Costa Maya Cruise Port: Tips, Attractions and Weather

Table Of Content

• Hit the Spa for Mayan Healing Rituals
• Do cruise ships dock, or is Costa Maya a tender port?
• Costa Maya Cruise Port: Be Your Own Tour Guide
• And Then There’s This – 40 Cañones Beach Club
• Unique Theme Nights You Shouldn’t Miss When on a Cruise Ship
• WHATSINPORT.COM: YOUR CRUISE GUIDE TO 1200 PORTS OF CALL
• Pez Quadro Beach
• Reasons to Visit Costa Maya Cruise Port

We’ve been to Costa Maya cruise port on past cruises and wanted to explore this region beyond the man made cruise terminal. Book a catamaran or boat tour to explore the coastline, snorkel in pristine waters, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea. Shore excursions are available through the cruise line as well as through local vendors.

Hit the Spa for Mayan Healing Rituals

However, there is a complimentary trolley service available for those who prefer not to walk. Unfortunately, many passengers report experiencing delays in catching the trolley, especially when three or more ships are docked at the port. The Costa Maya Cruise Port combines adventure and relaxation on the Caribbean coast. The cruise port features pristine beaches and crystal clear turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. The area also has colorful lagoons and diverse flora and fauna, making you feel like you’re in a tropical Mexican paradise.

Exclusive: Costa Maya's parent to develop new Puerto Plata cruise port - Seatrade Cruise News

Exclusive: Costa Maya's parent to develop new Puerto Plata cruise port.

Posted: Mon, 23 Jul 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Do cruise ships dock, or is Costa Maya a tender port?

In Mahahual, many cafes and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi if you need to upload your cruise holiday snaps. You are best to log on to an internet hotspot in the village rather than paying the hefty charges on the ship if you need to upload photos. You can book the shore excursions through your cruise line or with a local tour operator outside the terminal building. The Caribbean coast of Mexico is renowned for its exceptional diving and snorkeling opportunities, largely due to the stunning beauty of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Costa Maya Cruise Port: Be Your Own Tour Guide

This smaller site gets fewer visitors but still gives you an impressive sense of the advanced Mayan people. It includes several excavated pyramids, wall, and staircases that laid covered from more than 1,000 years until the discovery of the site in the 1940s. At Kakaw in the port area, you can get a first-hand tour of the history of chocolate. Of course, you’ll also get plenty of samples and a chance to purchase more to take home. The amenities, including beach floats, floating chairs, sand toys, showers, snorkel equipment, outdoor games, the pool, and the waterfront location are definitely beautiful.

And Then There’s This – 40 Cañones Beach Club

This is great because it means you can get off the ship right away and make the most of your day. Or, you can just linger around and wait for the crowds to disembark first. With 20+ years of coordinating logistics and travel planning, I've taken that expertise to plan our cruise, food, and travel experiences.

Unique Theme Nights You Shouldn’t Miss When on a Cruise Ship

Exploring the Kohunlich Ruins offers visitors a captivating glimpse into the ancient Mayan civilization’s daily lives and architectural skills. As you wander through the site, you can’t help but marvel at the advanced building techniques and attention to detail that the Mayans possessed. At the Dzibanche Ruins, visitors are greeted by well-preserved tall ruins, allowing them to step back in time and witness the grandeur of the Mayan civilization. One of the standout features of this site is the opportunity to climb to the top of temples, providing a breathtaking view of the surrounding area.

To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link. I am the creator of an e-book “Mediterranean Cruise Port Guide“, the most comprehensive guide to 45 Mediterranean cruise ports, & YouTube channel @AdventourBegins. 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. If there are more than 4 cruise ships in port simultaneously, other ships will anchor and transfer their guests ashore via tender boats.

Pez Quadro Beach

Whether you’re new to snorkeling or are a diving master, this is a great place to tour the underwater world. Take advantage of the short turtle snorkel excursions to ensure you remember your visit to the cruise ports. Costa Maya is a popular cruise port and tourist destination located on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo.

The menu is heavy on seafood, but there is something for everyone. As the place only takes in 35 people, you’ll want to book ahead of time via the website. Walking from your ship, the pier goes directly to the port area. The port feels much like a theme park in that it’s designed like a caricature of a Mexican village. If you are looking for authentic, this is not the place for you.

Costa Maya is one of the smaller cruise ports in the Caribbean because it was privately developed. The company that developed the port also invested in the town of Mahahual. Mahahual is about two miles from the cruise port, while Xcalak is about 36 miles or 92 kilometers south of the port. Dolphin Discovery is a three-minute walk south of the cruise port. Most tickets for Dolphin Discovery cost between $100 and $200 depending on the program.

MSC Seashore Live Blog - Day 6 - Costa Maya - Cruise Blog

MSC Seashore Live Blog - Day 6 - Costa Maya.

Posted: Fri, 23 Sep 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

So you can come and order food and drinks, and then there is everything that you need for a day at the beach. They offer loungers, lockers, umbrellas, and even wi-fi and kayaks. The menu is classic Mexican beach fare that ranges from lobster (of course) to guacamole, tacos, ceviche, and more. If you’re expecting a wide, sandy beach with crystal water, that’s not the case.

It is a precious jewel in Costa Maya and a very popular destination for scuba diving, snorkeling and other sport activities. The port was damaged severely by Hurricane Dean in 2007, including the cruise ship dock, but quickly recovered and welcomed cruise ships again in 2008. The first thing you’ll see is a last-minute tour desk, where you can book an excursion.

There are some really good restaurants and bars, even the Costa Maya cruise port area. Try some traditional Mexican dishes or some well loved favorites (like nachos, salsa and guacamole). There is a viewing platform at Dolphin Discovery where you can watch the dolphins interact with their trainers and people, as well as get a great view of the cruise ships.