Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar 7 Colors Lagoon from Costa Maya
Description
Two of our favorite places in a single day. As soon as your cruise ship arrives at Costa Maya Port, travel through history from the Mayans to the pirates, just one hour away from Costa Maya Cruise Port. Start your adventure in one of the least explored archeological sites in the Maya Zone that date back to 200 BC. and let yourself be surprised by the incredible monuments, flora, and fauna that the jungle has to offer you. After visiting the jungle and the Mayan city of Chacchoben, we will go to the Bacalar lagoon, a famous haven for pirates, where you can relax, swim or enjoy a kayak ride in the refreshing waters of the seven-color lagoon. Take a short break eating some delicious fajitas with your favorite drink at the edge of the lagoon or just enjoy the breeze and incredible landscape. We recommend this tour if you visit Costa Maya for the first time.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Visit one of the least explored archaeological sites of the Mayan Culture in the heart of the jungle. Start your adventure in one of the least explored archeological sites in the Maya Zone that date back to 200 BC. and let yourself be surprised by the incredible monuments, flora and fauna that the jungle has to offer you.
Visit the Bacalar lagoon a famous old haven for pirates, where you can relax, swim or enjoy a kayak ride in the refreshing waters of the seven-color lagoon.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour will depart one hour after your cruise arrives to port from Plaza Las Fuentes, conveniently located just a few steps away from the main access of Costa Maya Port.
- Please note that the total walking time from your cruise ship to the meeting point is about 15 minutes.
- IMPORTANT: Travelers coming by cruise ship must provide the full name of the ship.
- Cruise guests arriving after 12 PM. Make the most of your limited time in port by booking our Chacchoben Mayan City Tour or our beach break options
- No port, no pay! Guaranteed full refund if your cruise ship does not call port in Costa Maya at all
- Weight limit for a single kayak is 220 pounds or 270 pounds for a double kayak
Reviews(12)
This excursion was in 2 parts. The first part, we went to the Chacchoben ruins and our guide was Rosie. She was great! Very enthusiastic about telling us about the ruins and the Mayans. It's about a 45 minute, long and boring, nothing to look at ride. The bus was clean and comfortable. They gave us a bottle of water when we got there and another one when we were out in the ruins. That was nice! Just know, they don't give you time to shop around at the vendors at Chacchoben. The second part. we went to the 7 Colors Lagoon, about a 20-25 min ride. We ate lunch first. They offer tacos. You don't get a choice, they just give you 4 different kinds of tacos. I'm picky about my meat so I only ate 2 of them. But everyone at the table said they were really good and you can order more of any kind you want. They also serve a hibiscus tea and horchata and both were good! Then you are free to go to the water. This is NOT a beach! There was a dock you can walk out on and get in the water. They also had kayaks available to use. They didn't have enough paddles for all the kayaks they had. Only 7 paddles, so only 3 double kayaks could go out at a time. 2 alcohol drinks were included and they did not skimp on the liquor! You can't see the "7 colors" of the lagoon. It just looks like a lake. We weren't really impressed with that part of the excursion. They had plenty of chairs and umbrellas and shade. Then we made the hour and 15 min long, boring, nothing to look at, trek back to the port. I would do the ruins again but not the lagoon part. All the employees of Native Choice were really friendly!
Cruise company did not respond to messages or pick up phone when I tried to modify my reservation. I ended up cancelling and rebooking, and they said it was full but I had requested 1 fewer person. We showed up anyway and they still had the original number of people listed. Tour guide Rosie was very loud on bus intercom, and talked for 45 min but did not give much helpful information. The “tour” at Chachobben was disorganized. Everybody was told to wander around themselves. Bus driver was good. The Mayan site itself is interesting. The lagoon and lunch was nice, but everybody basically did their own thing. I would not book this company again.
Hi Beth W, Appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and for choosing our Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar 7 Colors Lagoon Tour during your vacation in the beautiful Caribbean. Because your reservation was made through Viator, all changes and cancellations must be processed directly through their platform. According to the booking records, your reservation was cancelled in Viator, and even so, our local team was still able to accommodate your group on the day of the tour despite very limited availability during high season. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the Chacchoben Mayan ruins, the Bacalar lagoon, and lunch, which are some of the highlights of this experience. We’re sorry if parts of the day felt disorganized, and your comments have been shared with our local team so we can continue improving the flow and the guided experience. Thank you again for spending your time with us in Costa Maya. We hope to welcome you again in the future for a smoother and even better experience. Warm regards, Next Experience Travel Team
Not only fun, but highly informative. Our tour guide, Elliot, explained the history, language, writing, and even taught us how the Mayans did math.
Hi William, We’re thrilled you had such a great time exploring the Ancient Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with us during your cruise on the Norwegian Encore! It’s wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed learning from Elliot—he truly brings Mayan history and culture to life. Thanks for choosing to spend your day with us in Costa Maya, right here in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean. We’d love to see your photos and stories—feel free to tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @CostaMayaShoreExcursions so other travelers can discover this incredible destination too! Tropical regards, The Cruise Shore Expeditions Team 🌴
The ride from the cruise terminal is over an hour, so most of your time is in the van (which is comfortable and air conditioned!). There were 3 cruise ships in port that day so it was chaos at the ruins - so many people, and you couldn’t hear the guide giving you the history. The lagoon is actually a huge fresh water lake, but we didn’t have enough time to really enjoy because we had to take the long ride back to the port (slated as 2 hours there, we had barely over an hour). Lunch was tacos, salsa, and chips. Only coke and Diet Coke for kids, who wanted sprite. Drinks from the bar were delicious.
Hi Lauren, Thanks for spending your day with us in the beautiful Costa Maya during your cruise on MSC World America of the Seas! We're so glad you enjoyed the comfort of the ride and the delicious drinks at the lagoon, even with the busy day in port. We truly appreciate you choosing us to explore the stunning Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and the magical Bacalar Lagoon in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean! We’d love to see your photos and hear more about your adventure—feel free to tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel so other travelers can discover this amazing destination too! Hope to see you again on your next cruise! Warm regards, The Cruise Shore Expeditions Team
Visiting the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins felt like stepping back in time. The ruins were peaceful and awe-inspiring. The lagoon after the tour was the perfect spot to relax, especially with the kayaks available for a paddle. The service was throughout the day. Definitely a memorable tour!
Hi Pioneer, We're thrilled you chose to spend your day with us in Costa Maya during your cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas! Exploring the peaceful Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and relaxing at the vibrant Bacalar Lagoon sounds like a perfect mix of history and chill—we’re so glad you enjoyed the kayaks and the great service throughout the day! Thanks again for joining us in the beautiful Mexican Caribbean. We’d love to see your favorite moments—feel free to tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel so other travelers can get inspired too! Until your next adventure, The Cruise Shore Expeditions Team 🌴
Although our cruise didn’t make it to Costa Maya due to weather, I was really impressed with the company’s excellent customer service. They refunded our tour promptly without any issues. It’s rare to experience such understanding and professionalism, and I will definitely book with them again when I return to Costa Maya!
Hi Trail262, We’re thrilled you had such a fantastic time exploring Chacchoben and relaxing at Bacalar during your cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas! The Mayan ruins truly are something special, and we’re so glad you enjoyed the peaceful beauty of the lagoon—and that the lunch and drinks hit the spot too! Thanks for choosing to spend your day with us in the beautiful Costa Maya, right here in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean! Don’t forget to share your amazing stories and tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel—we’d love to see your adventures and help inspire fellow travelers! Hope to welcome you again on your next journey! Warm wishes, The Cruise Shore Expeditions Team
We absolutely loved this tour! The Mayan ruins at Chacchoben were a real highlight—so much history in one spot. It’s amazing how well-preserved it is, especially considering its age. After that, the Bacalar Lagoon was a great place to unwind, with crystal-clear waters and a relaxing atmosphere. The lunch and drinks were great too—perfect end to the day!
Hi Safari4, We’re thrilled you had such a fantastic day with us in Costa Maya during your cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas! Exploring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins followed by a relaxing time at Bacalar’s stunning Seven Color Lagoon sounds like the perfect combo—and we’re so glad you loved the lunch and drinks too! Thanks for choosing to spend your day in the beautiful Mexican Caribbean with us. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel—we’d love to see your photos and help other travelers discover this magical place! Hope to see you again on your next adventure! Warm wishes, The Cruise Shore Expeditions Team 🌴
This tour was a perfect combination of history and relaxation. The Mayan ruins were fascinating, and our guide shared so many interesting details about the history of the area. Afterward, we headed to Bacalar Lagoon where we enjoyed the beautiful waters. It was a perfect day, and the lunch and drinks by the lagoon were just what we needed. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Costa Maya!
Hi Escape, We’re thrilled you had a perfect day with us in Costa Maya during your cruise on Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas! Exploring the fascinating Chacchoben Mayan Ruins followed by a relaxing time at Bacalar’s stunning Lagoon of 7 Colors sounds like the dream combo—and we’re so glad you enjoyed the lunch and drinks by the water too! Thank you for choosing us to be part of your vacation in the beautiful Mexican Caribbean. Don’t forget to tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel—we’d love to see your photos and help inspire other travelers! Can’t wait to welcome you again on your next adventure! Warm wishes, The Cruise Shore Expeditions Team
We had an amazing time exploring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins. It’s incredible how much history is packed into this place, especially with how peaceful and untouched it feels. The guide was super knowledgeable and made the experience so much more enriching. Definitely worth the trip! The day ended perfectly with a relaxing swim at the Bacalar Lagoon—so beautiful and serene!
Hi Nomad, We’re thrilled to hear you had such an incredible time exploring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and soaking in the beauty of Bacalar Lagoon! It’s amazing how peaceful and rich in history that site is, and we’re so glad your guide helped bring it all to life. Thanks for choosing us during your cruise on the Icon of the Seas to spend your day in the beautiful Costa Maya, right in the heart of the Mexican Caribbean! We’d love to see your favorite moments—feel free to tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel and help inspire other travelers too! Hope to welcome you again on your next adventure! Warm regards, The Cruise Shore Expeditions Team
Tour guide was very informational & fun. Accommodated our 12 person group with a bus that was Air conditioned. The ruins were amazing to see and the tour guide had so much info about it. Then we went to the Lagoon were free tacos and drinks were served(absolutely delicious!!!!!) Kayaks were a great perk of the lagoon, as you could ride for free. Beautiful lagoon. We all had a blast, I’d recommend to anyone!
Dear Austin, Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing time on our Chacchoben Mayan City & Bacalar Lagoon Adventure. It sounds like your group had a blast exploring the ruins and enjoying the beautiful lagoon. We're glad you loved the tacos and drinks too! We appreciate you choosing us for your cruise vacation onboard Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines' Icon of the Seas. Don’t forget to share your amazing stories and tag us on Instagram and Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel so other travelers can discover this beautiful destination! Tropical regards, The Cruise Shore Expeditions Team
