Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 397 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide worth booking?
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide is a 5.5-hour experience in Costa Maya, Mexico, from $120 per person. It scores 82 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 397 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 82 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (397)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $120 per person
Two of our favorite places in a single day. Travel through history from the ancient Maya to the pirates of Bacalar, combining two completely different sides of Costa Maya in one adventure. Discover Chacchoben, an ancient Maya city dating back to around 200 BC, where impressive temples and ceremonial grounds rise among the tropical jungle. Walk the same paths once traveled by Maya priests, nobles and rulers as your certified guide reveals the history, secrets and legends of this fascinating city. Then exchange ancient temples for the turquoise waters of Bacalar’s Seven Color Lagoon, a former haven for pirates. Swim, kayak, float or simply relax by the water with a tropical drink in hand, surrounded by brilliant shades of blue. Complete your day with a lakeside Mexican lunch and refreshing drinks, enjoying the breeze and views across the lagoon. From Maya history to the turquoise waters once sailed by pirates, experience two of the places we love most — all in one incredible day.
What you get
About this experience
Two of our favorite places in a single day. Travel through history from the ancient Maya to the pirates of Bacalar, combining two completely different sides of Costa Maya in one adventure. Discover Chacchoben, an ancient Maya city dating back to around 200 BC, where impressive temples and ceremonial grounds rise among the tropical jungle. Walk the same paths once traveled by Maya priests, nobles and rulers as your certified guide reveals the history, secrets and legends of this fascinating city. Then exchange ancient temples for the turquoise waters of Bacalar’s Seven Color Lagoon, a former haven for pirates. Swim, kayak, float or simply relax by the water with a tropical drink in hand, surrounded by brilliant shades of blue. Complete your day with a lakeside Mexican lunch and refreshing drinks, enjoying the breeze and views across the lagoon. From Maya history to the turquoise waters once sailed by pirates, experience two of the places we love most — all in one incredible day.
What's included
Included
- Two alcoholic drinks for guests 21+ — beer or select tropical cocktails
- Access to Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon
- Bottled water
- Guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
- Lagoon amenities — loungers, umbrellas, WiFi & facilities
- Refreshing drinks — iced tea, hibiscus tea & traditional horchata
- Certified Tour Guide
- Lunch by the lagoon — Mexican tacos with chips & salsa
- Kayaks, tubes & life vests
- Entrance fees to Chacchoben Archaeological Site
- Roundtrip transportation from Costa Maya in an air-conditioned vehicle
Not included
- $5.00 USD copyright fee for the use of cameras at Chacchoben. This is paid directly at the site.
- Souvenirs
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Zona Arqueologica De Chacchoben
Your adventure begins one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Enjoy the 50-minute drive to Chacchoben, one of the Maya region’s lesser-explored archaeological sites, dating back to around 200 BC. Follow your certified guide through ancient plazas and ceremonial grounds as impressive monuments rise among the tropical jungle. Discover the history, beliefs and secrets of this ancient city while you walk the same paths once traveled by Maya priests, nobles and rulers. Discover the Gran Basamento and Temple One as your guide brings Chacchoben to life through its architecture, traditions and legends. Along the way, discover native flora and keep an eye out for tropical birds and spider monkeys in their natural habitat. From the ancient Maya world, continue on a scenic 25-minute drive to Bacalar’s spectacular Seven Color Lagoon, where a refreshing afternoon by the water awaits.
145 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Bacalar
Continue to Bacalar’s Seven Color Lagoon, a former haven for pirates where striking shades of turquoise and blue stretch across one of Mexico’s most spectacular freshwater lagoons. Make yourself at home by the water. Swim in the refreshing lagoon, explore by kayak, float in a tube or settle into a lounger and simply enjoy the breeze and incredible views. When you’re ready, enjoy a lakeside Mexican lunch with chips and salsa while overlooking the lagoon. Cool off with iced tea, hibiscus tea or traditional horchata, and guests 21+ can choose two alcoholic drinks, including beer, Tequila Sunrise, Blue Lagoon, Purple Rain or Sangria. During your time at the lagoon, paddle, swim, float, sip a tropical drink or simply relax by the water — the choice is yours. After a morning exploring the ancient Maya world of Chacchoben and an afternoon enjoying the turquoise waters of Bacalar, relax on the one-hour journey back to Costa Maya — two completely different experiences in one incredible day.
185 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Costa Maya
Your tour departs one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Meet at Plaza Las Fuentes, just outside the port area. Allow 15 minutes to walk from your ship. Provide your full cruise ship name when booking. Detailed directions and a map will follow confirmation.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Your tour departs one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Meet at Plaza Las Fuentes, just outside the port area. Allow 15 minutes to walk from your ship. Provide your full cruise ship name when booking. Detailed directions and a map will follow confirmation.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Next Experience Travel
Know before you go
- 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.
- IMPORTANT: Travelers coming by cruise ship must provide the full name of the ship.
- 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
- Temple Access: For preservation purposes, climbing the temples is not permitted.
- Children: The historical portion of the tour is best appreciated by children ages 6 and older. Younger children are welcome.
- Water Activities: Life vests are mandatory for water activities and are provided. Civil Protection may restrict kayaking or other water activities due to wind, lightning or unsafe weather conditions.
- Lagoon Conditions: Water clarity, color and other natural conditions at Bacalar may vary depending on weather and environmental conditions.
- Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages are served only to guests ages 21 and older. The tour includes two select alcoholic drinks; premium and additional alcoholic beverages are available at an extra cost.
- Dietary Requirements: Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request. Please provide dietary requirements in advance.
- Weather: This tour operates rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately for the day’s weather.
- What to Bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a swimsuit, personal towel, change of clothes, hat and biodegradable sunscreen. We recommend carrying some cash for souvenirs and personal expenses.
- Cameras: A fee of approximately $5 USD applies to dedicated video cameras and GoPros and is paid directly at Chacchoben. Tripods and drones are prohibited inside the archaeological zone.
- Wildlife: Wildlife sightings, including spider monkeys and tropical birds, cannot be guaranteed.
- Late Arrivals / No-Shows: Guests who arrive late or fail to show up for their scheduled activity are not eligible for a refund.
- Single kayaks have a maximum weight of 220 lbs; double kayaks have a maximum combined weight of 270 lbs. Children under 10 may kayak when accompanied by a supervising adult and cannot paddle a single kayak alone.
- Guests should be comfortable walking along outdoor trails with occasional rocks, roots and uneven terrain at Chacchoben.
- Transportation vehicles can accommodate foldable/collapsible wheelchairs only. Non-folding wheelchairs cannot be accommodated. Please note that the lagoon portion is not wheelchair accessible due to its natural access points.
- For safety reasons, kayaking is not permitted for pregnant guests. Guests may still enjoy the other lagoon activities.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 397 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
397 verified traveler reviews for Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Fantastic Excursion with Native Choice Tours!
We had a fantastic experience with Native Choice Tours on the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon excursion! Our guide, Joel, and driver, Oswaldo, were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful throughout the day. Exploring the Mayan ruins was fascinating, and the beautiful blue waters of Bacalar Lagoon were the perfect place to relax afterward. Lunch at Holy Margaritas was delicious! A wonderful combination of history, sightseeing, and relaxation. Highly recommend Native Choice Tours when visiting Costa Maya!
via Tripadvisor
50% 50% experience
Ruins were amazing to see in person. Baccular colors not seen well enough from dock but food was delicious.
via Viator
Really Great, funny, and...
Really Great, funny, and friendly. Really good food and tour guide was knowledge. Tour was also safe
via Viator
Fantastic Local Owners Tour
We had a great tour! The driver Edgar and the guide Romeo were fantastic. Super friendly and knowledgeable. We saw the ruins and a Mayan Expert provided so much information about the area and history. We then went on to Bacalar Lagoon where we had a very nice lunch and cocktails. The lagoon was refreshing for our afternoon swim. Kayaks were available but we didn’t use them. This is my second time using this tour group. We were in a small minivan with 17 people vs a massive bus that the cruise line will use.
via Viator
Firendly staff!
Very nice tour, we enjoyed it a lot! friendly staff, we back on time and everything was planned carefully!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $120 to $130
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 139
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Who runs this experience
Operated by Next Experience Travel, who run 79 experiences we rank across 16 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 50.4.
See everything Next Experience Travel runsWhy this scores 82
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Costa Maya.
How much does Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide cost?
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Prices start at $120 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Costa Maya usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide take?
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Plan for about 5.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Costa Maya is not rushed.
Is Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 82 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 397 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Costa Maya, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide?
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Around 139 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Costa Maya can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Costa Maya and add a light layer if any part of the 5.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Costa Maya within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Costa Maya?
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On Outty we rank every Costa Maya experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Chacchoben & Bacalar Combo Excursion Costa Maya, Costa Maya Shore Excursion Chacchoben Day Trip, Chacchoben Mayan Ruins from Costa Maya. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Costa Maya?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Costa Maya?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide?
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Included: Two alcoholic drinks for guests 21+ — beer or select tropical cocktails; Access to Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon; Bottled water; Guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins; and Lagoon amenities — loungers, umbrellas, WiFi & facilities. Not included: $5.00 USD copyright fee for the use of cameras at Chacchoben. This is paid directly at the; Souvenirs; Alcoholic beverages; and Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide?
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Your tour departs one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Meet at Plaza Las Fuentes, just outside the port area. Allow 15 minutes to walk from your ship. Provide your full cruise ship name when booking. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Specialized infant seats are available; Transportation vehicles can accommodate foldable/collapsible wheelchairs only. Non-folding; and For safety reasons, kayaking is not permitted for pregnant guests. Guests may still enjoy. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Costa Maya. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide?
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Across 397 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, food and drink. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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