Costa Maya: Best Shore Excursions Close by the Port
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Costa Maya: Best Shore Excursions Close by the Port

Four popular shore excursions that are all close to the Costa Maya port of call.


Costa Maya is located on the Yucatán Peninsula and is known for its beautiful turquoise waters. There is a lot to see and do just at the port, but if you are looking to book a shore excursion when cruising to Costa Maya, then I have four popular shore excursions I want to share with you, plus one that you won't even have to leave the port for.


Let's talk about some of Costa Maya's best shore excursions available to book through your cruise line. All of these excursions are close to the port, which is a big deal as you don't want to spend too much time with transportation; this way, you can get to your excursion and let the fun begin.


Scenic view of the Costa Maya port
Carnival Docked at Costa Maya

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins


When looking up what to do in Costa Maya, you might have seen the Mayan Ruins come up. The Mayan Ruins are a very popular destination when visiting Mexico. In fact, multiple cruise lines offer Mayan Ruin excursions.


This popular excursion can be booked privately or through your cruise line. I have seen the Chacchoben Mayan ruins offered on cruise lines, such as Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity, and NCL just to name a few. Prices do vary by the cruise line and the packages they offer for the excursion.


Carnival's Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Uchbenkah Lake offer is considered a difficult activity level. It is highly recommended to wear sturdy walking shoes when visiting any Mayan Ruins shore excursion. You will be doing a lot of walking!

Carnival offers its ruins excursion package at approximately $140 per person, including snacks and time to relax on the beach after walking around the ruins.


ATV Jungle and Beach


If you are looking for an adventurous excursion, you might like the ATV excursion. Offered on multiple cruise lines in various packages, the prices range within the $100 a person range.


Carnival Cruise Lines offers an ATV Beach Break with a chance to go off-roading on your ATV and enjoy an open bar after riding ATVs.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers an ATV Jungle Beach Adventure where you can go off-roading through Costa Maya's jungle.


Mexican Salsa Experience


If you are more of a foodie and looking for a food experience while visiting Costa Maya, you can find lots of chances to taste some delicious authentic Mexican cuisine.

Celebrity Cruises offers a Mexican Salsa Experience and Beach Break. Here, you will get the chance to learn how to make delicious salsa and learn how to Salsa dance as well.

Celebrity's excursion offers the chance to relax by the beach after enjoying making salsa and learning how to dance.


Not cruising Celebrity? Don't worry. A lot of other cruise lines offer salsa or guacamole-making excursions. This is also a very popular excursion offered when visiting Cozumel as well.


Swimming with the Dolphins


Swimming with the dolphins is a very popular excursion to book when visiting anywhere in the Caribbean. However, I chose this excursion as the best shore excursion for Costa Maya due to its close proximity.


Swim with the dolphins at the Costa Maya port
Dolphin Discovery Costa Maya

Dolphin Discovery is located at the port of Costa Maya. With the Cruise ships behind the pool, you will swim with the dolphins overlooking the cruise ships, and you are sure to get the most out of your time when visiting Dolphin Discovery at the Costa Maya port.

  • You don't have to book through your cruise line. You can book straight through Dolphin Discovery and usually receive a cheaper price.

I usually don't recommend booking through a private entity, but with the close proximity to the ship, you won't have to worry about being late.

You don't want to be a pier runner, so the Dolphin Discovery Excursion might be the best way to optimize your time at the port.


For more excursions and fun things to do in Mexico, be sure to visit my YouTube channel.





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