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Be Prepared for a Crowded PortWe will be honest that Costa Maya can get busy! Our last visit included four ships docked on the same day, meaning roughly 15,000 cruise passengers in port at once. The port area in particular was tightly packed, but Mahahual itself was also very busy. Just know that while this port is out of the way, it’s still a major destination for cruise ships. Also called the Lake of Seven Colors, the Bacalar Lagoon is a stunning shore excursion when visiting Costa Maya.
And Then There’s This – 40 Cañones Beach Club
The Bacalar, or Seven Colors Lagoon, gets its name from the seven different hues of the water that shimmers in shades of blue, aquamarine, and green. Kayaking, tubing on the rivers that feed the lagoon, or just floating in the warm water are all options here. The 18th-century Fort San Felipe Bacalar is nearby, along with a museum telling the story of piracy and Spanish occupation in the area. Banco Chinchorro, an unspoiled reef atoll, is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and boasts incredible scuba diving and snorkeling. It faces Mahahual Beach and is home to turtles, crocodiles, catsharks, pink snails, and rich marine flora and fauna.
Cruises to Costa Maya, Mexico
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. If you prefer to use the local currency, you can withdraw Pesos at ATMs, which are located within the Costa Maya cruise terminal. There are free trolleys available for cruise passengers who have have difficulty walking or would like the service.
Adventure, thrilling and fun activities
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. There are a variety of options, including just hanging out in the port or heading to Mahahual.
Golf carts
There is also a meeting area for those who have pre-booked Costa Maya shore excursions and tours. It’s good to note that the pier’s length is 1,115 feet or 0.2 miles (340 m). Costa Maya cruise terminal features a T-shaped pier that can accommodate up to four cruise ships simultaneously. However, there is a complimentary trolley service available for those who prefer not to walk.
It’s also important that you know the cancellation and refund policy, in case your ship can’t stop at the port or if the itinerary changes at the last minute. When you book a ship excursion, it will be refunded in those circumstances but that may not always be the case if you book for something on your own. Other excursions in Costa Maya include cenotes tours, all-inclusive beach breaks, and other ruins tours. When the Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas cruise we were planning to take over February break switched ports of call due to some port closures, I didn’t mind. Although I did love the original ports, I was excited to check out a new-to-us port of call, Costa Maya.
Learn More About Costa Maya Shore Excursions
Bacalar LagoonAbout an hour drive from Costa Maya, Bacalar Lagoon stretches roughly 30 miles to almost the border of Belize. Here the water is clear and the bottom of the lagoon is sandy, leading to an electric blue that has to be seen to believed. If all this sounds like it was designed to keep you entertained without ever leaving, then you’d be right. You can do practically anything you can do in other ports, all within the relatively small area.
MSC Cruises offering Mexico's Costa Maya on new passenger itinerary - Riviera Maya News
MSC Cruises offering Mexico's Costa Maya on new passenger itinerary.
Posted: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Guide to the Costa Maya Cruise Port In Mexico
There are usually no crowds as the place is off the beaten track. Located in the south of Quintana Roo state, approximately 70 km (43 mi)/50-minute drive from Costa Maya, Chacchoben Ruins are the most popular ancient ruins in the Costa Maya region. Tickets for the Mayan Lost Kingdom can be purchased through the cruise line, the last-minute tour desk on the pier, or directly at the entrance of the park. Some of the activities are not suitable for guests with disabilities or special needs.
Shopping Near the Costa Maya Cruise Port
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. Plenty of tour operators offer shore excursions to these archaeological wonders.
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. Cruise lines offer full-day and expensive shore excursions to visit the incredible Mayan pyramids, dolphin encounters or snorkeling.
Plenty of fun, adventurous shore excursions are available from the cruise terminal, showcasing everything from the natural to the historical. Cruise passengers wishing to discover famous Mayan Ruins like Chacchoben should look into booking shore excursions, be it with your cruise ship or with local tour operators. For those who want to enjoy an all-inclusive beach, it is advisable to book a day pass. The pristine beaches south of the port are natural top attractions for cruise passengers wondering what to do in Costa Maya. 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.
For those cruising with families, there are lots of things to do. Cruise passengers with disabilities or with walking difficulties will find it easy to wander around in Costa Maya on their own. 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. 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.
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 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. For instance, you won’t find things like jet-skis or parasailing like you do in Cozumel. Instead, while it can be busy, it definitely has a more relaxed and “sleepy” vibe than other port cities.
To get there, you go into the main town, not the beach — so that means you won’t be dining with a ton of other cruise passengers. That said, there is an amazing amount of things for cruise passenger to do and see if they stay in port. For instance, there are restaurants and bars available in the port area. There is a massive swimming pool (with a manmade sand beach with loungers) that is free to use for those who are buying food/drink. Transfers and taxis from the Costa Maya cruise port to the beach cost around $5 USD per person each way. Resembling an authentic Mayan city, the Costa Maya cruise port complex is designed to suit the cruise ship passengers’ needs.
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