For casual fare, stick to Mahahual. During the pandemic, we had a private tour to Kohunlich as nobody else booked the tour! https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/09/09/odyssey-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-4-costa-maya. Aug 29, 2022 - Explore Jacques Lauzon's board "COSTA MAYA <", followed by 440 people on Pinterest. On 1/8/2023 at 4:05 PM, mac66 said: I'm not seeing any snorkeling/beach tours offered through RCI but we initially booked the RCI "Beach Break with Open Bar" $54/person for Costa Maya on our early Feb cruise. Does it include lunch and drinks or will those be extra? This is perhaps the biggest thing that the cruise lines tour on why you should book with them. Posted July 30, 2018. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. For those of you who wish to use a video camera, there may be an additional $5 $8 charge. I don't care about all inclusive drinks and food, just a place to park my carcass. Even though Costa Maya is well known for palm-lined shores, it also boasts remarkably preserved Mayan sites. I had never heard of the archeological site before and was not sure what to expect. Guaranteed Palapa /Umbrellas and Beach Chairs. I see the Dolphin Experience available in my cruise planner for my Dec. 12 trip. How was the experience at the Beach Escape Club? See beautiful coral heads and colorful marine life, all while drifting through crystal clear waters. Get tips on what to bring on your cruise in my article. The 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise visits Galveston, Texas; Roatan, Honduras; Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico and Galveston, Texas. I haven't been back since covid but plan to some time in the future. Any other all inclu. Welcome to Costa Maya Cruise Excursions, your guide to shore excursions in Costa Maya. I'm so curious about Maya Chan, too! Offering Costa Maya cruise excursions and shore trips in All-Inclusive Beach Breaks pass, Snorkeling tours, Catamarans, ATV tours, Mayan Ruins, Private Boat Charters, water sports and more! 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. 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]. We're going on Harmony in December 2023 and I'm trying to work out our excursions. Kohunlich Mayan Ruins Tour Price: $89.00 Join us in this expedition to the ruins of Kohunlich and admire one of the most studied sites in the area. Pasted as rich text. Because of its proximity to the cruise port, it is the most popular tour destination from Costa Maya. It was a merchant town where people from all over used to sell their goods in the market. Debating on whether to go for my Nov cruise. Any other all inclusive suggestions in Costa Maya ? Kohunlich archeological site is larger and it takes at least 1 hour to visit it and walk around. This is where you normally meet for shore excursions, and where you can book last-minute excursions if you wish so.Friendly dolphins welcome guests at the end of the pier. From Beach Breaks, snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, exploring nearby beaches, ATV Rides on the beach, Reef Fishing, Costa Maya has it all!! Taxis will also offer private tours to the main tourist locations, but make sure you agree on the price beforehand to avoid inconveniences. . 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. Via email,Mike just reassured me that it should be great and if not, he'll let us know and give us a refund before we get off the ship. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot more to do in Costa Maya. 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.. I believe the reef is closer to shore at that spot, too. On 11/24/2022 at 12:18 PM, GatorCruiser said: ovid ? The best way to get here is through an organized shore excursion from the cruise ship. Digby and Rodrigo took GREAT care of us! If the excursion meeting time is like 9:30, what time do we need to get in line to disembark? Even though theres 4 ships at port while we were there, we managed to get a private tour of Kohunlich since nobody else booked the same tour we did. 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. Take a dip in the sparkling blue waters of Cenote Azul, an open freshwater cenote known for prime snorkeling and swimming. We have reservations for our Oct 1 cruise from Galveston Nohoch Kay Beach Club. If there are more than 4 cruise ships in port simultaneously, other ships will anchor and transfer their guests ashore via tender boats. Our first tour to Chacchoben pre-covid, there were around 14 of us in the van. Photo courtesy of Sabrina Mans.Photo courtesy of Sabrina Mans. Also is jaimes at blue reef the next best option for an all inclusive if Maya Chan is closed when Im there ? I'm not seeing any snorkeling/beach tours offered through RCI but we initially booked the RCI "Beach Break with Open Bar" $54/person for Costa Maya on our early Feb cruise. 3rd party tours are usually just outside secure port area. We timed it. Come and enjoy where the locals and crew members eat in Mahahual. Despite my dislike of the port area, it is worth navigating to get to a cab to the beach where it is. 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. Relax on Costa Maya's pristine beaches on this sun soaked Costa Maya tour! 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. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the ruins of these two Mayan civilizations lost in the jungle close to the Belize border. Island Marketing Ltd specializes in unique and boutique tours in addition to our best for less excursions, offering excellent value for some of the most popular tours. Any ideas for something cool to do there? Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. If youre planning on taking a snorkeling excursion, make sure to bring organic sunscreen its a federal regulation. Cruise line representatives help you get to the correct bus and make sure that you get out of the ship on time. I had a tamarind margarita that blew my socks off after my dive. Jacques . Your email address will not be published. You can even enjoy an immersive, multi day-tour to see three Mayan marvels, Chacchoben, Tulum and Chichen Itza. 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. You, therefore, often end up shuffled onto crowded excursion tour buses and large boats packed to capacity. We had an excellent local guide who informed us about Mayan culture and history in the region. I don't see any mention of maintenance at dolphindiscovery.com for Costa Maya (that is the group that does this). Guests are picked up at the port and driven by bus to the resort. Offering small group excursions, relaxing beach breaks, costa maya chacchoben and more! At Costa Maya, you can walk the shops in the nearby village (take a short tram ride or cab), but we enjoyed Chacchoben Mayan Ruins. Grab some snorkeling gear and explore the colorful underwater world of Banco Chinchorro, the largest coral atoll in the northern hemisphere. The other option is going with a tour thats either sold through the cruise ship or going on a tour with an outside tour company. On our way there, we chatted with our guide, who gave us a lot of information about Mayan ruins. 25 Top Shore Excursion Packing List Itemsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'adventourbegins_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_18',137,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); What to Pack for a Cruise Top 50 Cruise Essentials. This tranquil port and village have been blessed with palm-fringed beaches and calm aquamarine waters offering an abundance of water and land activities. I also like the proximity to other amenities in Mahahual, the rooftop pool and Pepe, Siri and Cata at the dive shop. Ended up canceling it and booked with Jamie's at the Blue Reef with included open food and drink for $3/person more. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Things To Do in Puerto Costa Maya Cenote Azul Scuba Diver, Costa Maya, Mexico Cenote Azul Scuba Diver, Costa Maya, Mexico Cenote Scouting Take a dip in the sparkling blue waters of Cenote Azul, an open freshwater cenote known for prime snorkeling and swimming. Some of the activities are not suitable for guests with disabilities or special needs. Learn more about the park on the Lost Mayan Kingdom Waterpark website. Go on a kayaking adventure through crystalline waters amidst a tropical jungle or enjoy a relaxing time swimming in a beautiful lagoon when you book this Bacalar Lagoon tour near Costa Maya. The Great Maya Reef just off the coast is the second largest in the world its a must-snorkel spot. 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. Today, we've got an EPIC River Tubing Adventure to check out as part of our port stop in Costa Maya. And the Dzibanche Mayan Ruins are believed to be an early capital of the Kan Dynasty. Our 14 seater vans offer a comfortable, private, exclusive excursion. Can't remember exact name. Belize Excursions. 3rd party tours are usually just outside secure port area. We are prepared for the bumpy ride there! Hello folks. The highlight of the site are these huge faces carved in stone, rebuilt every time theres a new leader. With your support, we can create more exciting content and share with everyone! Selfishly, I hope the word does not spread too quickly, because this resort is an uncut diamond in the rough. Not a sponsored listing, by the way. Within the same archeological zone, in the heart of the jungle, you can also visit Kinichn ruins located approximately 4 km (2.5 miles) from Dzibanche. We provide firsthand information on each and every excursion we offer and recommend the excursions that work best for you. Learn how your comment data is processed. amazing ships, destinations and onboard offerings.. Venture into the jungle for a taste of ancient Maya history at the Kohunlich and Chacchoben ruins each well over a thousand years old. View All Results. Please post afterwards, and let us know how it was! In any event, you may want to check again today, you may have some fresh choices available. 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. 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. Costa Maya is known for its second-largest coral reef in the world which makes it a perfect destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Shore Excursions in Costa Maya Port There are a few tours you can do in Costa Maya, with a mixture of the major variations below. 5-1/2 hour excursion Port to Port. However, if you have a bit more time ashore, around 9 hours or more, do Kohunlich. Fun Things to Do in Costa Maya with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. If you choose to take a taxi, you should agree on the price with the driver in advance, as it all depends on the number of people taking a tour. Nice breeze, cabanas, chairs everything was great. Cost was $99 per person, so it was a pricey excursion. For us, Jaime's at Blue Reef supplanted Maya Chan as a favorite destination at Costa Maya. Costa Maya Cruise Excursions offers a variety of options for you . There is a small group tour for a few $ more. 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. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in May. My bet is that you will not regret it. 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. Located about an hours drive from the cruise port, Chacchoben is an archaeological site estimated to have been settled around 200 B.C. By Both Dzibanche and Kinichn belong to the same archeological zone and the entrance fee is $3.50 per person. The port of Costa Maya Mexico is located on the southern east tip of Quintana Roo Mexico near the tiny fishing village of Mahahual. Entrance fees into the Dzibanche & Kinichna Mayan Ruins Site are included. It was a birthday cruise to celebrate my . Maya Chan is awesome. We booked this through Royal Caribbean for a day excursion. CoopCEA-Dad You can post now and register later. 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. Any other all inclu, https://www.dolphindiscovery.com/costa-maya/. Food was not provided on this tour, but snacks and refreshments were available at the entrance to Chacchoben. Costa Maya cruise excursions for the Port of Costa Maya Mexico. Forgotten for decades, the ruins were re-discovered in 1942 by a local farmer who built his home on the site. My name is Katarina and welcome to my cruise & travel blog! Cost was $99 per person, so it was a pricey excursion. Heres our port and shore excursion guide to Costa Maya and which shore excursions you can consider based on our personal experience. The beach area is very nice with plenty of shade if you don't want sun. The dolphin discovery website for Costa Maya said "habitat maintenance". The ride there was a bit bumpy, but I would go again in a heartbeat. I'm so curious about Maya Chan, too! Just make sure you understand the refund policy if the ship gets diverted or has a port schedule change for some reason. Cruise portsCrew membersDestinationsBlogAbout me, ContactPrivacy policyTerms and conditionsDisclaimer, We use cookies to improve your experience. . The food is just as good, and the service provided by Rodrigo, Digby, and the others, believe it or not, is better imothey show a lot of joy in what they do and have so much humor and appreciation, that it's hard to put words to it. Join us in this expedition to the ruins of Kohunlich and admire one of the most studied sites in the area. You can post now and register later. 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. Although it does look like their price has increased quite a bit the past few years, it used to be identical to Maya Chan but now shows as $96/person. Cozumel Excursions. I'm interested in suggestions for things to do in Costa Maya. It is generally cheaper to book with outside tour companies than with the cruise line. 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. Reefs. While you could technically visit the site on your own, having a guide provided a more in-depth look at the ruins and he was able to answer any questions I had. Ultimately, since I would be spending the following day at the Nachi Cocom Beach Club in Cozumel, I decided to book an excursion to Chacchoben. Lunch consists of a sandwhich with one piece of ham and cheese so it's mostly bread. These experiences are best for tours in Costa Maya: Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya; Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Day Trip; One Day Tour to Chacchoben Mayan City and Bacalar Lagoon with a Certified Guide; 1 Day Costa Maya All Included Beach Break (transportation + Food + Drinks) Snorkel boat tour in search of turtles {{card.portName}}, Onboard March 30 in Shore Excursions. Heres what you can expect on a visit to Chacchoben. Had a great day there on my last cruise in 2019! Your link has been automatically embedded. Or you can kick back at the port village of Mahahual with an ice-cold michelada a spicy beer cocktail in hand. Unfortunately, there is not a lot else as this is basically a remote fishing village that was turned into a port by the cruise lines. By Phil1ip. 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. Within an hour from the cruise port, one can visit the site of an old Mayan ruin called Chacchoben. The park has restrooms, changing rooms, showers, lockers (extra cost), a snack bar, and a souvenir shop. It can also be very hot, so bring your hat and sunglasses (Suggested article: Due to the distance, the best way to explore the ruins is through an organized shore excursion from the cruise line that includes entrance fees and normally provides a packed lunch box so you can maximize your time on sites. If your cruise ship is not listed, please contact us as we are in the process of adding additional ships. Thank you for reading and Happy Cruising! Much of the site is covered in lush rainforest which (thankfully) blocks the sun. A truly fantastic place to visit and a great location for snorkeling, swimming and other water activities!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'adventourbegins_com-leader-3','ezslot_15',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-adventourbegins_com-leader-3-0');Laguna 7 Colores Bacalar. Due to the fun nature of the excursion the tour is rain or shine. There are many gorgeous places to swim, windsurf, paddleboard, and sail. 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. Your email address will not be published. Outside the cruise terminal area (there are two exits), you will find a large taxi rank, golf carts, bike/car/ATV rentals, local tour vendors, Jade Maya Museum, a replica of a Mayan pyramid, and a few more facilities/places of interest. 4. level 1. It's just a quiet rafting trip down a calm river to a lagoon where you swim in about 4ft of fresh water for about 30-45 minutes and then go back to eat lunch. There may be an additional $5 $8 charge for video cameras. The only downside was the bumpy ride back and forth. Something we discovered (and is new to us)are Royal Caribbean shore excursions that combine individualshore, Many Royal Caribbean cruises make a stop in St. Thomas while on an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, but the nearby island, Odds are if you take a Royal Caribbean cruise to somewhere in the Caribbean, there is a good chance you will stop in, There have been a few shore excursions I've taken over the years that I would love to get my time and money back, Theres a charming small town just minutes away from one of Mexicos busiest cruise ports, and its by far my favorite, There are many Royal Caribbean cruises that stop in Port Canaveral and offer shore excursions to Walt Disney World.. It is only a header of a section where you can call them. We then can provide you with options on how to avoid the busy excursions when this is appropriate. The actual terminal is good and has an ok swimming pool area close to the ship, but excursions are limited. Puerto Rico Excursions. If you've done this, would you recommend it for adults/kids (10/8/6)? They have such a stellar history of great service, so I'm keeping the reservation and crossing all my fingers and toes! We're planning on being there next week, so hopefully, it'll be a good experience! This is a very laid back and relaxing excursion. You'll also find important temples of Mayan history featuring pyramids built using 5th-century Maya architecture methods. There was a water park, but it closed during covid and has not reopened. Public transportation is available, but I do not think it is a good idea to experiment with the service due to the limited time in port and especially if you do not speak Spanish. Pick up from the Port area of Costa Maya. Another Mayan site thats accessible from Costa Maya is Kohunlich. 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. 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. 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. An alternative is to take a 30-minute walk from the cruise port to Mahahual. 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. Apr 29, 2023 - Find & Book the top-rated and best-reviewed tours in Riviera Maya for 2023. Explore the possibilities for shore excursions on your next cruise below. 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]. Great service, food, and drinks. From Beach Breaks, snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, exploring nearby beaches, ATV Rides on the beach, Reef Fishing, Costa Maya has it all!!! Photo courtesy of Sabrina Mans. Bacalar is located approximately 91 km (56 mi) or a 1-hour 15 minutes drive from Costa Maya. Clarification - the guys at Jaime's were cash only, not the dive shops. Some sailing options up there - boat tours with swimming and fun in the water and Cenotes to explore might be an option for them. By choosing to book with an outside tour company, you help support the local economy by supporting small businesses. Costa Maya offers an abundance of excursions and activities to delight Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas cruisers of all ages and activity levels. lisabeth. 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? Juices, Lemonade, Sodas and Shirley Temples. Display as a link instead, Costa Maya is a major cruise port of call in the Western Caribbean itineraries during the Fall-Winter season, with as many as 1.5 million passengers and over 500 cruise ships visits in 2019. 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! At $89 a person, I appreciated that all logistics were taken care of, including providing a knowledgeable guide. (Royal Caribbean at the time). ago. I can't find it. Viajes. If you are traveling in a small or large group, check with the Shorex Team onboard for private customized trips. For a culture fix, head to the Kohunlick ruins to see the famous Temple of the Masks. All Guides are bilingual and INAH certified, 14 Seater A/C Vans with Federally Certified bilingual Drivers. 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. He even mentioned that before the cruise port was created, the roads were not paved. Cochinita Pibil Tortilla Dish, Costa Maya, Mexico Local Cuisine For casual fare, stick to Mahahual. It is much closer to the cruise port being in the middle of Mahahual (only a few doors down from the Krazy Lobster). Costa Maya Cruise Excursions are tours and excursion experts representing the best independent operators in Costa Maya Mexico. hail73 1 Quote RickinSTL Members 309 LocationSaint Louis MO Posted April 3, 2020 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 leave stateroom 30 min early due to crowds, elevator time, etc. . Matt was there the day before us, and he posted a blog about it. Our guide informed us that jaguars live nearby, but luckily we did not encounter any! . The tour lasted a total of four hours. Climbing to the top of the pyramids is not allowed, although there are certain areas where visitors can take photos on the pyramids. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Would they consider something up at Bacalar? I can't wait to hear about it! Lily. The location is dreamy. Great service, drinks and food. Is a Royal Caribbean Walt Disney World shore excursion a good idea. 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. 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. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. It costs almost twice as much with the cruise line! Excursion recommendation in Costa Maya: Tubing in the 7 color lagoon, one of my favorite excursions ever. If you choose to go with an outside company and get stuck in the road, you are on your own. If you dont find what you are looking for, click on Excursions in the top navigational buttons for a full listing of excursions.