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 1,206 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Ashley_S, Aug 2026
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!
readervickie, Aug 2026
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.
Wendy_D, Aug 2026
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!
Roy_S, Jul 2026
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.
Janette_A, Jul 2026
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.
Christi_T, Jul 2026
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.
Dawn_M, Jul 2026
The ruins and the knowledge the guide shared.
Watching the grandkids explore and learn about the ruins.
jennifer_l, Jul 2026
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.
Christine_D, Jul 2026
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!
Chad_H, Jul 2026
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!
Steven_E, Jul 2026
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!
Thiane_C, Jul 2026
Great experience, knowledgeable tour guides learned a lot of history and I appreciate the water breaks
Courtney_S, Jul 2026
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.
Wayne_B, Jul 2026
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.
Mary_B, Jul 2026
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.
Carrie_S, Jul 2026
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.
CLEAVON_P, Jul 2026
It was nice and enjoyable! I could definitely do it it again. Please bring good walking shoes, insect repellent and water.
AILI_C, Jul 2026
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!
Teresa_B, Jul 2026
Very interesting tour. The ruins were very clean and beautiful. Our guide was amazing! She did an excellent job!
Aaron_M, Jul 2026
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!!!!
Kelly_M, Jul 2026
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!
Ranjini_S, Jul 2026
It was small group and the guide was excellent. He explained everything clearly and let us take our time to enjoy the place. Highly recommend it!
Paige_R, Jul 2026
This was such a fun experience. Our travel guide was extremely fun, kind, and knowledgeable. It was a one hour air conditioned bus ride to the ruins, where there was some shopping and restroom. Then there was a long walk around the grounds. It was hot but shady. Wear sunscreen and bug spray!
The walk was very challenging for my kids (ages 4 and 7) but they made it with some piggy pack rides. They loved climbing the big steps, and we even saw spider monkeys! We also got some amazing pineapple on the way back.
Could not recommend more!
shabnazbenitez, Jul 2026
One heads up I would give other travelers is to prepare for an extended walk and some climbing. It’s fairly hot so expect to sweat. Otherwise, be prepared to ask questions and enjoy the beautiful ruins. Our tour guide, Ismael was very informative and friendly. He picked us up from the port. On the way to Chacchoben, he stopped and got us some locally harvested pineapple which was the sweetest pineapple we’ve had. He gave us very detailed history and information on the ruins. Ismael was kind enough to take photos and wait on us while shopping, followed by a quick and smooth ride back to the port. I would absolutely recommend Ismael as your tour guide.
David_E, Jun 2026
Octavio and his team were professional and knowledgeable. Added a local flair by stopping at a fruit stand for a chance to purchase mangoes, pineapple, carambola, etc. Fruit was fresh and the lady running the stand was very sweet.
If you like history and time to do a little exploring taking in this amazing area with a small group, and learn a little in the process this is right up your alley.
Transportation was fairly comfortable and air conditioned. Cold water provided as it is hot! Bring along some insect repellent too.
If you’re coming from the cruise port be prepared for a little bit of a walk. However, very easy to find…just look for the replica ruin and just go past it to get to their office.
Wendy_L, Jun 2026
Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He took his time with us and answered all our questions. We feel like we hit the jackpot!
Laura_H, Jun 2026
We had such a wonderful time! Our tour guide and driver were excellent! Our tour really provided so much history. It was amazing seeing the ruins! The staff are friendly and always attended to anything we needed on the tour
Kendra_P, Jun 2026
Manuel and JC were great! JC knew a lot about the area and the ancient customs. Manuel was a great driver. Definitely recommend this excursion! We loved seeing the ruins. Take bug repellent if going in the summer. We got some fresh pineapple on the way back. It was really good!
Barbara_L, Jun 2026
We had Ishmael as our guide and he was amazing! So knowledgeable! My husband is a history teacher and was totally nerding out with the guide, it was great! The meeting place was easy to find and they were super friendly and informative even while we waited for everyone to show up. They had water for us to drink, which was great because its June and its pretty warm and humid. We walked all around the ruins, learned so much and even saw some wild monkeys! Ishmael stopped by a local pineapple stand on the way back and we all got some fresh pineapple to snack on! We got back with more than enough time to walk around the town a bit and hit up a local convenient store for some snacks and drinks and still shop and get back to the boat early! We loved this experience!
Keith_G, Jun 2026
Pretty easy to find the tour group. It is an interesting look at the Mayan culture. We took a leisurely pace, but there is a lot of walking. The temples showed a good understanding of celestial events, geometry, mathematics, and time measurement. We saw a lot of different and unusual plants, flowers, and fruit, and a spider monkey hanging upside down eating that fruit. Only a fraction of the ruins have been excavated and "repaired". That effort is ongoing. There was more shade than we thought; probably could have worn shorts.
From $64.11
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Costa Maya Shore Excursion Chacchoben Day Trip
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