8 Costa Maya Tours to Build a Day Around

1.Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,352 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55Our pick

Meet Costa Maya Toucan Tours just outside the port for an air-conditioned ride to Chacchoben, where guides such as Carlos and Eliseo explain the temples, Maya culture, and jungle life. Afterward, choose a 90-minute stop at Mahahual Beach before returning to the port.

“This was a great way to do an excursion without paying cruise ship prices. Our guide was friendly and very knowledgeable. The ruins were very interesting and the beach was beautiful!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,109 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $64Top rated

Ride about an hour from Costa Maya to Chacchoben, where a local guide such as Ismael or Octavio explains pyramids, red temple pigment, and Mayan history. You get bottled water, about 90 minutes at the ruins, a gift-shop stop, and a carefully timed return to the port.

“We were EXTREMELY fortunate to have Ismael as our guide from the Costa Maya tour operator. Being a local farmer from the village, he was unbelievable in sharing his knowledge and made the experience so enjoyable! HIGHLY recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.7 Colors Lagoon Excursión Costa Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 408 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $135

Travel from Costa Maya to Bacalar with an English-speaking guide such as Adan, Carol, Juan, or Leo. Cruise the seven-color lagoon by pontoon, swim near cenotes, hear pirate stories, enjoy fresh pineapple, drinks, and Mexican tacos, then return to the port with cruise timing in mind.

“We had the BEST day! I have been to Costa Maya 5 times and before this I would've told you it was my least favorite port. This excursion changed my opinion! Moises got us all set up, Julio was a fabulous driver who took care of anything we needed, and our captain Tony was amazing! Julio stopped and bought us a fresh pineapple that Tony prepared for us on the boat, they had chips, sodas, water and a bottle of Tequila for us to enjoy as well. Bacalar is just spectacular! Boat ride was so beautiful and informative. And the cenotes are so cool! We stopped to swim in a…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.One Day Tour to Chacchoben Mayan City and Bacalar Lagoon with a Certified Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 372 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $119

Travel from Costa Maya to Chacchoben with guides such as Erick, Yoshi, or Joel, then relax at Bacalar Lagoon. Expect about an hour of driving each way, Mayan history, kayaking, swimming, fajitas or tacos, aguas frescas, and a 220-pound single-kayak limit.

“There was two parts to the tour first visiting chacchoben and then the blue lagoon. Once we got to chacchoben we had 10 mins to go to the bathroom and then we got another 10 mins to go to bathroom when leaving. The only other free time we had there was for 10 mins during the tour to look around ourselves and take pictures, half of which it was raining so we were hiding under a tree. I was interested in the history but it felt like out tourguide talked too much that it took away from the experience. Other than the 10 mins free we had out tour guide…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Chacchoben & Bacalar Combo Excursion Costa Maya

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 338 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $160

Spend about seven hours with a small group visiting Chacchoben’s jungle ruins and Bacalar’s seven-color lagoon. Guides such as Juan Corona, Leo, Carol, and Frank lead the day, with air-conditioned transport, a boat ride, swimming, lunch, drinks, and fresh fruit included.

“Excellent tour with knowledgeable tour guide! We had a wonderful time and would highly recommend the combo tour. Enough time to do both from ship and get back on time.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with Local Experience Costa Maya Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 191 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80

Ride about 45 minutes from Mahahual to Chacchoben for a 1.5-hour guided visit with local guides such as Juan Corona, Rafael, Francisco, Leo, and Carol. Expect a small group, air-conditioned transport, drinks, snacks, and possible stops for fresh fruit or local hot sauce.

“There are no words. Simply the best, most professional company we have ever used. It was so intimate and informative.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with Local Village

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 159 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80

Travel from Puerto Costa Maya to Chacchoben with a local bilingual guide such as Carlos, Octavio, or Genesis. Walk among Maya temples, stop for honey pineapple and drinks, then pass through a traditional village. The tour lasts about four hours and returns you to the port.

“We enjoyed our personal tour of Chacchoben. Drinks provided on the van ride, and a stop for fresh fruit on the way back. Way better than a big group!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 122 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Travel from Costa Maya to Chacchoben in an air-conditioned van, then spend about two hours exploring restored Maya temples with a certified English-speaking guide. Guides such as Octavio, Rafael, Ismael, and Victor are known for lively cultural explanations. Expect jungle views, a small group, and a possible roadside fruit stop.

“The meeting place was a very long walk from the cruise ship. Octavio was a great guide and we learned a lot about the area. Overall we had a great tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review