Costa Maya, Mexico Port Guide
Exploring the Costa Maya Cruise Port: What You Need to Know
While Cozumel is the most well-known figure among Mexican cruise ports, Costa Maya is another gem. Like Cozumel, Costa Maya, Mexico is situated on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, and is a popular stop for many Western Caribbean cruises.
It services most of the major cruise lines and can accommodate up to four cruise ships simultaneously. The pier is long, but a shuttle is available to transport cruisers with mobility issues or small kids.
Language and Currency in Costa Maya
Unlike Cozumel, where most vendors near the port speak both Spanish and English, and US currency is almost universally accepted, that may not always be the case in Costa Maya.
In my experience at the shops just outside the port terminal, many vendors spoke little or no English, and several merchants only accepted Mexican Pesos (MXN). Credit cards are generally accepted, although not universal. The symbol for pesos is the same as a dollar ($), which can become confusing, so always double-check the currency before purchasing anything.
About the Costa Maya Port
Cruisers should first note that Costa Maya has earned the unfortunate nickname “Costa Maybe” because of the frequency with which calls here are canceled due to high winds. When this happens, the call is either changed to another local port of call or (what happens more often) canceled completely, and that port day is changed to a sea day.
While it is more likely than not that you will enjoy a great day in Costa Maya with no issues if this port is on your itinerary, it’s a good idea to plan ahead. First, make sure that any pre-booked excursions allow for a refund if your call does get canceled. Second, prepare activities for a potential unexpected sea day.
Enough about the potential for bad — let’s talk about the good.
Things to do at the Costa Maya Cruise Port
Nestled just south of the Riviera Maya, the Costa Maya cruise port is more than just a stop on your itinerary. It’s a gateway to ancient Mayan ruins, stunning beaches, and an authentic slice of Mexican culture.
Unlike its rustic sister port Progreso, the Costa Maya cruise port is notably modern yet calls back to the area’s ancient history and is designed to cater to cruise passengers, ensuring that you’re immersed in a world of vibrant culture from the moment you step off the ship.
Staying at the Terminal
In fact, this port is so interesting that some cruisers choose to stay in the port area at the terminal rather than venture outside of it, especially since the surrounding area is a bit underdeveloped.
The terminal is new, clean, safe, and filled with things to do beyond even just the standard cruise port shops, bars, and restaurants, although not all of these activities are free (more on that below). The scenery is lovely, and even flamingos and parrots live on-site to admire.
Some critics, however, refer to this as a “tourism village” and prefer to explore the authenticity of Mahahual (Majahual), a small (actual) village nearby with just 600 inhabitants. If doing the latter, note that the areas outside the cruise terminal aren’t as developed as at other cruise ports, like Cozumel.
Another common criticism of the Costa Maya cruise port, and one thing I personally dislike about it, is that it's almost as though it was intentionally designed in an almost maze-like fashion to prevent cruisers from easily finding and getting to the exit.
Activities at the Costa Maya Cruise Port
The Costa Maya cruise port offers a free saltwater pool for cruisers to enjoy within the terminal area. However, while access to the pool itself is complimentary, the surrounding loungers and chairs are reserved for guests who purchase food or drinks from the adjacent restaurant.
Additionally, there is a separate beachfront lounge area with loungers and hammocks, great for dipping your feet in the sand, but note that direct ocean access is not available at the Costa Maya port. If you want to swim in the sea, you'll need to leave the cruise terminal and head to a nearby beach, such as Mahahual, which is just a short distance away.
Beyond the pool, free activities at the Costa Maya cruise port are limited, but there are several paid experiences worth considering.
The port features a large spa area offering not only traditional massages (and those massages in Mexico just hit different), but also Mayan baths, a unique experience that blends relaxation with ancient Mayan purification rituals.
Dolphin Discovery is one of the more eye-catching experiences in the port area, as the dolphins are visible for all at the port to see without having to pay admission, but those who do want to mark off "swimming with the dolphins" from their bucket list can do so without leaving the cruise port area.
The Aviarius Bird Tour guides visitors through a scenic aviary, featuring an elevated walkway that weaves above the cruisers milling about the cruise port, offering a bird’s-eye view of the bustling terminal below. This unique vantage point immerses guests in a vibrant world of tropical birds, many of which can be observed up close and even hand-fed.
For a more unusual experience, the Fish Spa lets you dip your feet into a tank where tiny fish gently exfoliate your skin. Another standout activity is the alcohol tastings, which allow visitors to sample a variety of locally crafted spirits, including tequila and mezcal. These tastings often come with insights into the production process, making them a fun and educational experience.
Does the Costa Maya Cruise Port Get Crowded?
With so much to do at the Costa Maya cruise port, many cruisers opt to skip an excursion and take advantage of the port’s amenities instead. While this can be a great way to save time and money, I strongly recommend checking the ship schedule for your visit to get an idea of how crowded the port may be.
There are several great sites to check the cruise port schedule for the Costa Maya cruise port, or any port for that matter, including Cruisemapper, What's in Port, and Cruise Timetables.
On a recent trip, the port was not just busy—it was at full capacity, with three mega ships docked: Carnival Mardi Gras, MSC Seascape, and Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas.
This meant nearly 20,000 cruisers flooding the port, all within roughly the same time period, creating a chaotic environment that was overwhelming and frankly, not enjoyable. I’ve never experienced a more overcrowded port in my years of cruising. The congestion wasn’t limited to the shopping and dining areas—long taxi lines and extended wait times also made it difficult to leave the port.
If your cruise date coincides with a high-capacity day, you may want to rethink staying in port and instead book an excursion or head to a nearby beach or attraction outside the cruise terminal. It could make for a much more enjoyable experience. 
Top Things to Do in Costa Maya for Cruisers
Because the Costa Maya cruise port is still developing, cruisers may find excursion choices here to be somewhat limited compared to other cruise port destinations.
Many activities here center on ocean activities, like private boat charters, which are expensive for couples but can be a bargain for bigger groups, and snorkeling. For those who seek more cultural immersion and history, there are some tours of ancient Mayan ruins, although these are a bit of a distance, about 30 miles, from the cruise port.
Given the limited excursion options, most cruisers calling here either taxi to Mahahual and explore the Malecón, or enjoy a beach day experience.
Costa Maya Malecón
The Malecón in Costa Maya is a scenic promenade in Mahahual, lined with beach bars, restaurants, shops, and local vendors. It's a wide concrete paved boardwalk spanning 1.5 miles along the Mahahual beachfront, running parallel to the shore from the lighthouse in the north to the quieter, less developed southern end.
The Malecón connects many of the town’s beach bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, and local vendors and is a top destination for many cruisers. Some choose to just walk up and down the scenic promenade and shop or partake in a massage. Others who want a beach day experience might visit one of the many beach clubs located off the Malecón.
Best Beach Clubs in Costa Maya
Okay, first things first, beach clubs aren't really a "thing" in Costa Maya. Unlike Cozumel, where all-inclusive beach clubs are the norm and there are many well-loved choices like Mr. Sancho's and Paradise Beach, Costa Maya hasn't quite yet developed to this level.
As for now, cruisers visiting Costa Maya who want a beach club experience, meaning easy access to food and drinks, often all-inclusive, and private beachfront access, can enjoy a beach club-esque experience in one of two ways: either at a beach bar/restaurant or a resort day pass.
Best Costa Maya Beach Bars & Restaurants
In Costa Maya, a beach bar and restaurant is a casual, open-air venue located along the coast, typically in Mahahual along the Malecon, offering food, drinks, and direct beach access.
Basically, proprietors of these bars and restaurants offer cruisers access to their amenities, namely loungers and umbrellas, on the public beach fronting their establishments in exchange for food and beverage purchases.
The benefit of visiting a beach bar and restaurant, rather than just visiting a public access area of Mahahual beach, is that you don't have to pay to rent a lounger and umbrella, you have easy access to amenities like bathrooms and wifi, and you get direct food and beverage service. These beachfront areas are also often much less crowded than the public beach access points.
The beach bar and restaurant options in Costa Maya do not require any advance planning or reservations, which make them a great choice for more spontaneous travelers.
Krazy Lobster
Costa Maya's most popular beach bar and restaurant is Krazy Lobster, a private beachfront restaurant adjacent to the cruise port, just a short (and cheap) taxi ride away. At Krazy Lobster, guests can enjoy beach access and Wi-Fi in exchange for purchasing food and drinks.
While erosion has cut away the beachfront area, there’s still a great swim area sectioned off from the waves, and a floating platform for patrons to use. Kayaks and beach massages are available here for a cost.
Krazy Lobster isn’t the most luxurious destination, but the food is good and inexpensive, it provides beach access (although not the most ideal), and is a bit more of an authentic experience than one found at the terminal.
Unlike upscale beach resorts that typically require the purchase of a day pass or offer all-inclusive packages, Krazy Lobster operates on a "pay-as-you-go" basis—meaning you can use their beach chairs and umbrellas as long as you order food or drinks.
This "pay-as-you-go" approach makes Krazy Lobster the more budget-friendly option for private beachfront access in Costa Maya -- unless you consume a huge amount of food and beverages, which contributes to its popularity.
Jaime's at the Blue Reef
Krazy Lobster is one of the most well-known beach spots for cruisers in Costa Maya, offering great value—but that popularity comes at a price. It can get very crowded, sometimes to the point of being overwhelming.
A less chaotic but similar lesser-known option is Jaime’s at the Blue Reef, located just a 5-6 minute walk down the Malecón from Krazy Lobster (or about 9 minutes by taxi from the cruise port).
This beachfront venue offers an all-inclusive experience at a reasonable price: $61 per adult, $34 for teens, and $22 for kids. While for most cruisers, this costs more than Krazy Lobster and its "pay-as-you-go" approach, Jaime's presents a good value compared to other all-inclusive options in Costa Maya and provides a less crowded experience than Kray Lobster.
For cruisers looking for an affordable, all-inclusive beach day in Costa Maya without the resort-level pricing, Jaime’s at the Blue Reef is a great middle-ground choice.
To book an all-inclusive day at Jaime's, you can do some online at places like Get Your Guide, but I advise folks not to do that in this case because it's much cheaper to buy on-site! 
Best Costa Maya Beach Resort Day Pass Options
While the beach bars and restaurants of Costa Maya can present a more enjoyable beach day experience for cruisers compared to the public beaches, those spots can still become quite crowded. A beach resort day pass can be an excellent option for cruisers who want to avoid the crows and enjoy a more luxe, private-feeling experience.
Unlike beach bars and restaurants, beach resort day passes are associated with hotels and resorts. These establishments will allot and sell a limited quantity of day passes to their property, generally targeted to the cruising audience, granting them access to the amenities of the property for the day, which often includes pools, private beachfront access, and all-inclusive food and beverage service.
Due to their more exclusive, all-inclusive design, these beach resort day pass locations naturally come at a higher price than the Costa Maya beach bar and restaurant options.
And while cruisers can sometimes buy their passes on the same day of their visit during non-peak times, all of these locations accept reservations, which are highly recommended as they are all limited in capacity and tend to sell out during the busy season. So if any of these destinations is on your radar for your upcoming visit to Costa Maya, it's advisable to book in advance.
Nacional Beach Club
Of all my visits to Costa Maya, and I've been many times, my absolute top pick is Nacional Beach Club, and it's the only place in Costa Maya that I go back to repeatedly.
Related: Check out my video review of Costa Maya's Nacional Beach Club here and here to see what you can expect.
Nacional is great because it's close to the cruise terminal and is only about a 10-minute drive by taxi. This is a small resort, with 10 bungalows for rent for overnight guests, but they also offer resort day passes for cruisers visiting Costa Maya.
Nacional is located on the Malecón in the heart of Mahahual, between Krazy Lobster and Jaime's. Unlike the bar and restaurant establishments, however, as a resort day pass option in Costa Maya, Nacional provides a much more private experience. Nacional also limits the sale of its resort day passes, so it never feels overcrowded, and visitors are guaranteed a palapa or lounger, which are much nicer than those you will find at the beach bars and restaurants.
Besides its higher cost, Nacional's only downside is that vendors are rampant here because it's situated along the Malecón. The upside is that you can enjoy easy access to souvenir shops along the Malecón and partake in a cheap, high-quality beach massage.
The downside is that you will be approached multiple times by locals who walk up and down the beach trying to hawk their wares (this is a problem you'll also encounter at Krazy Lobster and Jaime's). This can become annoying, especially when you're paying for a more private and relaxing experience.
Nacional has a small plunge pool, which is a nice option when the sargassum is bad, which is not uncommon in this region of Mexico. It's truly all-inclusive, meaning all food and beverages, including alcohol, soft drinks, juices, and smoothies, are included at no extra cost, and they don't just service lunch food, but they also have breakfast options (I highly recommend the Nutella crepe!).
The water in front of Nacional is cordoned off and netted, which is nice, and the water is placid and enjoyable without aggressive waves. However, much of this area is filled with coral, limiting the area where you can walk around in the water. However, they offer some in-water hammocks, which are nice touches.
Another thing I love about Nacional is that they provide round-trip transportation. You'll snag a taxi from the cruise port, and the resort will pay the driver upon arrival. when you're ready to go back, they'll make sure a taxi is ready for you (and they also pay that fare). I also appreciate that they offer significantly lower pricing for teens and kids for their resort day passes, too.
Related: Check dates and get pricing for Nacional Costa Maya.
Hayhu Beach
Hayhu Beach is amazing, but be forewarned that this one is expensive as it presents a very exclusive-feeling experience. This is a tiny boutique resort located a good distance from the port. It's about 28 miles away, and I recall that it took about 35 minutes each way by taxi. The route there and back involves what I would describe as "dusty backroads," so don't let that alarm you.
Situated along the Pacific Ocean's coastal periphery, Hayhu Beach provides that exclusive feel because of its limited guest capacity of no more than 50 visitors per day. The resort is lush, feels like a tropical jungle paradise, and the service is top-notch. So yes, you'll pay quite a bit for this one, but if your budget allows, it is (in my opinion) well worth it for the relaxing, quiet, and exclusive experience. During my visit, I did not get approached once by any vendor, a stark contrast to the other options located along the Malecón.
While Hayhu is pricey in general, if you're traveling with a group of six or have fellow cruisers you can meet up with and split the experience, booking your group at Hayhu provides enormous value by splitting the cost. If traveling solo or with a small family, be prepared to spend a pretty penny.
Another thing to note with Hayhu is that while this resort is not adults-only, it seems to be designed more to target an adult audience since there's not much here designed for kids and families. If the sargassum is low, kids will likely have a great time playing in the sea, but if you visit when the sargassum is terrible, making ocean play unappealing, kids may get bored.
So while Hayhu allows cruisers to avoid the crowds, frequent vendors, and hustle-and-bustle of the Malecón, it's not going to be everybody's cup of tea.
Related: Get pricing and book a private Hayhu Beach experience.
Maya Chan
Perhaps the most popular beach resort day pass option in Costa Maya is Maya Chan, and it's so well-loved because of the value it provides.
Maya Chan is an excellent option for cruisers looking for a more affordable, all-inclusive beach experience in Costa Maya without the luxury price tag of Nacional or Hayhu. This private beachfront retreat offers shaded palapas, comfortable loungers, and access to kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear, all included in the price.
At around $79 per adult (with discounted rates for kids), it provides great value for those wanting an all-inclusive experience. The buffet-style food may not be as upscale as what's offered at Nacional or Hayhu, where servers essentially wait on you hand and foot when providing your food and beverage needs, but the food is still really good and readily available.
Like Nacional and Hahhu, a visit to Maya Chan also includes private beachfront access, use of a lounger and umbrella, WiFi, and round-trip transportation from the cruise port. Maya Chan is located a bit further from the cruise terminal, about 20 minutes by taxi, but its distance from the busy Malecón means that cruisers will enjoy a more tranquil day.
Related: Get pricing and book a day at Maya Chan.
Beaches at the Costa Maya Cruise Port
As noted above, there is no direct ocean access from the Costa Maya cruise terminal, so enjoying a beach day requires getting out of the port area. While beach bars and restaurants and resort day pass options are popular here, there are free, public beach options.
Playa Mahahual is the closest beach to the Costa Maya cruise port, about 2 miles away, and because of its proximity to the port, most of the “beach break” excursions sold by the cruise lines will be located here. If you want a free beach day, simply take a taxi here, rent a lounger and umbrella from one of the many locals renting them (or not), and enjoy!
If you want to enjoy a beach day in an area more central to bars and restaurants, you could also taxi to the Malecón. As detailed above, the Malecón spans a 1.5-mile beachfront area, but that expanse is pretty exclusively dominated by private bars, restaurants, and resorts, which place their own loungers and umbrellas in the beach areas fronting their properties for the exclusive use of their patrons.
Technically, the beaches are still public, so there's nothing stopping someone from popping down on the beach in any of these locations, though. However, you obviously won't be able to make use of the palapas, loungers, and umbrellas placed there since those are private property.
Lost Mayan Kingdom Waterpark
If you’re traveling with kids or want more excitement than a lazy beach day, consider skipping Mahahual’s beaches and beach clubs in favor of one Costa Maya’s only full-scale waterpark.
Lost Mayan Kingdom is a thrill-filled adventure park almost always available as an excursion through the cruise lines. This park features waterslides, zip lines, and a lazy river, making it a great option for those looking for more action in their day. The park is not all-inclusive, although they have snack bars and places in the park to buy food, and it's located inland, so there's no beachfront access.
Admission to the Lost Mayan Kingdom can be pricey, often around $110-120 per adult, but it includes access to all adventure activities. While buying tickets in person at the entrance is technically possible, there are no reliable online options for independent advance purchase—meaning you risk the attraction selling out on busy cruise days. And given the lack of other waterpark options in Costa Maya, it does frequently sell out. Additionally, the cost of booking through the crusie line is often cheaper than buying tickets on-site.
So this is the rare case where booking through the cruise line is the best option if you want to visit the Lost Mayan Kingdom.
Exploring Mahahual
For those eager to stretch their legs, a scenic walk to the nearby village of Mahahual takes about 30-45 minutes. Given the distance and underdeveloped infrastructure of the area, however, I highly recommend taking a taxi, which is a short ride—under 10 minutes—or renting a golf cart to explore on your own. Taxis in Costa Maya are surprisingly affordable anyway.
Like Progreso, exploration of Mahahual provides a more authentic experience and exposure to real Mexican culture, but because of this not all shops and restaurants here accept US currency or credit cards, and English isn’t as widely spoken by vendors as it is near the cruise port area.
Taxis in Costa Maya
Immediately outside the Costa Maya cruise terminal is a taxi stand, and signs on site provide directions to cruisers, making it easy to find. While getting a taxi here is easy, note that many taxi drivers take cash only, although most accept US currency (but not credit cards), and many drivers are not fluent in English, although they can generally communicate well enough with English-speaking tourists to get you to the main tourist spots.
Always confirm the cost and payment method before getting into any taxi. Taxi fares are regulated and fixed, and signage at the taxi stand will indicate the fares to popular nearby destinations.
In terms of the cost of a taxi, on a recent visit, it cost just $5 per person to get from the cruise port area to the Malecón. Many taxis here, however, aren't in the best condition and may lack fully-functioning air conditioning, but at that cost, it's hard to complain.
Costa Maya Cruise Ship Schedule
Before you visit, look up the Costa Maya cruise ship schedule. This is important because the port can get very busy when several ships are there at the same time. Knowing when ships arrive and leave lets you plan your activities better and make the most of your day. A great tool for this is CruiseMapper, which provides up-to-date schedules and other information about cruise ships.
Costa Maya Cruise Port Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for itineraries with multiple time zone changes on one sailing. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Most cruise lines operate on “ship time” set to the time of their departing port, so it’s generally good practice to keep your phone or watch set to ship time. As for the port, Mexico has four time zones, and Costa Maya operates on Eastern Standard Time (EST). Keeping track of the time is crucial, especially ensuring you stay coordinated with ship time.
More about the Costa Maya Cruise Port
