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Costa Maya Mexico Cruise Port Guide
Location:
It is the first Western Caribbean port designed exclusively for the cruise ship industry and is strategically located just hours from Cancun on Mexico's southern Yucatan Peninsula. Resembling an ancient Mayan city, Costa Maya is able to accommodate four ships at once, with the capability to dock Oasis and Epic sized ships, and entertain visitors at a destination that showcases the ancient and colonial heritage of the Mexican Caribbean with all of the today's modern conveniences.
A free trolley service to take you from your ship to the terminal building. The pier can be long if you have walking difficulties or travelling with little children.
Ships dock right at Costa May purpose-built facilities. The pier-side village features a number of free-to-use pools, one of which is huge with a swim-up bar; restaurants, bars, and shops. Even a small rocky beach including hammocks.
At the kiosk, just outside the terminal, you can also book tours, taxis/golf carts per hour, and various beach packages.
Majahual is about an 8 US$ cab ride away.
Cruise calendar for this port.
Watch a destination video.
Live Nautical Chart with Wikipedia Markers
Monthly Climate Averages for Costa Maya Mexico
Sightseeing:
The village of Mahahual (Majahual) is small but more and more busy with visitors discovering the Costa Maya. There are about 600 inhabitants. Life in Mahahual (Majahual) is relaxed.
Since the hurricane of 2007 a 1.5-mile long beach promenade with restaurants and shops alongside has been built.
Tours Excursions Transportation:
This beautiful port of call is known for its gorgeous beaches. Take insect repellent with you!
This is one port where there is no choice except to purchase excursions what your ship offers. You can preview what excursions may be offered on the Puerto Costa Maya’s website.
It pays to compare your cruise line shore excursions here.
Nearby Places:
Of course, one of the best excursions from this port is a visit to the Mayan Ruins. Chacchoban is the closest, at a little over an hour away and just a bit further is Kohunlich.
Xcabal, said to be the largest Mayan archaeological site, opened in 2017 and is just over an hour’s bus ride from the port. The site will be open exclusively to organized shore excursions from cruise ships for about two years.
If you enjoy diving than Chinchorro Reef Underwater National Park is a must, less than an hour away.
Shopping and Food
Costa Maya consists of a cruise port that has a lot of shops. This is a tourist trap, it is better to go out of the port gates and take a $3 shuttle to the town called Mahahual. There is lots of brightly painted pottery, Mexican blankets, jewelry, etc.
Currency:
The currency of Mexico is the peso (MXN). The symbol for pesos is the same as for US dollars, which can be slightly confusing. Prices in dollars (in tourist areas) are labeled "US$" or sport an S with a double stroke. There is about 17 peso to 1US$.
US dollars are widely accepted in the far north and in tourist locales elsewhere.
Credit cards are not as widely accepted as in Europe or the USA. Some companies make an extra charge of around 5% on such transactions.
Communication:
Spanish is the main language. English is largely spoken in border cities with the United States as well as tourist destinations.
There is no cell phone signal!
Opening Hours and Holidays:
Mon-Sun 1000/1100-2000/2200 (big towns and cities); Mon-Fri 0900-1400/1600 (rest of the country).
Holidays in Mexico
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