Your previous content has been restored. Theres not as many visitors to the site given that it is a bit farther. Costa Maya is a cruise ship port in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and very close to the border of Belize. I certainly do not know the full history of Costa Maya but I DO know that CM is one of those "manufactured" ports that the cruise lines created over the past several years. Costa Maya (Mexico) Cruise Port Guide: Review (2022) - IQCruising 70 year olds are not all decrepid. Also is jaimes at blue reef the next best option for an all inclusive if Maya Chan is closed when Im there ? Source: Viator.com. I believe the reef is closer to shore at that spot, too. Royal Caribbean Changes Itinerary for First New Homeport Cruise They particularly seemed to enjoy climbing up and down the stairs and searching for monkeys in the trees. Welcome to Cruise Critic. Costa Maya and Cozumel Excursions : royalcaribbean - Reddit We have visited this cruise port at least twice on a Virgin and Royal Caribbean cruise, and you can read our other cruise-related articles below to help you plan and know what to expect. You will see signs for $5 for a whole rack, mix and match for $10 to $15 and more. You support their bottomline while saving money for yourself too! Our 14 seater vans offer a comfortable, private, exclusive excursion. We also take into account the number of cruise ships arriving on the same day your ship comes to port. Get tips on what to bring on your cruise in my article. At the archaeological site of the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, you can learn about the rich history of the area and later spend time with locals who will teach you how to make traditional and authentic Mexican food. Same general area you'll need to get a taxi from the port. We are diligently working to bring you the best tours available in Costa Maya, Mexico. I had a tamarind margarita that blew my socks off after my dive. Visitors using home video cameras may be charged a government fee of approximately $5 -$8 payable in cash on the site. Kohunlich is interesting. For those of you who wish to use a video camera, there may be an additional $5 $8 charge. The person I worked with there and bought my photo package from was Berna -- nice guy and spoke good English. Royal Caribbean's excursions include: Adventure Tours - Looking for a real adventure? It's about the same amount of travel time as Maya Chan since it takes the "highway" instead of the beach road. If for some reason something happens while you are on a tour, the cruise ship will wait for your party until you are back, no matter how long the delay is. Our drive was only 22 minutes. Reefs. The staff is amazing, truly, and I really like the facility and proximity to the beach and other amenities, especially about a half dozen scuba shops within a 2-3 minute walk. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/09/09/odyssey-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-4-costa-maya. Posted 1 minute ago. Take a guided tour of Tulum's archeological . THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Costa Maya - Tripadvisor There may be an additional $5 $8 charge for video cameras. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Some of the activities are not suitable for guests with disabilities or special needs. Interestingly enough, his first language was a Mayan dialect and he even taught our group a few phrases! Join us in this expedition to the ruins of Kohunlich and admire one of the most studied sites in the area. For us, Jaime's at Blue Reef supplanted Maya Chan as a favorite destination at Costa Maya. By choosing to book with an outside tour company, you help support the local economy by supporting small businesses. The is a lot of sea grass on the beach next door, so occasionally, there would be a slight smell. Please have a look at our recommended Liberty of the Seas and itineraries. 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!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-banner-1','ezslot_7',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-banner-1-0');Mahahual Beach. A good alternative might be to. 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. Here are the most popular tours. Bacalar is located approximately 91 km (56 mi) or a 1-hour 15 minutes drive from Costa Maya. I am considering visiting there in November. The Costa Maya port is also the closest access point to many of Mexico's lesser-known and less excavated Mayan sites, making visits to these sites incredibly worthwhile and within easy access right off of the cruise ship. EPIC River Tubing in Costa Maya, Mexico!! | Carnival Mardi - YouTube We don't want anything too strenuous. Paddle Boards are available for rent. Costa Maya cruise excursions for the Port of Costa Maya Mexico. In case you book a tour, the snorkeling gear is normally included, but if you want to snorkel on your own, make sure you check out my article: Snorkel Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment -Tips by a Pro!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-leader-4','ezslot_16',136,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-4-0'); Explore Costa Maya snorkeling tours and activities. At the kiosk, you can also book tours, taxis/golf carts per hour, and various beach packages. Each tour has a local guide and they utilize minivans for their tours. If you are traveling in a small or large group, check with the Shorex Team onboard for private customized trips. Due to the fun nature of the excursion the tour is rain or shine. Your morning snorkeling and beach combo will be a top notch beach escape in Costa Maya! CoopCEA-Dad 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, Jade Maya Museum, a replica of a Mayan pyramid, and a few more facilities/places of interest. Water was provided to all guests. We timed it. 56 COSTA MAYA < ideas | costa maya, costa maya mexico, costa Transfers and taxis from the Costa Maya cruise port to the beach cost around $2 $3 USD per person each way. I can't find it. Allow 15 min to walk to meeting point. I have a client looking for a catamaran sail out of Costa Maya for some snorkeling, sightseeing, etc. After marveling at these incredible pieces of ancient Mayan history, swim with dolphins in Costa Maya's dazzling blue waters for a day excursion complete with excitement and intrigue. The highlight of the site are these huge faces carved in stone, rebuilt every time theres a new leader. If not, just leave blank, Excursion Focus: Chacchoben Ruins in Costa Maya, Spotted: Royal Caribbean offering shore excursion combination packages, Guide to visiting St. John on a Royal Caribbean cruise, Excursion Focus: British Colonial Hilton in Nassau, Bahamas, 5 cruise ship shore excursions I tried and instantly regretted, I cruised to a tiny town in Mexico youve probably never heard of, and it was the highlight of my cruise vacation. It was pretty good, nothing crazy but saw everything I wanted to. 2 If you run out of sunscreen, pick up some cactus juice lotion. The admission ticket includes access to both sites. Offering small group excursions, relaxing beach breaks, costa maya chacchoben and more! The walking paths around the site were gorgeous, and our guide pointed out unique trees and plants the Mayans used for medicine and wellness. Snorkeling Gear, Fishing Gear, Fishing Bait, Bottled Water & Soda included in private charter price. We provide firsthand information on every activity and excursion trip we recommend. As well as adult menu choices! Posted September 6, 2019. There are many gorgeous places to swim, windsurf, paddleboard, and sail. 4. Our vision is to make your visit to our Costa Maya port of call, Mahahual Mexico, the most enjoyable and memorable destination of your Caribbean Cruise. Horseback riding, mountain biking, parasailing, rain forest hiking, and 4x4 off-roading are just a few examples of what you can do. Because of its proximity to the cruise port, it is the most popular tour destination from Costa Maya. Be sure to come back for an update. It is only a header of a section where you can call them. Banco Chinchorro, an unspoiled reef atoll, is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and boasts incredible scuba diving and snorkeling. Choices of Snorkeling, Fishing or a combination of Snorkeling & Fishing Charters. This company is great, only asking for $15 per person in deposits for the tour, with the remainder payable when you arrive at their office. Our first tour to Chacchoben pre-covid, there were around 14 of us in the van. Taxi drivers normally offer private tours and expect to pay around $80 per person for a round-trip transfer (they wont take you for a one-way ride). I see the Dolphin Experience available in my cruise planner for my Dec. 12 trip. We did an ATV excursion in Cozumel and it was a blast. For a shore excursion in Kohunlich in Costa Maya, we paid $75 per person for a private tour. Adventure of the Seas - Costa Maya Cruise Excursions Don't go expecting to see any wildlife. Whether you cruise multiple times per year or you're new to cruising, the goal of Royal Caribbean Blog is for it to bea useful resource for keeping up to date with what's new and exciting with Royal Caribbean. I pulled up a December cruise and saw it as well. We had an excellent local guide who informed us about Mayan culture and history in the region. You can post now and register later. Service couldn't have been better. On 1/8/2023 at 4:05 PM, mac66 said: I'm not seeing any snorkeling/beach tours offered through RCI but we initially booked the RCI "Beach Break with Open Bar" $54/person for Costa Maya on our early Feb cruise. 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. Cenote Azul Scuba Diver, Costa Maya, Mexico. Free for children under 12 and senior citizens. Not sure of their status post Covid? If you call them, I bet they can answer the question on booking and let you book directly with them. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. There is a cruise created walled in shopping area at the port that is very typical of what you would see in other ports - there is some shopping in town and at the beach area. Heres our port and shore excursion guide to Costa Maya and which shore excursions you can consider based on our personal experience. You will travel into the nooks of rural Mexico giving you a first-hand look to Costa Maya's natural wonders. On my recent Western Caribbean sailing, I was torn between a beach day at Maya Chan or heading inland to the Chacchoben ruins. We reserved a day at Maya Chan - Had good reviews from CruiseTipsTV and Matt from RCB, Here's @Mattreview of Maya Chan from 2018 -Excursion Focus: Maya Chan Beach in Costa Maya | Royal Caribbean Blog, +1 to Maya Chan! Costa Maya or Cozumel - Shore Excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog Explore Costa Maya's best kept secret, as you discover Dzibanche's spectacular Mayan temples. I also like the proximity to other amenities in Mahahual, the rooftop pool and Pepe, Siri and Cata at the dive shop. Lunch consists of a sandwhich with one piece of ham and cheese so it's mostly bread. After checking in with the guide at the shore excursions tent, our group got on an air-conditioned bus and began the drive through rural Mexico to the Chacchoben. The cocktails were good, also. We sailed last September, and the weather was great. As advertised, a chill float down the river and then a stop in the lagoon for swimming. View All{{ cards[0] && cards[0]['totalGroups'] ? " Your link has been automatically embedded. We booked this through Royal Caribbean for a day excursion. Have our travel agency partner get you a free quote for a Royal Caribbean cruise. Beach access is nonexistent at the pier itself, but you can go to the beach in town. We booked our Chacchoben and Kohunlich tours with a local company called The Native Choice. Clear editor. amazing ships, destinations and onboard offerings.. Taxis from Costa Maya cruise port will charge around $50 per person for a round-trip transfer, including the guided portion of a tour as the taxi drivers also offer guide services. Water was only chest deep and you could reach down and get some of the sand to some quick Mayan-style exfoliation. This is a very laid back and relaxing excursion. Cost was $99 per person, so it was a pricey excursion. Costa Maya excursions - Shore Excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog November 23, 2022 in Shore Excursions. Island Marketing Ltd specializes in unique and boutique tours in addition to our best for less excursions, offering excellent value for some of the most popular tours. Explore Bacalar Lagoon tours from Costa Maya Cruise Port. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Get up close with a variety of marine life on this one tank scuba dive adventure. Or you can kick back at the port village of Mahahual with an ice-cold michelada a spicy beer cocktail in hand. Clear editor. Travel. . Chacchoben ruins are probably one of the few accessible Mayan ruins in Mexico. Reserve 11 adults or more and you Tour FREE as the Group Leader! This is perhaps the biggest thing that the cruise lines tour on why you should book with them. It can also be very hot, so bring your hat and sunglasses (Suggested article: 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 sites. Paste as plain text instead, Overall, I was happy with my decision to book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion to the Chacchoben ruins. Is it better to book a shore excursion with the cruise company? Chinchorro Shipwreck Marine Life, Costa Maya, Mexico Coral Conquest Grab some snorkeling gear and explore the colorful underwater world of Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral atoll in the northern hemisphere. Can you share a link? Cozumel knows how to do tourism. If there are more than 4 cruise ships in port simultaneously, other ships will anchor and transfer their guests ashore via tender boats. Located 4 blocks away from the port, the Native Choice only accepts cash if booking a tour on partial payment. But once you get there, it's well worth it. Pick up from the Port area of Costa Maya. 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 Mexicos rich historical and cultural heritage.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_8',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Also read our cruise port guides for Belize, Roatan, Cozumel, St Thomas, St Maarten, Nassau, Labadee, Cococay,Barbados, San Juan, Grand Cayman, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, Antigua, Falmouth, Ocho Rios. But I would go again in a heartbeat. Mayan ruins are probably the most popular excursion. The 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise visits Galveston, Texas; Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico and Galveston, Texas. Once you have your ticket for your excursion, all you need to do is show up at the appointed date and time at the location mentioned on the ticket. Any ideas for something cool to do there? Costa Maya Excursions recommends shore tours based on your ships times in port so browse through the shore trips to find the ones that interest you. If you dont find what you are looking for, click on Excursions in the top navigational buttons for a full listing of excursions. Today, visitors can walk around the beautiful jungle path at Chacchoben and encounter the pyramids, ancient plazas, and the tropical flora and fauna in the region. The other option is going with a tour thats either sold through the cruise ship or going on a tour with an outside tour company. Experience the Mayan culture's past and present on this fascinating excursion. Booking your own Costa Maya shore excursion will not only save you money but it will provide you with the option of unique and diverse excursions, small groups, individualized itineraries and the freedom and knowledge to go off on your own if you so choose. Forgotten for decades, the ruins were re-discovered in 1942 by a local farmer who built his home on the site. 3. swangs34 10 mo. Reefs Aquariums. Costa Maya | Royal Caribbean Blog Snorkeling gear, kayaks, floating chairs, water socks are all included. Aunt and mom) just returned from a 7 day Princess Caribbean cruise with a stop Costa Maya. If you choose to explore the city surroundings where your boat is docked in and get off the ship, you are essentially going on a shore excursion. Incidentally, Costa Maya is on the mainland of Mexico down toward Belize. Costa Maya offers an abundance of excursions and activities to delight Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas cruisers of all ages and activity levels. From Beach Breaks, snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, exploring nearby beaches, ATV Rides on the beach, Reef Fishing, Costa Maya has it all!!! 31 Best Costa Maya Excursions | 95,000+ Verified Reviews It lived up to its reputation. Are you planning your Costa Maya port excursion? If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Theres a pool area where you can hang out and swim (not sure if additional fees apply), a mini zoo with flamingos, a ropes and obstacle course, and shops. . Excursion recommendation in Costa Maya: Tubing in the 7 color lagoon, one of my favorite excursions ever. Welcome to Costa Maya, Mexico onboard the Carnival Mardi Gras! No need to exchange your USD to Mexican Pesos, most of the shops in Costa Maya Port price their goods in USD and take credit cards and dollars. The only downside was the bumpy ride back and forth. ago. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Costa Maya - Tripadvisor Yes sailing with my son. They are not located inside the cruise port, but they provide detailed instructions to find their office. The excursions and guided tours designed to take your getaway to the next level from locally-taught culinary classes and land tours infused with culture and history, to adrenaline amping outdoor thrills and off-the-grid exploration. Soft drinks and purified water. Virgin Voyages Restaurants Guide what restaurants are there and where to eat onboard, The ultimate guide to Virgin Voyages activities on the ship/What to expect during Scarlet Night, Port Guide and shore excursions in Costa Maya, Port guide and shore excursions in Bimini/What to expect at the Beach Club at Bimini, Rhapsody of the Seas (Royal Caribbean Cruise Review), Holland America Alaska Cruise Review (MS Noordam), Our First Ever Cruise (Royal Caribbean Majesty of the Seas Review), A Day Trip Itinerary to Isla Mujeres Mexico, Cheap Nassau Shore Excursions with a toddler. Snorkel along the magnificent reef lagoon in Costa Maya. I'm bummed because I know it's not the owners' fault, but I think we'll have to cancel. The shops are your usual souvenir shops, peppered with a bit of jewelry and local goods. Surrounded by jungle, Mayan ruins, and the Caribbean Sea, cruise ship guests and those on an extended vacation stay will find many options for Costa Maya cruise excursions and tours with us. There is also a tall set of ancient steps visitors climb to reach two of the pyramids on the site. If one is looking for culture and history while on vacation in Costa Maya, then Chacchoben is the place for you. Yes there is a beach snorkel there [but again, no 70 year olds allowed] but you said they weren't interested in the beach [and there's the seaweed problem they have there anyway]. Cruise Ship Companies such as Carnival, Disney, Celebrity, Norwegian, Princess, Holland American and Royal Caribbean, often only carry a few excursion options and for the most part they utilize tour companies that can handle bulk groups. Costa Maya Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions We use Royal for lengthy excursions so there is no risk of being left behind. Things to Do in Costa Maya with Kids - Tripadvisor Get a personal, up close experience featuring the local culture of Costa Maya during this exciting excursion to Chacchoben Village and the Seven Color Lagoon. Seeing those huge faces engraved in the stone was a definite highlight. Would they consider something up at Bacalar? The entrance fee is around $3.50 per person. By Maya Chan is awesome. We paid for the tours ourselves nor did we get any freebies from this company. My bet is that you will not regret it. The area is beautifully preserved, with tall palm trees and monkeys that you can spot high up on the trees.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-leader-2','ezslot_14',134,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-2-0'); The entrance fee to Kohunlich is $4.50 per person. 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. Scottison 10 mo. A/C Vans with Federally Certified bilingual Drivers. See more ideas about costa maya, costa maya mexico, costa. At $89 a person, I appreciated that all logistics were taken care of, including providing a knowledgeable guide. We figured we could just snorkel off the beach. Children under 12 years old and elderly visitors do not pay. Added bonus was that it is in the terminal and close to the ship. Cozumel Excursions. I can't wait to hear about it! Dont be afraid to drink the water in Costa Maya its completely purified. Please report back to us when you return about Maya Chan. Learn how your comment data is processed. Thanks ahead of time . Upload or insert images from URL. Are there cheap places in Mahahual to just grab a beach chair and enjoy the beach? I wrote a lengthy review! It is generally cheaper to book with outside tour companies than with the cruise line. hail73 1 Quote RickinSTL Members 309 LocationSaint Louis MO Posted April 3, 2020 A work-around is to take a beach excursion with my own gear and snorkel off the beach. Costa Maya excursions - Shore Excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog Your previous content has been restored. Much of the site is covered in lush rainforest which (thankfully) blocks the sun. Just go. Beach Break with Open Bar - Costa Maya - Beach Escape Club Costa Maya Cruise Excursions recommends excursions for Royal Caribbean Adventure passengers for your visit to Costa Maya based on the arrival times, departure time of youre the Adventure of the Seas as well as the length of your visit out our Port. Matt just posted an post-shutdown review of Maya Chan on the blog's home page. Children can have fun at pint-sized slides and mini pools at the Monkeys Island kids area. It appears of late that Maya Chan closes down for a few months in the heart of the summer. Costa Maya cruise terminal can accommodate the world's largest cruise liners (Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class) and has 4 berths in total. For upscale options, like fresh seafood and Maya-inspired dishes, opt for Costa Mayas resorts and boutique hotels. Here are excursions I have enjoyed the most - Xrails, Playa Mia beach, Playa Mia beach with the cooking class (have done 3 times) and the Discovery Mexico Park with chocolate experience (when my husband had broken his leg and was in a wheelchair). By Phil1ip. While a historical tour might not seem as appealing to kids as a water park or beach, the kids in our group seemed captivated by the ruins. Pasted as rich text. 1 The best way to travel between Roatn's West End and West Bay Beach is by water taxi. And if you're looking to relax, take a beach break and enjoy one of Costa Maya's beautiful beaches. Walk through the ruins of this ancient Mayan ceremonial center and climb its spectacular temple dedicated to the Sun God. 20102023Regal Sea Media LLC. Theres loads of wildlife in the area, where you may see them crossing the road at night. Grab some snorkeling gear and explore the colorful underwater world of Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral atoll in the northern hemisphere. Bahamas Excursions. On 8/30/2021 at 6:26 PM, Steve in Orlando said: On 8/31/2021 at 5:32 PM, stevendom57 said: On 8/31/2021 at 9:44 PM, SarahBrown said: On 9/9/2021 at 1:30 PM, stevendom57 said: On 9/19/2021 at 7:35 PM, SarahBrown said: On 10/9/2021 at 9:58 PM, SarahBrown said: Excursion Focus: Maya Chan Beach in Costa Maya | Royal Caribbean Blog, https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/09/09/odyssey-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-4-costa-maya, https://www.facebook.com/groups/179059140824734/?ref=share. Located only a few minutes drive from Costa Maya cruise port, this amazing theme park inspired by the ancient Mayan culture of Mexico offers unforgettable adventure for the whole family! He even told us about the people of Teotihuacan and the Aztecs and how different they were from Mayans. Not many people go to this site, as it is 2 hours one way from the cruise port. Car rentals are also available inside the cruise port complex. The people are very nice, and quite attentive. Usually the tour companies who supply tours to the cruise lines discount the price of their tours to the cruise companies. Clear editor. Some sailing options up there - boat tours with swimming and fun in the water and Cenotes to explore might be an option for them. Only drawback is the occasional sargassum, but it is a grade A all inclusive paradise otherwise. Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Paradise Beach Cozumel Review | How to get to Paradise Beach Cozumel from a Cruise Ship. Definitely try cochinita pibil, a traditional dish of slow-roasted pork, and Agua de Jamaica a sweetened hibiscus flower iced tea thats a Mexican favorite. Has anyone been in August who can give a review? Costa Maya port (Puerto Costa Maya) is Mexicos second-largest cruise port after Cozumel. If you're looking for a snorkel tour, make sure to visit the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, full of amazing tropical fish and coral formations. Allow 15 min to walk to meeting point. Any recommendations for a snorkel tour? My wife and I did the dolphin experience in Costa Maya last September and loved it. If you choose to go with an outside company and get stuck in the road, you are on your own. You can post now and register later. Shore Excursions in Costa Maya Port There are a few tours you can do in Costa Maya, with a mixture of the major variations below. Thanks ahead of time . We're going on Harmony in December 2023 and I'm trying to work out our excursions. During the pandemic, we had a private tour to Kohunlich as nobody else booked the tour! This fantastic experience begins at the port of Costa Maya, the meeting point to board your transportation. The port complex features a wide range of facilities: if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-box-4','ezslot_4',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-box-4-0');Useful info: Before I share with you the top things to do in Costa Maya port, I invite you to sign up below and get my exclusive, insider SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE!