Extraordinary roughly a decade in the past, Costa Maya is shortly changing into a favourite of passengers.

Positioned nearly 130 miles south of Cozumel, the port affords a variety of the perks of its well-known island neighbor, however with out close to the quantity of growth. The consequence? A tropical, beachy port that’s nonetheless manageable and never as closely commercialized as Cozumel.

Cruise strains have been fast to pour into Costa Maya. Its location proper close to Cozumel (essentially the most visited cruise port cease within the space) signifies that Costa Maya may be added into an itinerary with out having to go far out of the best way. Likelihood is good that if you’re headed on a cruise that travels the western Caribbean, you’ll make a cease in Costa Maya.

And whereas the world isn’t as developed as some older cruise ports, it nonetheless affords loads for passengers to do. Whether or not you wish to discover historic ruins, do some world-class scuba diving, or just discover a place to eat and drink to your coronary heart’s content material, there’s one thing for you.

Listed below are a few dozen concepts of issues to do throughout your day in port…

Take pleasure in All You Can Eat/Drink at Maya Chan

Positioned about 5 miles down the coast from the Costa Maya port, Maya Chan is a small, impartial day resort that options sufficient room for only some dozen friends at every time. You guide a personal cabana full with hammock and daybed and luxuriate in all of the snacks, drinks, and meals you may eat. In brief, for about $70 per individual you get to spend the day in paradise. Transportation to and from the port is included as effectively so that you don’t even have to fret about the way to get there. You can read our full review here.

Guide an Open Bar Cross at a Seaside Restaurant

Much like Maya Chan however not close to as secluded, there are a number of seaside bars/eating places in the principle city of Mahahual that provide tables, loungers and umbrellas proper on the seaside… and limitless drinks. One such place is Jaime’s at the Blue Reef and one other is the YAYA Beach Club. These eating places supply a simple solution to loosen up throughout your port cease, regardless that your reminiscences is perhaps a little bit hazy after spending all day right here.

Get Your Memento Picture in Entrance of the Costa Maya Signal

No journey to Costa Maya is full with out getting your picture in entrance of the signal to indicate you’ve been there. It’s situated proper in the beginning of the pier to the ships and you may’t miss it. Positive it’s a touristy factor to do, nevertheless it’s enjoyable and memorable… and it’s free!

Import Your Personal Bottle of Tequila

Tequila and Mexico go hand in hand. Within the port space you’ll discover all types of outlets, together with one promoting dozens of several types of tequila. Cease in to select up a bottle as an genuine (and engaging) memento earlier than you head again to the ship. Don’t plan on consuming it throughout your cruise, nevertheless. Alcohol is checked in while you get again to the ship and returned to you the final evening of your cruise.

See the Flamingos in Port

Wind your method via the port space and also you’ll ultimately discover a small sanctuary amid all of the hustle and bustle. Simply behind the low wall are a number of stunning pink flamingos wanting proper at residence on a small sandbar with tropical environment. Strive to not disturb them, nevertheless it’s a terrific picture op and a cool solution to see some stunning creatures up shut.

Take a Taxi into City

Costa Maya was an open-air trailer pulled behind a pickup truck that might carry you into the principle city (Mahahual) for a few bucks. As of our final go to nevertheless, that appears to be gone and now you may both stroll (round 45 minutes) or take a taxi (5 minutes). Rides price solely $3-4 per individual, and it’s effectively value it than the considerably complicated stroll within the warmth and humidity. Taxis are in every single place each in port and in Mahahual, so that you’ll haven’t any hassle discovering one.

Go on a Snorkeling Tour

We’ll be trustworthy, generally the seaweed could make the seashores at Costa Maya lower than fascinating. Nonetheless, the water continues to be very clear should you get off the shore a little bit bit. That’s why it’s a preferred spot to snorkel. Excursions can be found via your cruise line and the professionals can take you to spots the place you’ll see ample wildlife underneath the water.

Guide a Diving Tour to Banco Chinchorro

Positioned off the coast of Mahahual, Banco Chinchorro is the most important coral atoll within the northern hemisphere. There are even a variety of shipwrecks to discover, together with a Dutch galleon the place you may nonetheless see its cannons on the seafloor. Dive outlets in Mahahual will supply excursions, and a few cruise strains may also have excursions.

Decide up Something You Forgot on the Pharmacy

If you’re on the ship, you might have two choices should you want some toiletries or over-the-counter drugs. You may both go with out… or pay insane costs on the ship’s outlets (we’ve seen DayQuil for $17 a bottle!). If you happen to forgot or want something, there’s one different possibility — Costa Maya has a pharmacy in port with absolutely anything you’d want. It’s additionally significantly cheaper than shopping for these things on the ship.

Hit the Memento Outlets for Something You Can Think about

Within the port space there are many alternatives for memento buying. The truth is, it’s stall after stall of stands promoting all the pieces from jewellery to sombreros and all the pieces in between. If you happen to’re on the hunt for a souvenir to recollect your journey, Costa Maya makes it straightforward to buy groceries.

See How Chocolate is Made

At Kakaw within the port space, you may get a first-hand tour of the historical past of chocolate. You’ll see the origins of the deal with and see the way it’s made. In fact, you’ll additionally get loads of samples and an opportunity to buy extra to take residence.

See How Mexico Used to Be in Mahahual

For many years Mahahual was a sleepy fishing village. Whereas it’s actually grown (and may be busy on days when ships are in port), in some ways it nonetheless has its character as a small city. There’s a primary road, numerous grime roads and a variety of small outlets and eating places. If you happen to’re anticipating Cozumel or Cancun, Mahahual reveals what life was life earlier than Mexico’s tourism growth.

Go to the Mahahual Lighthouse

Simply down the coast from the cruise pier is a big lighthouse that stands on the purpose in the beginning of Mahahual. Whereas it takes solely a few minutes to see, it’s a neat landmark in your method into city. You may also take a photograph with the “Mahahual” signal (full with an enormous marlin sculpture) to recollect your trip.

Take within the Malecon Close to the Seaside

After you get a journey into Mahahual, you’ll discover there’s a “primary drag” — a walkway that winds down alongside the seaside. On one facet you’ll have the seaside and the opposite is stuffed with outlets and eating places. 

Need to eat/drink together with your ft within the sand? Need to get a therapeutic massage on the seaside? Need to seize some souvenirs? You are able to do all of it right here. The seaside and swimming can be found too, however eating places have taken over many of the finest spots. It’s straightforward sufficient to arrange a spot and order one thing whilst you benefit from the seaside.

Take a Drive on a Dune Buggy to Discover

In most methods the world round Costa Maya and Mahahual are fairly rustic. There aren’t a variety of paved roads… which suggests your car higher be geared up to deal with tough terrain. For a enjoyable time, you may take a dune buggy tour that takes you off the overwhelmed path — actually. The journeys will let you drive, and head out to a secluded seaside and discover the jungle. If you happen to’re searching for an adrenaline rush, that is the ticket. Verify your shore excursions on the ship for particulars.

Hit the Spa for Mayan Therapeutic Rituals

Positive you may head to the ship’s spa… and even get a therapeutic massage on the seaside for that matter. However Costa Maya affords a particular “Mayan Healing Rituals” that embody an natural bathtub, a sweat lodge, clay masks, a coconut milk bathtub, and a hammock therapeutic massage. It’s a novel tackle the standard spa expertise and a visit to the spa that gained’t quickly be forgotten.

Go to the Ruins of Chacchoben

There’s little doubt that Chichen Itza takes the prize as the most important and hottest Mayan ruins within the space, nevertheless it will also be crowded and it’s a good distance from Mahahual. Nonetheless, solely an hour away are the ruins of Chacchoben. This smaller web site will get fewer guests however nonetheless offers you a formidable sense of the superior Mayan folks. It contains a number of excavated pyramids, wall, and staircases that laid coated from greater than 1,000 years till the invention of the location within the Nineteen Forties.

Sail within the Most Stunning Water Aboard a Catamaran

What higher solution to spend the day surrounded by a few of the most stunning water than to hop aboard a catamaran and take in the solar? Cruise strains supply excursions aboard the boats, which many occasions include a lunch and a snorkeling session. If you happen to get seasick it is probably not for you, nevertheless it’s nice if you wish to keep away from the crowds on shore.

Take a Trip on the Social gathering Bus to a Seaside Membership

Did you come on the cruise to social gathering? In that case, check out the party bus. It’s an tour supplied via the cruise strains that offers you an hour-long journey on an enormous guitar-shaped bus the place the environment is vigorous and the drinks circulation freely. After your journey you’re dropped off at a seaside membership to spend the remainder of your day… with an open bar to proceed the social gathering. Simply you should definitely carry a couple of dollars for lunch so that you simply don’t should drink on an empty abdomen.

See the World Beneath the Waves on a Glass-Backside Boat Tour

If you wish to get out within the water however don’t wish to snorkel or scuba dive, you may at all times take a glass-bottom boat tour. These journeys will take you out within the attractive water and provide you with an opportunity to see what’s beneath the waves. One of the best half is you don’t get moist, making it excellent for small children or these with mobility points. Have a look at the excursions together with your cruise line to guide.

Hold Out by the Pool in Port

As you exit the ship you’ll make your via the port space the place there are many outlets, eating places, and issues to see. One draw is an enormous swimming pool the place cruise friends can lounge and swim — full with swim-up bars. It’s free to swim and hang around should you purchase one thing from the close by eating places, making it a superb possibility should you’re searching for an inexpensive solution to spend the day. Merely stroll into the port space, and also you’ll run into the pool.

Discover the Kohunlich Ruins

We’ve talked about Chacchoben, however Mayan ruins are widespread on this space. Kohunlich is one other web site that’s about two hours from Costa Maya. Fewer folks appear to go to given the gap. Meaning if you wish to discover a significant archaeological web site with out the crowds, it is a stable possibility.

Have a Slice at Pizza Papi

Hidden again within the small city close to the port is a extremely rated pizza joint — Pizza Papi. Described as “Bob Marley meets Day of the Useless,” the vibe is exclusive and the pizza seems superb. It’s a enjoyable place to seize a chilly drink, eat sizzling, wood-fired pizza, and understand that there’s nowhere else prefer it on the earth. One factor to know is that the restaurant doesn’t open till night, so that you’ll have to have a late go to in port to have the ability to test it out.

Get Near Tropical Birds at Aviarius

Aviarius is without doubt one of the most original issues to do in Costa Maya. Inside the port space that you simply go to as you exit the pier, there’s Aviarius — an encounter with tropical birds that traverses the port. You’ll stroll on suspended bridges from station to station above the port, with probabilities to stand up shut and private with all types of tropical birds, together with flamingos and macaws. It’s additionally a good way to get superb views of the cruise ships in port.

Work on Your Tan within the Shadow of the Ship

Whereas we’ve talked about the pool at Costa Maya, there’s additionally a man-made seaside space close to the pool with loungers accessible for cruise passengers. If you wish to work in your tan, that is the spot to do it, inside a brief stroll of the cruise ships. Simply know that it could get busy, so should you’re wanting quiet and enjoyable… this isn’t it.

Keep on the Ship

Most individuals don’t contemplate this to be an possibility, however staying on a cruise ship throughout a port of name may be enjoyable. With everybody heading out, the ship can really feel prefer it’s all yours. The pool is much less crowded, there aren’t any lengthy strains to get one thing to eat, and there’s merely a extra enjoyable vibe on board. It’s okay to easily keep on the ship through the port of name. It’s your trip!

Is your cruise headed to Cozumel too? See our 63 Things for Cruise Passengers to do in Cozumel.

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