Bacalar Lagoon & Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya
Description
Travel from the world of the ancient Maya to the old pirate routes of Bacalar, all in one day from Costa Maya. Your adventure begins in the tropical jungle at the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, where ancient temples and ceremonial structures tell the story of a Maya city that flourished centuries ago. Explore the site with your guide while discovering its history, architecture, and the nature that has surrounded Chacchoben for generations. Then leave the jungle behind and head to Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon, once a haven for pirates and now one of the most beautiful places in the region. Swim in its refreshing freshwater, explore by kayak, or simply relax by the lagoon with a cold drink. And because a day like this deserves good food, enjoy an included taco lunch with chips and salsa right by the water before heading back to Costa Maya.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your adventure begins with transportation from Costa Maya, departing approximately 1 hour after your cruise ship arrives in port. Enjoy the approximately 50-minute drive to Chacchoben, passing through local villages on the way. Spend approximately 1 hour exploring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with your guide, discovering an ancient Maya ceremonial center surrounded by tropical jungle. Walk among impressive temples and structures while learning about the history and secrets of this fascinating city. Follow the jungle trails to the Gran Basamento, where you can climb the ancient platform for a different perspective of the archaeological site and surrounding jungle. Along the way, enjoy the tropical setting and keep an eye out for native plants, colorful birds, and spider monkeys. After exploring Chacchoben, continue approximately 25 minutes to Bacalar Lagoon for the second part of your adventure.
After exploring Chacchoben, continue to the beautiful Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon, once a haven for pirates and today famous for its crystal-clear freshwater and incredible shades of blue and turquoise. Spend approximately 2 hours by the lagoon enjoying it at your own pace. Take a refreshing swim, grab a kayak and explore the water, or simply relax on a lounger with a cold drink while enjoying the breeze and views. Take a break for an included taco lunch with chips and salsa, choosing from fillings such as chicken fajitas, Spanish sausage with potato, or traditional al pastor. After your time at Bacalar, sit back and relax on the approximately 1 hour and 5-minute return drive to Costa Maya Port, with your cruise schedule always kept in mind.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- 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.
- 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
- The use of tripods and drones are prohibited at the Mayan Ruins
- This tour involves walking outdoors on jungle trails, with some rocks, roots, and uneven surfaces.
- This experience is best appreciated by children ages 6 and older.
- Visitors are not permitted to climb the temples.
- Life jackets are mandatory for water activities and are provided.
- Children must be 10 or older to paddle a single kayak alone. Younger children may kayak with a supervising adult.
- Water activities may be restricted by local authorities due to wind, lightning, or other unsafe weather conditions.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for Chacchoben.
- Bring a swimsuit, personal towel, hat, and biodegradable sunscreen for Bacalar.
- The tour operates rain or shine, so please dress according to the weather.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available upon request.
- Guests 21 and older receive two alcoholic drinks; additional premium beverages are available for purchase.
- Late Arrivals / No-Shows: Guests who arrive late or fail to show up for their scheduled activity are not eligible for a refund.
- Kayak weight limit: 220 lbs for a single kayak or 270 lbs combined for a double kayak.
- Kayaking is not permitted for pregnant guests.
Reviews(62)
Very safe and efficient excursion offering an authentic culturally immersive experience. The tour guides love their jobs, the local food was amazing especially the Horchata and Hibiscus drinks offered at bacalar lagoon!! Got us back to the cruise port in time.
It was amazing from the start of the tour to ending. I loved that our tour guide was a local that was telling the historic events and current culture. My kids and I loved the lagoon and the Mexican tacos and drinks provided after the tour!!!!
The instructions were clear to get to the Native Choice building. Check in was super smooth! Alandra (probably butchering her name), pretty pink bow is what I called her was super informative and accommodating. There were only 8 of us total on the tour which made it super intimate and loved not being in a big group. The Mayan ruins were interesting to look at. I loved that we got a private, secluded area on the Bacalar lagoon with plenty of food and our two drinks waiting. I do wish we had more of an open area in the lagoon and got to experience more of the lagoon as that was my purpose for the trip. We were able to stop to get pineapple on the way back which was a nice treat for $2. We were not late to get back to our ship even with the additional stop. Our driver, guide, bartender and chefs were remarkable! Only suggestion would be adding to the Bacalar experience. Bring mosquito spray for Ruins!!!!!!
Ozzy & Yoshi were a great driver & Maya guide. Yoshi explained all about the Chacchoben ruin, and we enjoyed our 4 types of tacos & swim in the picturesque Balacar Lagoon. Loved the small group size.
As Royal Caribbean cruise passengers, we booked the Bacalar Lagoon & Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya excursion through Viator expecting a seamless experience. Instead, it turned into a frustrating game of tour operator ping-pong. We followed the instructions exactly, walked approximately 15 minutes from the cruise port to the designated meeting location, and checked in at the kiosk listed on our reservation. That’s when the chaos started. The staff at Native Choice immediately told us they were not affiliated with Viator and directed us to Toucan Tours. We walked over to Toucan Tours, only to be told that the booking belonged with Native Choice. Back we went. Neither company seemed to know who was responsible for the reservation. Ironically, the neighboring tour operators who had nothing to do with our booking were far more helpful, professional, and courteous than anyone connected to this excursion. What made the situation even worse was that Viator had absolutely no representatives on-site. There was nobody available to assist, clarify, or take ownership of the problem. After nearly 10 minutes of back-and-forth discussion and argument, we were finally told that they had never received the Viator booking at all. Their solution? Since the main tour bus had already departed while we were being bounced between operators, they asked whether we’d like to join a shortened version of the tour instead. So let me summarize: • Followed all instructions exactly. • Walked 15 minutes in the heat to the meeting point. • Sent between two different tour companies. • No Viator representative available anywhere. • Booking apparently never transmitted to the local operator. • Missed the scheduled departure through no fault of our own. • Offered a reduced experience after paying for the full excursion. When cruise passengers have only a few hours in port, reliability is everything. This experience demonstrated a complete breakdown in communication between Viator and its local partners. We wasted valuable vacation time trying to locate a tour that should have been organized before we ever stepped off the ship. I would strongly recommend future travelers think twice before booking this excursion through Viator unless they enjoy scavenger hunts, confusion, and the possibility of missing the tour they paid for. Costa Maya is beautiful. Unfortunately, this booking experience was anything but.
My experience in Bacalar was simply unforgettable. The Lagoon of Seven Colors is even more impressive in person: crystal clear water, absolute tranquility and landscapes that seem unrealistic. I really enjoyed the boat rides, the sunsets and the relaxed vibe of the place. It is the perfect destination to disconnect, rest and reconnect with nature. I would definitely come back. ✨
Yoshi was very knowledgeable and friendly, easy to visit with, gave clear instructions as to expectations for the excursion, she had a fun personality that made the day very enjoyable - not to mention the locations we visited were incredible and the views were amazing! I would definitely book with Native Choice again!
Such a good day. Easy to find the meeting point after getting off our cruise ship. We had a lovely really knowledgeable guide and a careful driver. They got us to the ruins before the crowds. The ruins were great and all our quest about them were answered thoroughly. Then on to the lake which was beautiful. Lunch at the lake was so nice and we could eat as much as we wanted. The staff there were lovely too. A perfect day and far better than the horrible expensive excursion we had the day before which was run by our cruise company. Will use you again thankyou
Excellent experience. Tour guides were knowledgeable. Perfect mix of informative and relaxing. Lunch and drinks at the lake were delicious. Would recommend tour specifically and the provider. Will book with them again.
Native was organized from the beginning! Solid communication and they were prompt in getting us going. The directions to get out of the port area were clear and they were easy to find. Our guide Rosie was fantastic! She split her time between 2 vans, but made sure we had all the info and history. The ruins were wonderful and we learned a lot from the information she provided. Lunch at the lagoon was delicious! We had 4 different types of tacos and lovely drink options. Lagoon was beautiful and kayaks were in great shape as well as the rest of the property. They got us back to the shop in plenty of time.
