mexico
• Related cruise ports

Opposite these are the typical duty-free shops common in all Caribbean cruise ports. In Port Costa Maya, you may find the best deals on tequila and cigars from any of the Caribbean ports. Costa Maya port's current capacity is 4 berths (4 ships may dock simultaneously), with pierside water depth allowing docking of world's largest passenger liners (RCI's Oasis-Class). If more than 4 vessels visit at once, the other will be anchored and their passengers transported/ferried to the pier via tender boats.

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Do cruise ships dock, or is Costa Maya a tender port?

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There are a variety of options, including just hanging out in the port or heading to Mahahual. However, there are a number of excursions you can take from Costa Maya that will make for a memorable day. If you’re expecting a wide, sandy beach with crystal water, that’s not the case. In this part of the country, the shore is a mix of white sand and rock. So it can be a little tough to find that classic “postcard worthy” beach. The town itself is decidedly a beach town; there isn’t a lot more to do in Mahahual than to shop, have a bite to eat, enjoy a drink, and hang out on the shore.

Best Costa Maya Beaches Near the Cruise Port

Maya Chan Beach is a private beach resort located in Mahahual. It offers a beach-front location, beach loungers with lots of shade, games, a pool, clean restrooms, WiFi, several beach bars (plus lounge chair service), a small gift shop, and more. Transportation in cabs to and from the port is included and organized for you, so you don’t have to worry about it. Mahahual Beach is the closest beach to the cruise port area in Costa Maya.

Where is Costa Maya, Mexico?

Cruise lines, local tour operators and online excursion services offer all types of beach break pakages and many shore excursions combos with the main highlights of Costa Maya. 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.

This can be a great option if you want to stay nearby and just explore within the port, and it’s one of the popular shore excursions. Walking to the Costa Maya beaches in Mahahual from the cruise port is possible. However, it takes 40 minutes to walk the 2 miles (3.2 km) to the village. Therefore, most cruise passengers take a motorized form of transport, which only takes 10 minutes. And with the taxi fare only $4 per person, it’s worth getting the taxi or shuttle bus—which also costs $4.

Costa Maya Cruise Terminal Attractions

The most convenient Mayan excursion is about 50 minutes away at Chacchoben. The site is only partly restored, but cruise lines are promoting it more for excursion trips. Anyone who doesn’t want to spend the day at Costa Maya has some options outside of the cruise port. The charming Costa Maya cruise port is a small but up-and-coming destination on the Caribbean coast of Mexico.

Best Things to Do In Costa Maya, Mexico

Sailing on a catamaran is one of the most popular activities when spending a day in Costa Maya. Many day excursions include food, drink, and a choice of snacks or food. Pez Quadro Beach is a beautiful and serene beach located in Mahahual that is an excellent place to spend a peaceful beach day. It’s a one-mile stretch of sandy beach with shaded beach chairs, restaurant services, and beach massages. Day passes at the Pez Quadro Beach Club can include an inclusive menu with free drinks and one dish. Swimming, snorkeling, and bathroom services are also included.

The area is bustling with local entertainment and numerous photo ops—it almost gives off a Disneyland vibe, making it one of the nicest cruise terminals we’ve encountered. We enjoyed a delightful lunch with unlimited piña coladas—a perfect day. Snorkelers and scuba divers will have plenty to see at Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral atoll in the country.

Some cruisers and staff say that the taxi stand rates are better at this stop than at the terminal but the Editor hasn't found this to be 100% accurate. Once inside the terminal, shops are the first thing you will come across. On the left-hand side, craft markets sell all sorts of souvenirs. On your right, the typical duty-free shops you would expect in any Caribbean cruise port, such as the ubiquitous Diamonds International and its sister Tanzanite International. You can take a $8 taxi ride (that’s per taxi for one or more people) to anywhere in Mahahual. 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.

However, if you want an easy and comfortable way to spend the day, then the port is perfect. Maya Chan Beach is very popular, and they do cap the number of visitors per day. They do have a great refund policy, but make sure you check the latest info when you book. Other amenities at the port include an ATM (US currency), bathrooms, Wifi, and a taxi stand. Once you enter the port, you’ll see the expansive amenities available to guests right at the port. It is a pretty long walk off the pier, so make sure you are wearing comfortable shoes.

The Costa Maya cruise port includes Dolphin Discovery—a marine park where you can get up close to dolphins without leaving the port. You can interact with the friendly creatures—they will swim backward as you hold their fins, kiss you, and hug you. Costa Maya Cruise Port is home to many bars serving Caribbean cocktails. You can choose from a selection of beach bars or swim-up bars if you want to relax in the large saltwater swimming pool. There’s plenty to do at Costa Maya Cruise Port without venturing too far. The custom-built port area has free swimming pools, restaurants, bars, and a dolphin marine center.

We took our golf cart at the end of our time and parked it at a local bar so we could explore independently. Mahahual offers beautiful and fun sights like the bustling Malecon—perfect for a quick but memorable excursion. Being your own tour guide means stopping whenever and wherever you want, diving into the local scene at your own pace. Costa Maya port (Puerto Costa Maya) is Mexico’s second-largest cruise port after Cozumel.

Although shore excursions to Mahahual are available, we saw few cruise visitors in the village on the day of our visit. Unlike the larger Cancun and Cozumel, Costa Maya was developed specifically as a cruise destination by a private company. This cruise-focused port has shops, restaurants, bars and pools scattered among an open air mall. Visitors can easily spend the day at this small tourist village.

The port pass also includes 3 complimentary drinks at one of the bars located close to the port pools. Keep an eye on the time to ensure you return to the cruise port well before the departure time of your cruise ship. Stay updated on any changes in the schedule to avoid any hiccups.

The Lost Mayan Kingdom Water Park is one of the top shore excursions within walking distance of the Costa Maya Cruise Port. This thrilling water park is ideal for spending a cruise day with kids. They will love the variety of water slides, swimming pools, zip lines, and other water activities. Are you looking for the top shore excursions and activities when your cruise ship berths in Costa Maya? My guide has top recommendations and tips to help you maximize your time in port.

Although you can hire a car, it’s not worth it as taxis are cheap, and booking a shore excursion is the best way to get to the Mayan ruins. The Malecon esplanade is a pedestrian seaside promenade lined with numerous restaurants and shops. Mahahual has ATM machines, HSBC bank office, Pemex gas station. Approx 4 km / 2,5 mi from Mahahual (along the coastal road to the south) are located small beachfront hotels, rental houses and restaurants. Most of the electricity is renewable (generated by solar panels and windmills).

What to Do in Costa Maya Mexico When You're on a Cruise

Table Of Content

• Related cruise ports
• How to explore Costa Maya on a cruise
• Excursion Transportation

Costa Maya is one of the smaller cruise ports in the Caribbean because it was privately developed. The company that developed the port also invested in the town of Mahahual. Mahahual is about two miles from the cruise port, while Xcalak is about 36 miles or 92 kilometers south of the port. Dolphin Discovery is a three-minute walk south of the cruise port. Most tickets for Dolphin Discovery cost between $100 and $200 depending on the program.

Related cruise ports

Taxi Costs Are Consistent – $4 per personWant a ride from the Costa Maya port into Mahahual? Taxis are everywhere both at the port and in town, and the cost seems to be a consistent $4 per person for the 5-10 minute ride between the two spots. Kohunlich Mayan RuinsNo, it’s not as big or well-known as Chichen Itza, but that can be a good thing. Kohunlich (pronounced Co-Hoon-Leech) sits in the middle of the Yucatan jungle, about an hour to an hour and a half from Costa Maya. Here, you can explore the 1500-year-old ruins without fighting large crowds or walking all day like larger sites.

How to explore Costa Maya on a cruise

With each visit, there’s a new layer to unveil, a fresh perspective to gain, and a novel story to create and recount. Every traveler is on a unique journey, seeking different shades of experiences and memories. Costa Maya, with its tapestry of offerings, caters to a diverse spectrum of travelers. Being equipped with practical information will enable you to navigate through your Costa Maya adventure with ease, leaving more room for the fun and exploration that awaits. Embarking on an adventure to Costa Maya entails a blend of excitement and the unknown. Here, we aim to equip you with essential practical knowledge to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Excursion Transportation

After lunch, an employee comes around to find out what time you’d like to leave the beach. A cab will be ordered for you, so you’ll be able to leave whenever you’d like, and won’t have to worry about finding a ride back. The Dolphin Discovery excursion takes place right at the port and can be booked on the ship. Again, this is something I would book in advance if you are interested. However, the severity of the seaweed problem can fluctuate due to weather patterns and ocean currents.

Is Costa Maya Cruise Port safe for travelers to walk around?

Also called the Lake of Seven Colors, the Bacalar Lagoon is a stunning shore excursion when visiting Costa Maya. The beautiful lagoon is located about an hour’s drive from the cruise port. It offers a serene and peaceful atmosphere, making it a great place to spend the day.

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Seven Colors Lagoon

Playa Mahahual Beach is the closest beach for cruise ship passengers visiting Costa Maya. You can easily reach the beach by golf cart, shuttle bus, taxi, or electric bike. However, there are excellent seafront restaurants and bars along the promenade.

Be Your Own Tour Guide at Costa Maya Cruise Port

Please let me know your questions, tips or what you enjoyed in Costa Maya cruise port. 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. 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. If you’re looking for an easy and fun way to spend the day in the Caribbean port, this is a good option.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

Shuttle bus service and taxis go to the Mahahual boardwalk, with fares (cruise port to Mahahual Town) at ~USD 5 per person. If you have time to explore other areas besides the places near the Costa Maya cruise port, get into an all–terrain vehicle and ride along the coastline. Maya Chan beach might be the furthest beach option during your Costa Maya cruise port trip. However, the beach offers plenty of exciting things to do to make it well worth the time and effort. Costa Maya features clean waters, Mayan ruins, dense jungles, and world-renowned diving.

Costa Maya shore excursions and tours

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From there, you can walk the street until you find a spot you like at a restaurant. Head over, order a few drinks of lunch and enjoy the time at the beach. The other issue is that they might be taken up by a restaurant or hotel offering beach service. While beaches in Mexico are public, many restaurants and hotels have put out loungers and umbrellas for their guests — seemingly making it a “private” beach.

Throughout our self-guided adventures outside the port area, the atmosphere remained welcoming, and we encountered nothing but friendly faces and helpful locals. The community is invested in ensuring that visitors have a pleasant experience. Mahahual Beach is quite busy since most beach day trips end here.

All of the seating areas are conveniently located near the Caribbean Sea. Like other locations in this area, there is some seaweed in the water at times. But Maya Chan does have employees actively raking it out of the way. There is also an anti-sargassum barrier to help reduce the amount of seaweed in the shallow waters beside the seashore.

The following map of Costa Maya cruise port shows all facilities in the terminal area. The Mayan ruins or Chacchoben is the place where people can experience the remaining of the ancient Mayan world and understand their vision of the universe while enjoying the sounds of nature. It is a precious jewel in Costa Maya and a very popular destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and other sport activities. With the new pier, a New Mahahual village has been created, right on the beginning on land, with a new modern shopping mall, central plaza and many bars to enjoy while waiting for shore excursions.