Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Costa Maya, Mexico
- 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
This half-day tour of the Chacchoben Maya Ruins—one of the most popular attractions near Costa Maya—also offers an optional trip to a beach club. Meet your guide near the port in Costa Maya and head out to the archeological site, which you’ll get to explore deeply, from culture to flora and beyond. On the return journey, stop at a beach club at Playa Mahahual (optional) before drop-off.
- Experience a day that mixes history and culture with relaxation
- Explore the ancient temples and other structures with a guide
- Stop at a beach club on the way back to Costa Maya (optional)
- Hassle-free round-trip transportation from Costa Maya
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Travel Insurance
- Bottled water
- Soda/PopAt the time of your check in you have a complimentary drink which can be: a beer, a soda or a shot of tequila (these only at check in) and bottles of water (unlimited).
- Licensed Tour Guide
- After the ruins, an additional 90 minutes on Mahahual beach with the facilities included (optional)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 03/08/2020 - 05/20/2027
Monday - Sunday : 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Itinerary
Make your way to the meeting place, just one block away from the Costa Maya Port at Mahahual, where you will board an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water and soft drinks for the ride to Chacchoben. Dating to 200 BC, Chacchoben is one of the least explored Mayan sites in Mexico.
At the archeological site, you’ll have around 1.5 hours to walk around to see the important structures and temples at the site, with a licensed guide to provide more background information and deeper insights on the ruins, Mayan culture, and the flora and fauna in the surrounding jungle.
On the way back, you’ll have the option to spend time at a beach club with amenities at Playa Mahahual before being dropped off near the cruise port.
At the archeological site, you’ll have around 1.5 hours to walk around to see the important structures and temples at the site, with a licensed guide to provide more background information and deeper insights on the ruins, Mayan culture, and the flora and fauna in the surrounding jungle.
On the way back, you’ll have the option to spend time at a beach club with amenities at Playa Mahahual before being dropped off near the cruise port.
1
Zona Arqueologica De Chacchoben
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Playa Mahahual
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Consider bringing along sunblock and insect repellent.
- no hay acceso para scotters
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 1,497 reviews
Stephen_C, May 2026
This excursion was fun and interesting. Carlos, our guide, was quite knowledgeable about the historical sites and the overall history of the Mayan people. We chose to return to the ship after visiting the ruins but those who continued on for the beach break reported having a good time. We would definitely recommend this excursion.
Daniel_U, May 2026
Very friendly people, and an informative tour. Highly recommend Toucan tours for the whole family.
Easy pick-up and drop-off from the cruise port.
Kara_D, May 2026
The tour guide was great, and the views were beautiful!! But honestly the pyramids were not impressive & truly didn't look real to me. I understand vegetation was removed and they were preserved but it truly all looked fake to me lol but I dunno!
Kenneth_W, May 2026
They did a great job explaining everything and answering questions. Very friendly and always made sure you had water!
Pat_D, May 2026
Well worth the tour! Our cruise ship was charging twice what we paid for same tour. Only issue was guide on bus didn’t have mic so we couldn’t hear her. Ruins were better than expected. Guides very knowledgable. Took option to go to beach afterwards. Would strongly recommend!
Rebecca_K, May 2026
The tour itself was awesome. The guides were knowledgeable and fun. My only disappointment was trying to find the group when we disembarked from our cruise ship. It was very far away. The directions mentioned a spot by Red golf carts. It was probably a quarter mile past that. We had to keep asking people where to go. I wish someone from the tour company had met us at those red golf carts. It was very stressful.
Curt_R, May 2026
Perfect excursion to visit the ruins. Our guide did a great job explaining everything about them. Just enough time spent there.
Thanh_V, May 2026
After getting off the ship, you need to ask for Toucan tours and go all the way to the parking lot to be picked up. Quite inconvenience and worrisome if this is your first time in Costa Maya, but reassured that everyone there rely A LOT on tourism and want good reputation for the port so they will guide you if you ask.
Decent amount of walking, everything else was highly recommended if you have never seen Chichen Itza. Good lesson of Mayan history.
Well-organized, but no sign at the beginning and hard to find booth, but otherwise everything else was super.
tessa_b, May 2026
It was great. Costa Maya is a jungle so it was hot. Be prepared for heat. There was a little waiting from when we got picked up near the port and then at the transfer station to the bus. The tour guide was great and took us to the ruins. The ruins were beautiful and it was nice that the tour guide gave us some history about them. Bring cash for snacks (popsicles).
KELLY_A, May 2026
What a great experience ! Bring a hat because the sun can be brutal.
Our guide was very knowledgeable and fun.
Steven_M, Apr 2026
Great service and quality experience at both the Ruins and the Beach. However, the name of the tour provider (Toucan Tours) was not listed in the description or tour instructions. The key was finding the Red Golf carts in the parking lot outside the pier mall.
Kendra_V, Apr 2026
Informative tour but microphone and speakers weren’t working on bus so it was impossible to hear anything
Sergey_Z, Apr 2026
It was easy to book. Communication was fast and relevant. We got off the boat about 5 minutes late then we were supposed to, but the organizers immediately organized a shuttle van that brought us to the main tour bus. Tour was interesting and the guide was very knowledgeable. Fascinating history and beautifully preserved buildings. On the way back we stopped to get some fresh mangos and pineapples which was a great treat. In the end most of the people on the bus decided to go to the beach which was also a very nice experience. Definitely was worth going on this tour. Shout out to the tour guide Carlos and amazing and safe driver Andres. Thank you.
Jeffrey_B, Apr 2026
Without question, the best Chacchoben experience ever and I’ve done several. Guide was knowledgeable and entertaining.
Stephanie_S, Apr 2026
This was very organized and felt safe. They gave us a bottle before we got on the shuttle to head to the ruins, when we got off the shuttle to start the ruins and when we came to get back onto the shuttle to head back. It was VERY humid and warm. The walk from the ship to finding the shuttle was longer than expected. We were concerned we weren’t going the right way but it in the parking lot where all the other buses and shuttles were at.
Filip_V, Apr 2026
Elesio was a great tour guide. Made the whole trip worth it with his stories, knowledge and culture about Mexico
Yanilda_P, Apr 2026
Had an awesome day. Gabriel the tour guide was knowledgeable about the history of the Mayas. We were picked up on time and there was clear communication throughout. Once picked up we headed to their office for waiver paperwork. They provided helmets and goggles. We rode the ATVs to the cenote where some people took the plunge. I decided not to jump into the cenote because it’s a bat cave with hundreds of bats above. Not comfortable jumping into water with bat feces. The tequila tasting was ok. The tequila taste really good. Overall it was a good experience.
Susan_C, Apr 2026
This was a great tour. The site had the type of ruins I had hoped and expected to receive. The drive was confortable and the driver was safe. Our guide was very informative. They made sure we were back to our cruise ship in a timely manner.
Joe_B, Apr 2026
We would have liked more time at the ruins. We spent 75 minutes on the bus there and 75 minutes back with only one hour at the actual ruins. We opted out of the beach expecting more time to explore the ruins. We would not do this excursion again for this reason. If you don't have any other opportunity to see Mayan ruins, then this tour would be ok. Otherwise I would recommend doing a different one.
Chandler_S, Apr 2026
Great trip with a smaller tour group so it was more personable and a great break. Bug spray was very helpful tip we followed and would suggest. Also the local fresh fruit was a must and do again.
Kelley_Y, Apr 2026
I would book through aviator again. The tour guides were informative, fun, and took good care of us.
Crystal_d, Apr 2026
This tour did a wonderful job! I dont recall the guides name but he was wonderful and you could tell he loved this place. The beach after was a highlight and food was good!
Mike_N, Apr 2026
It was a great experience.
I would do it again
It was everything it says it was and with a great guide
valerie_r, Apr 2026
I loved the archeological site!!! It was beautiful!! The trip to the ruins was lengthy but you get to see the way of living of the locals. One thing that was highly unpleasant was the white European Americans talking senseless things about the locals way of living as if their hometowns (in the middle of nowhere texas) were any better … so if you have racist family members and you want to take them outside their (dumphole) hometown, just don’t !!! Traveling is for those who love and respect other countries!! And im referencing my visit back in January 13, 2026!
Bryan_N, Apr 2026
It was very well run and organized. The tour guide was friendl and knowledgeable. We didn't have to wait long to start the tour and everything was on time, and we were back on the ship plenty early. Great tour, I learned so much about the Mayans.
Jonathan_S, Apr 2026
What an excellent excursion! We had a blast! Our tour guide Carlos was amazing and hilarious! His knowledge of the ruins made the trip a thrill and interesting! Our drivers Mary and Ruben were great from check in to the end of the tour. Over all the staff was very hospitable. We highly recommend this excursion through Toucan Tours.
Zara_K, Apr 2026
This tour was perfect for us being there on our cruise. Everyone was so kind and accommodating and made us feel welcomed. We stopped at a local fruit stand and got to drink fresh coconut water. The tour of the ruins was fast but because we were on a time crunch - but we still learned everything and got to take lots of pictures. Afterwards we went to the beach which was absolutely so worth it. the water was amazing and the area we were in was shaded with loungechairs.
Richard_G, Apr 2026
Great tour, really enjoyed. Elise was the perfect tour guide. Learnt a lot about the Maya ruins/Chacchoben and had plenty time to look around. Saw a few spider monkeys as well. On the return journey we were given the option to go straight back to the cruise ship and go to the beach. We decided to go to the beach and so glad we did. Glorious white sands and enjoyed a nice long walk. We also had the added bonus of sun loungers on the beach as part of the tour, which was perfect. The driver came for us about 90mins later and took us back to the cruise ship in plenty time.
Kristin_D, Apr 2026
JC (our guide) and Daniel (bus driver) did a great job on this tour! Pick up was prompt and it was exactly as described. JC well very knowledgeable and well spoken. As stated, a beverage was provided at their office in the beginning and then water was provided on tour. I would recommend this tour.
James_W, Apr 2026
Walk off the cruise ship and KEEP GOING! The name of the company was so difficult to find but if you know it, then you can tell the taxi drivers who you are looking for and they help out. It’s a long walk from the ship. Be ready for that. No offer of any drinks when we checked in other than water. Guide was great, microphone needed updating. Tour was good but finding them was stressful.
From $55.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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