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Costa Maya: when your ship stops here

The Maya city of Chacchoben, the beach village of Mahahual, or the pools at the pier.

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Costa Maya is a cruise port on Mexico's Caribbean coast, in the state of Quintana Roo, near the border with Belize. It has a large pier for cruise ships, and the fishing village of Mahahual is about 3 km (1.9 miles) away.

Source: Wikipedia: Costa Maya

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Chacchoben, a Maya city

    A Maya site whose name means the place of red corn. Maya settlement here is thought to go back to about 200 BC, and its buildings date from about 700 AD. Mexico's national institute of anthropology and history (INAH) restored it and opened it to visitors in 2002.

    Tip: Tours go there from the port, and it is a drive each way: ask how long before you book, and leave time to get back before all aboard.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Chacchoben; Wikipedia: Costa Maya

  2. 2. Mahahual, the beach village

    A former fishing village with soft sand beaches, grass-roofed palapas, and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef along its coast. Its seafront walk, the malecón, starts at the lighthouse and runs more than a kilometer and a half, lined with craft stalls, restaurants and hotels.

    Tip: It is only about 3 km (1.9 miles) from the pier, so it fits easily in a day.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Mahahual; México Desconocido: Malecón de Mahahual (in Spanish)

  3. 3. The pools at the port

    The port has its own plaza with saltwater pools, swim-up bars and shops. It is generally open only to cruise passengers.

    Tip: The easiest day ashore: no tour and no ride, and you never leave the port.

    Source: Wikipedia: Costa Maya

What to skip

  • Banco Chinchorro on a day in port

    The coral atoll is 35 km (22 miles) offshore, a long boat ride each way across open sea. For a day in port, the reef along Mahahual's own coast is much closer.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Banco Chinchorro; Wikipedia: Mahahual

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Costa Maya

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Costa Maya, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 1, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

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