costa maya cruise port aviary

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Costa Maya Port Pass

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Our Costa Maya Port Pass is the perfect activity to enjoy with your family! Enjoy a unique aviary experience and make friends on this fantastic experiences.  

If you like to stay on-site and enjoy a day filled with fun on your arrival at the port, then this is the best option for you! Enjoy everything we have to offer and try three of our most famous Port Experiences.  

Activities included:  

Aviarius: Climb heights on this unique aviary experience. Walk the habitats through hanging bridges with incredible views of the entire port. Get ready to feed and make friends with the most beautiful and exotic birds of the Caribbean. You will love it!  

  Kakaw: Laugh, learn, and enjoy! Get ready to know how the history behind the most delicious dessert: Chocolate. Enjoy a fun tour through three different ages. Our crazy scientist will travel in time to teach you everything we know and love about cacao.   

  La Consentida Tequila Museum: Follow Panchito and Macario, two Mexican Mariachis guiding this fun tour. They will lead and teach you through the process of production of Mexican Tequila.  

  Learn the fascinating history of the Agave in Mexico. Look into the different stages of Tequila and have fun dancing with our jolly friends! Afterward, taste some of our best brand Tequilas. The experts will give you tips and tricks on this drink.  

You can also use the port facilities like lounge chairs, restrooms, and showers. Forget about the heat with the three complimentary house drinks at Bar del Arbol. You can choose between Margaritas, Daiquiris, Piñas Coladas, and soft drinks.  

Please  note!   

This tour includes a fair amount of walking around the port area. Guests must be able to walk about 600 meters. Wheelchairs and scooters are not allowed during some portions of the tour.  

• 3 port activities with cultural background and tons of fun.
• Port Facilities (upon availability: Lounge Chairs, Restrooms, and Showers)
• Three complimentary House Drinks at bar del árbol (Margarita, Piña Colada, Daiquiri, water or soda)

Meeting at the end of the pier

Time segment: 00:00 - 00:10

Briefing time aboutactivities

Time segment: 00:10-00:20

Time for activities. Return to the ship at leisure.

Time segment: 00:20-2:00

Included/Excluded

• 3 port activities
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Tour's Location

Are all the tours family friendly?

Yes! They are for everybody

Where do I take the tour?

You will take the tour on the port, don’t worry about going out.

Can I change the activities of the Port Pass?

We are sorry, but this option is not available.

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Costa Maya (Quintana Roo Mexico, Riviera Maya)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Bahamas - Caribbean - Bermuda

Local Time 2024-03-31 19:28

Port Costa Maya cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Costa Maya, Quintana Roo Mexico, Riviera Maya. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Puerto Costa Maya is Caribbean Mexico's second-largest cruise port - after Cozumel . This is also one of the country's most popular tourist regions. Part of Mexico's Quintana Roo state, the Mahahual municipality is near the state's capital city Chetumal (located on the border with Belize) and at ~4 hours drive distance from Cancun (Yucatan Peninsula).

Port Costa Maya (locode MXCOM) is also the closest tourist destination to the lesser-known Mayan ruins in Mexico's Yucatan state (including Kohunlich and Chacchoben). In 2017 was discovered Ichkabal (the largest Mayan archaeological site) and since 2019 it is added to Costa Maya's Shore Excursion program for cruise companies-organized land tours.

The region is generally undeveloped but has been rapidly growing after the construction of a large pier with capacity to accommodate the world's biggest passenger liners. Other port upgrades included new shops and attractions. The new pier and port expansion project was completed for season 2017-2018, and fully operational for season 2018-2019. The result was increased passenger traffic growth from 900,000 to over 1 million.

The Port's daily cruise ship passenger capacity is 15000 to 18000.

In 2017 was opened the largest Mayan archaeological site Xcabal, located at ~1-hour bus ride from the cruise port. Until 2019, the site was open exclusively to cruise line-organized excursions.

Costa Maya cruise port features a modern shopping mall, central plaza and saltwater pools. There are also several shops selling discount-priced brand jewelry, beachwear, Mexican silver and handicrafts, hand-made souvenirs. It is generally open to cruise ship passengers only. Costa Maya counts with many experiences offered via Port Pass - an access pass to all in-port activities. Port Pass includes Kakaw (where visitors are guided through time to figure out how to prevent cacao beans from extinction and preserve chocolate); Aviary (hanging on top of the port, which is also home to dozens of Mexico's most colorful bird species) and Tequila museum (where tourists are hosted by two Mexican characters guiding them into in the tequila-making process, followed by all kinds of tequila tasting). One of the Port's newest additions is the Rockpool where tourists can relax, swim, drink and enjoy the view of the docked ships.

In 2017, the port handled around 1 million cruise ship passengers. In season 2018, their number reached 1,3 million. The number of expected in 2019 passengers is ~1,5 million. To increase its capacity, the port extended berths 3 and 4, allowing them to handle RCI's Oasis-Class ships (225,000 GT tons, LOA length 362 m / 1188 ft, max capacity 6780 passengers plus 2400 crew). This port expansion project resulted in increased berthing capacity - now can dock 4 (3x large + 1x smaller) vessels simultaneously. Berth 4's inauguration was on March 12, 2019.

Costa Maya's largest liners in 2018 were Symphony OTS  ( RCI-Royal Caribbean ) on November 20th (7-day from Miami / Nov 17-24) and MSC Seaside ( MSC ) on January 11th (7-day from Miami / Jan 6-13). The Port's current "day passenger" record is 14,000, while its max daily capacity is 15,000.

In 2018-2019, to the list of Costa Maya shore excursions were added tours to Bacalar Fort, Seven Color Lagoon, Aqua Rocket (speedboat tour), Dune Buggy, ATV Off-Road Adventure. At Maya Adventure Park were added a monster truck circuit and "animal encounter" experience. In 2019 was inaugurated the "Journeys to the Mayan Legends" attraction - river ride within the Lost Mayan Kingdom jungle. Additionally, the Maya Adventure Park offers 12 waterslides (all descending from its centrally-located pyramid) and several zip-lines and obstacle-bridge circuits. As shore excursion options are also listed various beachside clubs (featuring Beach Escape, La Bamba, Lagoon Club Uchbenkah) and 3 different snorkeling tours.

In December 2020, Quintana Roo media reported that a new (USD 10 pp) tourist tax on foreigners goes into effect on April 1, 2021. Details on how it will be collected or will it be applied also to cruise ship tourists were not revealed.

From Costa Maya can be accessed two small villages (Xcalak and Mahahual) and the road extends south to the southern border of Sian Kaan (north) approx 100 km (62 mi).

Mahahual is just 3 km/2 mi away and the berthed in Costa Maya cruise liners are easily seen from there. Mahahual was a small fishing village (with population around 800) before the docking jetty was constructed at Puerto Costa Maya (just up the Mahahual Beach) with capacity to serve large-sized passenger liners. Every day, cruise ships berth in Costa Maya and most of their tourists are bussed to Mahahual to enjoy cheap drinks, hand-made gift shopping, quad biking, watersports activities (swimming, jet ski rides, scuba diving and snorkeling). By the New Mahahual (cruise port development) project are planned the construction of new (second cruise dock) approx 12 km/7,5 mi to the south (along the coastal road). This could result in up to 4 vessels docking simultaneously each day.

Since the construction of Puerto Costa Maya, Mahahual has been rapidly growing in population (around 3000) and in capacity to receive over 15,000 tourists in a day. The town is just at ~5-min drive distance from the cruise port. Shuttle bus service and taxis go to the Mahahual boardwalk, with fares (cruise port to Mahahual Town) at ~USD 5 per person.

In August 2007, Hurricane Dean heavily damaged Mahahual's cruise dock and destroyed much of the village. Cruise liners returned to Costa Maya in late-October 2008.

Since 2010, Mahahual has quickly developed as a cruise tourism destination featuring palapas (open-sided dwellings with thatched roofs made of palm leaves), soft sand beaches (best-known/largest is Mahahual Beach), a near-shore coral reef (Banco Chinchorro), numerous seaside restaurants, bars, hotels, gift shops.

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). Roof-captured rainwater is collected and used for bathing and WCs.

During the post-COVID season 2022, Port Costa Maya recorded a total of 363 cruise ship calls, following only Cozumel (864 calls).

In 2023, Quintana Roo State received 1618 cruise ship calls (of which 462 were in Mahahual/Costa Maya) bringing in 2+ million cruise tourists. The state also recorded an 18% increase in cruise passenger numbers (6+ million compared to the 5 million received in 2019).

Costa Maya cruise terminal

Puerto Costa Maya is the first Western Caribbean port that was purposefully built for cruise ships exclusively. The passenger terminal complex was designed to resemble a Mayan city - thus truly exhibiting the authentic Mexican culture and history. Port's main entrance resembles a Mayan city facade and as tourists explore its infrastructure they kinda travel through time into a traditional Mexican folkloric town.

The cruise port's operator is the Cancun -based company ITM Group MX (also managing the new Taino Bay Cruise Terminal in Puerto Plata, Dominicana ).

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.

Majahual is located approx 5-min away. Limited taxis are parked at the village's exit. Taxi fare from Port Majahual is around US$5 PP. Banks and post offices are not available in port. There are pay phones in the shopping complex.

The following map of Costa Maya cruise port shows all facilities in the terminal area. The built by the pier cruise tourist village has several complimentary swimming pools (including 1 huge, filled with saltwater and featuring a swim-up bar), authentic Mexican restaurants and bars, restaurant grill, shops (including a convenience store and Market Place selling Mexican crafts), Jade Maya Museum, taxi ranks, transportation to Mahahual Town, bike rentals, even a Mayan Pyramid replica and its own beach (with hammocks, showers, volleyball pool). Additionally, Costa Maya offers a Mayan-inspired spa experience, a hanging Aviary, a tequila museum, a chocolate museum, "El Callejon del Sapo" (translates to Toad’s Alley for an exquisite culinary experience and Mexican folklore). The following map of Costa Maya cruise port shows all facilities in the terminal area.

Next map shows Costa Maya port's facilities, all tourist attractions and shopping options.

Most of the shops are open when ships are in port.

On the above map are shown the following shops:

• (1) Diamonds International (Caribbean's largest selection of diamonds and diamond jewelry)
• (2) Tanzanite International (thousands of loose and set pieces in all sizes, shapes and colors)
• (3) Diamonds International (discount jewelry)
• (4) Carpet Emporium (over 10,000 certified handmade carpets, including from Turkey, Persia, India, China; free DHL shipping worldwide, tax and duty-free)
• (5) Diamonds International (luxury watches and designer jewelry, including the brands Caribbean Topaz, Chameleon, Chopard, Wyle, TAG Heuer, John Hardy, Korite, Baume & Mercier, Cartier, Concord, Corum, Cyma, Dior, Ebel, ESQ Swiss, IWC, Longines, Maurice Lacroix, Movado, Philip Stein, Piaget, Edward Mirell, Judith Ripka, Yvel)
• (6) Havana Club (premium cigars, including Monte Cristo, Cohiba, Romeo & Julieta, Partagas, the shop has a walk-in humidor)
• (7a, 7b) Tequileria International (over 200 Tequila brands, including Agave, Mescal, Anejo, Blanco, Kahlua)
• (8) Del Sol (world's largest color -changing retailer, custom-Made T-Shirts themed on the Mayan Ruins in Chichenitza)
• (9) Silver Factory (unique silver and gold jewelry designs at low prices, including rings, bracelets, necklaces, also sells
• (10) Taxco (silver factory, unique silver jewelry designs, semiprecious stones (amethyst, onyx, quartz, topaz, zircon, Swarovski crystals) at factory prices
• (A) Bbandito's (Lobster Shack) is a beach restaurant with live entertainment (menu includes lobster burritos and fresh fish specialties)
• (B) Mamasita's (Restaurant & Bar) - offers fresh fish tacos, poolside Bar Service and Happy Hour prices between 3-4 pm).

~10-min by taxi from Port Costa May (in Mahahual) is the Jaime’s at the Blue Reef Hotel offering to cruise ship tourists all-inclusive day passes (limited to just 28x daily). The hotel's admission fee includes Wi-Fi, unlimited food and beverages (including alcoholic), rooftop pool (adults-only), protected beach area (with padded sun loungers and shaded seating/palapas), water toys (kayaks, floats, paddle boards).

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Costa Maya - user reviews and comments

7 Best Things To Do In Costa Maya Cruise Port + Port Guide

Welcome to Costa Maya cruise port!

The port of Costa Maya is located in the Yucatan peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo (Mexico), and is the only port in the Western Caribbean designed specifically for cruise ships. This beautiful port of call is known for its gorgeous beaches, a wide range of activities offered, and archeological ruins attractive not only to history buffs but to all visitors wanting to learn about Mexico’s rich historical and cultural heritage. In this Costa Maya cruise travel guide, read about:

• Costa Maya cruise port (Costa Maya cruise terminal, getting around the port)
• Top 7 things to do in Costa Maya cruise port and best shore excursions

Also read our cruise port guides for Belize , Roatan , Cozumel , Nassau , Labadee , Cococay ,  Antigua , Falmouth

Costa Maya Cruise Port

Costa Maya port (Puerto Costa Maya) is Mexico’s second-largest cruise port after Cozumel . It is located about 10 minutes ride from the small fishing village of Mahahual, and around 290 km (180 miles) south of Playa del Carmen and the island of Cozumel.

Resembling an authentic Mayan city, the Costa Maya cruise port complex is designed to suit the cruise ship passengers’ needs. Costa Maya cruise ship terminal can accommodate the world’s largest cruise liners (Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class) and has 4 berths in total.

If there are more than 4 cruise ships in port simultaneously, other ships will anchor and transfer their guests ashore via tender boats.

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. This is where you normally meet for shore excursions, and where you can book last-minute excursions if you wish.

The port complex features a wide range of facilities:

• Craft market where you can buy authentic handicrafts and souvenirs;  duty-free shops and internationally recognized brands including Diamonds International, Tanzanite International, Carpet Emporium, Del Sol, Havana Club offering premium quality cigars at affordable prices, Tequileria International with hundreds of tequila brands, and a few others.
• Poolside restaurants, beach bars, and cafes (seafood, fish and local specialties, grill) with live entertainment and amazing sea views.
• ATM (USD only)
• A massage center offering spa rituals and wellness treatments inspired by the Mayan civilization.
• Three swimming pools filled with salt water free of charge for the visitors to enjoy, with pool bars.
• Beach chairs and loungers are available on a first-come-first-serve basis, as well as restrooms, showers  and  changing rooms around the pool area.
• Dolphin Discovery Center offering dolphin interaction programs and shows is also located within the cruise port complex; a last-minute tour desk is located near the tour meeting location.

Getting Around Costa Maya Port

• Outside the cruise terminal area (there are two exits), you will find a large taxi rank, golf carts, bike/car/ATV rentals, local tour vendors, the Jade Maya Museum, a replica of a Mayan pyramid, and a few more facilities/places of interest.
• There is also a tour booth where you can get a shuttle transfer to Mahahual village for $5 per person each way, and the ride takes no more than 5 – 7 minutes. An alternative is to take a 30-minute walk from the cruise port to Mahahual.
• At the kiosk, you can also book tours, taxis/golf carts per hour, and various beach packages. Taxis will also offer private tours to the main tourist locations, but make sure you agree on the price beforehand to avoid inconveniences.
• Public transportation is available, but I do not think it is a good idea to experiment with the service due to the limited time in port and especially if you do not speak Spanish.
• Car rentals are also available inside the cruise port complex.
• The official currency in Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN) and 1 US dollar equals approximately  16.80 pesos. I strongly suggest that you have small bill denominations for taxis and souvenir purchases and reconfirm in advance that your change will be given in USD.
• Spanish is the main language in Mexico, however, like in any major tourist cruise port, English is widely spoken.
• Major cruise lines sailing to Costa Maya Mexico include Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises, MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Virgin Voyages and Celebrity Cruises . Check the Costa Maya cruise ship schedules
• Check out Costa Maya tours and activities
• Search the best Caribbean cruise deals

Watch my YouTube video on the Costa Maya cruise port!

7 Best Things to Do in Costa Maya Cruise Port

1. mahahual beach & village.

This beautiful beach is located in the lively fishing village of Mahahual and is the closest one to the port. White powdery sands and a barrier reef make it ideal for swimming and snorkeling as the water is calm and crystal clear, so make sure you get your camera ready for turtles, stingrays and a spectacular coral reef!

Mahahual village is very safe and the beach is ideal for families and people of all ages. Along the beach, you will encounter local restaurants, bars, and beach clubs offering beach chairs, umbrellas, watersports, and fantastic service.

Most of the beach clubs have either a minimum spend or an open bar, and you should definitely check out Yaya Beach, Blue Kay, Ibiza Sunset, Pitaya Beach Club, and Pez Quadro. Local vendors and beach massage areas are also available, as well as other facilities including showers, changing rooms, and restrooms.

Besides the gorgeous sandy beach, Mahahual has several other spots of interest, such as the Faro de Mahahual lighthouse, and Mahahual Boulevard filled with countless shops, supermarkets, restaurants, and bars. Transfers and taxis from the Costa Maya cruise port to the beach cost around $5 USD per person each way.

Check out Mahahual tours and activities

2. Get a Cruise Port Pass

If you decide to stay around the port area, you can take advantage of this pass that gives you access to 3 port attractions:

• Aviarius (the Aviary) : Located within the cruise terminal area, the Aviary offers a unique opportunity to meet and feed the most beautiful and exotic birds in the Caribbean. This family-friendly experience offers amazing photo opportunities so get your camera and smiles ready!
• The Kakaw : Learn all about the importance of chocolate to the Mayans and tour around the chocolate factory – a great adventure full of flavors that you cannot miss!
• Tequila Museum : Learn about the production process of the famous Mexican tequila before tasting some of the best tequila brands.

Cruise port pass tickets can be obtained through the cruise line or at the tour desk on the pier. The port pass also includes 3 complimentary drinks at one of the bars located close to the port pools.

3. Lost Mayan Kingdom Waterpark

Located only a few minutes’ drive from the port of Costa Maya, this amazing theme park inspired by the ancient Mayan culture of Mexico offers unforgettable adventure for the whole family!

Those in search of adrenaline can enjoy the crazy water slide rides and hit the thrilling zip lines across the jungle, while those looking to relax can go floating on a river rube through the jungle-lined lazy river or relax on a hammock by the pool. Children can have fun at pint-sized slides and mini pools at the Monkey’s Island kids’ area.

The park has restrooms, changing rooms, showers, lockers (extra cost), a snack bar, and a souvenir shop. Round-trip transfers to the port are offered every 30 minutes.

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.

4. Chacchoben Ruins

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.

Also known as the Land of the Red Corn, this 3,000-year-old site was once an important pilgrimage place for the ancient Mayans. Learn about the rich history and the importance of this site, and admire the big ceremonial temple known as Gran Basamento.

There are several ways to get to Chacchoben ruins , including renting a car, taking a taxi, or booking a guided tour. The ride takes between 50-60 minutes, subject to traffic. Chacchoben ruins are probably one of the few accessible Mayan ruins in Mexico.

Check out Chacchoben Ruins tours and activities

5. Dzibanche and Kohunlich Mayan Ruins

Do not miss the opportunity to visit the ruins of these two Mayan civilizations lost in the jungle close to the Belize border. There are two archeological zones within the same area: the Archeological Zone Dzibanché – Kinichná, and the Archaeological Zone of Kohunlich.

5.1 Archeological Zone Dzibanché – Kinichná

Dzibanche is said to be the first capital of the Kaan Dynasty, also known as the Snake Dynasty and the center of social and economic activities for the local population. Within the same archeological zone, in the heart of the jungle, you can also visit Kinichná ruins located approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) from Dzibanche. The complex is dominated by a huge two-level pyramid that you can climb and admire the spectacular views of the lush rainforest and surrounding pyramids. There are usually no crowds as the place is off the beaten track.

Both Dzibanche and Kinichná belong to the same archeological zone and the admission ticket includes access to both sites.

Check out ancient Dzibanche and Kinichna tours 

5.2 Archaeological Zone of Kohunlich

Kohunlich archeological complex is the largest Costa Maya ruins that consists of mainly residential buildings and palaces. The archeological site is impressive and known for the beautiful stucco masks of the Sun God that decorate the central staircase of the Temple of the Masks. If you wish, climb the 27 steps up to the top of the acropolis for great views over the jungle, or walk through the ceremonial plazas, the ball court and another structural group.

Kohunlich archeological site is larger and it takes at least 1 hour to visit it and walk around. The area is beautifully preserved, with tall palm trees and monkeys that you can spot high up on the trees.

Explore Kohunlich archeological site tours

Useful tips if you are visiting Mayan ruins

• It is recommended to visit both archeological zones (Archeological Zone Dzibanché – Kinichná and Kohunlich archeological zone) on the same day, as they are located 45 minutes drive from each other. Both archeological sites are located around 2.5 hours from the Costa Maya cruise port.
• There is no cell phone signal and the roads are really bad, so be mindful of that in case you decide to come on your own. Make sure you bring insect repellent as there are many mosquitos, as well as water, snacks, and comfortable shoes. It can also be very hot, so bring your hat and sunglasses (Suggested article: What to Pack for a Cruise – Top 55 Cruise Essentials )
• Due to the distance, the best way to explore the ruins is through an organized shore excursion from the cruise line that includes entrance fees and normally provides a packed lunch box so you can maximize your time on site.
• If you choose to take a taxi, you should agree on the price with the driver in advance, as it all depends on the number of people taking a tour. Taxi drivers normally offer private tours and expect to pay around $80 per person for a round-trip transfer (they won’t take you for a one-way ride). A good alternative might be to rent a car , however, be careful because the roads are in extremely poor condition.

6. Bacalar Lagoon

Take a trip over to Bacalar village and cruise through “The Lake of the Seven Colors”, the second-largest natural body of fresh water in Mexico. This multicolor freshwater lake is fed by underground sinkholes or “cenotes” and a white sandy bottom that gives the effects of the different hues of blue. A truly fantastic place to visit and a great location for snorkeling, swimming and other water activities!

Bacalar is located approximately 91 km/56 miles or a 1 hour 15-minute drive from Costa Maya. The best way to get here is through an organized shore excursion from the cruise ship. However, if you are more of an “on your own” person, then my suggestion is to check with the tourist information center for reliable tour companies and packages to this amazing place.

Explore Bacalar Lagoon tours from Costa Maya Cruise Port

7. Snorkeling and Scuba Diving

Costa Maya is known for its second-largest coral reef in the world which makes it a perfect destination for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

This is the only place in the world where you can swim with crocodiles in the wild, so make sure you bring your best waterproof camera as you will want to capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment!

• Explore Costa Maya snorkeling tours and activities
• Check out Costa Maya scuba diving tours

You may also like our cruise port guides to the Mediterranean , Caribbean , Western Europe , Baltic & Scandinavia , USA & Canada , Australia & New Zealand

This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. For full information, please see my  disclaimer  here.

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Guide to the Costa Maya Cruise Port In Mexico

Posted on Published: 03/29/2022

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. I had heard some great things about the Puerto Costa Maya cruise port and looked forward to seeing it for myself.

The port of Costa Maya is located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan peninsula. It’s bordered by the Caribbean Sea and is in the Western Caribbean. It’s located near the small fishing village of Mahahual village and is south of Cancun. Unlike Cozumel, which is an island, Costa Maya is located on the mainland of Mexico.

Disclosure: I did take a complimentary media cruise on the Odyssey of the Seas, but we did pay full price for this sailing. We also paid full price for our day in Costa Maya.

Upon arriving in Costa Maya, we had a beautiful view of the expansive port. In my experience, it’s one of the larger ports that I’ve seen. As you exit your cruise ship, you’ll enter the port area. Be sure to follow your ship’s instructions for what to bring (and not to bring) off the ship. Typically, you’ll need your ship key card and a photo ID, as well as your wallet with cash/credit cards, and towels from your ship. Like other international ports, you won’t be able to bring any fresh produce with you.

Port Amenities at the Costa Maya Cruise Terminal

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 . If you haven’t planned any excursions or activities in advance, I would still recommend getting off the ship. There’s so much to do right there.

The first thing you’ll see is a last-minute tour desk, where you can book an excursion. This is a great option for those who haven’t yet planned anything but still want to do a port excursion. However, if you have something you really want to do in Costa Maya, I’d recommend booking it in advance. These tours can book up, especially if there are multiple large cruise ships in port. Several different cruise lines do visit the Costa Maya cruise terminal.

Other amenities at the port include an ATM (US currency), bathrooms, Wifi, and a taxi stand. You can also book golf carts to use to explore locally.

Port Activities In Costa Maya

Unlike other Caribbean ports I’ve traveled to, Puerto Costa Maya is a destination in itself. Guests can choose to purchase a port pass (similar to a day pass), which includes admission to the on-site aviary with tropical birds, Kakaw Chocolate Factory, the tequila museum, and three complimentary house drinks. 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.

All of these activities can also be explored and visited individually. On our sailing, the cruise line offered discounted aviary tickets as one of the Costa Maya excursions.

In addition, the port offers a large swimming pool with lounge chairs, multiple restaurants and bars, a Mexican market, shops, a fish spa, and more. You could easily spend a lot of time exploring the shops. It’s really a beautiful port area.

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.

There’s also the Mayan Wellness Retreat, which includes a spa experience that runs for a little over an hour. This can also be booked as an excursion on the ship. Because of the short duration of this experience, you can also combine it with some other activities at the port.

If you aren’t traveling with kids and just want to relax and enjoy the area, I think the tequila tasting followed by some time at the pool enjoying a cocktail would be a fun experience.

Excursions from Costa Maya Cruise Port

Would you rather book an excursion for the surrounding Costa Maya area? Check your cruise line’s offerings because ours had plenty of fun shore excursion options. Typical Costa Maya excursions include the following:

Chacchoben Mayan ruins tour : The ruins of Chacchoben are located about 50-60 minutes from the port, and the tours run about four hours. If you book this archaeological site tour, you should have some time when you return to explore the Costa Maya port before boarding your ship.

Seven Colors Lagoon : Excursions to this popular freshwater lagoon typically include transportation, food, and drink while you are there. You will probably need to bring towels from the ship. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

Maya, Lost Mayan Kingdom (closed) : While the Maya, Lost Mayan Kingdom theme water park was a popular excursion in Costa Maya with zip lines and water slides, it is now closed.

Other excursions in Costa Maya include cenotes tours, all-inclusive beach breaks, and other ruins tours.

Best Beach in Costa Maya Mexico: Maya Chan Beach

If you’d like to enjoy a beach day in Mexico on your Caribbean cruise, you’ll find that there are several options of beautiful beach clubs that are available as privately booked excursions along the beach area. This means that you’ll need to book one of these all-inclusive beach clubs on your own – not through your cruise line.

There are some risks that come with this. You’ll need to make sure you make it to your ship before all-aboard time. 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.

When we were visiting Costa Maya, I knew that we wanted to spend a relaxing day on the beach. I had heard about Maya Chan Beach – one of the more popular destinations among cruise passengers. We decided to book it. It ended up being the best cruise ship excursion we’ve done due to the service, food, and atmosphere.

Overview of Maya Chan Beach

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.

Maya Chan Beach is very popular, and they do cap the number of visitors per day. So, it’s important to book ahead. They do have a great refund policy, but make sure you check the latest info when you book.

Getting To Maya Chan Beach

Once you purchase your admission, you’ll be given instructions for finding the transportation. You’ll need to make your way out of the port to a small location outside. There, you can meet your guide who will arrange your transportation in small groups. It’s a bit of a ride to the beach.

It was a long walk to the end of the port, but we felt that it was pretty easy to find the meeting spot. Be sure to bring your swimsuit, sunscreen, towels, and anything else you’ll need for the day.

Once we arrived at Maya Chan, we were given an overview of the property and directed to our chairs for the day. Because all reservations are made in advance, your seating area will be waiting for you. Our party of four had an open pergola with a beach bed, multiple chairs, a hammock, and a table. Seating areas vary depending on party size but you are guaranteed a beach chair for each guest and a beach bed at each seating location.

Food at Maya Chan

We were greeted with a rum punch (nonalcoholic for the kids) as well as homemade chips and salsa. Servers continuously come around taking drink orders, and even offered milkshakes for the kids.

When lunch is ready, you’ll be treated to a buffet filled with a homemade Mexican lunch of tacos, soup, beans, rice, and more. We absolutely loved this authentic Mayan-inspired meal – especially the fish and pork.

Amenities at Maya Chan

It’s hard to explain in words how special Maya Chan is. The amenities, including beach floats, floating chairs, sand toys, showers, snorkel equipment, outdoor games, the pool, and the waterfront location are definitely beautiful. But the service is top-notch, and you won’t want to leave.

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.

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.

If you are interested in booking a day at Maya Chan, I definitely recommend booking it as early as possible since capacity is limited. You can find information on their website .

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Crown Cruise Vacations | April 1, 2024

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Enjoying a bird’s-eye view in Costa Maya’s Aviarius

• Jackie Sheckler Finch
• On 20, May 2020

The little boy ahead of me at the Aviarius wasn’t too sure about this. Hold out his hand with bird seed and let a bird alight to eat it from his hand?

“What if it bites me?” 5-year-old Aaron of Florida asked his mother. After watching other people do it, Aaron bravely stuck out his hand and was immediately visited by a small bird.

By the time our Aviarus trek had ended, Aaron was ready to keep going. I handed him my cup of seed so he could enjoy some extra bird time while I took photos.

On my cruise aboard the Celebrity Equinox, I was looking forward to visiting Costa Maya, Mexico. Shore excursion choices were abundant – scuba diving, Mayan ruins, fly fishing, catamaran sailing, river tubing, paddle boarding, dolphin swim, off-road jeep ride, river rafting and many more.

But I didn’t want to spend my short time in Costa Maya on an expensive all-day shore excursion. Instead, I chose to walk from the ship dock into the cruise port. A very easy stroll. Once a sleepy fishing village, the region was transformed in 2002 into a popular cruise destination.

“It was the first manufactured cruise port in the Caribbean,” said tour guide Perla. “Then Hurricane Dean hit in 2007 and devastated the area. It took a year to rebuild and we’ve been growing ever since.”

Unlike some cruise ports, Costa Maya is still laid-back and friendly. Sales people don’t hassle visitors, nor do they stand outside their shops and follow visitors trying to sell something as they do in Cozumel and other hustling tourist sites.

Aboard the ship, I purchased a Port Pass for about $40. It entitled me to an overall tour by Perla plus tours of the Aviarius, a chocolate museum (with samples), a tequila museum (with samples), and a lounge in a reserved section of the Costa Maya’s lovely swimming pool. The Port Pass also included three complimentary drinks at the island’s pool bar – cocktails, beer, wine or soft drinks. Quite a deal.

After Perla walked us around the port and pointed out the various attractions, we were on our own. We could visit the three included attractions whenever we wanted or we could just sit in the comfortable recliner lounge by the pool and enjoy three cold drinks.

I did the Aviarius first because it was right overhead. That’s right. The aviary is made up of a series of hanging bridges. First, we climbed steps to gain entrance to the Aviarus where we were handed a free plastic cup filled with bird seeds. Then we were given quick instructions about the birds inside and which birds liked which seeds.

Signs identified the birds in the different habitats – parrots, parakeets, lorikeets, cockatiels, cardinals, macaws and bunches of others. Some beautiful flamingos greeted us in a watery area before we climbed the stairs for our airy tour.

Almost as much fun as seeing and feeding the birds was enjoying the panoramic views of the port and the sea from the hanging bridges. The birds seemed well tended and happy in their homes. They also seemed to know quite well what people with plastic cups meant but the little critters were not aggressive at all about wanting seeds.  

By the end, I agreed with Aaron. It was a fun visit and I would certainly do it again the next time I cruise to Costa Maya.

Story and photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch

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Aviary - Costa Maya

• Mexico    
• Yucatan Peninsula    
• Quintana Roo    
• Costa Maya    
• Mahahual    
• Mahahual - Things to Do    

We did not do an excursion in Costa Maya and decided to stay and shop. Well we found an Aviary in the middle of the shopping madness. This Aviary was worth EVERY part of the $12. You got to interact with many birds. You can feed them and they come to you. Honestly the best $12 self guided tour you can ever take.

Hi worktoyolo! Thank you so much for writing this kind review. We are thrilled to read you had a great time at the Aviary, we are happy to know you enjoyed it so much. We hope to see you soon! Have a great day!

Mahahual is where you want to be when visting Costa Maya. Leave the cruise port behind. Take a 20 minutes taxi drive to Mahahual. Lovely town. Very inexpensive. All of the shops are within view of the beach. Have one of the locals grill up your lunch. Amazing Food! Dine under a palm tree. Drink, relax, go for a swim and enjoy. Just don't miss the ship!!!

Hello, Wanderer485150! Thank you very much for taking the time to share this kind review, we appreciate your comments about the facilities, it's a pleasure to receive you here. We hope to see you soon. Have a great day.

Costa Maya is a made up stop. Nothing really happens there. It is a pure commercial stop to take money out of the cruisers. The beach you can see from the ship it is actually private. All you can find without paying are shops. If you are looking for a nice destination not requiring hours in a car suggest to look for other options in the Caribbean.

Hello Tinescob! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are sorry to read you didn't have a good time with us, we hope next time you are able to enjoy all things Costa Maya has for you such as experiences, tours, museums and more. Without further ado, we hope to see you soon! Have a great day!

Pier connecting the where the ship dock. Short walk on the pier to the land portion of COSTA Maya, Mexico. Peopl very friendly and accommodating. Many shops selling all kinds of goods and restaurants still local dishes. Great photo opportunities. Full beach and resort facilities along with attractions such as zip line. Observations station at top of lighthouse. The port provides all transportation into the interior either car, coach or rentals. Water sports available and of course tourists off the cruise go swimming and taking advantage of what’s available to them. Definitely worth a visit off the ship to spend the day on land. Fun spot ! All shore excursions start from the port area,

Hello TonyC216 ! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this kind review. We are thrilled to read you had a great time with all our facilities, it is our pleasure to have you here! We hope to have you here soon! Have a great day!

We went on a New Years Cruise a week ago and loved this stop. We went to the Aviary for $12 per adult and $10 per child where they give you some food and you get to see many different type of birds (even an owl) through different sections of their net protected upper floor bird habitats. Some birds actually come on you. We loved the views from the top too and were able to take amazing photos. Once you leave the Costa Maya touristy area...and "pass" the first parking lot, you are able to exit and take taxis for half the price. The cheaper taxis are $2 per person and can drive you to "Blue Caye Beach", which is what I would recommend. In reality you can almost walk there....so you may want to consider walking back on the return if you want to save the return taxi fare. It's less than 2 miles. The beach has white sand and super clear water. There is some coral/brown areas, but it's a very nice beach you can swim in / snorkel and look at fish, etc. We spent our time with these two things and it was time to go back on board. We did not spend money renting chairs and such. I would recommend you take bug spray..since I did get bit by "sand flies", which itched the rest of my cruise. One of the guys said that if you get wet right away then the sand flies don't bother you...but if you lay on the beach with dry skin they get on you.

Hello AlejandrainChrist! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this kind review. We are thrilled to read you had a great time enjoying our aviary and Mahahual, it is our pleasure to have you here! We hope to have you here soon! Have a great day!

If you are not doing an excursion during your cruise ship stop at Costa Maya, then by all means, hop off the ship and hang out at Costa Maya Port if: * You only have an hour and don't mind paying a premium for convenience * You don't mind crowds * You enjoy Mexican/Mayan culture as curated by Carnival/Royal Caribben, et al However, I would encourage you to take a chance. Make your way through the intentionally-confusing labyrinth that is this port-mall, out the front door, stay to the left and head out the gate of the complex, and catch a cab into the fishing village of Mahahual. Check out my other reviews for recommendations on what to do when you get there. You will note I did give the Costa Maya Port a score of 2 rather than 1. It has shops, restaurants and attractions that are all nice and safe and close to the ships. It is fine if that is what you are looking for and you don't mind the crowds or paying a premium for convenience, then enjoy the port. Cheers!

Hello Tony B! Thank you for taking the time to write this detailed review. We would like to know if you had the chance to enjoy one of our experiences, it would be great to know more about it. Have a good day!

Aviary Costa Maya

By gmachar , March 13, 2023 in Costa Maya

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Has anyone been recently? Wondering if you can buy a pass to just the aviary at the port? The port website only lists a port pass for $43 that includes the aviary,  chocolate tour & tequila tour. RCCL has the aviary pass on sale for $10.99 now, but the time is listed as 10:00-11:00 & was hoping to be more flexible about time. Also not sure I would go along with the rest of the family (hanging bridges? And I’m afraid of heights!)

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• 4 weeks later...

Mum2Mercury

I was just looking at shore excursions for our upcoming cruises ... I see that this Costa Maya Port Pass is $50 if you buy it through the cruise line (and that includes 1 cocktail) or $38 if you buy it from the port's website (and that includes 3 cocktails).  

Kellie in Texas

You can get off the ship and buy aviary-only tours from a kiosk. My DH and DS and fiancee did that in January. About $10 each, as I recall. 

3 hours ago, Kellie in Texas said: You can get off the ship and buy aviary-only tours from a kiosk. My DH and DS and fiancee did that in January. About $10 each, as I recall. 

Thanks for that info..

Found some YouTube tours of the aviary to get a feel for it.

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Port Pass Cultural Experiences

Aviarius: This unique aviary is in the port area and has eight different habitats connected to each other by pending bridges. There are over 12 species of friendly and multicolored birds from different regions. A great activity for families. The Magic Garden – Tequila & Chocolate Experience: This magic garden will amaze you with its multi-sensory experience through the rise of chocolate and tequila. Two of the biggest representations contributing to the Mexican world. It includes chocolate candy and three different drinks made from tequila and chocolate. Coconut Drink: After your visit to the Tequila and Chocolate experience, you will visit La Bendita Bar where a coconut drink is included. Coconut is seasonal and the drink´s presentation may vary throughout the year. What’s Included:

• Entrance to aviary.
• Chocolate and tequila experience.
• Chocolate candy.
• Three tequila drink samples.
• One regular sized cocktail (alcoholic or nonalcoholic).

Requirements & Restrictions: Minimum age to consume alcohol – 18 years and must present a valid ID for drinking age verification. This excursion requires a fair amount of walking over uneven surfaces and climbing. For safety reasons, guests with walking difficulties may not participate on this excursion. What to Bring: Cash or credit/debit card for additional purchases. Good to Know: The Port Pass is carried out within the port area. Guests can enjoy the tour at their own leisure.

10 Options for a Fun Port Day in Costa Maya

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Do you have a cruise port day scheduled for Costa Maya?  You’re in luck!  There are so many ways to enjoy a fun port day in Costa Maya (Mahahual, Mexico). First, here are a few things you might want to know about the port of Costa Maya.

Costa Maya is NOT a town in Mexico, it’s simply the name given to the cruise port developed by the cruise industry.  The local town is called Mahahual, Mexico. It was an old fishing village until tourism came to town.

The port has a long pier where  3 ships can dock at the same time.  No tendering is necessary!

Depending on the position of your ship, you could have quite a walk down the pier to the port area.  If you are meeting your tour or transportation leave yourself plenty of time.  My suggestion is to give yourself about 30 minutes.  No, it will probably not take you that long to walk but…the port can be rather congested at times and it’s better to be safe than sorry. You also may want to stop for that Instagram-worthy shot along the way.

If you enjoy staying close to the ship, there are a number of things to do right in the developed port area including shops, eateries, spa services, and even a pool!  But, more on this as we dive into the post.

In this post, I’ll share with you 10 options for a great cruise port day in Costa Maya.

If staying close to the port is important to you, you have several options.

Hang out at the pool – Purchase a drink at the bar and then enjoy your lounge chair by the pool.  Tip:  arrive early.  The port area is much busier and more crowded mid-day to the afternoon as people return from their tours.

Check out the Aviary – Entrance to the aviary grants you access to interact with a number of exotic featured friends.  Connected by suspended bridges, a tour of the aviary also provides great views of the port area.

Explore the shops or grab some Mexican treats including street tacos, tequila, chocolate and a variety of Mayan souvenirs. You can purchase a “port pass” which includes Kakow, a demonstration of the importance of cacao to the Mayan people,  a tequila exhibit and tasting,  as well as the aviary.

Maya Healing Rituals – Located right in the port, the Mayan Healing Rituals offers a relaxing as well as a cultural experience.

Make new friends at the Dolphin encounter located right in the port area. I personally struggle with animal tourism but I do feel like there are some educational benefits.  Our daughter was hugely impacted by our manatee experience in Cozumel a few years ago.

Explore a little further for a grand adventure

Mayan Lost Kingdom water park – fly down water slides, zipline over the canopy or float in the lazy river. Thrill-seekers unite at this splash-filled fun day. Check out current pricing options here .

Mayan Ruins – Book a tour and explore the Chacchoben Ruins approximately an hour from the cruise port.  We booked this tour through the cruise line.  We traveled the easy hour in an air-conditioned coach bus with our tour guide on board.  She was very friendly and informative and because we selected the morning tour, we finished up before the intense heat of the afternoon. If you’re interested in visiting the ruins you can check out my full post .

Looking to relax on the beach during your cruise port day in Costa Maya?

If you favor a tan over adventure you have just as many great options.

Mahahual Beach – If you’re looking for a short and inexpensive cab ride to the beach and a great pay-as-you-go option, check out Mahahual Beach.  It has a local feel and offers plenty of food & beverage options as well as local shopping. Be sure and check out Tropicante or the Krazy Lobster.

Related post:  Mahahual Boardwalk

Yaya Beach Club & Plaza or Ibiza Sunset both offer all-inclusive options and extras such as massages on the beach!

A cruiser favorite, the all-inclusive Maya Chan Beach – If you are in the mood for amazing service and an all-inclusive day, I highly recommend Maya Chan Beach .  This family-owned resort for a day caters to cruise ship passengers and the service is truly incredible.   If you always want to know more (like me), check out the book, It Helps to be Crazy:  The Story of Maya Chan Beach . (Amazon link)

Are you excited about your Cruise Port Day in Costa Maya? 

Let me know in the comments below what option sounds most exciting to your family!

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A Travel Guide to the Costa Maya Cruise Port

Costa Maya is one of Mexico’s most popular ports, located near the southern border of the Mexican state Quintana Roo. The name of the western Caribbean port means the Mayan coast, which is quite fitting (and literal) since it is a port located there. This port is mostly rivaled by the Cozumel port, which has more excursions .

Nonetheless, this port overlooks the stunning turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea and has made a name for itself. The area surrounding the port is tailored to cruise passengers, so tourists often appreciate the offerings of the area. The small town near the port is called Mahahual and has everything cruisers may need . This town is a tourist hot spot with some of the best shopping. While Costa Maya’s cruise port is not very central to other popular Mexican cities, it has its own unique offerings. Learn more about this port and its best offerings to travelers.

Is the Costa Maya Cruise Port Popular?

The Costa Maya cruise port is not as popular as some other modernly developed ports. The area has a lower population, so travelers will notice that it is not a very bustling port. However, the port is actually quite popular for its unique shape and style. The T-shaped pier offers travelers a long cruise terminal, which is meant to accommodate traffic flow. The cruise port is the gateway to Mahahual, which has fantastic Mayan attractions, comfortable amenities and delicious food.

The port is also known for its clean environment, but it is important to note that the beach is not immediately accessible from the port area. It has a welcoming and warm charm which can even be experienced through the locals. The locals of the Costa Maya cruise port area (Mahahual) are very friendly and speak English well. This means that travelers may find it easier to get around without a language barrier.

What Cruise Lines Dock There?

Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Princess, Norwegian, Virgin, MSC, Holland America, Costa and Aida cruise lines all dock at Costa Maya. Due to the port’s shape, it can not handle a high number of cruise ships at one time. In fact, it can handle at most four ships at once. Depending on the docking schedule, this maximum capacity may be unpleasant for travelers. Since the surrounding area is not exceedingly large and the port is quite slender, there can be crowds. If travelers are excited to leisurely explore this cruise port after departing from their ship , it may be worthwhile to research the port schedule.

This predetermined schedule can help travelers gauge how busy the port area will be. Costa Maya’s port schedule seems to consider its slender pier by scheduling only two ships at one specific time. This helps to alleviate some of the potentially frantic energy that may occur when several large cruise ships are unloading their passengers. Some travelers may choose to opt out of particular cruises if their established itinerary says they dock on days where the port will be overwhelmed with ships (and therefore, cruisers). Port days and staggered arrivals are important factors that help this small cruise port juggle large crowds.

Things To Do Near the Costa Maya Cruise Port

Travelers have plenty to do around the port and in Mahahual. In the cruise terminal travelers will find plenty of amenities. These include a tour informational desk, restrooms and ATM’s. Some of the fun things near the port include pool bars, crafter’s markets and The Dolphin Discovery. The Dolphin Discovery is one of more popular attractions since it offers shows and opportunities to swim with aquatic mammals. Other than those options, there is an array of restaurants, spas, museums and cuisine tastings in Mahahual.

For travelers who are comfortable straying a little further from the port, there are other adventurous places to visit. The Maya Chan Beach is a private beach resort available to cruise ship passengers. Tours of the Chacchoben Mayan City are enlightening and active excursions for tourists. For tourists who are tired of the beach and want to try something new, Mayá The Lost Mayan Kingdom may be the perfect fit. This new park located in the Mayan jungle is an adventurous traveler’s dream. It is filled with exciting experiences like zip lining, a coaster and huge water slides that come out of a structure resembling a massive Mayan temple.

Transportation

Cruisers certainly have to rely on public transportation when getting to and from excursions or simply exploring a destination. So, ports are considered much safer and nicer for cruisers when public transportation is readily available. Costa Maya has great options for cruise passengers trying to utilize their time off their ship. For groups with children, mobility difficulties or even travelers that simply prefer not to walk down the long pier there is a trolly. This free trolly transports guests on a continuous loop. Travelers that, by chance, arrive during a crowded time (when the maximum capacity of four ships are in port) may have to wait a bit for the trolley to return. Once travelers get to the cruise terminal, they will need to secure transportation to Mahahual.

The most popular options are the local shuttle, taxis or golf carts. The shuttle bus to Mahahual and taxis are pretty affordable options since they both cost around $3 per person each way. Golf carts are a better fit for those who want to independently explore. But travelers will pay a hefty price for that autonomy (compared to the other transportation options) as golf carts cost around $30 each hour to rent.

Voyager of the Seas Review

Great first cruise.

Rating by category

Additional details.

This was my first cruise. I had a seasoned cruiser leading the way. She made all the reservations for our group of 7 girls. The food was good. Not blow your socks off amazing, but good. We ate dinner in the dining room each night and the Windjammer buffet every day for lunch. The buffet is huge, too many choices. So it's great for picky eaters. I thought the buffet food was good. My ONLY 2 issues with this cruise were our room situation and the ship app. We booked all of our rooms together. However, when we got on the ship, our rooms were not all on the same deck. This was a super annoying inconvenience. Especially since 6 of us were first timers and were lost and had no idea what to do or where to go. This was really a problem for us. You can't just knock on the door next to you when your friends are several decks away. You can't text each other because your phones don't work. The in app chat that they provide is mostly useless. Which we read in many reviews before we left. And I had hoped they were wrong, they weren't. The ship wifi that you use for the app is spotty and the app doesn't give you notifications of messages. You have to open the app and look to see if anyone messaged you. While this doesn't seem like a big deal, it is more than you realize. When in the rooms, you get no signal at all. So you have to go out to a common space to get a signal to check your messages. And they seemed very delayed also. My best suggestion is be sure you take a magnetic white board for your rooms doors to leave notes for your friends to be able to find you. But in our case, with our rooms being so far apart, even this would have been annoying to walk all that way to leave a note or to check for a note. Maybe if they would greatly improve app function it would be better. I saw some complaints about desserts. yes, they were not very sweet, but we Americans are used to having way too much sugar. Several of the desserts were just sweet enough to be really good. I sprinkled splenda or sugar over some to make them a little tastier, but they were still good and lots of variety. I highly recommend the carrot cake. ;)

Cabin Review

We had an interior guarantee cabin. There were 3 of us. We were comfortable. You are barely in your room. It was very clean and house keeping came every day.

Port Reviews

We did Dolphin discovery and the Aviary here and stayed in the immediate Port shopping area. The area is very clean and nice. Shop workers are PUSHY.

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