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Costa Maya cruise port guide: what to do in your hours ashore
Costa Maya is a purpose-built cruise port on the mainland coast of southern Quintana Roo, close to the border with Belize. Ships berth along a long pier that runs out from the shore; at its land end is a gated port village with shops, bars and pools. The fishing village of Mahahual, with its beach and seafront path, is about 3 km to the south. The best-known Maya ruins nearby, Chacchoben, are around an hour inland.
Costa Maya today: weather, what is open and what fits →
Plan by time ashore
Under 4 hours
Port village and pools, Mahahual seafront, Reef snorkelling off Mahahual
4 to 6 hours
Beach club day in Mahahual, ATV or jungle buggy tour
6 hours or more
Chacchoben Maya ruins, Bacalar lagoon
Getting around from the pier
- On foot inside the port: From the berth you walk the length of the pier to the port village. It is a long walk in the sun; a small shuttle often runs along the pier. being verified
- Taxi to Mahahual: Taxis leave from a stand behind the port village. The ride to Mahahual takes about five minutes and is usually charged per person for a return trip; confirm the price and the pickup point before you go. being verified
- Walking to Mahahual: Possible along the road, but it takes up to 45 minutes in full sun with little shade. Most people take a taxi one way at least.
- Tours inland: Chacchoben and Bacalar are reached by tour bus or van on the highway inland. There is no public transport that fits a port day, so book a tour or a private driver.
Money and language
Money: Mexican peso (MXN). Dollars are taken in the port village and by most bars and taxis in Mahahual; small notes help, as change may come back in pesos.
Language: Spanish. Staff in the port village and tour guides speak English; in Mahahual itself it varies.
Opening hours
The shops and bars in the port village open whenever a ship is in. Beach bars and small shops in Mahahual open from late morning, more of them on ship days.
Sunday is a normal ship day here: the port village and most of Mahahual's seafront open as long as there are passengers ashore.
Weather
Daytime highs of 28–33°C all year. Hot and humid, with the rain mostly from June to October. This coast is in the hurricane belt (June to November); Hurricane Dean hit Mahahual and the pier hard in 2007.
Things to do
Town
Port village and pools
Right at the end of the pier: souvenir shops, bars, a small beach and swimming pools that cruise passengers can use. Easy and close to the ship, but it is a cruise-only enclave, not a real town.
Town
Mahahual seafront
A pedestrian path runs along the beach through the village, lined with seafood places, beach bars and small shops. More local and relaxed than the port, and the reef lies just off the shore.
Water
Reef snorkelling off Mahahualbeing verified
The Mesoamerican Reef runs close to the shore here. Short boat trips from the village piers take you to the reef for an hour or so of snorkelling; conditions depend on the wind.
Tour
ATV or jungle buggy tourbeing verified
Off-road rides on dirt tracks through the coastal scrub and mangroves near the port, often combined with a beach stop. Dusty and bumpy; closed shoes recommended.
Beach
Beach club day in Mahahualbeing verified
Several beach bars along the seafront offer loungers and umbrellas if you buy food and drinks, some with a set minimum spend. Further south the beach gets quieter. Seaweed (sargassum) can pile up here in summer.
Tour
Chacchoben Maya ruins
Temples and plazas in the forest, about an hour inland on good roads. Shaded and less crowded than the famous sites further north, but limited to the main paths. Almost everyone goes with an organised tour.
Nature
Bacalar lagoonbeing verified
A long freshwater lagoon known as the lake of seven colours, with boat trips and swimming. A long day out: only realistic with a tour on a full-day call.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Mahahual from the Costa Maya cruise port?
About 3 km. A taxi takes around five minutes; walking takes up to 45 minutes along a hot road. The port village with its pools is right at the end of the pier.
Can I use US dollars in Costa Maya?
Yes, in the port village and at most places in Mahahual. Carry small bills; change often comes back in pesos, and some small stalls are cash only.
Is there enough time for Chacchoben from Costa Maya?
On most calls, yes: allow four to five hours for the ruins including about an hour of driving each way. A ship tour or a reputable local operator that guarantees your return is the safest option.
Is the beach at Costa Maya good for swimming?
The water inside the reef at Mahahual is shallow and usually calm. Sargassum seaweed can wash up between roughly April and September, and the beach in the port itself is small.
Costa Maya cruise traffic: 2.4 million cruise passengers in 2025.
Labels saying being verified mark local tips we have not confirmed yet.