Costa Maya, Mexico Port Guide
Exploring the Costa Maya Cruise Port: What You Need to Know
While Cozumel is the most well-known figure among Mexican cruise ports, Costa Maya is another gem. Like Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mexico is situated on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, and is a popular stop for many Western Caribbean cruises.
It services most of the major cruise lines and can accommodate up to four cruise ships simultaneously. The pier is long, but a shuttle is available to transport cruisers with mobility issues or small kids.
Language and Currency in Costa Maya
Unlike Cozumel, where most vendors near the port speak both Spanish and English, and US currency is almost universally accepted, that may not always be the case in Costa Maya.
In my experience at the shops just outside the port terminal, many vendors spoke little or no English, and several merchants only accepted Mexican Pesos (MXN). Credit cards are generally accepted, although not universal. The symbol for pesos is the same as a dollar ($), which can become confusing, so always double-check the currency before purchasing anything.
About the Costa Maya Port
Cruisers should first note that Costa Maya has earned the unfortunate nickname “Costa Maybe” because of the frequency with which calls here are canceled due to high winds. When this happens, the call is either changed to another local port of call or (what happens more often) canceled completely, and that port day is changed to a sea day.
While it is more likely than not that you will enjoy a great day in Costa Maya with no issues if this port is on your itinerary, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. First, make sure that any pre-booked excursions allow for a refund if your call does get canceled. Second, prepare activities for a potential unexpected sea day.
Enough about the potential for bad — let’s talk about the good.
Things to do at the Costa Maya Cruise Port
Nestled just south of the Riviera Maya, the Costa Maya cruise port is more than just a stop on your itinerary. It’s a gateway to ancient Mayan ruins, stunning beaches, and an authentic slice of Mexican culture.
Unlike its rustic sister port Progreso, the Costa Maya cruise port is notably modern yet calls back to the area’s ancient history and is designed to cater to cruise passengers, ensuring that you’re immersed in a world of vibrant culture from the moment you step off the ship.
Staying at the Terminal
In fact, this port is so interesting that some cruisers choose to stay in the port area at the terminal rather than venture outside of it. As you disembark, the lush, tropical surroundings and the architectural charm of the port invite you to explore further.
The terminal is new, clean, safe, and filled with things to do beyond even just the standard cruise port shops, bars, and restaurants, although not all of these activities are free (more on that below). The scenery is lovely, and even flamingos and parrots live on site to admire.
Some critics, however, refer to this as a “tourism village” and prefer to explore the authenticity of Mahahual (Majahual), a small (actual) village nearby with just 600 inhabitants. If doing the latter, note that the areas outside the cruise terminal aren’t as developed as at other cruise ports, like Cozumel.
Free Things to Do at the Costa Maya Cruise Port
The port has a saltwater pool that is free for cruisers to enjoy at the terminal. However, food must be purchased from the adjacent restaurant to use a lounger or chair surrounding the pool. There is also a separate beachfront lounge area, although entry to the ocean is not an option here.
Food or drinks must also be purchased to use the chairs, swings, and loungers here. The truly free activities are quite limited here, other than just walking around and admiring the scenery and window shopping. Paid activities at the port include an Aviarius Bird Tour, Fish Spa, Dolphin Discovery, and Mayan Baths.
Costa Maya Excursions
Because this port isn’t as developed as some of the others, cruisers may find excursion choices here to be quite limited. Below are my recommendations for beach day options, including more luxurious private experiences further from port, like at Hayhu Beach, to more affordable all-inclusive “beach breaks“.
Aside from beach excursions, many activities here center on ocean activities, like private boat charters, which are expensive for couples but can be a bargain for bigger groups, and snorkeling. For those who seek more cultural immersion and history, there are some tours of ancient Mayan ruins, although these are a bit of a distance, about 30 miles, from the cruise port.
Krazy Lobster
Costa Maya is an interesting port because while the pier area is new and expansive, it is a bit of a tourist trap. Due to the underdeveloped nature of the surrounding areas, venturing out isn’t always an attractive option, either.
A happy medium for many cruisers is to visit Krazy Lobster, which is a private beachfront restaurant immediately adjacent to the cruise port, just a short taxi ride away. At Krazy Lobster, guests can enjoy beach access and Wi-Fi in exchange for purchasing food and drinks.
While erosion has cut away the beachfront area, there’s still a great swim area sectioned off from the waves, and a floating platform for patrons to use. Due to the erosion, and poor snorkeling conditions, the beach experience here is fairly limited.
Kayaks and beach massages are available here for a cost. Krazy Lobster isn’t the most luxurious destination, but the food is good and inexpensive, it provides beach access (although not the most ideal), and is a bit more of an authentic experience than one found at the terminal.
Beaches at the Costa Maya Cruise Port
As noted above, there is no direct ocean access from the Costa Maya cruise terminal, although beachfront access is available for those who just want to dig their toes in the sand and enjoy the view. Those who must be in the water can enjoy a visit to Krazy Lobster. There are options for those who want a better beach day experience, but they require transportation.
Playa Mahahual is the closest beach to the Costa Maya cruise port, about 2 miles away, and because of its proximity to the port, most of the “beach break” excursions are located here, like this one, which provides an all-inclusive experience.
What that means is that it may be crowded. Still, if you’re looking for a nearby beach experience at a public beach, this is your spot, and there are local vendors on hand to rent chairs and umbrellas.
Cruisers can venture further out for a more private and pleasant beach experience. On a recent visit to Costa Maya, I decided to visit Hayhu Beach, and it was a wonderful day. The Hayhu Beach Club was like a private tropical paradise, albeit a bit pricey, and the taxi ride from the Costa Maya cruise port was long at about 35 minutes each way.
Exploring Mahahual
For those eager to stretch their legs, a scenic walk to the nearby village of Mahahual takes about 30-45 minutes. Given the distance and underdeveloped infrastructure of the area, however, I highly recommend taking a taxi, which is a short ride—under 10 minutes—or renting a golf cart to explore on your own.
Like Progreso, exploration of Mahahual provides a more authentic experience and exposure to real Mexican culture, but because of this not all shops and restaurants here accept US currency or credit cards, and English isn’t as widely spoken by vendors as it is near the cruise port area.
Taxis in Costa Maya
Immediately outside the Costa Maya cruise terminal is a taxi stand, and signs on site provide directions to cruisers, making it easy to find. While getting a taxi here is easy, note that many taxi drivers take cash only, although most accept US currency (but not credit cards).
Always confirm the cost and payment method before getting into any taxi. Taxi fares are regulated and fixed (and they're cheap here!), and signage at the taxi stand will indicate the fares to popular nearby destinations.
Costa Maya Cruise Ship Schedule
Before you visit, look up the Costa Maya cruise ship schedule. This is important because the port can get very busy when several ships are there at the same time. Knowing when ships arrive and leave lets you plan your activities better and make the most of your day. A great tool for this is CruiseMapper, which provides up-to-date schedules and other information about cruise ships.
Costa Maya Cruise Port Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so it’s generally good practice to keep your phone or watch set to ship time. As for the port, Mexico has four time zones, and Costa Maya operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST). Keeping track of the time is crucial, especially ensuring you stay coordinated with ship time.
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