Costa Maya Cruise Port Excursion

This five-hour shore excursion from Costa Maya cruise port packs a boat ride on the Bacalar lagoon, a taco lunch, and short stops at Fuerte San Felipe, Pedro Antonio Santos, and Mahahual into one cruise-day outing.

Overview

The core of the trip is roughly two hours at the lagoon itself, including a pontoon boat ride with swimming stops in the water. Reviewers often mention the fresh pineapple served on the boat and the swimming in the water. After the lagoon, the group is taken to a local restaurant for authentic Mexican tacos, with vegan options available. Groups are capped at 14 travellers, and the operator offers a guaranteed return to the ship on schedule, which several reviewers said gave them peace of mind about making it back on time.

It suits families and cruise passengers who want a single-focus lagoon day rather than a multi-stop tour, and infant seats are available. It does not suit wheelchair users, since the listing states the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Tips and hotel pickup are not included.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Meet near Costa Maya portHead to Av. Paseo del Puerto 1300 in Mahahual, a short walk from the port, where the team waits with a sign bearing your name for check-in.
2. Drive to BacalarRide the air-conditioned van to the lagoon with drinks, including beer, served on board.
3. Bacalar Lagoon, 2 hoursSpend two hours at the lagoon with a boat ride, swimming stops, and fresh pineapple served on board. Admission is free.
4. Fuerte San Felipe, 10 minutesA brief 10-minute stop at the fort in Bacalar. Admission is free.
5. Pedro Antonio Santos, 10 minutesA short 10-minute stop at this location along the route. Admission is free.
6. Mahahual, 20 minutesA 20-minute stop in Mahahual. Admission is free.
7. Return to meeting pointThe tour ends back at Av. Paseo del Puerto 1300, with the operator guaranteeing return to the ship on your schedule. A taco lunch at a local restaurant is included in the tour price during the day.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up repeatedly in traveller reviews, and they shape how this day actually feels.

• Getting to the van. Pickup at your ship or hotel is not included. Walk to the meeting point on Av. Paseo del Puerto, and one reviewer noted it sits at the far end past the lines of buses and taxis, so keep walking rather than joining the port queues.
• The drive. Multiple reviewers describe the ride to the lagoon as more than an hour each way in a van. Drinks and beer are provided on board.
• Swimming and sun. Swimming stops happen in the lagoon during the boat ride. Bring sun protection suited to a long day outdoors.
• Food and drink. Lunch is included and consists of tacos at a local restaurant, with a vegan option. Alcoholic drinks and sodas are included. Bring cash for tips, which are not included.
• Group size and pace. The tour is capped at 14 travellers, and reviewers describe the experience as relaxed and personal. How private the outing feels depends on how many others book the same date.
• Timing back to ship. The operator guarantees return to the ship on your schedule, a point several reviewers said eased their worry about the distance. One reviewer advises confirming your ship's departure time with the operator when booking. Reviewers generally reported arriving back with time to spare.

Common issues. The main friction points are the long van ride each way and the walk from the ship to the meeting point, both raised by several reviewers. One reviewer found the meeting directions confusing and stressful, and another felt the long ride was the main downside of the day. The listing notes the tour is not wheelchair accessible, requires good weather, and can be cancelled if a minimum number of travellers is not met, though in those cases a different date or a full refund is offered. Tips and hotel pickup are not included. One reviewer also found the lunch only adequate.

Common Questions