Costa Maya Shore Excursion Chacchoben Day Trip
Recommended by 96% of travelers
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Costa Maya, Mexico
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
When your cruise ship docks at the port of Casa Maya, don't waste time waiting for buses or haggling with taxis. Instead, maximize limited time on a shore excursion to the ancient Mayan city of Chacchoben. Learn more about the archaeological site with a guide as you admire relics that were only discovered in the late 20th century. Round-trip transport from the port in an air-conditioned minivan is included so you don't need to worry about getting back in time.
- Save time planning logistics on this convenient shore excursion
- Drive deep into the jungle where the Mayan city once lay buried under foliage
- Go beyond the guidebook with insight into archeological ruins of Chacchoben
- Spot native plants and animals such as howler monkeys and armadillos
What's Included
- Local English- and Spanish-speaking guide
- Bottled water and soda
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Worry-free Shore Excursion guarantee
- All Fees and Taxes
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Casa MiradorAv. Caribe 1299, 77976 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
After disembarking, find the exit to the shopping facilities of the cruise port. Pass the parking lot and taxis. Our office is located 300 feet TO THE LEFT of the security gate of the port.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 01/01/2026 - 12/31/2027
Monday - Sunday : 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Itinerary
Meet your driver at the port of Costa Maya and begin your archeological odyssey to the ruins of Chacchoben. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned minivan, sipping complimentary bottled water for the journey until you reach your intriguing destination in the heart of the verdant jungle. Greet your professional archeologist guide and circumvent the site as the significance of the city’s excavated temples, pointed pyramids, and ancient walls are explained.
Gain insight into the mysteries of the Mayans as your guide unravels the history of a civilization that dates back to the pre-Classic period of 200BC; hear about how the ruins were discovered by local farmers in 1970 and learn about the complex archeological techniques employed to excavate the structures. Note the red pigment used to decorate the temples and decipher the enigmatic hieroglyphics at the base of the principal pyramid.
Immerse yourself in the atmospheric splendor of the jungle as you awaken your senses to the sights and sounds of nature. Identify fascinating flora and fauna as your guide shares insightful knowledge, listening and looking out for howler monkeys, toucans, armadillos, spider monkeys, and gray foxes. Gasp as you learn of the nearby presence of jaguars, pumas, and tapirs.
Peruse the gift shop for special souvenirs before returning to the port in your comfortable and air-conditioned transportation.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Costa Maya cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
Gain insight into the mysteries of the Mayans as your guide unravels the history of a civilization that dates back to the pre-Classic period of 200BC; hear about how the ruins were discovered by local farmers in 1970 and learn about the complex archeological techniques employed to excavate the structures. Note the red pigment used to decorate the temples and decipher the enigmatic hieroglyphics at the base of the principal pyramid.
Immerse yourself in the atmospheric splendor of the jungle as you awaken your senses to the sights and sounds of nature. Identify fascinating flora and fauna as your guide shares insightful knowledge, listening and looking out for howler monkeys, toucans, armadillos, spider monkeys, and gray foxes. Gasp as you learn of the nearby presence of jaguars, pumas, and tapirs.
Peruse the gift shop for special souvenirs before returning to the port in your comfortable and air-conditioned transportation.
Worry-free Shore Excursion:
We will ensure your timely return to the Costa Maya cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.
1
Zona Arqueologica De Chacchoben
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (2)
Q:Where is the meeting point?
A:After disembarking find the exit of the shopping complex and parking lot of the Cruise Terminal. We are located half block outside of the first security gate of the Cruise Terminal. On the left side walk, passed the yellow taxis. Please look for MAYAN TRIPS signs and we will have a slate with your name.
Jul 2019
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 1,218 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
This was a good experience. The tour guide was knowledgeable of the Maya culture. We even stopped for pineapple that was delicious. The only thing I wish is that there would be more to do. The drive from the cruise port was long.
Quite a bit of walking but doable. Enjoyed the ruins which we had wanted see. Very good guide. Explained everything
A lot of history was given on the different areas we went through on the way to the pyramids. Very knowledgable, friendly. Van was comfortable water was provided. The pyramids were great. Again a lot of history was shared.
Octavio was amazing!!! He was kind, considerate, knowledgeable, professional and just all around great person!! The tour was phenomenal very informative about the ruins with special preformances by the monkeys!!!.we definitely book again!! 200% recommended!!!
We had an amazing day on the tour with Octavio. He was very knowledgeable, fun, and friendly and he and the driver made the experience unforgettable overall. There was plenty of water provided and pick up and drop off were smooth. Octavio shared so much history of the Mayan culture with us and was an extraordinary guide through the ruins, making this a fantastic excursion!!
Had a wonderful time learning about the ruins and the Mayan culture. I believe our tour guide was Octavio. Thank you for all the history lesson.
Our shore excursion was an amazing experience! We visited the Mayan ruins with our guide, Regi, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide.
Regi was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Mayan history and culture. His enthusiasm really made the visit much more interesting and enjoyable. He took the time to explain everything and answer all of our questions.
We highly recommend this excursion, especially if you’re lucky enough to have Regi as your guide!
We got off the cruise ship and followed the directions provided of find the tour company and found them no problem. They had a board with our names in it. We waited for about 20 mins as other people arrived. We were offered water (not pop) which was needed as it was quite humid. Our guide Reggie and driver Ronnie were fantastic. You could tell in Reggie’s voice that he was excited to pass on the history of the Mexican culture or as he calls it his blah blah. He was very knowledgeable and always willing to take questions. His friendly demeanor made him very approachable. Sadly during our trip we ended up in a major rain storm which made it hard to see everything and have him explain things in front of the ruins. Instead he did it on the tour bus on the way back. We stopped for some fresh pineapple on the way back which was very enjoyable. Ronnie was a good driver and ensured we were back to the port in plenty of time. Despite the rain which was an adventure on its own, we had a great time. PS I suggest bringing a rain poncho if there is any chance of rain.
It was a nice tour and we had a great tour guide Ismael. He was very good at answering our questions and took time to teach us thoroughly. The culture and history we learned was very insightful. The temple was very interesting to learn about. We even saw wildlife such as a monkey and a raccoon. The tour guides provided us water and some local pineapple, it was super yummy. I would recommend this tour.
The meeting point was a short walk from the cruise port. Google maps guided us there, no problems! We waited a bit for a van and then we were off. Reggie was our tour guide and he was very knowledgeable about the Mayan history and was very engaging. When we arrived to Chacchoben, the tour remained very
engaging and there was a lot to see. Would definitely recommend the tour and Reggie as a guide!
The area of the Mayan pyramids were great. Our driver was very knowledgeable about the Mayans. However finding their company tour site was horrible. It was outside the dock area and into the city. A lot farther than they said. Their instructions were to get to their site within 1 hour of docking and we got there 20 minutes early. All for not because they made us wait for at least 25 more people to show up over an hour late!!!!. They also said we could be dropped off at Mahahual public beach at the end. everyone in our van wanted to go to the beach. When we got to the dock area they said no get out at the dock. we complained and they said Royal Caribbean bought the entire island and we could no longer go there but he could take us to a club for$20 per person instead!!! He lied as we asked several locals who told us that was a lie because everyone goes there. I myself have been there 4 times in the past. so he made us get out at the dock.
We had the best time with Juan Carlos and Jimer. Juan Carlos was a fantastic historian with a weath of information on Mayans and the history of Mexico. The ride to the ruins was long, but with the lively conversation and stories the miles seemed to fly by. We had an incredible time walking the ruins and we even saw a family of spider monkeys in the canopy surrounding the Moon temple. On the way back, we stopped to sample local pineapple and a few in our party enjoyed some 100% Agave tequila. I highly recommend this tour and be sure to ask for Juan Carlos!
You have to leave the cruise port to find it. But once you do everybody's super nice and the trip was a lot of fun. My kids really enjoyed it.
To our family, this was a once in a lifetime experience for us. We booked this excursion during our RC cruise. The meet up point is a bit of a walk especially in over 90° weather. It took us between 10 and 15 minutes to get to the meet up point. When we arrived, we were provided with cold drinks and they were available as needed. After waiting a few minutes, we were put in a tour van and it was about a 45 minute drive. I think it also helped that we had a fast driver which we did not mind at all. When we arrived, there were some vendors and a small taco stand whipping up some food. not once did we feel that the vendors were pushy. The park was very well organized. Our tour guide Siomara was very knowledgeable and smart. We did lots of walking and a bit of climbing so this might be a difficult excursion for someone who has issues with walking or climbing. The ruins were just as we expected and we even got to see some spider monkeys! It took about one hour or so to walk around the whole park with the tour guide. On our way back, the tour van stopped at a local pineapple vendor, and the tour guide provided sliced pineapple for everyone. Overall, we had a great experience, but as a sidenote, if your cruise ship arrives at a later time, you won’t have too much to do because this excursion pretty much takes up your whole day. When we got back to the meet up point. We probably only had a little over an hour to explore the market and then we had to get back on the cruise ship by 4:30 PM.
It was a quick excursion and way cheaper than the cruise line offered! Got back at 1:30! Easy to find the starting point. Dropped off at the port. JC was a sweet and informative guide. Good path at the ruins. You do need to climb a lot of steep stairs to see 2 of them up close. Excellent pineapple stop on the way out.
The ruins and the knowledge the guide shared.
Watching the grandkids explore and learn about the ruins.
The directions on where to meet were clear and our guide Reggie was so knowledgable and you could tell he loved his job. We really enjoyed our time.
Reggie, our guide, was extremely knowledgeable and did a great job giving info in both English and Spanish. Lot of info about the ruins and the Mayan culture, both ancient and modern. A stop for fresh pineapple from Alma was a great surprise!
JC and MAC were amazing. So much knowledge and very friendly. We had 6 of us and got a private van. Stopped on the way back and got pineapple from a local vendor......so good!
We had an amazing time with Juan Carlos (JC) and Mac. JC provided an in depth look into the Mayan culture. He went above an beyond a normal tour guide who generally reads from a script. His knowledge of the Mayan history was incredible. This was all on the ride over to Chacchoben. Once inside the ancient ruins, JC took his time to explain the grounds, the different trees and their meanings or use for the ancient culture, and directional positioning for each building. We would highly recommend this group and hope you are lucky enough to meet JC!
Great experience, knowledgeable tour guides learned a lot of history and I appreciate the water breaks
Our Chaccoben excursion was the perfect way to spend the day in port. Our guide, J.C., shared his deep and personal knowledge of the Mayan civilization on the drive there and during our time at the archaeological site. Our family learned a lot about the Mayan cosmovision and building style. Our driver, Mac, saw us there and back safely. They made a great team. The meeting location instructions were clear and we departed and returned right on time. We even had time to stop en route for the freshest and most delicious pineapple we've ever tasted. The whole experience completely abated any initial reservations about booking a tour outside of the cruise company. A+++, J.C. and Mac, and thank you for a great day!
Response from Host, Jul 2026
Thank you for taking your time yo write this detailed review. Its much appreciated. Our staff keeps studying and improving their practices and it means a lot to get this type of recognition.
The excursion was great. JC was informative as a tour guide and provided everything we needed. This is the best alternative to those same tours offered. By cruises.
Our tour guide was excellent! We were a little surprised by the hut type meeting place but they were very friendly and offered us waters. We arrived early and two others arrived 30 minutes after the time we were supposed to depart and the guides waited for them so that wasn’t fun. Overall it was a great experience. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful.
JC and Manuel are awesome! JC was so knowledgeable and informative. It was nice to get all of the Mayan history and to learn more about the culture. We truly enjoyed the pineapple stop. We also appreciated that JC shared his story, as well. We definitely recommend this tour because it was a wonderful experience.
It was nice and enjoyable! I could definitely do it it again. Please bring good walking shoes, insect repellent and water.
We had an amazing experience on the Chacchoben Day Trip. Everything was exceptionally well organized from start to finish. The tour started right on time, and the transportation was very comfortable, clean, and air-conditioned, making the ride enjoyable. Our tour guide was outstanding, friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the history and culture of the Mayan ruins. One thing we really appreciated was that bottled water was available throughout the trip. which was especially important in the warm weather. We highly recommend the Chacchoben Day Trip. It was one of the highlights of our vacation!
Very interesting tour. The ruins were very clean and beautiful. Our guide was amazing! She did an excellent job!
Ismael with CM Tours was excellent, he was very knowledgeable and made us feel very safe. His experience with the local region was very beneficial to the tour. One of the best tours ever!!!!
To be clear, if we could do 4.5 out of 5, we would have!
To get to the building was a little challenging as you had to leave the tourist area. Once we got there though, everyone was extremely kind and attentive. Juan Carlos was an amazing tour guide! We enjoyed the entire time with him - his knowledge, his quips, his passion, and his care for our enjoyment. We were able to be in our own van as opposed to a large bus. It was much better than being herded by a group.
Highly recommend going with this company!
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