Where does my cruise ship dock in Mahahual?

Your ship docks directly at the Mahahual cruise terminal in Mexico.

Can I walk from the cruise port into Mahahual?

Yes. Mahahual is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.

How do I get from the cruise port to Mahahual centre?

Typical options include Taxi, Shuttle bus, Car rental, On foot. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.

How much time do I need in Mahahual?

Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Mahahual independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.

What currency is used in Mahahual and are cards accepted?

Mahahual uses the Mexican Peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.

Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?

Free Wi-Fi is available at the Mahahual cruise terminal.

When should I be back at the ship?

Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.

Costa Maya Cruise Port

Mahahual, Mexico · Caribbean

Cruise ships dock at Puerto Costa Maya Pier, Mahahual.

Plan my port days

DIY 6/10

Purpose-built Caribbean pier; the port complex has a pool, shops and beach club, and taxis run to Mahahual village, the reef, ruins and Bacalar.

🚢 Docked port4 km / 2.5 mi to city centre

⚠️The best sights are spread out and need a taxi or tour: Chacchoben is about 50 minutes each way and Bacalar about 70, so line up transport early, agree the fare, and leave a good buffer before all-aboard.

Get the full port plan for your entire cruise

At a glance

Walk-off possibleFamily friendlyMobility friendlyFree WiFi at portTourist info at dockSouvenir shops at dockIndependent tours at dockWheelchair accessible at dockMin. 3h neededAllow 75 min return buffer

Port summary

Ships dock at the deep-water pier at Puerto Costa Maya, a gated complex with a saltwater pool, shops and a beach club; the sandy beaches and reef of Mahahual village are a 5-minute taxi away, while the Chacchoben Mayan ruins (about 50 minutes) and the Bacalar lagoon (about 70 minutes) are the headline day trips.

Cruise dock

🚢 Puerto Costa Maya Pier

Purpose-built deep-water cruise pier at Puerto Costa Maya; up to three large ships berth alongside into the gated complex. Approx coord — pier not precisely OSM-tagged.

📍 Latitude: 18.73, Longitude: -87.685

See dock on port map →

Getting to Mahahual

From the cruise terminal to the city centre

🚕 TaxiRecommended

💶 US$8 to Mahahual; US$60-80 to Bacalar (≈ €0.41–4.1 / $0.44–4.4)

Taxis run to Mahahual, the ruins and Bacalar; fares are fixed, agree before you go.

📍 Taxi rank outside the port gates.

🚌 Shuttle busRecommended

⏱ 10 min💶 US$5-10 round trip (≈ €0.26–0.51 / $0.28–0.55)

Shuttles and colectivos run the short hop to Mahahual village and its beach.

📍 Shuttle and colectivo stop outside the gates.

🚗 Car rental

💶 US$60+ per day (≈ €3.1 / $3.3)

A rental car is possible but agencies are scarce here; most visitors use taxis or tours.

📍 Pre-book; very limited near the port.

🚶 On foot

⏱ 5 min💶 Free

The pool, shops and beach club are a flat walk from the pier; the village needs a taxi.

📍 Walk within the port complex.

Map & things to do

Money & payments

💱 Currency: Mexican Peso ($)💵 Cash needed: sometimes🏧 ATMs at port💳 Cards widely accepted

US dollars are widely accepted at the port and in Mahahual, but you get better value paying in pesos; carry small bills for taxis, beach clubs and tips.

Things to do

10 things to do

Kohunlich Mayan Ruins

⭐ Highlight

Explore Kohunlich's jungle temples and the famous Temple of the Masks on a longer inland trip.

⏱ 180 min💶 Tour or taxi; a longer full-day trip📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Early on a full-day trip

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins

⭐ Highlight

Level trails wind past stepped Mayan pyramid-temples in the jungle, the port's top day trip.

⏱ 150 min💶 US$55-69 DIY; US$110+ ship (≈ €2.8–5.6 / $3–6.1)📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Early to beat midday heat

Mahahual Malecon

Short stop

🚶 Walk

Stroll the sandy seafront Malecon of Mahahual past palapa bars, craft stalls and the beach.

⏱ 60 min💶 Free👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Anytime; sunset is lovely

Mahahual Beach & Beach Clubs

🏖️ Beach

Settle into a palapa beach club on Mahahual's soft Caribbean sand for swimming and drinks.

⏱ 180 min💶 Free beach; club loungers US$5-15 (≈ €0.26–0.77 / $0.28–0.83)👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Late morning onward

Mesoamerican Reef Snorkeling

🎯 Activity

Snorkel the second-largest reef on Earth, alive with coral, rays and tropical fish off Mahahual.

⏱ 150 min💶 Snorkel tour US$40-60 (≈ €2.1–3.1 / $2.2–3.3)📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Calm, clear mornings

Mahahual Mexican Seafood & Cuisine

Short stop

🍽️ Restaurant

Tuck into ceviche, tacos and fresh Caribbean seafood at a beachfront palapa in Mahahual.

⏱ 90 min💶 US$15-35 per person (≈ €0.77–1.8 / $0.83–1.9)👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Lunchtime

Cenote Azul, Bacalar

🌿 Nature

Swim in the deep sapphire waters of Cenote Azul on the shore of the Bacalar lagoon.

⏱ 90 min💶 Small entry fee👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Combine with a Bacalar trip

Bacalar Lagoon of Seven Colours

🌿 Nature

Swim and boat on the dazzling turquoise Bacalar lagoon, ringed by cenotes and a pirate fort.

⏱ 240 min💶 Tour from US$90; taxi US$60-80 each way (≈ €3.1–4.6 / $3.3–5)📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Midday sun for the best colours

Xcalak & Reef National Park

🌿 Nature

Visit the sleepy fishing village of Xcalak and its protected reef, a quiet snorkel and dive spot.

⏱ 180 min💶 Tour or taxi US$80-120 round trip (≈ €4.1–6.2 / $4.4–6.6)📋 Book ahead👨‍👩‍👧 Family

🕐 Calm mornings

Puerto Costa Maya Pool & Shops

Short stop

🛍️ Shopping

Relax at the port complex's big saltwater pool, bars and craft shops without leaving the gates.

⏱ 120 min💶 Free entry; pool and shops in complex👨‍👩‍👧 Family♿ Accessible

🕐 Anytime your ship is in

Build your perfect day in Mahahual

Tell us how long you have, who you're with, and what you enjoy — our Intelligent data platform will create a personalised itinerary just for you.

Plan my port days →

Frequently asked questions

Where does my cruise ship dock in Mahahual?: Your ship docks directly at the Mahahual cruise terminal in Mexico.
Can I walk from the cruise port into Mahahual?: Yes. Mahahual is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
How do I get from the cruise port to Mahahual centre?: Typical options include Taxi, Shuttle bus, Car rental, On foot. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
How much time do I need in Mahahual?: Plan for at least 3 hours ashore to see Mahahual independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
What currency is used in Mahahual and are cards accepted?: Mahahual uses the Mexican Peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?: Free Wi-Fi is available at the Mahahual cruise terminal.
When should I be back at the ship?: Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.

Have something to share about Costa Maya Cruise Port?

Share a photo, suggest a thing to do, drop a map link, or tell us what you did in port.

Add a contribution

Admin reviews every contribution before it goes live.