Aunt and mom) just returned from a 7 day Princess Caribbean cruise with a stop Costa Maya. On our way there, we chatted with our guide, who gave us a lot of information about Mayan ruins. It didn't have as many options for drinks or active activities, but I really liked the more secluded location with less people and the long stretch of undeveloped beach to walk along. Explore Kohunlich archeological site tours. March 30 in Shore Excursions. Entrance fees into the Kohunlich Mayan Ruins Site are included. I think by reading further here you may get a different perspective as to whether to take a ship-sponsored excursion. Incidentally, Costa Maya is on the mainland of Mexico down toward Belize. We did one through RC last week in Costa Maya. 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. Reefs Aquariums. Entrance fees into the Dzibanche & Kinichna Mayan Ruins Site are included. Here are some pros and cons of booking a shore excursion with the cruise ship. We are diligently working to bring you the best tours available in Costa Maya, Mexico. The is a lot of sea grass on the beach next door, so occasionally, there would be a slight smell. Overall, I was happy with my decision to book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion to the Chacchoben ruins. However, I left the site extremely impressed by this fascinating look at Mayan history. Scottison 10 mo. Find a Cruisetour Any Destination Any Month Any Departure Port Any Ship Any Ship Feature See if you qualify for exclusive rates Advanced Search Call Our Brand Specialists Now Learn More About Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico . There is a small group tour for a few $ more. A popular one thrown around (and one I've been to) is Krazy Lobster. When your cruise ships docks at a port, you essentially have a choice: stay on the ship or explore the city where the ship is currently docked in. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Royal Caribbean Blog. Best Fresh fish and shrimp! Grab some snorkeling gear and explore the colorful underwater world of Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral atoll in the northern hemisphere. And the Dzibanche Mayan Ruins are believed to be an early capital of the Kan Dynasty. I am considering visiting there in November. My name is Katarina and welcome to my cruise & travel blog! Display as a link instead, It is facing Mahahual beach and is home to turtles, crocodiles, catsharks, pink snails, and rich marine flora and fauna. 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. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. I cannot tell you how much fun it was and . There is a large roll call group on Facebook if you are not already a member. Cycle along wonderful Mahahual Beach on this sun-drenched Costa Maya tour. Please have a look at our recommended Liberty of the Seas and itineraries. 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]. We paid for the tours ourselves nor did we get any freebies from this company. Your link has been automatically embedded. Our drive was only 22 minutes. They were initially interested in the dolphin experience, but it looks like that habitat is undergoing maintenance of some sort. Radiance of the Seas will be the next Royal Caribbean ship in Cozumel on October 26 during a 5-night Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa, with an additional stop in Costa Maya. We're not interested n diving or atv type excursions - I'm not that adventurous! 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. Fun Things to Do in Costa Maya with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. Costa Maya is the name of the area that . . Each tour has a local guide and they utilize minivans for their tours. Island Marketing Ltd offers tours and excursions for almost every budget and individual need. Costa Maya Cruise Excursions is a Puerto Costa Maya Cruise Ship Only Guide, providing expert information on tours and excursions. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! The cocktails were good, also. Cruise line representatives help you get to the correct bus and make sure that you get out of the ship on time. This particular port might have some other things to offer depending on your likes and dislikes. It is generally cheaper to book with outside tour companies than with the cruise line. 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). Or you can kick back at the port village of Mahahual with an ice-cold michelada a spicy beer cocktail in hand. Thanks ahead of time . The archeological site is impressive and known for the beautiful stucco masks of the Sun God that decorates the central staircase of the Temple of the Masks. We provide firsthand information on each and every excursion we offer and recommend the excursions that work best for you. Guests are picked up at the port and driven by bus to the resort. Costa Maya Cruise Excursions offers a variety of options for you . This little town is known as a quiet place in the evenings and then springs to life when the cruise ships come in. If you are looking forward to lying under a palm tree on a comfortable lounger accompanied by a delicious cocktail in hand listening to music or want to sunbathe on white sand beaches next to crystal clear, turquoise blue water that only the Caribbean can offer, this is the beach break for you! All Guides are bilingual and INAH certified, 14 Seater A/C Vans with Federally Certified bilingual Drivers. Cost. You will travel into the nooks of rural Mexico giving you a first-hand look to Costa Maya's natural wonders. Just go. What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise: Top 40 Must-Have Items, Check out the top-rated Costa Maya tours and activities. Is a Royal Caribbean Walt Disney World shore excursion a good idea. The ruins have since been excavated and opened to the public. From prices and availability to reviews and photos, Tripadvisor has everything you need to create that perfect itinerary for your trip to Riviera Maya. After excavations, the site was opened to the public in 2002. however, be careful because the roads are in extremely poor condition. Does it include lunch and drinks or will those be extra? You can post now and register later. For a culture fix, head to the Kohunlick ruins to see the famous Temple of the Masks. Allow 15 min to walk to meeting point. 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. He even told us about the people of Teotihuacan and the Aztecs and how different they were from Mayans. This is perhaps the biggest thing that the cruise lines tour on why you should book with them. Discover the mystifying archeological site as you admire colossal pyramids and sacred temples that were only discovered in the late 20th century. See the past at the famous Chacchoben ruins and the present by interacting with locals in a Mayan house. For casual fare, stick to Mahahual. Plus it has a dive shop (Pepi Dive) in the same building that I can dive with and the others in my party can snorkel with (+$) out on the reef. @cruiser58, were you able to snorkel? This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Spanish is the main language in Mexico, however, like in any major tourist cruise port, English is widely spoken. In terms of seating, is it chairs / loungers that are packed next to each . We were there in September 2019, so unsure what the post-covid service is like, but pre-covid service was fantastic. 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. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Mans. 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. Orchids. Massages available on site for $30us per 1/2 hour -- $50us per hour. Mayan ruins are probably the most popular excursion. Costa Maya offers an abundance of excursions and activities to delight Royal CaribbeanCruise Lines Adventure cruisers of all ages and activity levels. Juices, Lemonade, Sodas and Shirley Temples. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Enjoy three adventures on this day excursion to Tulum. The ride takes between 50-60 minutes, subject to traffic. https://www.dolphindiscovery.com/costa-maya/ I'll reach out to them directly and see if I can get a response. For full information, please see mydisclaimerhere.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_19',145,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-narrow-sky-1-0'); Ho w can you swim with crocodiles in the wild at the reef atoll facing Mahahual Beach near the cruise port at Costa Maya, Mexico without being attacked? By . Taxi ride (included in the Maya Chan price) was a about 45 minutes, and very rough! Started in 2010, Royal Caribbean Blog offers daily coverage of news and information related to the Royal Caribbean cruise line along with other relevant topics of cruising, such as entertainment, news, photo updates and more. Rich history, soft beaches, and a stunning coral reef just offshore make Costa Maya a desirable destination for people going on cruises in the Caribbean. 25 Top Shore Excursion Packing List Items. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 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. Entrance fees into the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Site & Beach Day Pass included! Your email address will not be published. The beach area is very nice with plenty of shade if you don't want sun. The cruise port in Costa Maya has a very appealing character. Costa Maya offers an abundance of excursions and activities to delight Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Adventure cruisers of all ages and activity levels. Has anyone done the "Beach Break" excursion at the Beach Escape Club in Costa Maya that is offered through Royal Caribbean? The reef of Mahahual is undoubtedly one of the wonders of the Caribbean since it belongs to the Meso-American Barrier Reef ecosystem, second largest reef system in the world. Mayan Ruins Cruise Excursions in Costa Maya. We're planning on being there next week, so hopefully, it'll be a good experience! for $3 per person each way, and the ride takes no more than 5 7 minutes. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Mans.Photo courtesy of Sabrina Mans. If you are traveling in a small or large group, check with the Shorex Team onboard for private customized trips. sive suggestions in Costa Maya ? We ended up LOVING Maya Chan! Any other all inclu. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the ruins of these two Mayan civilizations lost in the jungle close to the Belize border. Caribbean Shore Tours. Costa Maya cruise terminal can accommodate the worlds largest cruise liners (Royal Caribbeans Oasis Class) and has 4 berths in total. They accepted my reservation without a deposit but I don't think that will be a permanent practice. 3. swangs34 10 mo. Upload or insert images from URL. I also appreciated that visitors were not allowed to climb to the top of the pyramids, as this shows that an importance is placed on maintaining the sites condition. 5-1/2 hour excursion Port to Port. Clear editor. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero. The Excursion is 2.5hrs. Having worked in the cruise industry for over 7 years as Concierge and Shore excursions staff (Rivages du Monde, Viking River Cruises, Royal Caribbean International), Ive gained priceless, inside knowledge about the ports of call and have become a shore excursions expert. They also manage the number of people coming from the cruise ships, so despite the more urban environment which was a concern going in at first, it's no big deal. Learn more about the park on the Lost Mayan Kingdom Waterpark website. . From Beach Breaks, snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, exploring nearby beaches, ATV Rides on the beach, Reef Fishing, Costa Maya has it all!!! Cruise to Mexico with Royal Caribbean and trek through ancient Maya ruins and mysterious jungles just begging to be explored. We're going on Harmony in December 2023 and I'm trying to work out our excursions. Pasted as rich text. These excursions have you covered. Venture into the jungle for a taste of ancient Maya history at the Kohunlich and Chacchoben ruins each well over a thousand years old. The person I worked with there and bought my photo package from was Berna -- nice guy and spoke good English. Nice breeze, cabanas, chairs everything was great. Has anyone been in August who can give a review? For Vegetarians too! 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. There may be an additional $5 $8 charge for video cameras. After your own exploration of the Chacchoben Ruins, end your day with lunch and drinks on a beautiful beach. The port pass also includes 3 complimentary drinks at one of the bars located close to the port pools.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-leader-1','ezslot_10',131,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-1-0');The aviary. We then can provide you with options on how to avoid the busy excursions when this is appropriate. Your link has been automatically embedded. amazing ships, destinations and onboard offerings.. It was pretty good, nothing crazy but saw everything I wanted to. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. As well as adult menu choices! If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Kohunlich archeological site is larger and it takes at least 1 hour to visit it and walk around. Compare that to around $130 per person for the 7 Colors Lagoon tour from the cruise line. There is also a tall set of ancient steps visitors climb to reach two of the pyramids on the site. Mahahual Beach is a great place to relax, with plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas available. If you've done this, would you recommend it for adults/kids (10/8/6)? The Great Maya Reef just off the coast is the second largest in the world its a must-snorkel spot. Here are the most popular tours. 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. Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero. You can post now and register later. Matt just posted an post-shutdown review of Maya Chan on the blog's home page. 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. 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). You cannot paste images directly. How was the experience at the Beach Escape Club? 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! Hello folks. Check out ancient Dzibanche and Kinichna tours, Kohunlich archeological complex is the largest Costa Maya ruins that consists of mainly residential buildings and palaces. - How much time do we need to allow to actually get off the ship in each of the ports of call? We also take into account the number of cruise ships arriving on the same day your ship comes to port. Choices of Snorkeling, Fishing or a combination of Snorkeling & Fishing Charters. Walk through the ruins of this ancient Mayan ceremonial center and climb its spectacular temple dedicated to the Sun God. Yes sailing with my son. 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. A taxi from the cruise port to Bacalar will cost around $50 per person each way and does not include any boat tour or other activity in the lagoon. Visitors using home video cameras may be charged a government fee of approximately $5 -$8 payable in cash on the site. In my blog, I share with you my insider tips & knowledge and about cruise ports, shore excursions, cruise destinations, and crew life onboard a cruise ship! Not a sponsored listing, by the way. Its 250 square miles of paradise packed with entertainment and history, all just 30 miles south of Cancun. Posted 1 minute ago. Cenote Azul Scuba Diver, Costa Maya, Mexico. Local vendors and beach massage areas are also available, as well as other facilities including showers, changing rooms, and restrooms. There are many gorgeous places to swim, windsurf, paddleboard, and sail. Are there cheap places in Mahahual to just grab a beach chair and enjoy the beach? Welcome to Costa Maya Cruise Excursions, your guide to shore excursions in Costa Maya. Also is jaimes at blue reef the next best option for an all inclusive if Maya Chan is closed when Im there ? But I would go again in a heartbeat. The staff are kind and attentive. 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! There's no shortage of sightseeing in Costa Maya! Photo courtesy of Cristina Madrid. Clear editor. 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. We have reservations for our Oct 1 cruise from Galveston, but the most recent review I see on Google says that the water is unswimmable and the smell is so bad, it's tough to stay on the beach even. By alwines2017. Heres what you can expect on a visit to Chacchoben. TessOR Photo courtesy of Rene Cicero. We are prepared for the bumpy ride there! For some adventure, consider a boat tour or a kayak or canoe rental at the Bacalar Lagoon, also known as the Seven Color Lagoon by locals, where you can also see the wonderful cenotes (natural deep-water wells). For us, Jaime's at Blue Reef supplanted Maya Chan as a favorite destination at Costa Maya. I really enjoyed Almaplena pre-covid when Maya Chan was full. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. We stopped in Puerto Costa Maya on our cruise. Chacchoben Ruins Shore Excursion in Costa Maya Within an hour from the cruise port, one can visit the site of an old Mayan ruin called Chacchoben. If the excursion meeting time is like 9:30, what time do we need to get in line to disembark? Valletta Cruise Port Guide (Malta), Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Port of Corfu Cruise Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Limassol Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Mykonos Cruise Port Guide, Things to Do, Shore Excursions, Split Cruise Port Guide (Croatia), Things to Do, Shore Excursions. Theres loads of wildlife in the area, where you may see them crossing the road at night. Tell them you want to go to Krazy Lobster and they'll take you directly there. Okso to piggyback this topic. You support their bottomline while saving money for yourself too! Royal Caribbean's excursions include: Adventure Tours - Looking for a real adventure? Your morning snorkeling and beach combo will be a top notch beach escape in Costa Maya! Thats the Island Marketing Ltd. difference! Food was not provided on this tour, but snacks and refreshments were available at the entrance to Chacchoben. Horseback riding, mountain biking, parasailing, rain forest hiking, and 4x4 off-roading are just a few examples of what you can do. CoopCEA-Dad We liked the tour, including wild monkeys! 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! We are now looking for a snorkel / beach option. Just make sure you understand the refund policy if the ship gets diverted or has a port schedule change for some reason. For those of you who wish to use a video camera, there may be an additional $5 $8 charge. Travel. Costa Maya Catamaran Sailing Snorkeling Excursion, Costa Maya Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Butterfly Farm Excursion, Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and Beach Break Excursion, Dzibanche & Kinichna Maya Ruins Excursion, Costa Maya Kohunlich Maya Ruins Excursion, Costa Maya Snorkeling and Fishing Private Excursion. Some ports are easy to DIY and can save you a bit of money since you dont have to pay for tour guides and you rely on walking or public transportation to get around. The admission ticket includes access to both sites. Experience the Mayan culture's past and present on this fascinating excursion. Unless you are paying in full when you book, there are no other credit card options. The walking paths around the site were gorgeous, and our guide pointed out unique trees and plants the Mayans used for medicine and wellness.