What is there to do here?

[kiraryker]

We are a family of 5 with a 10yo, 17yo and 21yo - just wondering what we shouldn't miss here?

[LaurieCM]

In Costa Maya there are ruins and beaches. There is snorkling, too. When we went last January we went to the Maya Chan beach resort- you get the taxi ride there and back, good food and drink, off-beach snorkling, kayaking, and bike tours. This is not a fancy place, just nice and friendly. The people that take you snorkling are good with novices. I felt very safe. If you look under the Maya Chan threads there are some pictures of kids- one with a starfish. You can contact Mark or David (father and son) at their website to check on family-friendly activities. We've been their twice. Once it was mostly couples from 20s and 30s to 70s; and the other time there were a couple of families. Everyone seemed to have a great time. In addition to the beach and water sports, there are bikes and balls, a large screen tv in the open-air restaurant/lounge, and computers. The teens will be able to contact their friends without paying all that money for internet on the ship. ;)

[crewsweeper]

We are a family of 5 with a 10yo, 17yo and 21yo - just wondering what we shouldn't miss here?

IMO, CM is primarily a beach port. Yes there are excursions to some Myan ruins. Native Choice runs a very good tour that is reviewed on this board in several threads. These tours are long and may or may not be of interest to your family. There are also AI resorts like Maya Chan that Laurie mentioned, this is a private excursion and you need to book through Maya Chan via the web, easily googled or see threads here. Another is NohochKay through Island Marketing.

 

But many visitors just go outside the cruise port complex and catch a taxi to the village of Mahahual (used to be spelled Majahual) and walk along the malecon strip where you can find beach loungers, massages, food drink, snorkeling jet skis, etc. with no need to make reservations or pay entrance fees. It's all one beach, with in effect various vendors and "resorts" sort of "controling sections in front of their establishments.

 

Back in the day before the redevelopment post-Hurrican Dean, this used to be a sleepy fishing village and that was it's attraction to many. That elelment remains but is rapidly changing. So it's a place To walk along th ebeach or lie on the beach and have a bite to eat or a drink or two and just relax for a few hours.

 

The port complex and the area just outside the port complex have all the typical tourista stuff which tourist oriented merchandise, Hard Rock Cafe, Tequila Museum, ersatz mexican themed bars and eateries, high end shops, etc. The port complex has a pool with swim up bar.