Costa Maya is a purpose-built cruise port on Mexico's quiet southern Caribbean coast. It's the gateway to little-visited Mayan ruins like Chacchoben, the 'lagoon of seven colours' at Bacalar and the relaxed beach village of Mahahual.
Ships dock at a long pier leading to the Costa Maya port village — shops, pools, restaurants and a small tram.
A small tram runs along the pier to the port village.
There's a big pool, beach area and shops right there.
Mahahual's beach is a 5-minute taxi; Chacchoben is about an hour inland.
One pier with three berths.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| All lines | Costa Maya cruise pier | 📍 Docked |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements are retained from the supplied port guide and have not all been independently reverified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s researched access notes →
These cruise lines typically include Costa Maya on their itineraries — tap one to see its sailings in the region.
Typical lines only — which ships visit changes every season. Live sailings and prices come from Cruise Travellers' booking engine.
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in Costa Maya.
Temples and pyramids in the jungle, rarely crowded, with spider monkeys and toucans.
Find tours →Boat on the freshwater lagoon of seven blues — sailing, swimming and the 'pirate channel'.
Find tours →Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
Costa Maya's purpose-built port has pools and shops, while the fishing village of Mahahual and several beach clubs line the coast nearby.
| Beach | Getting there | Best for | Vibe | Snorkelling |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mahahual Beach | Short taxi or walk | A relaxed beach town | Laid-back, local | ★★ |
| Maya Chan Beach Club | Tour | An all-inclusive beach day | Serene | ★★ |
| Port pool & beach | At the pier | Convenience | Lively | ★ |
| Bacalar Lagoon | Longer tour | The 'lagoon of seven colours' | Unique, peaceful | ★ |
Prices, packages and opening days change often. Check current details before you go, or ask me and I'll arrange the right beach day for you.
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
A sandy boardwalk along the beach past restaurants, bars and colourful shops.
Best time: December–April. Highs 29–32°C / 84–90°F. Hurricane season June–November.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan ⭐ | 82°F / 28°C | 68°F / 20°C | 7 |
| Feb ⭐ | 84°F / 29°C | 70°F / 21°C | 5 |
| Mar ⭐ | 86°F / 30°C | 72°F / 22°C | 4 |
| Apr ⭐ | 88°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 3 |
| May | 90°F / 32°C | 75°F / 24°C | 6 |
| Jun | 90°F / 32°C | 77°F / 25°C | 10 |
| Jul | 90°F / 32°C | 75°F / 24°C | 9 |
| Aug | 90°F / 32°C | 75°F / 24°C | 10 |
| Sep | 90°F / 32°C | 75°F / 24°C | 13 |
| Oct | 88°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 12 |
| Nov | 84°F / 29°C | 72°F / 22°C | 9 |
| Dec ⭐ | 82°F / 28°C | 70°F / 21°C | 8 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
About 5 minutes.
Port village to ship.
Port village at the pier.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Other port guides close to Costa Maya.
The port has pools and a small beach area. Mahahual's beaches are nearby.
It's a short taxi ride or a longer walk.
Not usually. US dollars are widely accepted.
Beach clubs, the Mayan ruins at Chacchoben and Bacalar Lagoon are favourites.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
Gateway to quiet Mayan ruins, the Bacalar 'lagoon of seven colours' and Mahahual's beach.
Chacchoben's dry-weather paths and the transport reaching them are distinct limitations for a Costa Maya ruins day.
Published sources reviewed October 17, 2026. This is desk research, not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
Dirt paths vary with rain
The local tour operator says cleared, generally level main paths can accommodate a wheelchair in dry conditions, but muddy conditions can make them difficult or unusable. This describes ground-level exploration, not access onto the stepped monuments.
Operator requires standard-vehicle transfer
The same operator reports no adapted vehicles in its Costa Maya arrangements: travelers may need to transfer into a van or sedan and have the chair stored. This is that operator's stated arrangement, not proof that every supplier has the same fleet.
Planning suggestion: choose Chacchoben only with an agreed ground-level route, acceptable weather conditions and a transfer method you can actually use.
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsTurn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
Before booking, request the named operator, inclusions, vehicle specification, entry tickets, cancellation terms and a written return plan. Private access, special entry and availability must be confirmed.
Request a Curated Ashore proposal Book a consultationSave a personal checklist on this device, then print it or share your brief with Melody. Times are your inputs in ship time; this tool does not calculate travel times or guarantee return.
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Confirm piers, fares, transfers, admission, tour duration and assistance with your cruise line and the relevant operator. Weather tables are inherited indicative averages, not a forecast. Report a correction.
