Explore Costa Maya: Insider's Cruise Port Guide

Table Of Content

• How I Traveled to Alaska for My First Alaska Cruise…Without Flying
• RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 East Coast USA cruise homeports/ships
• Must-Do Activities in Costa Maya During a Cruise Port Day
• Shopping and Food
• Best Costa Maya Beaches Near the Cruise Port
• Is the pool free at Costa Maya cruise port?
• Four MSC Ships Will Cruise from North America next Summer

To get there, you go into the main town, not the beach — so that means you won’t be dining with a ton of other cruise passengers. One of the highlights of the Costa Maya cruise port is exploring the charming fishing village of Mahahual. You will enjoy strolling along the promenade (Malecon), browsing the colorful shops, and soaking in the village’s laid-back atmosphere.

How I Traveled to Alaska for My First Alaska Cruise…Without Flying

Transportation to and from the port is included as well so you don’t even have to worry about how to get there. Snorkel equipment is available for rent from local vendors, or visitors can take part in snorkeling tours with experienced guides who will show them the best spots in Costa Maya’s waters. The place offers many excursion options, such as private beach breaks, all-inclusive packages, and snorkel boat tours. And after a long day of exploring, you can pick a dining spot where you’ll be guaranteed delicious food and excellent service. Mahahual offers beautiful and fun sights like the bustling Malecon—perfect for a quick but memorable excursion.

RCI-Royal Caribbean unveils 2025-2026 East Coast USA cruise homeports/ships

You can find free wi-fi all around the Costa Maya cruise terminal. Above the boardwalk area, you’ll find a trail of hanging bridges where you can encounter exotic birds. The tropical birds are beautiful and there are a lot of opportunities to take some good photos.

Must-Do Activities in Costa Maya During a Cruise Port Day

It gets its name from the different shades of blues and teals coloring the surrounding water. Your day trip will include transportation, drinks, food, and exciting activities like kayaking and swimming in the clear waters. Costa Maya cruise port, or “Puerto Costa Maya,” sits on the southeastern coast of Mexico. Costa Maya’s attractions are just a few miles from the Belize border and is approximately 80 miles south of Cancun. This destination has recently sparked interest in the tourist industry since the mid-2000s. That said, there is an amazing amount of things for cruise passenger to do and see if they stay in port.

Shopping and Food

You can either go without… or pay insane prices at the ship’s shops (we’ve seen DayQuil for $17 a bottle!). If you forgot or need anything, there is one other option — Costa Maya has a pharmacy in port with just about anything you’d need. It’s also considerably cheaper than buying these items on the ship.

Virgin Voyages cruise destination guide: The line's 5 best itineraries - The Points Guy

Virgin Voyages cruise destination guide: The line's 5 best itineraries.

Posted: Wed, 08 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

World's largest cruise ship Icon OTS visits Costa Maya Mexico

After your ride you are dropped off at a beach club to spend the rest of your day… with an open bar to continue the party. Just be sure to bring a few bucks for lunch so that you don’t have to drink on an empty stomach. While it’s certainly grown (and can be busy on days when ships are in port), in many ways it still has its character as a small town. There is a main street, lots of dirt roads and a number of small shops and restaurants. If you’re expecting Cozumel or Cancun, Mahahual shows what life used to be life before Mexico’s tourism boom.

Best Costa Maya Beaches Near the Cruise Port

The resort has beautiful white-sand beaches, swimming pools, an aviary, and a marine park with dolphins. For culture buffs, Mayan ruins from this ancient civilization are relatively close. You’ll find a tourist booth with information for local beaches and excursions that will take you outside of the cruise port area. There is also a meeting area for those who have pre-booked Costa Maya shore excursions and tours.

Is the pool free at Costa Maya cruise port?

Royal Caribbean boosts annual profit forecast on strong cruise demand - SaltWire NS

Royal Caribbean boosts annual profit forecast on strong cruise demand.

Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Maya Chan beach is considered by many cruise visitors to be the best beach in Costa Maya, Mexico. Embarking on an adventure to Costa Maya entails a blend of excitement and the unknown. Here, we aim to equip you with essential practical knowledge to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Due to its depth, it’s also a popular location for scuba diving. At Cenote Azul, you can relax on the surrounding wooden swings and take Insta-worthy photos. Sailing on a catamaran is one of the most popular activities when spending a day in Costa Maya. Many day excursions include food, drink, and a choice of snacks or food. The Caribbean waters off Mahahual are among the best in the Mexican Caribbean for snorkeling and scuba diving. Banco Chinchorro is a UNESCO site and the largest coral atoll in Mexico, consisting of three islands.

When we were visiting Costa Maya, I knew that we wanted to spend a relaxing day on the beach. I had heard about Maya Chan Beach – one of the more popular destinations among cruise passengers. It ended up being the best cruise ship excursion we’ve done due to the service, food, and atmosphere. 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.

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. In the port area you’ll find all sorts of shops, including one selling dozens of different types of tequila. Stop in to pick up a bottle as an authentic (and tasty) souvenir before you head back to the ship. Alcohol is checked in when you get back to the ship and returned to you the last night of your cruise. If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, check out Dolphin Discovery.

If you really want to get a feel for the area, consider taking a bike tour. There are 2 options available near the Costa Maya cruise port. Power snorkeling is a super fun way to explore the underwater world. With a powerful motorized scooter, you can zip around the lagoon or explore deeper waters while snorkeling. If you are already dive certified, consider booking a guided dive tour while visiting Costa Maya.

Professional dive instructors can take you to some of the most beautiful spots in the Caribbean. The clear blue water off the coast of Costa Maya is perfect for snorkeling! With an abundance of coral reefs and sea life, you will be sure to have a wonderful time exploring this aquatic paradise. At Dolphin Discovery, visitors can take part in Dolphin Encounter, Royal Swim, and Special Swims activities. Guests will also receive exclusive access to a private beach and lagoon where they can relax after swimming with dolphins. This is the closest beach to the cruise port, and therefore is definitely the most crowded, so if you are looking for isolation or peace and quiet, this isn’t the beach for me.