Home to the legendary Mayan ruins, pristine beaches, and multi-hued aqua lagoons, there are so many things to do in Costa Maya cruise port, so whether you want to swim with dolphins or shop till you drop, this once-in-a-lifetime destination is just waiting to be explored!
Overview of Costa Maya
Located on the spectacular Yucatan Peninsula and adjacent to the Majahual fishing village, Puerto Costa Maya, once a Mayan trading port, is now one of the fastest-growing cruise ports on Mexico’s spectacular Caribbean coastline.
Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico’s newest port, was expressly built to welcome cruise vacation guests to explore its pristine beaches, legendary Mayan ruins, and lush sub-tropical landscapes.
Puerto Costa Maya is frequented by nearly a dozen popular cruise lines, known as a site for good beaches, lush subtropical jungles, and fascinating ancient ruins.
With several cultural, shopping, entertainment, and recreational facilities, including authentic art galleries, there are so many things to do in the Costa Maya cruise port!
In addition to the three Mayan pavilions, this outstanding port is famous for its unspoiled coastline, rainbow-hued reefs, ancient shipwrecks, and world-class snorkeling, diving, and kayaking adventures which are easily accessible with free Costa Maya shuttles.
Best Beaches In Costa Maya Cruise Port
While Costa Maya is famous for its numerous stunning beaches, only the following were selected as spending a day there is consistently voted as one of the best things to do in Costa Maya cruise port.
Maya Chan Beach
The critically acclaimed Maya Chan Beach Resort is a tropical paradise, and an oasis tucked away from all the hustle and bustle with pristine white beach sand, luminous turquoise water, and wavy palms.
So, book your spot on the beach at this all-inclusive beach resort for a little sunbathing, or explore the pristine ocean with their glass-bottomed complimentary kayak, or snorkeling gear, then sit back and enjoy freshly grilled lunch with a cocktail in hand.
Nacional Beach Club & Bungalows
If you are looking for a taste of paradise, and a quiet beach, away from the maddening crowds – look no further!
While the Nacional Beach Club and Bungalows is a private resort, a day pass will grant you access to their exclusive beach, outstanding hospitality, and delicious culinary fare.
Mahahual Beach
With its gentle and shallow aqua-colored water, and easily accessible 600-mile Meso-American Barrier Reef, visiting Mahahual Beach is really one of the best free things to do in Costa Maya, especially if you have your own snorkeling gear!
So, if you want to explore the second biggest barrier reef in the world or introduce your kids to the ocean’s incredible diversity and marine life, spending a sun-drenched day at Mahahual Beach is the best!
Best Activities For Families
There are just so many fun and educational activities for families in the Costa Maya cruise port, and while it was pretty difficult to narrow them down to only a few – here are the best.
Enjoy Swimming With Dolphins
Although wild bottlenose dolphins frequent the entire Yucatan coastline, there are several dolphin centers where your family can experience the sheer thrill of swimming with and interacting with the enchanting animals.
All the dolphin encounters are expertly guided by marine specialists who will teach your kids more about these playful and lovable sea creatures and how to reward them with a little kiss.
Float On The Bacalar Lagoon
Situated in Quintana Roo, the spectacular Bacalar Lagoon, commonly known as the “seven colors lagoon,” is a mere hour’s drive from the Costa Maya cruise port, and outstanding natural beauty must be seen to be believed!
So, grab a few floats or kayaks, or join a boat tour and explore the lake’s shifting blue colors ranging from luminous aqua hues to dark navy blue that changes depending on the depth of the lagoon.
Explore Puerto Costa Maya
You don’t have to venture far as Puerto Costa Maya, as the port has a ton of family-friendly, immersive, and informative activities and shore excursions apart from sunbathing, snorkeling, or swimming.
The Aviarus, with its diverse range of exotic bird species, is a great place to start, then head to Kakaw and indulge in Mexico’s finest sweet treats while learning about the region’s fascinating cocoa history and traditional chocolate-making techniques.
Then pop in at La Consentida distillery to discover the rich history of making tequila in Mexico, and enjoy the delicious taste of one of Mexico’s finest exports.
Mayan Culture in Costa Maya
No visit to Costa Maya is complete without immersing yourself in the ancient roots and traditions of their Mayan culture, which lives on today.
The best way to truly experience the region’s rich cultural heritage is to explore the Mayan ruins at Chacchoben and meet with the local communities who have lived amidst their national treasure to safeguard their heritage and traditions for future generations.
Shopping in Costa Maya
Shopping is one of the best things to do in Costa Maya cruise port, especially if you love gorgeous, vibrantly hued, authentically Mexican bargains! But the best part is that most of the following items are sold in inexpensive stalls dotted throughout Costa Maya.
Hammocks
Costa Maya is famous for its incredible range of durable, rainbow-hued Mayan hammocks that are tightly woven by hand and can last a lifetime.
The Mayan hammock weaving technique dates back 700 years, and the skill has been passed down through various generations. Interestingly, these hammocks were not only used to sleep in as various babies were conceived and born in them.
Handmade Plates
Mexico is well known for creating stunning, intricately patterned handmade plates that are both stunning yet unique in a wide array of fabulous colors, and it is hard to believe that they are all made by potters and not machines!
The plates are first expertly shaped by hand, then painted in bright colors with eye-catching, symmetrical designs to produce an exquisite piece of art that is almost too good to use for your next dinner party.
Talavera Tiles
Rooted in the ancient Spanish art of making gorgeous tiles, Costa Maya is famous for its incredible array of beautiful tiles that are hand shaped and painted by skilled artisans. So, it’s absolutely no wonder that they are such a sought-after Costa Maya souvenir!
Vanilla Extract
Home to the flat-leaf Vanilla Orchid, Mexico is the birthplace of the aromatic vanilla bean, and thank goodness for that!
So, if you are an avid baker, stock up on a few bottles of authentic vanilla essence at a quarter of the normal supermarket price, which is available in numerous stores dotted throughout Costa Maya.
FAQs
So now that you’re up to date about the best things to do in Costa Maya and all its best-kept secrets, let’s address any lingering questions you might have about this Caribbean gem.
How Far Is Costa Maya From Cozumel?
While the 198, 5-mile journey from Costa Maya to Cozumel is not a short trip, and your journey can take anything between 5-6 hours, depending on your type of transport, there are various door-to-door operators to choose from. Common modes of transport between Costa Maya and Cozumel include air taxis, busses, shuttles, and ferries; however, it all depends on your budget.
Is Costa Maya Considered Caribbean?
Costa Maya has the distinction of being the only state in Mexico towards the east of the Caribbean coastline. The cruise port is also adjacent to the Chetumal, which is situated on the Belize border.
Is Costa Maya Safe?
Overall, Costa Maya is incredibly safe, especially because the entire region depends on the income generated from tourism. The area is known for its friendly and welcoming local population, which differs from other destinations as they are not pushy, and most speak English.
Closing Thoughts
As you can see there are so many things to do in Costa Maya cruise port. Enjoy beaches and water sports, or take the opportunity to explore Mayan ruins or do a little local shopping. We love visiting this slice of Mexico and are sure you will too!
