If you are considering a cruise around the Caribbean, one of the ports of call you can expect to visit is Costa Maya, which is located on the coast of Mexico. This area known as Costa Maya is still new for some cruise lines and not all ships will stop off there. For those that do, passengers will be pleasantly surprised by what awaits them.
Costa Maya is to be found in the western Caribbean, tucked in along the shores of the southern Yucatan, close to the border with Belize. It is a lazy fishing town where travellers can enjoy traditional Mayan culture, food and shopping. The port resembles a private island and is able to accommodate up to three cruise ships at a time, including the massive Oasis of the Seas, one of Royal Caribbean’s largest ships.
This popular port of call has seen many large-scale cruise companies include it in their itineraries. If you are looking into Caribbean cruises and want to ensure a stop in Costa Maya, in addition to Oasis of the Seas, ships such as Veendam, Legend, Disney Magic, Independence of the Seas, Oceana and Norwegian Spirit will all take you there.
Once your arrive you will find a beautiful village that caters for visitors with its many open air restaurants, pools, private beaches, bars and of course, duty free shopping. From your ship, you can easily get to the village of Majahual to enjoy a breathtaking walk along white sandy beaches before settling in for a bite to eat at one of the many traditional restaurants.
Ships that dock here offer a variety of land excursions that include kayaking tours through the natural mangroves, a visit to one of the Mayan ruins or scuba diving and snorkelling in some of the best diving areas in the world. Adventure seekers will delight in BioMaya Bacalar, where they can spend time zip lining through the jungle, enjoying a cool swim in a cenote, a water filled sink-hole; before finishing the day with a wonderful jungle trek.
Spending time in Costa Maya offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy water sports or take in the scenery by relaxing on the beautiful beaches of the Uvero Beach Club. There are also Mayan ruins, such as Chacchoben, which is part of a city that dates back to 350AD. Chacchoben, which means ‘red corn’, is a popular shore excursion with many cruise ship passengers. This interesting site includes three excavated pyramids, as well as numerous walls and staircases.
The nearby seaside village of Mahahual, with its population of around 200, is a great place to sit back and watch the day pass by as you relax in a hammock along tropical shores. It is also an ideal place for anyone who enjoys fresh seafood. Once a lazy fishing village, Mahahual now serves cruise ship passengers traditional ceviche and varied catch of the day dishes. The village is the perfect setting for a family day trip.