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Offered languages
- English
- Spanish
Experience two remarkable sides of Costa Maya in one day, from the ancient Maya world of Chacchoben to the turquoise waters of Bacalar Lagoon.
Step back in time as you walk among centuries-old temples and pyramids hidden in the jungle, discovering the history, beliefs and astronomical knowledge of the Maya. On the way to Bacalar, stop in Pedro Santos, a small Mayan community known as “Pineapple Village,” for a glimpse of local life and its famously sweet honey pineapples.
Then trade the jungle for the water. Cruise across Bacalar’s Seven Colors Lagoon, swim in the clear waters of Pirate’s Channel, and climb back aboard for fresh fruit, snacks and drinks from the open bar as you relax on the lagoon.
Finish with a traditional Mexican lunch at a local restaurant, where regional flavors bring Costa Maya’s culture to life. With ancient history, local traditions, swimming, boating and time to relax, it’s an unforgettable way to experience more of Costa Maya in a single day ashore.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Please provide your ship name and arrival time when booking. Meet at Costa Maya Yellow Cab, about a 15-minute walk outside the port complex. Your guide will hold a sign with your name. The tour departs one hour after ship arrival, so please allow enough time to reach the meeting point.
Itinerary
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1Zona Arqueologica De Chacchoben
Begin your day just outside the main entrance of Costa Maya Port, where your guide will be waiting with a welcome board 1 hour after your cruise ship arrives. From there, take a short walk to the nearby meeting point and settle in for the approximately 50-minute drive to Chacchoben, an ancient Maya city hidden among the tropical jungle. Walk along jungle trails as centuries-old temples and pyramids rise between the trees. Explore Temple 24, Gran Plaza and Gran Basamento while your guide shares the stories of the Maya who once lived, gathered and worshipped here. Discover how astronomy, religion and the movement of the sun and stars influenced Maya architecture and ceremonies as you walk the grounds of this ancient settlement. Keep an eye on the jungle around you — colorful birds and spider monkeys are sometimes seen among the trees before continuing toward your next stop
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included -
2Pedro Antonio Santos
Continue toward Bacalar with a brief stop in Pedro Santos, a small Mayan community known locally as “Pineapple Village.” After walking through the ancient world of Chacchoben, get a glimpse of everyday Mayan life in the region today. Discover the locally grown honey pineapples, prized for their exceptional sweetness, meet some of the local people, and browse or purchase fresh fruit when available. It’s a simple taste of local life and flavors beyond the cruise port before the landscape changes again. Then continue through the tropical countryside toward Bacalar and its famous Seven Colors Lagoon, where turquoise waters and the next part of your adventure await.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Lago Bacalar (Lake of the Seven Colors)
Arrive at Bacalar’s famous Seven Colors Lagoon, where brilliant shades of turquoise and blue stretch across one of the most beautiful settings in the Mexican Caribbean. Step aboard a pontoon boat for approximately 90 minutes, cruising toward Pirate’s Channel as your guide shares the stories and legends behind this historic waterway. Stop along the way to slip into Bacalar’s clear, refreshing waters and experience the lagoon beyond the boat. Back on board, enjoy fresh fruit, snacks and drinks from the open bar — including cold beer, tequila, soft drinks and water — as you cruise through the turquoise landscape. After your time on the water, enjoy a traditional Mexican lunch at a local restaurant, where regional flavors bring another taste of Costa Maya to your day. Then relax on the ride back to port after a day that has taken you from ancient Maya temples and local village life to the turquoise waters of Bacalar.
3 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Your tour will depart one hour after your cruise docks. Look for your guide just outside the main Costa Maya Port entrance, holding a banner with your name.
- Please note that the total walking time from your cruise ship to the meeting point is about 15 minutes.
Additional info
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Your tour will depart one hour after your cruise docks. Look for your guide just outside the main Costa Maya Port entrance, holding a banner with your name.
- Please note that the total walking time from your cruise ship to the meeting point is about 15 minutes.
- Cruise Ship Information: Travelers arriving by cruise ship must provide the full name of their ship at the time of booking. This allows us to coordinate your tour with your ship’s arrival and departure schedule.
- No Port, No Pay: If your cruise ship does not call at Costa Maya Port at all, your tour payment is fully refundable.
- Cameras at Chacchoben: A $5 USD fee applies to video cameras and is paid directly at the archaeological site. Tripods are not permitted.
- This tour is designed for cruise guests and lasts approximately 5.5 hours including transportation.
- Rain or Shine: This tour operates rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately for the day’s weather.
- Chacchoben Ruins: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The archaeological site includes uneven surfaces and jungle trails.
- Wildlife: Chacchoben is surrounded by tropical jungle. Birds, spider monkeys and other wildlife may be seen, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Swimming & Life Jackets: The Bacalar portion includes an opportunity to swim in the lagoon. Life jackets are provided during the boat tour.
- Lagoon Conditions: Water clarity, visibility and other lagoon conditions are natural and may vary depending on weather and environmental conditions.
- What to Bring: Bring a swimsuit, towel, comfortable walking shoes, hat, sunglasses and sun protection. Biodegradable sunscreen is recommended to help protect Bacalar’s ecosystem.
- Alcoholic beverages are available only to guests of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.
- Late Arrivals / No-Shows: Guests who arrive late or fail to show up for their scheduled activity are not eligible for a refund.
- Transportation vehicles can accommodate foldable/collapsible wheelchairs only. Non-folding wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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