Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon and Mayan Experience from Costa Maya
Description
Experience two very different sides of Costa Maya in one shore excursion, combining living Maya culture with the natural beauty of Bacalar’s Seven Color Lagoon. Visit the village of Chacchoben and spend time with a local Maya family, discovering traditions that remain part of everyday life today. Learn about local ingredients and tortilla making, then share a traditional Maya meal prepared with fresh ingredients and family recipes passed down through generations. Continue to Bacalar Lagoon, once a haven for pirates and today famous for its striking shades of blue and turquoise. Swim in the refreshing freshwater, relax by the lagoon, or simply enjoy the scenery and laid-back atmosphere. From sharing a meal with a Maya family to swimming in the Seven Color Lagoon, the day brings together the culture, flavors, and natural beauty that make this part of Mexico so special.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Your adventure begins one hour after your cruise ship arrives in Costa Maya. Travel to the village of Chacchoben, where you’ll meet a local Maya family and experience traditions that remain part of everyday life today. Spend time with your hosts, learn about local ingredients, and enjoy a hands-on tortilla-making demonstration where you can even try making your own. Then sit down for a traditional Maya lunch, prepared with fresh local ingredients and family recipes. Try classic dishes and tamales, with habanero sauces available for those who want to add a little extra Yucatán flavor. After your visit, continue to Bacalar for the second part of your experience.
Continue to the beautiful Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon, famous for its striking shades of blue and turquoise. Spend approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes at the lagoon, with time to swim in the clear freshwater, relax on a lounger by the water, or enjoy the included facilities and beverages. Kayaks are also available, weather and operating conditions permitting. After your time at Bacalar, enjoy a smooth ride back to Costa Maya Port.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Your tour will depart one hour after your cruise arrives to port from Plaza Las Fuentes, just a few steps away from Costa Maya Port. Once your reservation is confirmed, we will send you detailed and easy to follow directions to the meeting point and a map. Please consider the total time to walk from your cruise to the excursion office is about 15 minutes. IMPORTANT Travelers coming by cruise ship must provide the ship's full name.
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.
- Maximize your afternoon in Costa Maya: Cruise guests arriving to port after 12 PM make the most of your limited time in port by booking our Ancient Mayan City of Chacchoben Tour
- No port, no pay! Guaranteed full refund if your cruise ship does not call port in Costa Maya at all
- Please provide your full cruise ship name and scheduled docking time when booking.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available upon request. Please advise us in advance of any dietary requirements or food allergies.
- Late Arrivals / No-Shows: Guests who arrive late or fail to show up for their scheduled activity are not eligible for a refund.
- This experience is best appreciated by children ages 6 and older.
- Alcoholic beverages are available only to guests 21 and older.
- Life jackets are mandatory for all water activities and are provided.
- Children must be 10 years or older to paddle a single kayak alone. Children under 10 may kayak when accompanied by a supervising adult.
- Water activities may be restricted or temporarily suspended by local authorities due to wind, lightning, or other unsafe weather conditions.
- Bring a swimsuit, personal towel, change of clothes, hat, and biodegradable sunscreen.
- Bring extra cash for personal expenses, as credit cards may not be accepted outside the port area
- The tour operates rain or shine, so please dress according to the weather.
- Weight limit for a single kayak is 220 pounds or 270 pounds for a double kayak
- Kayaking is not permitted for pregnant guests.
Reviews(7)
Driver was very friendly and informative about the area and the excursion. Food making and the food itself was very good.
This tour went above and beyond. Our tour guide Elliott taught us so much about the culture and even some language. It truly felt like you were a welcomed guest in their home. After a very feeling meal we went to the lagoon where we were served drinks. It was truly a perfect day.
A relaxing, and wonderful experience. The blue water lagoon was amazing and therapeutic. The staff was kind and thoughtful. A very memorable moment.
Very good tour of Costa Maya community. Lunch was delicious and the women were so sweet. Lagoon was warm and inviting, but you need water shoes because it’s very rocky. Romeo did a great job.
Hi Carol, We’re so glad you joined us in Costa Maya during your cruise on the MSC Seashore! It’s wonderful to hear you enjoyed exploring the community, tasting that delicious Mayan lunch, and relaxing in the Seven Color Lagoon—Romeo will be thrilled to know he helped make your day special. Great tip about water shoes, too! Thanks for choosing us to spend your day in the beautiful Mexican Caribbean. We’d love to see your favorite moments—feel free to share your stories and tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @CostaMayaShoreExcursions so other travelers can be inspired by your adventure! Looking forward to welcoming you again on another journey! Warm regards, The Shore Excursions Team
The lagoon isn’t what I would think of as a lagoon. They take you to what looks like a huge lake with a rocky shore. Very disappointing. I did however enjoy the Mayan experience part. Our tour guide was great.
Hi Erika_H, Thank you for joining our Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon and Mayan Experience Tour during your vacation in the beautiful Costa Maya, part of the Mexican Caribbean. We truly appreciate your feedback. We’re sorry to hear the lagoon wasn’t what you expected. Due to recent heavy rains, the colors of Bacalar are not showing their usual natural beauty, and the venue we are currently using has a rocky shoreline while our regular location is under improvement works. We completely understand how this might have felt disappointing. We’re glad you enjoyed the Mayan experience and that your guide made the tour special. Your comments help us keep improving, and we hope to welcome you again in the future so you can experience Bacalar at its very best. Warm regards, The Shore Excursions Team
Our tour was spectacular one of the best that we’ve had in the Caribbean. Elliot our guide was so knowledgeable and fun to experience the tour with him. Visiting a little village where the natives cooked our lunch made tortillas. We actually made tortillas and going to the Bacalar lagoon was very nice Beautiful we each were able to have two margaritas complementary which were awesome also kayaking and swimming was great.
Hi Tom_C, We’re thrilled to hear your day with us in Costa Maya was one of the best you’ve had in the Caribbean! It sounds like Elliot made your Bacalar and Mayan village experience extra special—tortilla making, delicious food, refreshing margaritas, kayaking, and that stunning lagoon… what a day! Thanks for choosing us during your cruise on Virgin Voyages’ Valiant Lady to explore this gem of the Mexican Caribbean. Don’t forget to share your favorite memories and tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @CostaMayaShoreExcursions—we’d love to see your photos and stories! Can’t wait to welcome you back for more adventures! Warm wishes, The Shore Excursions Team 🌴
This was an awesome experience on our own with Amauri and Habner. We toured deep into the jungle and had lunch with a Mayan family. From there we went to the 7 color lagoon for a relaxing afternoon. It was a perfect experience in Costa Maya.
Hi Michael, We’re so glad to hear you had an awesome time exploring Costa Maya with Amauri and Habner during your cruise on MSC World America! From heading deep into the jungle to sharing a meal with a Mayan family and soaking up the beauty of the Seven Color Lagoon—what an unforgettable day! Thanks for choosing us to be part of your Mexican Caribbean adventure! Feel free to share your amazing photos and tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @CostaMayaShoreExcursions—we’d love to see your journey and help inspire other travelers too! Hope to see you again on your next cruise stop! Warm wishes, The Shore Excursions Team
