New to Costa Maya, what to do?

[llarsen]

Hi,

We have been to the Caribbean many, many times, but this is the first time to the Western Caribbean.

 

In Cozumel, we booked Paradise Beach Club

In Roatan, going to Little French Key

In Belize, doing a river cruise

In Costa Maya...we have nothing planned. (Not interested in ruins)

 

I've read you can take a shuttle or taxi to the town of Majahual and that there is also a complex in port with swimming pool and shops.

Is the town of Majahual nicer to walk around than the port complex?

 

If we get bored in the port complex...where should we go? If we taxi to Majahual, can we just stroll along and stop at a beach we like or is walking not really an option? 

 

We are in our 60's not looking for a party scene, if we go to a beach we would like a nice place with shade and beautiful beach area. (not rocky)

 

Would we be missing out on Costa Maya if we just stay in the port complex?

 

Which beach would you suggest we taxi to?

[crewsweeper]

IMO, the port complex is just an overload of shopping kiosks and a pool with a swim-up bar and a couple of overpriced mediocre restaurants.  But you practically have to walk through the entire thing to get to the taxi area in the parking lot.

 

If you just want to explore Mahahual, take a taxi and get them to drop you off at the lighthouse, then walk down the malecon.   Be aware that many of the beach clubs will have people out trying to get you to stop at their  place.  Ignore them.  Stop at either Krazy Lobster, or Maramao (beach in front of El Fuerte Hotel) in the middle of the malecon or walk all the way to the end and stop at Malecon 21, or Sulumar.  There are taxi stands along the way for return to the port.

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, llarsen said:

Hi,

We have been to the Caribbean many, many times, but this is the first time to the Western Caribbean.

 

In Cozumel, we booked Paradise Beach Club

In Roatan, going to Little French Key

In Belize, doing a river cruise

In Costa Maya...we have nothing planned. (Not interested in ruins)

 

I've read you can take a shuttle or taxi to the town of Majahual and that there is also a complex in port with swimming pool and shops. Yes 

 

Is the town of Majahual nicer to walk around than the port complex?

Totally different experiences. Port is man-made enclosed complex with shops and stalls. Town is a pedestrian  malecon between beach with bar/snack service and hotels/stalls/bars.  Many vendors selling wares - it isn’t a problem to us and we have been many times but many people don’t like it. Take a look at TA for photos.

 

If we get bored in the port complex...where should we go? If we taxi to Majahual, can we just stroll along and stop at a beach we like or is walking not really an option? 
 

Easy to get a taxi - if you get dropped off at the light house you can walk the length of the malecon (1mile) and stop where you like, which was what we used to do. Unfortunately many beach bars have gone over to an AI/cover charge model so be sure to check before you sit down. You can often stop for PAYG as long as you don’t take a lounger. 

 

We are in our 60's not looking for a party scene, if we go to a beach we would like a nice place with shade and beautiful beach area. (not rocky)

 

Would we be missing out on Costa Maya if we just stay in the port complex?

 

Which beach would you suggest we taxi to?

There is only one long beach - either in town (along the malecon) or out of town beyond the malecon. It is not a “ nice” sandy beach and depending on season can have a severe sargassum problem. In town beach bars are one after the other along the malecon - best to have the name of some recommended ones from reviews on CC in mind as unfortunately some are renowned for overcharging. Out of town many will recommend Maya Chan (AI), Hayhu, Almaplena or Hotel Luna but you need to book. In town we used to favor Malecon21 pre-covid but had service issues when we went earl last year. Since you already have two AI booked I would be inclined to play it by ear on the day depending on the weather and how you feel but we only do AI occasionally on cruise ship days. We have enough to eat and drink on the ship and you never know how the weather will be in February so we don’t like to be “tied” to a booking.

 

In the past we wouldn't stay in the port because it is expensive compared to town but with the inflated taxi fares and beach club prices since cruising resumed to Costa Maya, we have been very disappointed and are much more likely to stay around the port for a short time and eat on the ship on some visits. 

 

Costa Maya is the man-made port, Mahahual is the old village rebuilt after total devastation by major hurricane in 2007(?), but it is rural not modern.