Bacalar Lagoon & Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya

Ancient temples, jungle trails, and a lagoon in seven shades of blue

A guided tour from Costa Maya combining Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and Bacalar Lagoon, with jungle walks through restored temples, swimming and kayaking in freshwater lagoon waters, and an authentic Mexican lunch overlooking the shore. The tour departs one hour after your cruise arrives and returns in time for your ship's departure, fitting both archaeology and water time into a single port day.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Chacchoben2h · entry included
2. Lake Bacalar3h 30m · entry included

Explore Mayan ruins and Bacalar Lagoon

• Depart from Plaza Las Fuentes, Costa Maya
• Travel 50 minutes to Chacchoben ruins
• Visit Chacchoben archaeological site
• Walk jungle trails and see temples
• Travel 25 minutes to Bacalar Lagoon
• Swim, kayak, or relax at lagoon
• Enjoy authentic Mexican taco lunch
• Return 1 hour 5 minutes to Costa Maya

The experience

The day starts at Plaza Las Fuentes, just outside Costa Maya Port, and a 50-minute drive carries you into the jungle toward Chacchoben. This ancient Maya city dates back to around 200 BC, and your guide walks you along trails where temples and ceremonial structures emerge through the tropical vegetation. You'll see the Gran Basamento, the largest structure on site, and climb up to discover the temples above it: a contrast between fully restored monuments and archaeological structures still half-buried in jungle growth. The site rules prohibit climbing the monuments themselves, so the walk stays on designated paths through the archaeological zones.

After Chacchoben, a 25-minute drive takes you to Bacalar Lagoon, where you have roughly two hours at a lakeside club with direct water access. The lagoon's famous seven shades of blue come from varying water depth and mineral content, and you can swim in the freshwater water, paddle a kayak across it, or simply sit under an umbrella on a lounge chair and watch the color shift. Life vests are provided and mandatory for kayaking. A single kayak holds up to 220 pounds, a double up to 270 pounds. If the weather turns unsafe (wind, lightning, local authority restrictions), water activities pause, but the lagoon itself stays open for swimming and lounging.

Lunch is an authentic Mexican spread: your choice of chicken fajitas, Spanish sausage with potato, or al pastor, served with chips, salsa and homemade sauces. Non-alcoholic drinks (horchata, hibiscus tea, iced tea) come with the tour. Guests 21 and older receive two included beers or classic cocktails. After eating and relaxing, a 65-minute drive returns you to Costa Maya, timed to get you back before your ship departs. Bring a swimsuit, towel, hat and biodegradable sunscreen. Comfortable walking shoes handle the jungle terrain of rocks and roots.

What’s included

• Roundtrip transportation from Costa Maya.
• guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with certified guide in English or Spanish.
• Chacchoben archaeological site admission and entrance fees.
• kayaks and life vests.
• access to Bacalar lakeshore club with lounge chairs, umbrellas and complimentary WiFi.
• authentic Mexican taco lunch with your choice of three entrées, chips, salsa and homemade sauces.
• non-alcoholic drinks including horchata, hibiscus tea and iced tea.
• two included alcoholic beverages for guests 21 and older: choice of beer or select classic cocktails.
• bottled water.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 80

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by Cruise Port Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to sample both Chacchoben's ruins and Bacalar's lagoon in one outing. If you'd rather spend two hours at a single location instead of splitting time between them, choose the operator's dedicated Chacchoben or beach tour instead.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

How long does the jungle walk at Chacchoben actually take?

The walk itself is not timed separately in the itinerary, but you spend time exploring the archaeological site after a brief facilities break, following your guide through jungle trails to see temples and ceremonial structures. The total journey to Chacchoben is roughly 50 minutes from Costa Maya, then you walk the site before the 25-minute drive to Bacalar.

Can I climb the temples and structures at Chacchoben?

Climbing the archaeological monuments is prohibited by site rules. You walk designated jungle trails where the structures are visible and your guide explains their history, and you can walk up the Gran Basamento to see the temples above it, but direct climbing of the monuments themselves is not allowed.

What happens if my cruise ship arrives late or I miss the departure time?

The tour departs one hour after your ship arrives at Costa Maya Port, departing from Plaza Las Fuentes just steps from the main port entrance. If you arrive after 12 PM, the operator offers a separate beach break option instead. Guests who arrive late or fail to show for their scheduled activity are not eligible for a refund.

What's included in the lunch at Bacalar Lagoon?

Lunch is an authentic Mexican taco meal with your choice of chicken fajitas, Spanish sausage with potato, or al pastor, served with chips, salsa and homemade sauces. Non-alcoholic drinks (horchata, hibiscus tea and iced tea) are included for all guests. Guests 21 and older also receive two included beers or classic cocktails.

Can I bring my GoPro or video camera to record at Chacchoben?

Standard personal photography is free at Chacchoben. A $5 USD video recording permit applies to dedicated personal video cameras such as GoPros and camcorders, paid directly at the archaeological site when you arrive.

What if weather prevents water activities at Bacalar?

Water activities (swimming and kayaking) may be restricted by local authorities if wind, lightning or other unsafe conditions develop. The lagoon itself remains accessible for lounging and relaxing under umbrellas at the lakeshore club, so you still have time to enjoy the lagoon even if active water time is limited.