Costa Maya

Where ships dock

Shuttle or taxi to Mahahual, 5–10 min; about a 45-min walk.

• Costa Maya cruise pier (4 berths)45 min walk

Best time to go

The dry season, November to April, is the best time to visit. December to February has mild days; March and April see the least rain.

Rain comes mostly May to November, wettest in September and October. Hurricane season runs June 1–November 30, busiest mid-August to mid-October. Sargassum usually arrives April to October.

How far from the pier

One way. Short call OK means 20 minutes or less.

• Mahahual malecón and beachShuttle10 min
• Chacchoben ruinsTaxi60 min

Ship tour or go independent?

Mahahual is easy on your own: shuttles and taxis run from the port exit, the beach is public, and you can snorkel straight from shore. Chacchoben is an hour away with no public transport described by official sources, so a ship or independent guided tour is the simplest way to go. Bacalar's lagoon is a long day trip that only works with a tour on a long port day.

• The pier is long. Use the trolley, and allow extra time to get from the port exit back through the shopping village to the ship.
• On an independent tour, leave a time cushion before all-aboard.
• Chacchoben is about an hour each way and closes at 5 p.m.
• Bacalar is about 1 hour 45 minutes by road from Mahahual, so it is too far to do on your own on most port days.
• Sargassum seaweed can pile up on beaches, usually April to October and heaviest May to August.
• Don't hail taxis on the street. Use an authorized taxi stand.

Getting around

No rideshare

• TramA free trolley carries passengers along the long pier between the ship and the port village.
• ShuttleShuttles run from the port exit to the edge of Mahahual for a small fee. Community transport covers the 5–10 minute ride to the beach area.
• TaxiTaxis wait outside the port. Don't hail one on the street; use an authorized taxi stand.
• WalkMahahual is about 3 km (2 miles) from the pier, roughly a 45-minute walk in the heat. The malecón itself is a pedestrian street nearly 2 km long.

The tourism board and Celebrity mention only the port shuttle, community transport and taxis for getting to Mahahual. Plan on those rather than an app.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

Mexico uses the peso, but US dollars are widely accepted at tourist spots. Change may come back in pesos, and both currencies use the $ sign, so check which one a price is in. ATMs in the cruise terminal give US dollars. Cards work at most tourist businesses, but carry some cash.

Tipping

A tip of 10–15% is usual for good service, and cash is sometimes the only way to leave it. Celebrity suggests 10–20% in restaurants. Round up taxi fares, and tip guides up to about 10% of the tour price, ideally in pesos.

Phones

The port has Wi-Fi. Check your carrier's roaming plan before you go.

Must-sees

• Costa Maya port villageWalkableA themed complex at the end of the pier with a big pool and swim-up bar, a beach, shops, an aviary, a chocolate experience and a tequila distillery.
• Mahahual malecón and beachRide neededA small coastal village with a sandy pedestrian seafront nearly 2 km long, lined with beach clubs, shops and restaurants. A short shuttle or taxi ride from the port.
• Mesoamerican Reef off MahahualRide neededPart of the Mesoamerican Reef lies a short swim off the beach, so you can snorkel, paddle or dive straight from shore.
• Chacchoben ruinsRide neededA Maya city first settled around 300 BC, with three restored pyramids on a forest loop. About an hour inland; open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Bacalar lagoonRide neededA clear freshwater lagoon about 25 miles long, known for its seven shades of blue. About 1 hour 45 minutes from Mahahual, so it only fits a long day on a tour.

Free & cheap near the pier

• Mahahual beachFreePublic beach access is protected under Mexican law. Swim or snorkel straight from the sand.
• Malecón walkFreeNearly 2 km of sandy pedestrian seafront with shops, beach clubs and restaurants.
• Mahahual lighthouseFreeMarks the entrance to town, beside the boardwalk. A popular sunrise spot.

Eat like a local

• Fish tacosMade with freshly caught fish.
• Mixed cevicheRaw fish and seafood cured in lime, a regional favorite.
• LobsterServed when it's in season.
• Tikin xicGrilled fish, one of the dishes the state lists for the south.
• Cochinita pibilSlow-cooked pork, also on the region's list of local dishes.
• Rice and beans in coconut milkA Belize-influenced dish from the cooking around Chetumal.

Rainy-day backups

• Kakaw chocolate experienceLearn about cacao in Mexican history and taste handmade chocolate, in the port village.
• La Consentida tequila distilleryA tequila stop inside the port complex.
• Port spa and shopsThe terminal has a spa, shops and restaurants a short trolley ride from the ship.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution (Quintana Roo; as of May 29, 2026)

• Quintana Roo is Level 2 for crime and terrorism. Gang shootings have hurt bystanders in the state, and visitors have been victims of crime in tourist areas. Stay alert after dark and keep to well-lit tourist areas.
• Don't hail taxis on the street. Use an authorized taxi stand.
• Carry only the cash you need, and watch your drink.
• Drink bottled water and skip ice where you can.
• Some beaches are unpatrolled and sea conditions can change. Follow local guidance before swimming.
• Hurricane season is June–November.
• Dial 911 for emergencies. The State Department recommends Quintana Roo's Guest Assist app.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

Ships dock at a long pier. A free trolley runs between the ship and the port village. OpenStreetMap tags the port area as wheelchair accessible, but the port publishes no access details.

• Mahahual's malecón is a sand boardwalk, which can be hard going with a wheelchair or walker.
• Chacchoben has a forest path between the pyramids; INAH gives no accessibility information.
• The port village has a large pool and beach within the complex, so you don't have to leave the port.