Costa Maya, Mexico: What to Do During Your Visit
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Initially, the closest shops to the beach were running on diesel or gas generators. The Puerto Costa Maya port started construction around the 1990s, although as noted earlier, tourists didn’t start arriving until the early to mid-2000s. Hotels started to dot the beachside property, although it still took a while for tourism to really kick up and make it all worth it.
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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. This day trip includes a guided tour and may also include a visit to the nearby Seven Color Lagoon.
Margaritaville at Sea
However, there is a free trolley for those with walking difficulties or not willing to walk, which is particularly convenient if cruising with young children. The entrance to the terminal with its massive Mayan replica door at the end of a perpendicular pier to the coast is impossible to miss. At a 90 degree angle to this pier is what used to be the primary docking pier. Grab some snorkeling gear and explore the colorful underwater world of Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral atoll in the northern hemisphere. After lunch, I like to take a walk along the promenade then head back to the hotel and the beach club.
Things to do in Costa Maya cruise port
A tropical, beachy port that’s still manageable and not as heavily commercialized as Cozumel. Once inside the terminal, shops are the first thing you will come across. On the left-hand side, craft markets sell all sorts of souvenirs. On your right, the typical duty-free shops you would expect in any Caribbean cruise port, such as the ubiquitous Diamonds International and its sister Tanzanite International. This port was designed with cruisers in mind and offers a day's worth of fun in the sun. Ancient ruins, sleepy beachside villages, and natural lagoons with seven shades of blue — this Mexican port is beaming with culture, history, and beauty.
Tourism has largely kicked up in the port and trickled out to the surrounding areas. The emphasis has always been on “eco-tourism” meaning we won’t find any of those high-rise hotels. Most places still have an architecture that hints at simpler times. Roads and electricity were a bit further to lag behind, surprisingly.
Hit the Spa for Mayan Healing Rituals
There is also an anti-sargassum barrier to help reduce the amount of seaweed in the shallow waters beside the seashore. Spanish is the official language of Mexico and the primary language spoken in Costa Maya. However, most locals working in bars, cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops also speak English.
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Trying to exit takes you in a half circle the entire complex… and then back around for another walk through an outer ring shops. In total, it can take between minutes just to get through the area when trying to exit as quickly as possible. After lunch, an employee comes around to find out what time you’d like to leave the beach. A cab will be ordered for you, so you’ll be able to leave whenever you’d like, and won’t have to worry about finding a ride back.
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With similar beauty to its neighboring countries and dive spots, Costa Maya is every diver’s dream. If scuba diving is of interest, check out the dive shops in Mahahual and Xcalak. In fact, the Mexican port prides itself on a small-town Mexican village atmosphere with pristine waters and authentic villages. Sitting just north of Costa Maya lies the UNESCO Heritage Site of Sian Ka’an Reserve. While the vast majority of passengers will go ashore during the day in Costa Maya, if you stay aboard you’ll deal with much smaller crowds.
The options for beach clubs and swimming spots in Costa Maya are endless. Costa Maya has it all if you’re looking to relax on white sand beaches, take a dip in crystal-clear waters, or enjoy a swim-up bar. So grab your beach chair, wear your swimsuit, and prepare for a day of fun and relaxation in paradise.
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. Passengers can walk off the cruise ship along the t-shaped pier into the cruise port area. If you have an excursion to meet, allow at least 15 minutes to walk to the meeting area. By the time you’re finished reading this article, you’ll know why it’s one of my top Caribbean cruise ports.
Bacalar lagoon offers kayaking and swimming in the Cenote Azul, and there's also a Spanish fortress you can tour. While Costa Maya might look sleepy at a glance, there's something for everyone in this corner of the Caribbean -- and it only keeps growing. The first thing you’ll see is a last-minute tour desk, where you can book an excursion. This is a great option for those who haven’t yet planned anything but still want to do a port excursion. However, if you have something you really want to do in Costa Maya, I’d recommend booking it in advance. These tours can book up, especially if there are multiple large cruise ships in port.
It’s always a good idea to learn some basic phrases in Spanish. Here are some questions many cruise ship passengers ask before docking in Costa Maya. Known as Fuerte de San Felipe, Bacalar Fort is a historic fort near the lagoon.
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