You can read more in our cookie notice more information I agree. Do not make that mistake, you will be glad to have chosen one of our Boutique Excursions regardless of the Western Caribbean Port you will be visiting on your cruise. I think the "Habitat Maintenance" you see is something lost in translation to English. If your next cruise docks in Costa Maya, Mexico, dont hesitate to book an excursion to the Chacchoben Ruins. Great service, food, and drinks. Welcome to Cruise Critic. I leave stateroom 30 min early due to crowds, elevator time, etc. I also like the proximity to other amenities in Mahahual, the rooftop pool and Pepe, Siri and Cata at the dive shop. Reserve 11 adults or more and you Tour FREE as the Group Leader! 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! Welcome to Costa Maya, Mexico onboard the Carnival Mardi Gras! Offering small group excursions, relaxing beach breaks, costa maya chacchoben and more! 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. Posted September 6, 2019. I don't see any mention of maintenance at dolphindiscovery.com for Costa Maya (that is the group that does this). You support their bottomline while saving money for yourself too! By These are presumed to be pyramids or other structures, and it was fascinating to see first-hand how the ruins were once hidden under the jungle. Dont forget to subscribe below and get my exclusive SHORE EXCURSION GUIDE FOR FREE!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_17',138,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); This article may contain affiliate / compensated links. Explore Costa Maya's best kept secret, as you discover Dzibanche's spectacular Mayan temples. I have a client looking for a catamaran sail out of Costa Maya for some snorkeling, sightseeing, etc. Posted July 30, 2018. 11. TOP-RATED TOUR: Mexican cooking class in Mahahualif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_9',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); rel="sponsored nofollow noopener". A good alternative might be to. Aug 29, 2022 - Explore Jacques Lauzon's board "COSTA MAYA <", followed by 440 people on Pinterest. Onboard Experience - Royal Caribbean International As advertised, a chill float down the river and then a stop in the lagoon for swimming. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Blissfully enjoy mother nature's robust coral reef playground while scuba diving with eels, nurse sharks, lobsters, and countless tropical fish. The walking paths around the site were gorgeous, and our guide pointed out unique trees and plants the Mayans used for medicine and wellness. We figured we could just snorkel off the beach. I'm interested in suggestions for things to do in Costa Maya. TessOR At the Kohunlich Mayan Ruins, you can visit many still intact rooms of a Mayan palace. If youre planning on taking a snorkeling excursion, make sure to bring organic sunscreen its a federal regulation. 3. swangs34 10 mo. 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. On my recent Western Caribbean sailing, I was torn between a beach day at Maya Chan or heading inland to the Chacchoben ruins. 4. level 1. Excursion recommendation in Costa Maya: Tubing in the 7 color lagoon, one of my favorite excursions ever. Guests are picked up at the port and driven by bus to the resort. Taxi ride (included in the Maya Chan price) was a about 45 minutes, and very rough! We do 50+ laps at the Y pool 4 days a week plus gym equipment and I ride close to 100 miles a week on my road bike. Photo courtesy of Cristina Madrid. Another Mayan site thats accessible from Costa Maya is Kohunlich. Clear editor. The owners have set it up to make it very comfortable and stress-free for the guests. Dont miss the chance, there are only a limited number of ruins you can physically climb in Mexico. Not many people go to this site, as it is 2 hours one way from the cruise port. 3rd party tours are usually just outside secure port area. We warmly welcome all Adventure of the Seas Cruise Ship Passengers to the Port of Costa Maya, Mexico. Our goal has been to provide our readers with expansive coverage of all aspects of the Royal Caribbean experience. Is a Royal Caribbean Walt Disney World shore excursion a good idea. Aunt and mom) just returned from a 7 day Princess Caribbean cruise with a stop Costa Maya. After your own exploration of the Chacchoben Ruins, end your day with lunch and drinks on a beautiful beach. A/C Vans with Federally Certified bilingual Drivers. 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. Horseback riding, mountain biking, parasailing, rain forest hiking, and 4x4 off-roading are just a few examples of what you can do. Costa Maya port (Puerto Costa Maya) is Mexicos second-largest cruise port after Cozumel. The profits are then kept by the cruise line itself instead of being reinvested back to the local economy. Upload or insert images from URL. You can post now and register later. Clarification - the guys at Jaime's were cash only, not the dive shops. Manage Settings Costa Maya is the name of the area that . Please report back to us when you return about Maya Chan. Entrance fees into the Dzibanche & Kinichna Mayan Ruins Site are included. Dont be afraid to drink the water in Costa Maya its completely purified. The port of Costa Maya is located in the Yucatan peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo (Mexico), and is the only port in the Western Caribbean designed specifically for cruise ships. They are going in March. Man atop the steps of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins in Costa Maya, Mexico 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. After excavations, the site was opened to the public in 2002. Another Mayan site 2 hours away from the cruise port is Dzibanche. A multitude of delicious lunch options included! Snorkel Gear and Scuba Diving Equipment -Tips by a Pro! Found it! . Be sure to come back for an update. For a culture fix, head to the Kohunlick ruins to see the famous Temple of the Masks. Only drawback is the occasional sargassum, but it is a grade A all inclusive paradise otherwise. August 30, 2021 in Shore Excursions. It is located about 5 minutes ride from the small fishing village of Mahahual, and around 290 km (180 miles) south of Playa del Carmen and the island of Cozumel. - How much time do we need to allow to actually get off the ship in each of the ports of call? 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. I think by reading further here you may get a different perspective as to whether to take a ship-sponsored excursion. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Mans. 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. 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). We guarantee a full refund of your excursion deposit if your ship can not make it into the port of Costa Maya. Soft drinks and purified water. For those of you who wish to use a video camera, there may be an additional $5 $8 charge. Cruise line representatives help you get to the correct bus and make sure that you get out of the ship on time. Costa Maya Cruise Excursions Spanish is the main language in Mexico, however, like in any major tourist cruise port, English is widely spoken. 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). The Excursion is 2.5hrs. Had a great day there on my last cruise in 2019! Reefs Aquariums. We have done the large group Chacchoben tour of about 5 hours. They accepted my reservation without a deposit but I don't think that will be a permanent practice. Costa Maya Beach Break at Nohochkay If you decide to stay around the port area, you can take advantage of this pass that gives you access to 3 port attractions: Cruise port pass tickets can be obtained through the cruise line or at the tour desk on the pier. Our rates are direct rates from the operators which allow you to save money while providing you with a greater selection of shore excursions to choose from. Some of the activities are not suitable for guests with disabilities or special needs. We were there October 3 and had a great time. They were a little less expensive than the dive shops (cash only) for a quick trip (we just made the decision to go out on the spur of the moment). Allow 15 min to walk to meeting point. Children under 12 years old and elderly visitors do not pay. Usually the tour companies who supply tours to the cruise lines discount the price of their tours to the cruise companies. Has anyone been in August who can give a review? Most of the beach clubs have either a minimum spend or an open bar, and you should definitely check out Yaya Beach, Blue Kay, Ibiza Sunset, Pitaya Beach Club, and Pez Quadro. I had a tamarind margarita that blew my socks off after my dive. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot more to do in Costa Maya. . Bahamas Excursions. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. This is an active family group - so they are not interested in the ruins or beach break type of activities. Costa Maya cruise excursions for the Port of Costa Maya Mexico. The Chacchoben ruins are part of an ancient Mayan city, with structures dating around 700 A.D. Chacchoben remained a ceremonial site for Mayans until 1847, at which point the Caste War began, leading to the eventual abandonment of the site. Leave them in the comments below. Please have a look at our recommended Liberty of the Seas and itineraries. Great service, drinks and food. It's about the same amount of travel time as Maya Chan since it takes the "highway" instead of the beach road. Welcome to Costa Maya Cruise Excursions, your guide to shore excursions in Costa Maya. And if you're looking to relax, take a beach break and enjoy one of Costa Maya's beautiful beaches. Entrance fees into the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Site & Beach Day Pass included! For Vegetarians too! Not sure of their status post Covid? amazing ships, destinations and onboard offerings.. 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. I pulled up a December cruise and saw it as well. 3. We guarantee a full refund of your excursion deposit if your ship cannot make it into the port of Belize. Resembling an authentic Mayan city, the Costa Maya cruise port complex is designed to suit the cruise ship passengers needs. Cochinita Pibil Tortilla Dish, Costa Maya, Mexico Local Cuisine For casual fare, stick to Mahahual. 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 did not get a chance to visit this site yet but we will definitely go when we get a chance to have a shore excursion in Costa Maya. The actual terminal is good and has an ok swimming pool area close to the ship, but excursions are limited. I leave stateroom 30 min early due to crowds, elevator time, etc. Learn how your comment data is processed. The people are very nice, and quite attentive. Saw your video too @SarahBrown. By choosing to book with an outside tour company, you help support the local economy by supporting small businesses. Costa Maya excursions. : r/royalcaribbean - Reddit If there are more than 4 cruise ships in port simultaneously, other ships will anchor and transfer their guests ashore via tender boats. Your Royal excursion tickets will tell you when and where to meet, typically on the pier just before shops. Looking forward to being there in less than 3 weeks now! We're going on Harmony in December 2023 and I'm trying to work out our excursions. Those in search of adrenaline can enjoy the crazy water slide rides and hit the thrilling zip lines across the jungle, while those looking to relax can go floating on a river rube through the jungle-lined lazy river or relax on a hammock by the pool. This tranquil port and village have been blessed with palm-fringed beaches and calm aquamarine waters offering an abundance of water and land activities. It looks like there is just the standard tourist shops at the pier. Snorkel along the magnificent reef lagoon in Costa Maya. I'm so curious about Maya Chan, too! 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. The cruise line guarantee that the ship will wait for you in case something happens while on a tour, It is more convenient to book with the cruise line than outside companies, Pros of booking with outside tour companies, You support the local economy by booking direct with a local tour company, Chacchoben Ruins Shore Excursion in Costa Maya, 7 Colors Lagoon Tour Shore Excursion in Costa Maya. It was such a nice float. Shore Excursions & Cruise Guided Tours | Royal Caribbean Cruises A popular one thrown around (and one I've been to) is Krazy Lobster. You get a more personalized and intimate tour when booking with local tour companies and you help support their small businesses along the way. . Wonder of the Seas - Costa Maya Cruise Excursions See more ideas about costa maya, costa maya mexico, costa. Orchids. Cruises to Roatan, Honduras | Royal Caribbean Cruises We paid for the tours ourselves nor did we get any freebies from this company. Come and experience this underwater world for yourself in the Costa Maya Reef! The highlight of the site are these huge faces carved in stone, rebuilt every time theres a new leader. A local Mayan guide taught us how to count in Mayan, provided a history of the place, and gave us lots of useful information about the site. From Beach Breaks, snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, exploring nearby beaches, ATV Rides on the beach, Reef Fishing, Costa Maya has it all!!! A few of our top Costa Maya excursions and tour sites include the Mayan ruins at Chacchoben, Kohunlich, and Dzibanche, which are three of Mexico's best-kept secrets. There are some deals available on the souvenir shops on knick knacks you can bring home to commemorate your trip. Costa Maya and Cozumel Excursions : royalcaribbean - Reddit Your email address will not be published. You should also scuba dive to see the wide variety of sea life in Costa Maya. We provide firsthand information on every activity and excursion trip we recommend. Costa Maya excursions - Shore Excursions - Royal Caribbean Blog We have excursions and tours for every activity level at every price point, so read our ratings and book your Costa Maya, Mexico Excursion today! Overall, I was happy with my decision to book a Royal Caribbean shore excursion to the Chacchoben ruins. Thank you for reading and Happy Cruising! There is also a tall set of ancient steps visitors climb to reach two of the pyramids on the site. At $89 a person, I appreciated that all logistics were taken care of, including providing a knowledgeable guide. I don't have a suggestion, but just wanted to say that my Cruise Planner suddenly has eight new excursions for Costa Maya thatcoincidentallyappeared the day after the New Year's sale ended. we were looking to do an ATV adventure at Costa Maya, but we see the maximum age is only 70 [quite angry about this we are]. 70 year olds are not all decrepid. Can't remember exact name. Join us in this expedition to the ruins of Kohunlich and admire one of the most studied sites in the area. Learn about the rich history and the importance of this site, and admire the big ceremonial temple known as Gran Basamento.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',132,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Chacchoben Ruins. Dzibanche looks a bit more like the typical Mayan site, so if you had a choice to pick between Dzibanche or Kohunlich, pick Kohunlich. All rights reserved. The complex is dominated by a huge two-level pyramid that you can climb and admire the spectacular views of the lush rainforest and surrounding pyramids. If your cruise ship is not listed, please contact us as we are in the process of adding additional ships. Mayan Ruins Cruise Excursions in Costa Maya. $1 little beers and food with beach access and plenty of chairs. If you dont find what you are looking for, click on Excursions in the top navigational buttons for a full listing of excursions. They guarantee that they will get you back to your cruise ship before they depart and have flexible cancellation policies in case your ship changes their itinerary and cant dock anymore. We provide firsthand information on each and every excursion we offer and recommend the excursions that work best for you. If you cant find what you are looking for, you can contact us on our LIVE CHAT and chat with a knowledgeable member of our reservation staff to help you find what you are looking for. Due to the fun nature of the excursion the tour is rain or shine. Explore the possibilities for shore excursions on your next cruise below. Beach access is nonexistent at the pier itself, but you can go to the beach in town. Costa Maya Shore Excursion Reviews - Cruise Critic Also known as the Land of the Red Corn, this 3.000-year-old site was once an important pilgrimage place for the ancient Mayans. But I would go again in a heartbeat. Interestingly enough, his first language was a Mayan dialect and he even taught our group a few phrases! These excursions have you covered. The cruise lines have basically run out of new places to go so "they" (no idea who "they" really is) worked with Mexico to find a suitable place . We are saving almost half! 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! It depends. More later, but Maya Chan Beach was great! Viajes. Cozumel knows how to do tourism. Okso to piggyback this topic. Located in the town of Bacalar, the 7 Colors lagoon got its name from the 7 different colors the lagoon takes, depending on the season and how deep the water is. Snorkeling gear, kayaks, floating chairs, water socks are all included. 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. In a Nutshell: Do yourself a favor and go. Last I remember, Taxis were like $2 a person (but that could have changed). Produced locally, it protects against the sun's rays and also repels bugs. {{card.portName}}, Onboard Not a sponsored listing, by the way. Driving down the day before to hang out in Galveston. 3 hour Open bar and beach lunch included. Your previous content has been restored. There are some very good Mayan ruins nearby that are not strenuous to enjoy. We booked this through Royal Caribbean for a day excursion. Theres loads of wildlife in the area, where you may see them crossing the road at night. There are two archeological zones within the same area: the Archeological Zone Dzibanch Kinichn, and the Archaeological Zone of Kohunlich.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_13',133,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Dzibanche is said to be the first capital of the Kaan Dynasty, also known as the Snake Dynasty, and the center of social and economic activities for the local population. There are usually no crowds as the place is off the beaten track. 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise | Royal Caribbean Cruises 21 Reviews Costa Maya Reef Snorkeling Price: $45.00 This is a very laid back and relaxing excursion. THE 10 BEST Riviera Maya Tours & Excursions for 2023 - Tripadvisor Would they consider something up at Bacalar? Your morning snorkeling and beach combo will be a top notch beach escape in Costa Maya! Belize Excursions. 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. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Located in the south of Quintana Roo state, approximately 70 km (43 mi)/50-minute drive from Costa Maya, Chacchoben Ruins are the most popular ancient ruins in the Costa Maya region. 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. It is recommended to visit both archeological zones (Archeological Zone Dzibanch Kinichn and Kohunlich archeological zone) on the same day, as they are located 45 minutes drive from each other. Selfishly, I hope the word does not spread too quickly, because this resort is an uncut diamond in the rough. There are also several hills and mounds on the site covered in vegetation. Explore Bacalar Lagoon tours from Costa Maya Cruise Port. 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. For our other tour to Chacchoben, we paid $50 per person on a public tour. Your link has been automatically embedded. He pointed out towns and the history of the cruise port of Costa Maya.