Less known than the bohemian-chich Riviera Maya up the Quintana Roo coast, the Costa Maya stretches roughly from Sian Kaan down to the Mexico-Belize border. And therein lies the charm—there’s less outright tourism along this coastline, where you’ll likely encounter Mexicans vacationing alongside visitors, with just as many things to do. Visit the Maya ruins at Chacchoben, explore the spellbinding Bacalar Lagoon, and snorkel among the reefs and mangroves of the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve—and that’s just scratching the surface.
The best time to visit is during the dry season, generally from October to April, but note that this time coincides with peak travel season. The rest of the year has pleasant, sometimes wet weather outside of hurricane season from August to late September, which is not a good time to visit. If you can brave crossing the Belize border to San Pedro, the Costa Maya International Festival, celebrating local culture in early August, is worth checking out.
While buses will get you to the Costa Maya from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and elsewhere along the Riviera Maya, public transportation is minimal and often unreliable. Taxis and hired trolleys are great for reaching Mahahual (and elsewhere) from the Costa Maya cruise port. For longer distances, renting a car or trying guided tours and shore excursions to Bacalar, Chacchoben, and other regional highlights is best.
With mesmerizing turquoise waters, the Bacalar Lagoon, actually a long narrow lake, is a highlight of any Costa Maya trip. Travelers come from as far as Cancun on guided day trips, with most hiring boats to cruise the lake for a few hours. If you hire a boat, ask to stop at one of the lake’s cenotes, among the deepest in the region. Also, consider visiting the town of Bacalar, a quiet but fun lake settlement with an 18th-century fort-turned-museum.
