Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour worth booking?
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour is a 5-hour experience in Costa Maya, Mexico, from $219 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $219 per person
Three sides of Costa Maya in one adventure. Step into the ancient Maya world at Chacchoben, experience a glimpse of local life as you travel through Pedro Santos’ Pineapple Village, then take to the turquoise waters of Bacalar’s Seven Color Lagoon. Explore Chacchoben with your professional guide, walking among ancient temples and ceremonial grounds surrounded by tropical jungle while discovering the history, beliefs and astronomical knowledge of the Maya civilization. Then experience Bacalar from the water aboard a comfortable pontoon boat. Cruise across its brilliant shades of blue with an open bar, discover the legendary Pirate Channel, and jump into the lagoon for a refreshing swim. Complete the experience with a traditional Mexican meal at a local restaurant, discovering regional flavors and spices after your time on the water. Ancient temples, a living Maya community and a lagoon once traveled by pirates — all woven into one day in Costa Maya.
What you get
About this experience
Three sides of Costa Maya in one adventure. Step into the ancient Maya world at Chacchoben, experience a glimpse of local life as you travel through Pedro Santos’ Pineapple Village, then take to the turquoise waters of Bacalar’s Seven Color Lagoon. Explore Chacchoben with your professional guide, walking among ancient temples and ceremonial grounds surrounded by tropical jungle while discovering the history, beliefs and astronomical knowledge of the Maya civilization. Then experience Bacalar from the water aboard a comfortable pontoon boat. Cruise across its brilliant shades of blue with an open bar, discover the legendary Pirate Channel, and jump into the lagoon for a refreshing swim. Complete the experience with a traditional Mexican meal at a local restaurant, discovering regional flavors and spices after your time on the water. Ancient temples, a living Maya community and a lagoon once traveled by pirates — all woven into one day in Costa Maya.
What's included
Included
- Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon pontoon boat tour
- Fresh fruit & snacks
- Guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
- Life vests
- Traditional Mexican lunch at a local restaurant
- Certified Tour Guide
- Entrance fees to Chacchoben Archaeological Site
- Roundtrip transportation from Costa Maya in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Open bar — beer, tequila, soft drinks & water
Not included
- Gratuities
- $5 USD fee for the use of cameras in the Mayan City. This fee is paid directly at the site.
What you'll see and do
Zona Arqueologica De Chacchoben
Your adventure begins one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Meet your guide and enjoy the approximately 50-minute drive to Chacchoben, an ancient Maya city surrounded by tropical jungle. Follow your professional guide through ancient plazas, ceremonial grounds and impressive temples while discovering the history, beliefs and astronomical knowledge of the Maya civilization. Walk the same paths once traveled by the ancient Maya as your guide brings the stories and secrets of Chacchoben to life. Along the way, learn about the jungle’s native flora and keep an eye out for tropical birds and spider monkeys in their natural habitat before continuing toward Bacalar.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Pedro Antonio Santos
On your way to Bacalar, travel through Pedro Santos, a lively Maya community affectionately known as Pineapple Village, famous for the exceptionally sweet honey pineapples grown in the area. Enjoy a glimpse of everyday local life as you pass through the village and, when timing allows, make a brief stop to discover fresh seasonal fruit, including the region’s famous honey pineapples, before continuing toward Bacalar’s Seven Color Lagoon.
30 minutes here
Lago Bacalar (Lake of the Seven Colors)
Continue to Bacalar’s spectacular Seven Color Lagoon, where brilliant shades of turquoise and blue welcome you to one of Mexico’s most beautiful freshwater lagoons. Board a comfortable pontoon boat and cruise across the lagoon, discovering its changing shades of blue as your guide shares the stories and history of Bacalar. Enjoy an open bar with beer, tequila, soft drinks and water as you take in the views along the way. Visit the famous Pirate Channel, once navigated by pirates traveling through the region, and stop for a refreshing swim in the lagoon’s clear freshwater. Back on shore, enjoy a traditional Mexican meal at a local restaurant, prepared with regional ingredients and spices. Discover local flavors and sauces while relaxing after your time on the water. After a day of ancient Maya history, Pineapple Village and the turquoise waters of Bacalar, sit back and enjoy the scenic journey of just over an hour back to Costa Maya, with plenty of time to return to your cruise.
150 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Costa Maya
Please provide your ship name and arrival time when booking. Meet at Costa Maya Yellow Cab, about a 15-minute walk outside the port complex. Your guide will hold a sign with your name. The tour departs one hour after ship arrival, so please allow enough time to reach the meeting point.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please provide your ship name and arrival time when booking. Meet at Costa Maya Yellow Cab, about a 15-minute walk outside the port complex. Your guide will hold a sign with your name. The tour departs one hour after ship arrival, so please allow enough time to reach the meeting point.
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 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Next Experience Travel
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- Your tour departs one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port. Meet your guide at Costa Maya Yellow Cab, just outside the port area.
- Meeting Point: Please note that the total walking time from your cruise ship to the meeting point is approximately 15 minutes.
- Cruise Ship Information: Cruise ship guests must provide the full name of their cruise ship when booking. This information is required to coordinate your tour with the ship’s arrival and departure schedule.
- Cruise Schedule: Your cruise ship must remain in Costa Maya Port for at least 7 hours to participate in this tour.
- No Port, No Pay: If your cruise ship does not call at Costa Maya Port, you will receive a full refund.
- Alcoholic beverages are served only to guests 18 years of age or older. Please drink responsibly and in moderation throughout the tour.
- Weather: This tour operates rain or shine. Please check the forecast and dress appropriately for the day’s weather.
- Wildlife: Chacchoben is surrounded by a natural jungle environment. Sightings of spider monkeys, tropical birds and other wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
- Pineapple Village: Fresh seasonal fruit and the brief stop in Pedro Santos are subject to availability and tour timing.
- What to Bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a swimsuit, personal towel, change of clothes, hat and sunscreen. We also recommend bringing some cash for personal expenses.
- Cameras & Tripods: A fee of approximately $5 USD applies to dedicated video cameras and is paid directly at Chacchoben. Tripods are not permitted inside the archaeological site.
- Late Arrivals / No-Shows: Guests who arrive late or fail to show up for their scheduled activity are not eligible for a refund.
- Chacchoben is an outdoor archaeological site. Guests should be comfortable walking along jungle trails with occasional rocks, roots and uneven terrain.
- Water Activities: Guests who wish to swim should be comfortable entering and exiting the water from the pontoon boat. Life vests are provided.
Photos
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Mayan ruins and Bacalar
We had a great time. Our driver and guide were friendly and vey knowledgeable. The Mayan ruins were much more than we expected. Definitely a must see at Costa Maya. But the beauty of Bacalar was beyond belief. The boat operator was also very attentive. He drop us off at a point where we could go swim. They served us local mango and pineapple with tajin right there in the water. And the beer and tequila kept flowing. Just Perfect.
Response from the operator: Hi 444Wilfr, We’re thrilled to hear you had such a fantastic time exploring Chacchoben and Bacalar with us during your Carnival Jubilee stop in Costa Maya! It sounds like our amazing team—and that local fruit and tequila combo—made your day unforgettable. We couldn’t agree more: Bacalar’s beauty is truly next level! Thank you for choosing to spend your day in the Mexican Caribbean with us. Be sure to share your favorite moments and tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel—we’d love to see them and inspire more travelers just like you! See you on your next adventure! Warm regards, The Next Experience Travel Team🌴
via Tripadvisor
Amazing and beautiful sites
The tour company was great. Well organized, hospitable, knowledgable, and Juan as our guide really made the trip. His enthusiasm really made it a party, especially on the boat on the lagoon. The ruins were amazing, and the lagoon was beautiful. We shared a van and boat with two other families. The only down side is that the ruins are so popular, each tour group has a time limit to help control the crowds, which means you end up hustling through it pretty quick. There’s only so much you can expect from something so amazing and swamped with so many people eager to see it. Again though, Juan and the group were great and really helped make the experience.
Response from the operator: Hi Alex C, We’re so happy to hear you had an amazing time with us at Chacchoben and Bacalar! It’s great to know Juan’s energy made it feel like a party—especially on the lagoon! Thanks for choosing to spend your day in Costa Maya with us during your MSC Seashore cruise stop in the beautiful Mexican Caribbean. We’d love to see your photos and hear more about your adventure—feel free to tag us on Instagram and Facebook @NextExperienceTravel so other travelers can experience the magic too! Hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon! 🌴☀️ Tropical regards, The Next Experience Travel Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
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 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Costa Maya.
How much does Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour cost?
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Prices start at $219 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 Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour take?
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Plan for about 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 Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 3 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 Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour?
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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 Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour?
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Around 1 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-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour 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 Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour?
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Included: Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon pontoon boat tour; Fresh fruit & snacks; Guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins; Life vests; and Traditional Mexican lunch at a local restaurant. Not included: Gratuities; and $5 USD fee for the use of cameras in the Mayan City. This fee is paid directly at the site. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour?
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Please provide your ship name and arrival time when booking. Meet at Costa Maya Yellow Cab, about a 15-minute walk outside the port complex. Your guide will hold a sign with your name. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour 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 Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour?
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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 Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon Boat Tour 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.
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