Virgin Voyages' guide to Costa Maya, Mexico

Ancient ruins, sleepy beachside villages, and natural lagoons with seven shades of blue — this Mexican port is beaming with culture, history, and beauty.

Costa Maya

Turquoise, coral & soft white sand

In the lesser-known region of the Mayan Riviera—with its rich history, quaint beaches, and blue lagoon cenotes—towns like Mahahual and Xcalak make Costa Maya the Mexican port you didn’t know you needed.

Raw and less-curated than other ports in the region, beach towns Mahahual and Xcalak give you a glimpse into a somewhat undisturbed side of the Yucatán Peninsula—often feeling like Tulum before it became Tu-lum. Drenched with reminders (and ruins) of the Mayan history that built the region, exploring the area feels like a study in contrasts—a dynamic balance of who it was and what it’s becoming.

Shore Excursions

Discovering the Yucatán Peninsula

The history. The geography. The culture.

Glass Bottom Boat and Snorkel Tour

Board your glass-bottom boat and glide out over the iridescent waters of the Caribbean—taking in the views of the colorful coral reef formations and tropical fish below. Once anchored, you’ll follow your guide into the water on a snorkeling tour of the reefs and marine life below. The small group size ensures you can relax and explore the underwater world with access to personal attention when needed.

Chacchoben Tour & Uchbenkah Lagoon Lunch

On this tour, you’ll head to the nearby Chacchoben Mayan ruins (known as “The place of Red Corn” for its red stucco walls), which house a mural showing the astronomical position of Venus. You’ll have time to climb the Gran Basamento—taking you above tree level—where archaeologists found ceremonial offerings dating back to 1,000 B.C.

Blurry image of a lady wearing a red dress while walking downstairs at Mayan ruins place

Mayan Wellness Retreat with a Xaman

Take part in a revitalizing and cleansing day at this Mayan wellness retreat. A Xaman will lead you through the process in a unique ceremony with 6 steps including—copal cleansing, purifying massages, clay rituals, coconut baths and a mystical hammock massage.

More Shore Things for your wishlist...

We have even more in our curated catalog.

Costa Maya

Clear-Bottom Kayak and Beach Escape

CMAH2O00006

Clear-bottom kayaking through the Caribbean

Costa Maya

Uchbenkah Lagoon & Grilled Lunch

CMAAUT00001

Explore Uchbenkah's hidden jungle and lagoon

Costa Maya

Jeep Off-Roading and Beach Adventure

CMADRV00001

Take an off-roading adventure via Jeep Renegade

Costa Maya

Kohunlich Mayan Ruin Expedition

CMACXP00002

Explore the recently excavated Mayan Ruins

Browse all Shore Things

Okay, but what is a cenote?

A natural well formed by the collapse of limestone — exposing water below.

Shore Excursions

Bacalar Seven Colors Lagoon

Hop on a boat ride through the famous Bacalar (aka Seven Colors) Lagoon - where the crystal-clear waters and white limestone bottom cause the water to morph into varying shades of turquoise, cobalt blue and deep indigo.

DISCOVER MORE SHORE THINGS

Leaving the region, it’s clear you’ve parted with a place whose identity is rooted in duality—a place aware of the lure of it’s natural beauty and eager to celebrate it, but also managing to preserve the cultural and environmental sanctity it has sustained for so long.

For a country whose tourism is tied to famous destinations like Cancun, you can’t help but leave feeling like you’ve found a secret spot. It’s not true, of course—but in the quiet, sleepy moments on the beach savoring fresh ceviche—it might as well be.

Set Sail the Virgin Way