Our Adventures

Swim Up Bar At Port

Costa Maya

Costa Maya is a small tourist region in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, the only state with Caribbean Sea. This municipality is close to Chetumal (capital of the state) on the border with Belize, until recently British Honduras. The area is generally undeveloped but has been growing quickly and rapidly after construction of a large pier to accommodate cruise ships. The Costa Maya includes two small villages − Mahahual and Xcalak and extends physically from Xcalak in the south to the southern border of the Sian Ka'an in the north.

Costa Maya's port has a new and modern tourist shopping mall. The center has a central plaza with saltwater pools and 'swim-up' style bars. There are several jewellery stores and many small shops selling ubiquitous souvenir items. It is generally open only to cruise ship passengers.

Costa Maya is the closest port of access to many of the lesser known Mayan ruins in the Yucatan including Chacchoben and Kohunlich. These sites are substantially less excavated than the better known pyramids of Tulum and Coba to the north; Chichen Itza and Uxmal in Yucatan.

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At present there are no banks, post office or telephones available in Puerto Costa Maya. The nearest airport and other amenities is 4 miles away in Majahual. The seaside village where the ships dock has a little bit of everything for your visiting pleasure, even a taxi to Majahual since you have all day. Once the cruise ship leaves, the entire village closes until the next day.

While there we strolled around the souvenir shops, jewelry stores, bars and restaurants. The food was excellent. They even have a "swim-up" bar in which there were some interesting sites. There are a number of tours offered by the cruise line for a great deal of fun or just take a taxi into Majahual. There is plenty of beach area surrounding the village. It is currently developing rapidly especially since the real estate is inexpensive and the construction of the cruise ship terminal near the town of Majahual.

Should we have the opportunity to go back one day, we will definitely take a trip into Majahual if the new terminal is not completed. I almost forgot, one of the stores in the village sells various wines and liquors. They also allow some tasting prior to purchasing. This is true at a few other stops as well. If you're a good barterer, then this is the place for you. Great items to select from.

Unfortunately Costa Maya was hit hard by Hurricane Dean in 2007 and the completion date for repairs was scheduled for September, 2008. Holland America's Westerdam was the first cruise ship to return to the port on October 31, 2008 after being closed a little over a year. If you're planning to visit, please check this link for up–to–date information on their progress in other areas.




Costamaya, Mexico