“¡Me vale madres”! or “I couldn’t care less!”, pretty much summed up the small tourist region of Costa Maya. It is in the state of Quintana Roo, on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico, the only state bounded by the Caribbean Sea to its east and was the fourth stop on our cruise.

The modern cruise port consists of a small tourist village at the end of the pier with a few restaurants and bars with a huge swimming pool, alongside the many market-type shops and stalls selling Mexican souvenirs.

Costa Maya Port

We set off to Mahahual Beach, a small fishing village about 10 minutes from the cruise ship pier. Upon arrival at this authentic Mexican village it felt like we were a million miles away from the high traffic tourist destinations most commonly associated with cruise ship destinations.

Mahahual, Costa Maya

The streets were not paved and there was little traffic around, apart from the taxis ferrying cruise ship passengers back to port and there was less heckling from street vendors trying to sell their wares.

Majahual, Costa Maya

Mahahual was full of Mexican charm and fortunately hasn’t been swallowed up by the commercialism that cruise ships bring to these small towns. You can have a very reasonably priced seafood or traditional Mexican Taco lunch on the beachfront with a free Margarita, get a nice massage on the beach for about $20 and take a walk along the board walk, feeling completely free and uninhibited. There is even a ‘clothing optional’ beach within a short walking distance!

Mahahual, Costa Maya

The offshore Banco Chinchorro National Marine Park is a popular snorkelling and diving site that features several sunken wrecks, including a 400-year old sunken Spanish galleon. The remains and black coral reef can even be seen from the water’s surface.

There are several important wetland bird sanctuaries on the northern shores, and just north of Mahahual, Reserva de la Biósfera Sian Ka’an protects nearly 2,000 square miles of tropical jungle and a magnificent coral reef that is popular amongst fishing and snorkelling enthusiasts.

Costa Maya is the closest port of access to many of the lesser known Mayan ruins in the Yucatan including Chacchoben and Kohunlich. The Kohunlich Mayan Ruins Site are located in lush tropical jungle about 1.5 hours from Costa Maya, where there are the hidden Kohunlich Temples.

Lighthouse and Mayan Temple a Costa Maya

The most accessible Mayan Ruin site in the area due to its proximity to the port and layout of the site is located a short 40 minutes drive from the Port. The Chacchoben Temples are a beautiful example of the intricate Maya construction during the Maya Classic period.

Mahahual Shopping

If I was to have that ‘real Mexican’ experience then Costa Maya was just that. It was a refreshing change from the more touristy and commercialised ports that we had visited thus far. All I can say about it (with Margarita in hand!), is ¡Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa’ dentro! Which translates to roughly ‘cheers’, ‘bottoms up’ or ‘¡salud!

If you’re venturing south of the border then you’ll need a packing list for Mexico and a much more chilled attitude.

For more about Mexico see my previous post on Cozumel

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