4 to 5 hours ashore
Pools and the port beach
- Stay in the cruise village: free pools, a small beach and shops.
- Or take a taxi 5 to 10 minutes to Mahahual for lunch by the sea.
Rather book it? A short snorkel or kayak trip from the port.
Costa Maya shore excursions
A purpose-built cruise port next to a quiet beach town, with some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins within a day trip.
Getting ashoreShips dock at the Puerto Costa Maya pier, which has its own shops, pools, and restaurants. The beach town of Mahahual is a short taxi ride away.
Costa Maya port day essentials
read this before you book
Which pier you're at
Puerto Costa MayaA purpose-built cruise village with four berths, shops, restaurants, free saltwater pools with a swim-up bar, and a small beach. Shops mostly open only on ship days.
MahahualThe beach town, about 2 miles north. Its sandy boardwalk is lined with beach bars and restaurants.
Taxis
Taxis wait at the exit of the cruise village, and a shuttle runs to the Mahahual boardwalk. The ride is 5 to 10 minutes.
Fares to Mahahual have been about $5 per person. Ask whether the price is per person or per taxi, and in which currency, before you get in.
Money
Mexican pesos. US dollars are accepted in the port and along the Mahahual boardwalk. There are no banks or ATMs inside the port; Mahahual has ATMs.
Language
Spanish. English is spoken in the port and at the beach clubs.
Back on board
All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before sailing; your ship's daily planner has the exact time. Ruins tours to Chacchoben and trips to Bacalar lagoon are long drives, so a tour that guarantees your return to the ship is the safer choice.
Be aware
- When more than four ships are in, yours may anchor and bring passengers ashore by tender.
Last checked November 2026. Prices change; confirm before you pay.
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Plan your day in Costa Maya
pick by your time ashore
6 to 8 hours ashore
A day in Mahahual
- Taxi or shuttle to the Mahahual boardwalk.
- Snorkel the reef close to shore and settle in at a beach bar.
- Head back mid-afternoon; it is only a few minutes away.
Rather book it? A beach club day pass with snorkel gear.
9 hours or more
Chacchoben ruins or Bacalar lagoon
- Drive about an hour inland to the Mayan temples of Chacchoben.
- Or go farther, about 1.5 to 2 hours, to swim in the blue Bacalar lagoon.
- Allow plenty of time for the drive back.
Rather book it? A ruins or Bacalar tour, ideally one that guarantees your return.
Times are approximate. Whatever you choose, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Compare tours for each idea below.
Compare Costa Maya tours
Start times and meeting points vary by tour. Check them against your ship's schedule before you book.
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Costa Maya tours from GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide's own search results for Costa Maya, in GetYourGuide's order. Check each tour's start time and meeting point against your ship's schedule.
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Costa Maya tours from Shore Excursions Group
Shore Excursions Group sells tours built around cruise ship schedules, backed by their guarantee to get you back to the ship. Their tours aren't listed on this page; browse them on their site.
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Scout's notes on Costa Maya
Short port days
The beach clubs and seafront of Mahahual are close by and easy to fit into any window. You can also stay at the port complex itself if you only want a few hours ashore.
Long port days
The Chacchoben ruins are the classic excursion, roughly an hour's drive each way. Longer trips to the Bacalar lagoon are possible but need a full day.
Getting back on time
Inland trips run on a single main road, so delays are hard to make up. For ruins or lagoon trips, a tour with a return-to-ship guarantee is worth it.
From fellow cruisers
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