What To Do At Cruise Port Costa Maya Mexico?

Cruise Port Costa Maya Mexico has become a popular destination with Virgin Voyages cruises. If you’re debating whether to book a Virgin Voyages cruise trip to this destination, you’re in the right place!

In this post, we’ll explore the unique experience at the cruise port in Costa Maya, Mexico, helping you determine if it’s a must-visit on your voyage.   

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Where Is Costa Maya Cruise Port?

The cruise port Costa Maya is located on the Southeastern coastline of Mexico and opened in 2021. This unique port was designed exclusively to welcome cruise sailors visiting the beautiful Costa Maya coast.

Cruise Port At Costa Maya

The cruise port can accommodate up to four ships at the same time. I visited the cruise port in Costa Maya, Mexico 🇲🇽, when I sailed with Virgin Voyages cruise in the Mayan Sol itinerary. However, other cruise lines dock at this cruise port, some other cruise lines include:

In October 2024, Royal Caribbean announced a major investment in the cruise port Costa Maya Mexico, and the adjacent land (plans for completion by 2027). Guests sailing with the Royal Caribbean cruise line will have access to their new port day experience called “Perfect Day Mexico”. The other cruise lines will only be able to enjoy the port facilities.

If you’re curious about Virgin Voyages cruises in a completely different setting, I also sailed the Mediterranean and shared a full Virgin Voyages Mediterranean itinerary, covering each port stop in Europe with tips on what to expect and how to be well-prepared.

If Costa Maya is one of your first cruises, I’ve also put together a guide with tips for first-timers on Virgin Voyages cruises that will help you get the most out of your sailing.

Is Costa Maya A Tender Port?

Nope! Costa Maya isn’t a tender port since ships dock right at the pier. Once you step off the ship, you’ll walk along the pier toward the cruise port in Costa Maya, Mexico, which, if I’m being honest, feels like a bit of a long stroll.

The cruise port in Costa Maya, Mexico, provides free trolley transportation. However, during my visit, the trolley was out of service. If you’re planning to visit during the summer, be sure you bring a hat 🧢 and water because it gets hot very quickly.

Costa Maya Cruise Port Tours

When you arrive at the Costa Maya cruise port in Mexico, entrance:

I visited this port while sailing with Virgin Voyages, and they offer several excursion options. You can check them on the Virgin Voyages website for the shore things excursions in Costa Maya.

If you’re thinking about visiting other ports besides Costa Maya, you might be interested in checking out my other cruise port guides to help plan your next adventure.

Note: The pre-booked excursion area is only for tours booked through the cruise line. If you opt for a third-party tour, you’ll have to walk to the exit area of the cruise port to meet the tour crew.

You can skip ⏭️ the cruise port booking tours and continue walking toward the Costa Maya cruise port. You’ll need to pass through a duty-free store to access the port area.

If you’re planning to stay close to the Costa Maya port, I recommend booking a third-party excursion since they usually cost less than what you’ll find on the Virgin Voyages site. A really popular choice is the guided tour to the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins.

Many people mention that the guides are not only super knowledgeable but also make history fun and easy to follow. Some even got to see monkeys on the way and grab some beautiful photos. It’s a nice mix of culture, adventure, and definitely an experience worth considering.

Things To Do Costa Maya Cruise Port

The cruise port developer did an excellent job (in my opinion) creating this beautiful blend of entertainment and relaxation. If you want to have a fun port day, you’ll find several things to do:

Does the Cruise Port In Costa Maya, Mexico, Have A Beach?

The cruise port in Costa Maya, Mexico, features an impressive design tailored to entertain and accommodate sailors. However, the port itself does not offer direct beach access.

Last Summer, in 2024, I visited the nearest beach located in Mahahual town, and I will be covering my experience below. Additionally, there’s the famous Bacalar Lagoon (known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors), just an hour away by car. This post by the Eat, See, RV travel blog highlights the Bacalar Lagoon 7 Colors (La Laguna de Siete Colores)

Exploring Outside the Cruise Port

The outside of the port is more of an authentic experience. The surrounding area of Mahahual town has a humble and welcoming vibe compared to the more touristy environment within the Costa Maya port.

Is Costa Maya Safe for Cruise Passengers?

I visited Costa Maya Downtown (Mahahual Town), and I felt quite safe. I have to be honest, people outside the port are eager to sell their products, but I found that they generally don’t insist if you’re not interested.

I typically buy something to support them, knowing they have fewer opportunities. But I appreciate that they are not as pushy as other cruise port vendors.

I haven’t faced scams on this port, but unfortunately, I have read about scams on Costa Maya. Scams can happen to ANY TOURIST ANYWHERE in the world, so my recommendation is when you visit Mahahual or any other place:

Mahahual Beach Costa Maya Mexico

Mahahual Beach, near the Costa Maya cruise port in Mexico, is a small beach town just 10 minutes away by car or a 30-minute walk.

Mahahual Beach

How to get to Mahahual beach from the cruise port?

The easiest way to get to Mahahual Beach is by taxi or bus shuttle from the cruise port exit. While some people choose to walk, the road isn’t very shaded, so I’d personally skip it.

When we visited, we simply grabbed a taxi right at the port exit. If you’re traveling with a larger group, the bus shuttle is a convenient option too.

Tip: Bring cash 💵 for transportation. During our visit in Summer 2024, the taxi fee was $4 per person (prices may vary).

Is Mahahual Worth Visiting?

If you want a more authentic experience, I do recommend visiting Mahahual. Mahahual Beach used to be a fishing village and has quickly become a popular stop for sailors visiting the cruise port of Costa Maya, Mexico. This town is just a block long by the ocean, with one street where you can find:

I visited Mahahual in June, and it was very cloudy with a few rain showers. The best time to visit is during the dry season from November to April.

Although sargassum affects many beaches, Mahahual takes some measures to keep the coast clean. They use fishing nets to keep the sargassum from getting onto the beach, and they mentioned that they clean the contained beach area daily.

You can see the sargassum collected outside the water. This fishing net also works as a wave breaker to create a perfect calm water area for visitors.

Is Costa Maya Worth Visiting?

The Cruise Port Costa Maya Mexico, is adorable and offers several things to do for a relaxing port day. However, as with many other cruise ports, the vibe inside the port is not an authentic cultural experience.

For a genuine Mexican experience, consider visiting Mahahual, especially on a day when multiple ships dock in this port, as the port might be too busy to enjoy. Mahahual is very close and easy to do on your own.

If you opt for the Bacalar Lagoon of 7 Colors, I suggest booking via the ship tour instead of a third-party company, as the lagoon is a bit far and ensures a timely return.

Lastly, remember to follow cruise time instead of local time during your port day to ensure you return to the ship on time.

If you’re curious about other cruise ports in the Caribbean, you might enjoy my guide on the Bimini cruise port, where you’ll find a completely different vibe.

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