
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour
Traveler rating
3.7/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour worth booking?
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour is a 5-hour experience in Costa Maya, Mexico, from $109 per person. It scores 51 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.7/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 51 / 100
- Rating
- 3.7/5 (3)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $109 per person
Chacchoben is the heart of this experience — but the journey reveals a little more of Costa Maya along the way. Explore an ancient Maya city surrounded by tropical jungle, walking among temples, ceremonial grounds and plazas as your professional guide brings Chacchoben’s history, beliefs and astronomical knowledge to life. Beyond the ruins, discover small glimpses of the region as you travel. Learn about locally produced honey and traditional salsas, pass through Pedro Santos, a present-day Maya community known for its sweet honey pineapples, and see another side of Maya life beyond the ancient city. Your journey eventually brings you back to the Caribbean coast, with a stop at the Mahahual Lighthouse for views and photos before returning to Costa Maya Port. Come to discover ancient Chacchoben and leave having experienced a little more of Costa Maya along the way.
What you get
About this experience
Chacchoben is the heart of this experience — but the journey reveals a little more of Costa Maya along the way. Explore an ancient Maya city surrounded by tropical jungle, walking among temples, ceremonial grounds and plazas as your professional guide brings Chacchoben’s history, beliefs and astronomical knowledge to life. Beyond the ruins, discover small glimpses of the region as you travel. Learn about locally produced honey and traditional salsas, pass through Pedro Santos, a present-day Maya community known for its sweet honey pineapples, and see another side of Maya life beyond the ancient city. Your journey eventually brings you back to the Caribbean coast, with a stop at the Mahahual Lighthouse for views and photos before returning to Costa Maya Port. Come to discover ancient Chacchoben and leave having experienced a little more of Costa Maya along the way.
What's included
Included
- Beer, juice, soft drinks & bottled water
- Stop at Pedro Santos – Pineapple Village
- Roundtrip Transportation From Costa Maya Port
- Guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
- Brief visit to a local ranch featuring regional honey & salsa production
- Photo stop at Mahahual Lighthouse
- Certified Tour Guide
- Entrance fees to Chacchoben Archaeological Site
- Snacks
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
Pedro Antonio Santos
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, traveling through the landscapes and small communities of southern Quintana Roo. Along the way, make a brief stop at a local roadside ranch to discover how regional honey and traditional salsas are produced, before continuing into the tropical jungle surrounding Chacchoben. At the archaeological site, follow your professional guide through ancient plazas, ceremonial grounds and impressive temples as you discover the history, beliefs and astronomical knowledge of the Maya civilization. Walk the same paths once traveled by the ancient Maya and learn how this remarkable city developed centuries ago. As you explore, discover the jungle’s native flora and keep an eye out for tropical birds and spider monkeys in their natural habitat.
180 minutes here
Pedro Antonio Santos
Leaving Chacchoben behind, continue toward the coast 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 life in a present-day Maya community as you travel through the village and, when available, make a brief stop to discover fresh seasonal fruit, including the region’s famous honey pineapples. Then continue toward Mahahual and the Caribbean coast.
40 minutes here
Playa Mahahual
Return to the Caribbean coast and arrive in Mahahual, the colorful seaside town just outside Costa Maya Port. Make a stop at the Mahahual Lighthouse, one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks, with the Caribbean Sea as your backdrop. Take some time to enjoy the coastal views and capture a few photos before completing your journey back to Costa Maya. After a day exploring ancient Chacchoben and experiencing glimpses of local life along the way, enjoy the short ride from Mahahual back to the cruise port.
80 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
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Departure Time: Your tour departs one hour after your cruise arrives at Costa Maya Port.
- Please note that the total walking time from your cruise ship to the meeting point is about 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.
- No Port, No Pay: If your cruise ship does not call at Costa Maya Port, you will receive a full refund.
- Meeting Point: Please note that the total walking time from your cruise ship to the meeting point is approximately 15 minutes.
- Alcoholic beverages are served only to guests 18 years of age or older. Please drink responsibly and in moderation throughout the tour.
- 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.
- Wildlife: Chacchoben is surrounded by a natural jungle environment. Sightings of spider monkeys, tropical birds and other wildlife cannot be guaranteed.
- What to Bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen and some cash for fresh fruit, souvenirs and other personal purchases.
- 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.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Knowledge and storytelling
1 mentionReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Good for families
1 mentionReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
1 mentionThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Buyer Beware!!!
I would not recommend this company. The tour is advertised as a combo with the ruins and the lighthouse however, the tour operator will decide whether they will include the lighthouse, and you will not be compensated for the difference. If there was a way for me to include the email response that the tour operator sent to Viator, I would do so. As the tour operator shared their thoughts on what a combo tour means to them (the combo is optional, as long as you go to the ruins, they can delete the rest of the tour). I'm sure the tour operator will respond to my review and try to dispute their deceptive marketing practices and they will also try to blame me the consumer to cover for themselves. But if you are like most tourists, you have worked hard to be able to take yourself, as well as your family on vacation and the money that you spend has value. As a consumer I am aware of the risks involved when booking excursion reservations with companies such as Chak Ek, so I take responsibility for my loss. But if I can take my experience and share it to help prevent other hard working tourists from being deceived and uncompensated, please proceed with caution with this tour operator. I have nothing to gain from this review. Hopefully it will prevent others from having this experience. The Chacchoben Ruins are amazing just use a different tour operator or better yet, don't book in advance there are lots of taxi drivers that are willing to take you wherever you request, without deception. Buyer Beware!
Response from the operator: Hi Stephanie, Thank you for choosing Next Experience Travel for your day in Costa Maya, and we're sorry the tour didn't feel like what you expected. Our Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mahahual Lighthouse tour includes both stops as described in the listing, and we'd really like to understand what happened on your day. Please reach out to us through Viator or on WhatsApp so we can look into it with you directly. Kind regards, Next Experience Travel
via Viator
Most enjoyable
We loved the itinerary. Perfect for us. Combination of the zoo and the local rum and chocolate tastings was just right. Being on a private tour afforded us the luxury of choosing how long we wanted to spend at each attraction. So when it started to rain we opted out of the beach portion of the tour and instead toured Roatan . Our tour guide was very flexible and accommodating. Samantha had a great knowledge of the sights and spoke English very well so she could describe everything to our understanding. We would definitely recommend her as a tour guide and this tour in particular. Thanks for making our trip to Roatan a memorable one.
Response from the operator: Hi there, Thank you for sharing your experience and for your kind words for your guide. We're glad the itinerary, the tastings and the freedom of a private tour made it perfect for you, and that you could adjust your day when the rain came. We hope to welcome you in Costa Maya or in any of our destinations for another memorable day. Warm regards, Next Experience Travel
via Tripadvisor
Frank the local guide was great. Its a drive out there but so worth it ! Go!!
Frank, my local tour guide, was great. A +, he lives in one of the neighboring small towns, pop: 800 but he grew up in California so his english was perfect. It's a drive out to the Mayan ruins sites but he made it pleasant. The site itself was beautiful and so well kept. The sites were great and easy to navigate. I wasn't feeling great so we skipped the lighthouse. Getting connected was a challenge. The compony says they will meet "one hour after ship arrival" but passengers dont know when the ship actually arrives. I walked out and looked and luckily another company asked if they could help me. I exited the entire "port area" and the local authorities were helpful in guiding me. Another tour company said "yes, go around the corner for Chek Ken". everyone was helpful. When I got to right area finally, Frank (Francisco) was right there and the first words he said was "you're early!" A little bit of extra work but worth it. Maybe for each of these local tours give a number to call when we are off the boat since we arrived early. Just a thought. Worth everyone I interacted with was so nice and helpful.
Response from the operator: Hi Matt, We’re thrilled you had a great time exploring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with us during your cruise on MSC World America! It’s wonderful to hear that Frank made your day enjoyable and that you loved the beauty and history of the site. We really appreciate your feedback about the meeting process—we’ll definitely take it into consideration to improve the experience for future guests. Thanks for choosing us to spend your day in Costa Maya in the beautiful Caribbean! We’d love to see your amazing photos and stories—feel free to tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel so other travelers can be inspired too! We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon! Warm regards, The Next Experience Travel Team 🌴
via Viator
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 51
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Costa Maya.
How much does Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour cost?
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Prices start at $109 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 & Mahahual Lighthouse 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 & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 51 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.7/5 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 & Mahahual Lighthouse 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 & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
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 & Mahahual Lighthouse 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?
+
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 & Mahahual Lighthouse 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?
+
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 & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour?
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Included: Beer, juice, soft drinks & bottled water; Stop at Pedro Santos – Pineapple Village; Roundtrip Transportation From Costa Maya Port; Guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins; and Brief visit to a local ranch featuring regional honey & salsa production. 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 & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour?
+
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 & Mahahual Lighthouse 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 & Mahahual Lighthouse 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 & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: 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 & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour if the weather is bad?
+
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 & Mahahual Lighthouse Tour?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 3.7 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, value for money, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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