Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with Local Experience Costa Maya Excursion
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Costa Maya, Mexico
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
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Overview
Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Chacchoben on a guided tour from Costa Maya. Meet your guide at a central location in Mahahual, just outside the cruise port and travel together to Chacchoben, one of the least explored Mayan sites in Mexico. Walk through the jungle and see important structures at the sites including different temples, along with local flora and fauna.
- Guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan ruins from Costa Maya
- Includes snacks, soda and bottled water
- Round-trip transfers from central Mahahual, just outside cruise port
- Small group size means more attention from your guide
What's Included
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Soda/Pop
- Gratuities
- There’s a $5.00USD copyright fee (not included in the tour price) for the use of video cameras.
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Av. P.º del Puerto 1300, Nuevo, 77976 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
There will be a guide outside the port waiting for you with a Chac Ek sign and a white board with your name on it.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 08/28/2019 - 07/04/2027
Monday - Sunday : 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Itinerary
1
Zona Arqueologica De Chacchoben
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.9
based on 235 reviews
Sarah_B, Jun 2026
Carol was great, we enjoyed the smaller group and the ability to move quickly when needed or double back if we wanted to. The quick stop at the Lighthouse on the way back to the port gave us a great photo opportunity with the MSC Seashore in the background
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Elizabeth_M, Jun 2026
Carol was a great host. My family learned so much. The bonus was seeing the spider monkeys in the jungle. 10/10!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Bex_B, Jun 2026
Absolutely wonderful experience. Carol was the best guide. She was just absolutely amazing all day. The communication was top notch leading up to the excursion. Best I have ever had. They reached out the day prior via WhatsApp and we stayed in communication through walking off the ship as we docked a bit late. Her knowledge about the site was amazing and the kids really enjoyed it more than i expected since it wasn't necessarily adrenaline pumping.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Jennifer_K, Jun 2026
This was wonderful. We had Karol as our guide and she was so enthusiastic, friendly, and kind. My kids took to her immediately and she had endless patience while my 11 year old peppered her with questions on Mayans. I chose this experience as I thought a smaller group experience then what was offered by cruise excursions would be better for my kids to learn something and be more engaged. It absolutely was the case and highly recommend this excursion. On our way back we also stopped at a fruit stand where she purchased delicious fresh fruit for us to try. We discovered Mamay there - it is not to be missed. Be sure to get some if you stop there!
Thanks Karol for a great time.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Faith_T, Jun 2026
We could not have been more blown away by this experience. Rafael was an absolutely fantastic guide that taught us so much about the Mayans as well as local culture. The tour was about 4 hours and was packed full of activities. Rafael had a cooler for us with waters, sodas, & beer, AND snacks for the road! After touring the amazing ruins, we stopped at a fruit stand and had some of the most delicious fruit I’ve ever tried. We stopped for chips and salsa & even tried mezcal - it was genuinely such a blast. I can’t recommend this tour enough!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Lauren_D, Jun 2026
Wonderful experience! Our tour guide Carol was the best. She was so kind, informative, and caring. We had snacks and drinks on the drive over, they were easy to find, and she shared lots of great information. The ruins were really great, very beautiful in the jungle and we even saw spider monkeys! There were bathrooms on site at the ruins. On the way back we stopped in the pineapple village for some fresh fruits which were amazing! We also stopped at a local spot where a resident made varying hot sauces and snacks we could try. No one pressured us into buying anything but we did buy some hot sauce to take home! Overall, it was a great experience and we felt safe the whole time and really enjoyed seeing the ruins.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Val_P, May 2026
We had an awesome experience. Carol, our German guide, has lived in Costa Maya for 14 years and was very knowledgeable. She provided information about the island and the Mayan culture on it and the surrounding areas. She had pictures to give visuals for the information she was sharing. We stopped at a fruit stand and were provided with generous helping of any local fruit we wanted to try. We also stopped at a shop that made its own different habanero salsas that we got to try and then could purchase. Our final stop was a lighthouse. The group was allowed to decided how long they wanted to be at each stop. The tour was interesting, relaxed, and a great experience. I highly recommend it. (Note: I am 60 and only in moderate shape and did not have any difficulty. I would not recommend this tour to anyone who has difficulty walking or is in a wheelchair or scooter, as the paths are very uneven, the climb up to the ruins is steep, and there are no ramps.)
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Sarah_S, May 2026
It is a bit of a drive there, but the tour guide talked to us about Costa Maya on the way. The ruins were neat, and you could ascend some of the stairs (the base structures, not the upper structures). We even saw a few spider monkeys. Wear walking shoes. The group was small (13 tourists), which made the tour a little flexible and gave plenty of opportunity for questions.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Charlene_C, May 2026
I messed up on the starting time. I thought it was 9:30am, but apparently other cruise ship people were out at 8:15am. The tour info said they would usually wait until 9:30am so I think I was still within the expected time frame. Had to walk outside the port shops which was a bit hard to do, the exit sign wasn't clear, but eventually we've had a local guide that walked us to the tour picking up spot, then we had to take the car to a secondary location where other tour members were already waiting. The 1st car ride took almost 1 hour, then we joined the actual tour guide. Once the tour started it was very informational. I liked how detailed the guide on explaining the Mayan culture and the things we saw. I liked that bottled water and snacks (dry ones and one bag of fresh fruit per 2 people at the end) were provided and included in the price of the tour which was a huge plus. We had 10 people in total for the tour group so it was really intimate. The guide took us to the locations to avoid the large groups so we had ample time to take pictures. Some steps were steep, but it was still okay for my 75 year old mom as the guide took some people to the "easier" climb. (still steep but have rock wall to grab/balance) We went to the lighthouse at the end for a quick photo stop, then we went back to the ship.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Alex_L, May 2026
Raphael took us on a wonderful tour through the mayan ruins. He provided cold drinks and snacks and was very professional and informative. We also went to a fruit stand where we had the best pineapple and a salsa stand where I picked up a few bottles for myself and others. We loved this excursion from our MSC cruise.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
christopher_w, May 2026
An excellent tour to the Mayan ruins with an excellent and knowledgeable guide Juan Crona. It's a 50 minute drive from the port. So watch your ship leaving time
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Eti_F, Apr 2026
Our guide Carol was wonderful and very informative. She made sure every question was answered and everyone was comfortable. We had a great time.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Stephanie_M, Apr 2026
We had an amazing time on this excursion, honestly our favorite of the trip. Rafael was an incredible guide, super knowledgeable and easy to relate to, which made the whole experience even better.
The Mayan ruins were impressive, and we were lucky to see spider monkeys, toucans, and agouti in their natural habitat. After that, we stopped at a local fruit stand and tried fresh mango and the best pineapple (piña miel).
We also did a salsa tasting with Don Eloin and tried some mezcal, then ended the day at a small restaurant right by the cruise port.
Such a fun and well rounded experience, definitely recommend.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Tasha_O, Apr 2026
Juan Carona was amazing! Super knowledgeable and really took care to make our experience one of a kind. I would highly recommend this group and the tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Britten_E, Apr 2026
Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and personable. He shared a lot of information and on the way back to the ship he stopped at a roadside stand so we could try fresh pineapple and fresh mango which was absolutely delicious. Transportation was clean and comfortable and snacks were provided.
The reason for the 4 star rating? They put us in a group with people off the Norwegian ship which docked very early and everyone had to be back on board at 12:30 whereas our ship gangway down was 8:30 so we felt rushed to meet the other ship’s timeline. This definitely was not our drivers fault and whomever put the groups together needs to be mindful of these situations.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Joanne_S, Mar 2026
Carol was a pleasure to show us the sights! Very informative and attentive. Full of knowledge about the area. Being in a small group was great..as some groups were massive and no personal touch! Great vehicle to travel as well as snacks water beer and tequila if you wanted-a couple of surprise drops on way back to pineapple village-tried the local fruit (all included) and a chilli farm for chilli sauce.. great day-well worth the money
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Melissa_R, Mar 2026
We had a wonderful time on this excursion. We had Julio as our driver and Leo as our guide. They were both great, very fun to talk to, and had alot of great information about the area. They answered all our questions and joke around with us. If you get a chance asked for them as your guides!!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Tyler_B, Mar 2026
We arrived early and they accommodated by sending us early intead of waiting an hour for the next group. It was amazing and very courteous! Juan, our tour guide, was very awesome and knowledgeable of the surrounding areas. I'd completely recommend them to anyone.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Kristin_C, Mar 2026
Tour guide was phenomenal and very knowledgeable regarding the history of the ruins. The van ride was about 40 minutes to the ruins and about 40 minutes back to the port. We spent about 90 minutes looking at the ruins. On our way back, we stopped at a fruit stand to try some local fruit. The van had snacks, waters, sodas, and beers included in our tour. The company was very easy to communicate with and once out of the port gates, the check-in for the tour was easy to find. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
BRIAN_M, Mar 2026
Awesome tour. Very informative guide. He’s local. Juan is local and knows all the history. Stopped for the best pineapple and mago my family has ever had. Def recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Tom_A, Mar 2026
This was a casual small group tour. There were 6 others with us and we could interact with them as well as it is 52 km from the port. Our guide Cisco grew up close to Chacchoben and gave background on the regions history and customs. Our small group could maneuver around the much larger bus groups - and there were lots of them. The Chocchoben site was quite expansive and it was nice to imagine it as a thriving community about 1000 years ago. We were able to explore and climb the ruins. On the way back we stopped at a roadside fruit stand side fruit stand and. Isco bought us all samples of mangos and pineapples to share - so delicious!! We also took a short detour to the Malahaul lighthouse for gorgeous waterfront view and visit a small souvenir market. Cisco dropped us off right at the port entrance. The Who tour took about 4 1/2 hours. FYI, this is a “non- cruise ship” tour which means you have to walk beyond the port entrance - a good 25 mins from where we docked - to meet Chak Ek reps. But they were easy to find. Also there wasn’t much info about when to meet the tour until the morning of the tour. It ended up being about 1 hour after we docked. All in all it was a great day exploring beyond the Costa Maya dock scene.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Judith_K, Mar 2026
Everyone with Chak Ek was wonderful. Our driver was personable and professional, and our guide was knowledgeable and friendly. She even took photos of us without our having to ask. The ruins are well-maintained and impressive. Absolutely loved the fresh fruit stop, and the hot-sauce store. The lighthouse was nice, though not a must-do. There were snacks and drinks on the van, which perked us up after hiking around the site. Would definitely recommend both this company, and this specific tour!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Liane_T, Feb 2026
What a wonderful small group tour to the Mayan ruins. Our guide and driver were very friendly and considerate of my elderly mother. The knowledge Leo shared of the mayans was fabulous and bought all we were seeing to life! He also knew how to dodge the big tour groups for fabulous photos! Cold drinks and snacks were always available and the stop at a roadside stand for fresh mango, pineapple and coconut was lovely as was our stop at a little salsa sample place, no pressure to buy.
Lovely small group (6 of us) which was perfect for a personalised experience.
Thank you
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
William_W, Feb 2026
The company Chac Ek was great. Reached out the day before with a schedule change and was very accommodating. Our tour guide Jaun and driver Ivan were great! Juan was a wealth of local and Choccoban knowledge. He took great care of our group of 10. The ruins tour was good. The Bacalar lagoon was beautiful and the lunch at Locos Tacos was a perfect end. I would highly recommend this excursion.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Michelle_B, Feb 2026
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins tour with Local Experience Costa Maya was visually stunning and the guide, Luis, was very knowledgeable. He allowed us plenty of time to explore the ruins and take pictures. The bus was comfortable with beverages and snacks provided to everyone. The added bonus was stopping at a local fruit stand to taste some of the best mango and pineapple I ever had. Also, the driver who was voted sexiest man on the island 😊 made the long drive to and from the cruise port seamless. I will definitely use Viator to book tour with Chacek Costa Maya again.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Bonnie_J, Jan 2026
Excellent experience all around. Great communications prior and during excursion. All staff were friendly, professional and knowledgeable. Drive to the ruins was in a very nice air conditioned shuttle. Complimentary cold water, soda and beer were available. We also stopped at a pineapple stand and a salsa/ hot sauce place and had the option for a free tequila tasting. Plenty of bathroom breaks were provided. Guides were extremely informative and engaging. Do not hesitate to book!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Susan_M, Jan 2026
We had a wonderful tour today of the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins. Francisco was our tour guide and he did a great job of giving the history of the area. He was very knowledgeable, thoughtful, considerate, and answered all of our questions . Julio was our bus driver and got us there and back in a safe manner. Snacks and drinks were provided! We stopped on the way back to sample some delicious organic mango and pineapple. We also took a little detour to see a small town on the way back. It was a very special tour and we enjoyed it very much.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Robert_K, Jan 2026
Small, intimate tour much better than herding 40 others. Quick, detailed answers . Some interesting, intermediate stops that were fun and enabled to experience local intersection vice the cruise mini cities. More authentic. Great guide; (Rafael) very personable.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your comments, it is a great reward for us to know that you really liked the excursion. We hope to see you on a next trip.
Alex_J, Jan 2026
We really enjoyed the tour, quite a small group so it was more personal. We got great directions about where to meet the guide before we got off our cruise ship and the day was extremely well arranged.
The guide was friendly, very informative and was attentive to the group throughout the day. Snacks and drinks were provided and we were shown to some places where we could try pineapple and local goods. Would definitely recommend this tour.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your feedback. It's wonderful to know you enjoyed the tour. We hope to see you on a future trip.
danielle_t, Dec 2025
We had an amazing day with Rafeal. He was friendly, knowledgeable and gave us a very informative tour. 10/10
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your feedback. It's wonderful to know you enjoyed the tour. We hope to see you on a future trip.
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