What in your opinion, is the best thing to do in Costa Maya?

[rene194215]

I am looking for ideas for my up coming cruise that is stopping in Costa Maya. Never been there before and am looking for ideas. What is your favorite thing to go here?

 

Thanks! Renee

[tandemcruzr]

I am looking for ideas for my up coming cruise that is stopping in Costa Maya. Never been there before and am looking for ideas. What is your favorite thing to go here?

 

Thanks! Renee

 

We've been twice. Once before the hurricane and once after. Will be going again next January.

 

Both times before, we caught a cab to the village and spent the day shopping, eating, drinking, relaxing on the beach. Last Jan, cab was $3 to the village, and $2 for the return. 10 minute ride each way. Shopping, eating and drinking is cheaper in the village than at the port.

 

However, when we return to the port, we walk around the shops, maybe have a beer or a margarita (cheaper than on the ship) before we return to the ship.

 

Very relaxing day for us. :D

[mostrow]

Take a taxi tour south of town. Get a price first, then have fun. Lots of small beach resorts, restaurant, and bars that are a much better value and you see the Mahahual that was before the hurricane. Rent a golf cart if you have more than 2. Its only a 45 minute golf cart ride to the point they want you to turn around, and stop by all of the funky places along the way. Town takes advantage of the exchange rate, crowded, and full of vendors and pushy waiters. If you take a taxi, you can get both the old feel and the new feel. We find this the best way to go. The pier is a total ripoff, but easy if you don't want to go anywhere, but its fake. Salt water pool that people drink all day and never leave. So water gets pretty green.

[SingingPixie]

We're planning to do the Mayan Experience tour with The Native Choice (google them). It's a tour of the Chacchoben Mayan ruins, and then a visit to a local Mayan village where they serve you lunch and teach you about their culture.

[Jenfs5]

Is the pool salt water now? I have only been before the hurricane and it was fresh water then. I am going again in Nov and was hoping it was still fresh water.

[mostrow]

Everytime I have been there it has been salt water. It is very hard to keep fresh water sanitary in that climate. It could of changed, but I don't think so. Also, they would have a problem keeping it cool. Salt water would be cooler and more refreshing. The problem that I saw, was that people never get out and keep drinking. It then gets warmer and pretty nasty by evening. I don't know how often they change the water.

[loveJake]

We're planning to do the Mayan Experience tour with The Native Choice (google them). It's a tour of the Chacchoben Mayan ruins, and then a visit to a local Mayan village where they serve you lunch and teach you about their culture.

 

Have done this tour the first time we were there, amazing tour and David and Ivan are great. We are going back in December, taking our grandkids, and doing the same tour to show the ruins and country to them. If you want to see the ruins this is the best way to go. We got back to the town and had about 2 hours left to visit the shops before returning to the port in a cab. If you are not interested in the ruins I would suggest not staying in the port area but taking a cab to town and visit the beach and or shops.

[mompells]

When you go into town and also want to spend time on the beach, do you have to pay for a beach chair? Are they plentiful?

[AWEST84532]

I will be at Costa Maya in Jan. 2010 on the NCL Spirit. I was wondering if there is enough time to do the Chacchoben Mayan ruins tour and still hang out in town afterward and shop, get massages, etc.?

[Lady Anna & Sir Troy]

We did the Chaccobean Ruins Tour and had a couple of hours afterwards to hang out on the port.

[bschiller]

Has anyone done this?

[Ladyvdr]

We did the Chacchoben extreme tour with Native Choice. Went the the Chacchoben ruins and then went kayaking and swimming at Laguna Azul. Lunch and drinks were included. It was just my husband, myself, my step-son, and step-son's girlfriend doing the Laguna Azul portion of the tour. We had the whole place to ourselves. It was great.

[rene194215]

Has anyone done this?

 

Hi I did this with a friend! I had actually posted before my cruise about this to find out more information and did not hear back from anyone but decided to do this anyhow!! Had a great time!! We got to the part and we were shown the boats and saftey information... then they started to get people into the boats and we took off! It is a caravan really that we did but we were out there for a while people spaced apart enough so that you could go fast and do lost of turns in the boats! We then docked out in the middle of the ocean for snorking and it was really great! had a blast. After wards we went back to the shore again in caravan and then we were able to hang out on the beach and drinks included (alcoholic) and then I think it was every hour that a bus would come and if you wanted to leave you could. I thought it was a really great time!! I would do it again its just a thrill to power your own boat. I have some video shots that I may be posting on U Tube too. If you have any questions email me- rene194215@sbcglobal.net

 

Renee

[newlu]

Hi,

 

That tour sounds like fun, BUT we are a family of 3, 2 adults and 1 young teenager. Has anybody signed up alone and did they pair them up?

 

Thanks

Will be in Costa May end of the month

newlu

[BUBear]

I would like to know which of the "ruins" would be the best choice for the time spent?

1. Dzibanche/Kinichna - not sure how far

2. Kohunlich - 1.5 hours from port

3. Chacchoben - 40 min from port

 

Thank you for your help!

[CowPrincess]

I would like to know which of the "ruins" would be the best choice for the time spent?

1. Dzibanche/Kinichna - not sure how far

2. Kohunlich - 1.5 hours from port

3. Chacchoben - 40 min from port

 

Thank you for your help!

 

We had several choices for ruins, on a 14 day cruise in the area. We decided on the one requiring the shortest bus trip :) which was Chacchoben. We went with Native Choice, booking thru their website. It was a great tour, and we would use Native Choice again. Can't comment on the other ruins, can't really say that Chacchoben was "the best" but it was nearby and very worthwhile.

 

I can't manage a long bus ride, or bad roads, and the trip to Chacchoben was on excellent (non-bumpy) roads. The van Native Choice used was in excellent condition and fully air conditioned. When we got done, I didn't feel like I'd been on a "bus tour" at all :)

[rene194215]

Hi,

 

That tour sounds like fun, BUT we are a family of 3, 2 adults and 1 young teenager. Has anybody signed up alone and did they pair them up?

 

Thanks

Will be in Costa May end of the month

newlu

 

From my understanding you need to book in pairs... however, you may be able to contact Carnival or the company who runs the excursion to make sure. On my excursion, there were all pairs of 2...

[thymegirl08]

My husband and I just returned from a cruise that stopped at Costa Maya. We arranged ahead of time to spend the day at Maya Chan Beach Resort. It was FABULOUS!! We were met just beyond the pier, whisked away in a taxi to the resort. We were met as the taxi pulled up to the entrance and escorted into the beautiful grounds. As you enter past the gardens, there is a covered eating area, bar, restrooms, showers, lockers and a gift shop. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming. They also have laptops for the guests to use free of charge. (great to check your email). After the short tour, we were escorted to our "area" which was a palapa covering a beach "bed". We also had beach chairs and a small table. It was a very relaxing, comfortable spot for us. The service by the staff was outstanding. We were brought some fruit and a welcome cocktail as soon as we settled in. Then they circulated by often to offer us another drink. Chips and salsa followed later. Then lunch. What a lunch. Fresh grilled fish, beef and chicken (all were delicious) with fresh tortillas and salsas. And the best buracho beans I've ever had.

We were lazy, just read and visited with other guests. My husband had a massage on the beach, which he thought was great. They have kayaks and bicycles. They offer a tour around the area on the bikes.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. We hated to leave, but when we were ready, a taxi was waiting. It was all inclusive, but we were very happy to leave a tip in their "love box" as we left.

We will go back on our next cruise!

[yoyocruiser]

ditto the above. It is fantastic, beautiful, the food is great, and the service in wonderful. The unlimited drinks aren't bad either--top shelf--not just cheap stuff.

[Fliplee]

Loved the description of the day at the beach at Maya Chan. No mention of cost. Can you fill that in??

[Name Of The Game]

Here's the link to their website. The more people you have, the less it costs.

 

http://www.costamayabeachresort.com/

[LawnGuylandGirl]

I agree! We were there in mid-January and it was awesome.

[fireboss]

we did discover scuba at Maya Luna Hotel doesnot look like much they were really professional and great food included in excursion

[LaurieCM]

Maya Chan can arrange scuba for you.

[smoochie]

My husband and I just returned from a cruise that stopped at Costa Maya. We arranged ahead of time to spend the day at Maya Chan Beach Resort. It was FABULOUS!! We were met just beyond the pier, whisked away in a taxi to the resort. We were met as the taxi pulled up to the entrance and escorted into the beautiful grounds. As you enter past the gardens, there is a covered eating area, bar, restrooms, showers, lockers and a gift shop. Everyone was extremely friendly and welcoming. They also have laptops for the guests to use free of charge. (great to check your email). After the short tour, we were escorted to our "area" which was a palapa covering a beach "bed". We also had beach chairs and a small table. It was a very relaxing, comfortable spot for us. The service by the staff was outstanding. We were brought some fruit and a welcome cocktail as soon as we settled in. Then they circulated by often to offer us another drink. Chips and salsa followed later. Then lunch. What a lunch. Fresh grilled fish, beef and chicken (all were delicious) with fresh tortillas and salsas. And the best buracho beans I've ever had.

We were lazy, just read and visited with other guests. My husband had a massage on the beach, which he thought was great. They have kayaks and bicycles. They offer a tour around the area on the bikes.

All in all, it was a wonderful day. We hated to leave, but when we were ready, a taxi was waiting. It was all inclusive, but we were very happy to leave a tip in their "love box" as we left.

We will go back on our next cruise!

 

Saw the link that was posted for this resort. Is this somewhere you can go just for the day if you are in port for the day? It looks like a very nice place. Thanks.