Costa Maya: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon Cruise Excursion

Two thousand years of stone, then a lagoon that changes color with the light

You visit a 200 BC Mayan city hidden in the jungle, climb its temples, then kayak or swim in a seven-color lagoon while eating lunch by the water. The tour includes a certified guide, transport, kayaks, and all drinks and food. It departs one hour after your ship arrives and times your return to match your ship's departure window, so you don't have to calculate it yourself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each2 stops

1. ChacchobenEntry included1h 30m
2. Lake BacalarEntry included2h

Explore Mayan ruins and Bacalar Lagoon

• Visit ancient Mayan site Chacchoben
• Explore monuments and jungle flora
• Climb temples for jungle views
• Travel to Bacalar Lagoon
• Relax, swim, or kayak in lagoon
• Enjoy fajitas and drinks by lagoon

The experience

You're standing on the dock thinking you've got maybe five hours, and that's not enough time for anything real. Then the guide meets you at Plaza Las Fuentes (just a fifteen-minute walk from where your ship docked), and suddenly the math works. The Chacchoben ruins sit deep enough in the jungle that most cruise passengers never make it there, which means you're not fighting crowds through narrow temple passages or waiting for someone else's photo. The site dates back to 200 BC, and what's left are the structures themselves: stone pyramids and platforms rising out of the rainforest floor, with the actual weight of history in them, not just the idea of it.

The certified guide walks you through what you're looking at (which temples were residential, which were ceremonial, how the jungle reclaims everything if you let it), and you climb one of the pyramids to see the canopy spread out below. It's humid, there are sounds you can't identify, and the air feels older than it should. After an hour or so at Chacchoben, the air-conditioned vehicle takes you to Bacalar Lagoon, which is a completely different kind of stop. The water really does shift through seven shades depending on the angle and the light: turquoise near the shore, deep blue further out, almost purple in the deepest parts. You can kayak if you want, or just sit by the water. Lunch is fajitas and aguas frescas (horchata, hibiscus, iced tea) served right there at the lagoon's edge, and you eat without rushing because the timing is built around your ship's departure, not the other way around.

The whole day is structured so you don't have to think about getting back to the port on time. The tour operator knows your ship's schedule, tracks it, and plans the return so you're not sprinting up the gangway. If your cruise doesn't actually call Costa Maya (which happens sometimes), you get your money back, no questions. That guarantee matters when you're booking from a ship and can't control the weather or the port authority's decisions.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from Plaza Las Fuentes (15-minute walk from the port), a certified guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with temple access, air-conditioned transport to Bacalar Lagoon, kayak rental, bottled water throughout, and lunch with fajitas and your choice of aguas frescas served by the lagoon. The return is timed to your ship's departure schedule.

Information

Lasts 5h 30m, runs every day with no fixed time, from US$ 116.10 per person, with a live guide in English and Spanish and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day

GroupUp to 80

Live guideEnglish and SpanishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availableNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by Shore Excursions

Is this one for you?Book this if you're on a cruise with limited port time and want to see both an actual archaeological site and a natural landmark without arranging transport or timing yourself: the one-hour departure window and coordinated return are what make both stops fit into a single afternoon.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

How long after my ship docks does the tour leave?

One hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya port. The meeting point is at Plaza Las Fuentes, about a 15-minute walk from the main port access.

What's included in the tour?

Certified guide at Chacchoben, air-conditioned transport, kayaks at Bacalar Lagoon, bottled water, lunch with fajitas, and aguas frescas (horchata, hibiscus tea, iced tea).

Can I kayak if I'm not a strong swimmer?

Kayaking is optional. You can swim, wade, or relax by the lagoon instead. Kayaks have weight limits: 220 pounds for single, 270 pounds for double.

What if my cruise ship doesn't arrive at Costa Maya?

You get a full refund. The tour operator guarantees this: no port, no pay.

How much walking is involved?

About 15 minutes from your ship to the meeting point at Plaza Las Fuentes, then walking at the Chacchoben ruins site. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, though it's not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health.