Port Guide: Costa Maya Mahahual, Mexico

Table Of Content

• The Costa Maya Cruise Terminal: A Tourist Haven
• Calakmul Biosphere Reserve & Ruins
• Costa Maya Cruise Terminal Attractions
• Where to Find a Beach in Costa Maya/Mahahual on a Cruise
• Home Cruise Ships Port Expenses Hints and Tips
• Hit the Spa for Mayan Healing Rituals
• Top Things To Do In Costa Maya Cruise Port

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. If you prefer your visit to Mexico to be a little more authentic, then you can head into the town of Mahahual.

The Costa Maya Cruise Terminal: A Tourist Haven

Transfers and taxis from the Costa Maya cruise port to the beach cost around $5 USD per person each way. Once you exit the ship, a long flat pier takes you to the terminal building housed in an orange building. If you have walking difficulties or traveling with small kids, there is a free trolley service to take you from your ship to the terminal building.

Calakmul Biosphere Reserve & Ruins

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. 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.

I cruised to a tiny town in Mexico you've probably never heard of, and it was the highlight of my cruise vacation - Royal Caribbean Blog

I cruised to a tiny town in Mexico you've probably never heard of, and it was the highlight of my cruise vacation.

Posted: Mon, 06 Mar 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Costa Maya Cruise Terminal Attractions

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. There are free trolleys available for cruise passengers who have have difficulty walking or would like the service. The amenities, including beach floats, floating chairs, sand toys, showers, snorkel equipment, outdoor games, the pool, and the waterfront location are definitely beautiful.

Where to Find a Beach in Costa Maya/Mahahual on a Cruise

The best time to visit Costa Maya is during the dry season, typically from November to April. This period offers pleasant weather with minimal rainfall, making it ideal for enjoying outdoor activities and exploring the region’s attractions. Summer in the Caribbean is characterized by high humidity and temperatures in the low 90s Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). The pier at Costa Maya has berths for up to four large cruise ships.

Home Cruise Ships Port Expenses Hints and Tips

Both experiences provide a unique and unforgettable opportunity to connect with dolphins in their natural environment. For more options, you’ll want to go into town where you’ll find the following ideas. 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. Notably, there is not a spot to swim in the ocean within the Costa Maya port. Don’t worry, you’ll get a chance to see everything as the was designed to be a bit of a maze.

Costa Maya is located approximately 80 miles (129 km) from Cozumel. The official language of Costa Maya is Spanish, and English is also commonly spoken in tourist areas. Cash is widely accepted and most establishments also offer credit card payment options. Once you arrive at Kohunlich, be prepared to be amazed by the grandeur of these Mayan ruins. The site features many well-preserved structures, including temples, palaces, ball courts, and residential complexes.

Best Things to Do in Costa Maya Cruise Port

I have been cruising since 2004 and have sailed on dozens of cruises all over the world. As the creator of this website, I want to help families plan fun cruises free of stress and filled with adventure! Overall, Costa Maya is incredibly safe, especially because the entire region depends on the income generated from tourism. The area is known for its friendly and welcoming local population, which differs from other destinations as they are not pushy, and most speak English.

If we aren’t feeling like diving in the deep blue, heading into the dense jungles for Mayan ruins sounds like an appealing alternative. Many cruises to Mexico highlight Mayan ruins and we don’t have to look far. Many of us are not equipped with proper certifications or training to handle the deeper dives. Not to worry—Costa Maya boasts a plentiful amount of snorkeling spots for the more relaxed tourist. Now it boasts a healthy influx of tropical cruises and tourists, all vying for a glimpse of hidden tropical beauty.

So please read on to learn how to plan your time in the beautiful port city of Costa Maya. As you get close to the entrance to the Terminal, you will see the Tour Dispatch area and a late minute tour desk to book an excursion if you haven't booked one already. However, there is a free trolley for those with walking difficulties or not willing to walk, which is particularly convenient if cruising with young children. The entrance to the terminal with its massive Mayan replica door at the end of a perpendicular pier to the coast is impossible to miss. At a 90 degree angle to this pier is what used to be the primary docking pier. All of the seating areas are conveniently located near the Caribbean Sea.

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. In this article, I’ll explain how to spend a really great day in Costa Maya without buying an expensive shore excursion. Spanish is the official language of Mexico and the primary language spoken in Costa Maya. However, most locals working in bars, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops also speak English. It’s always a good idea to learn some basic phrases in Spanish.

The Costa Maya cruise port is a gateway to beautiful beaches and cultural experiences in the Mexican Caribbean. 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. This means that you’ll need to book one of these all-inclusive beach clubs on your own – not through your cruise line. The area was once inhabited by the ancient Mayan civilization, and there are still many ruins and archaeological sites to explore in the surrounding jungle. The port itself was built in 2001 to accommodate the growing number of cruise ships visiting the region. Bacalar is located approximately 91 km/56 miles or a 1 hour 15-minute drive from Costa Maya.