Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 9 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon worth booking?
Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon is a 5.5-hour experience in Costa Maya, Mexico, from $125 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 9 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 62 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (9)
- Duration
- 5.5 hours
- From
- $125 per person
Discover two of the area’s favorite destinations in one Costa Maya shore excursion! Start your day exploring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, an ancient Maya site surrounded by tropical jungle. Walk among temples and ceremoni
What you get
About this experience
Discover two of the area’s favorite destinations in one Costa Maya shore excursion! Start your day exploring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, an ancient Maya site surrounded by tropical jungle. Walk among temples and ceremonial structures while your guide shares the history of Chacchoben and the Mayan civilization that once called this region home. After exploring the ruins, continue to Bacalar Lagoon, the famous Lagoon of Seven Colors, where it’s time to relax. Swim in its refreshing waters, enjoy a complimentary kayak, or simply sit back and take in the view. While at the lagoon, enjoy fajitas and a refreshing drink before heading back to Costa Maya. This shore excursion combines two of the region’s highlights—Mayan history and the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon—in a single day.
What's included
Included
- Two alcoholic drinks for guests 21+
- Kayaks and life jackets
- Entrance fees and tickets to Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
- Access to Bacalar Seven Color Lagoon with loungers and facilities
- Round-trip transportation from Costa Maya in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Guided tour of Chacchoben Mayan Ruins
- Lunch by the Bacalar Lagoon with refreshing aguas frescas — Horchata, Hibiscus & Iced Tea included
- Certified tour guide
Not included
- $5.00 USD copyright fee for the use of cameras at Chacchoben. This is paid directly at the site.
- Souvenirs
- Gratuities
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Zona Arqueologica De Chacchoben
Your adventure begins one hour after your cruise ship arrives in port, giving you enough time to disembark and make your way to the meeting point. Travel from Costa Maya into the tropical jungle to explore the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, an ancient Maya city dating back to around 200 BC. Follow your guide through the archaeological site as you discover impressive temples and ceremonial structures while learning about the history and culture of the Maya civilization. Along the way, experience the surrounding jungle and keep an eye out for the native flora and wildlife that make Chacchoben much more than an archaeological visit.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Lake Bacalar
After exploring Chacchoben, continue your journey to Bacalar Lagoon, located approximately 30 minutes from the archaeological site. Visit Bacalar Lagoon, the famous Lagoon of Seven Colors, once a strategic route and haven for pirates. Enjoy time to swim in its refreshing waters, use one of the complimentary kayaks when available, or simply relax by the lagoon and take in the views. During your visit, enjoy delicious fajitas and a refreshing drink by the water before beginning the journey back to Costa Maya. Así queda mucho más transparente: Costa Maya → traslado a Chacchoben → visita → traslado a Bacalar → visita → regreso a Costa Maya.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Costa Maya
Your tour will depart 1 hour after your cruise docks, starting from the conveniently located Plaza Las Fuentes, just outside the Port. Please consider the total time to walk from your cruise to the excursion office is about 15 minutes.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Your tour will depart 1 hour after your cruise docks, starting from the conveniently located Plaza Las Fuentes, just outside the Port. Please consider the total time to walk from your cruise to the excursion office is about 15 minutes.
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
- Caribbean Shore Excursions
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
- The use of tripods and drones are prohibited at the Mayan City.
- Travel time is included with the total tour duration.
- This tour operates rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, operations may be modified or canceled to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests.
- 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 surrounded by natural vegetation and wildlife. Tropical birds and other animals may be seen during your visit, but wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
- Climbing the archaeological temples is not permitted.
- Life jackets are required and provided for all water activities. Water activities may be restricted by local authorities due to wind, lightning, or other unsafe weather conditions.
- Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available upon request. Please provide dietary requirements at the time of booking so they can be prepared in advance.
- Bring a swimsuit, towel, comfortable walking shoes, hat, and biodegradable sunscreen. Extra cash is recommended for souvenirs or personal purchases.
- No Port, No Pay! If your cruise ship doesn’t call at the port, you’ll receive a 100% full refund guaranteed.
- Weight limit for a single kayak is 220 pounds or 270 pounds for a double kayak
- Wheelchairs: Transportation vehicles can accommodate foldable wheelchairs only. Vehicles are not wheelchair-adapted, and non-folding wheelchairs cannot be accommodated.
- Guests should be comfortable walking on outdoor paths and trails that may include rocks, roots, and uneven surfaces. Swimming and kayaking require a moderate level of physical fitness.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 9 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
9 verified traveler reviews for Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Phenomenal Experience
This excursion was fantastic!! The tour of the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins was wonderfully organized, extremely interesting, and incredibly informative. The visit to the lagoon was a delightful break that included our lunch and drinks, and several members of our group swam and a few even kayaked. Our driver Edgar was polite and efficient, and our tour guide Edder was simply amazing, knowledgeable and kind.
via Viator
Highly Recommend
The tour guide at the ruins was so informative. The driver and guide on the bus were helpful and kind. Loved ending the day at the lagoon and the lunch was delicious!
via Viator
Excellent Tour with a Few Bus Comfort Issues
Overall, the tour was excellent. The only downsides were the bus's air conditioning and the restroom. Although the A/C was on, it barely made a difference, and the bus became very hot during the trip. Since the ride was about an hour each way, the heat made the journey somewhat uncomfortable. In addition, the restroom on the bus had no running water, so it couldn't be used, which was inconvenient during such a long ride. Other than that, everything was outstanding. The tour guides were incredibly friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable. They made the experience enjoyable, informative, and well organized. I would definitely recommend this tour, and addressing the air conditioning and restroom issues would make the experience even better.
via Viator
Eliot was so friendly and...
Eliot was so friendly and informational! We loved learning ancient Mayan history, facts about the language, and facts about the area! We enjoyed the Mayan city, the food was great, and the lagoon was beautiful. I liked that we had a small group but I do wish we had a little more time at both places. Heriberto and Diego were also great!
via Viator
Fascinating adventure!
The meeting point was a little unclear. Even with a map, the tour company on Viator did not match the tour company's meeting place. We checked with them and we were on the list. It worked out great. We were in a bus that held about 15 people. Maggie was our tour guide and she taught us about the local people and places. She had a tablet to show us pictures. We loved how she taught and treated us. Manuel was our driver. We felt so safe with him driving. They both were kind and wonderful. Our first stop was to the Chacchoben Mayan ruins. Our guide there was Joel. He did a wonderful job explaining how they were built, why they were built and the sensitive topic of Mayan human sacrifice. I learned so much and was fascinated by the sight. They provided water mid tour. Our second stop was to Bacalar or the lagoon. We had a wonderful lunch of Mayan tacos. We were seated under a beautiful pavillion. We could eat as much as we wanted to. There were four different varieties and they were all delicious. We also had pico. Drinks were included in our tour. There we could also enjoy kayaks on the lagoon. It was a bit stormy but a little rain didn't stop us. It was beautiful. Maggie told us the lagoon has 7 different colors but because of the clouds, we could only see about 3. We headed back to port. It took about 1 hour 15 minutes to get there. Manuel was amazing in the pouring rain. We made it back to port with about an hour to spare. Never felt rushed or worried about missing the boarding time. We loved our tour and felt safe and taken care of the whole time.
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
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 62
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Costa Maya.
How much does Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon cost?
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Prices start at $125 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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon 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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 9 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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon?
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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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon 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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon?
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Around 3 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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon 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, Bacalar – 7 Colors Lagoon Excursión 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.
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