
Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon
Traveler rating
4.4/5
Based on 35 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 6-hour experience in Costa Maya, Mexico, from $144 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.4/5 rating across 35 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.4/5 (35)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $144 per person
Get ready for an adventure that combines history, culture, and nature at their finest. You won’t just visit the impressive Chacchoben Archaeological Site —you’ll immerse yourself in the heart of the ancient Mayan civilization. Our expert guides will lead you through sacred temples and thousand-year-old structures, revealing stories, legends, and secrets that turn every stone into a portal to the past. But the adventure doesn’t end there… the stunning Bacalar Lagoon awaits —a natural paradise famous for its seven shades of blue. You’ll board a comfortable pontoon boat and enjoy a relaxing ride across its crystal-clear waters, exploring its channels and cenotes. This tour is designed especially for cruise passengers, with schedules tailored to your itinerary and a back-to-ship guarantee. With personalized attention, certified guides, and an experience crafted for you to enjoy every moment… Explore, discover, and live the Caribbean like never before.
What you get
About this experience
Get ready for an adventure that combines history, culture, and nature at their finest. You won’t just visit the impressive Chacchoben Archaeological Site —you’ll immerse yourself in the heart of the ancient Mayan civilization. Our expert guides will lead you through sacred temples and thousand-year-old structures, revealing stories, legends, and secrets that turn every stone into a portal to the past. But the adventure doesn’t end there… the stunning Bacalar Lagoon awaits —a natural paradise famous for its seven shades of blue. You’ll board a comfortable pontoon boat and enjoy a relaxing ride across its crystal-clear waters, exploring its channels and cenotes. This tour is designed especially for cruise passengers, with schedules tailored to your itinerary and a back-to-ship guarantee. With personalized attention, certified guides, and an experience crafted for you to enjoy every moment… Explore, discover, and live the Caribbean like never before.
What's included
Included
- Guaranteed return to the ship on your schedule
- Entrance to the Chacchoben Archaeological Site
- Drinks included (Water, soft drinks, and beer)
- Pontoon Boat Ride on Bacalar Lagoon
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Traveler Insurance
- Brunch
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Zona Arqueologica De Chacchoben
The Chacchoben archaeological site, whose name means “Place of the Red Corn” in the Mayan language, was an important ceremonial and political center during the Classic period. Surrounded by lush tropical jungle, its stepped temples and sacred plazas tell centuries of history and transport you to the greatness of the ancient Mayan civilization. Walk for an hour among thousand-year-old temples surrounded by tropical jungle and discover the legacy of a legendary civilization. Our expert guides will bring its history, culture, and traditions to life.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Lago Bacalar (Lake of the Seven Colors)
Discover the magical Bacalar Lagoon, known as the “Lagoon of Seven Colors”, on an exclusive excursion designed for cruise passengers arriving at Costa Maya Port. This natural paradise is famous for its vibrant turquoise blue tones, its peaceful atmosphere, and landscapes that look like they were taken from a dream. Enjoy a scenic transfer to this unique destination and embark on a comfortable pontoon boat ride to explore its most iconic spots: Pirates Channel, Cenote Negro, and Cenote Esmeralda, where the shallow, crystal-clear waters invite you to swim, relax, and connect with nature. During the tour, you’ll have free time to float, cool off, and capture breathtaking photos with the lagoon as your perfect backdrop. The tour includes the boat ride, local guide, life vests, drinks, tequila tasting, and a delicious traditional Mexican lunch by the water. An authentic, relaxing, and magical experience.
90 minutes here · Admission included
Pedro Antonio Santos
On the way, we’ll make a stop at Pedro Santos Pineapple Town, a colorful and picturesque place where you can taste the freshest and sweetest pineapple in the region.
10 minutes here
Mahahual
Optionally, we’ll visit the Mahahual lighthouse, one of the most iconic landmarks of this coastal town. Finally, we’ll take you back to the port entrance, ensuring you return on time and without any hassle to board your cruise. History, nature, and Caribbean paradise… all in one unforgettable day.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Costa Maya
Head to the meeting point just a few meters from Costa Maya Port. Our team will be waiting for you with a sign with your name to check you in and take you in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with drinks and beer to the Chacchoben Archaeological Site and the stunning Bacalar Seven Colors Lagoon.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Head to the meeting point just a few meters from Costa Maya Port. Our team will be waiting for you with a sign with your name to check you in and take you in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with drinks and beer to the Chacchoben Archaeological Site and the stunning Bacalar Seven Colors Lagoon.
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
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 30 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tours Naturaleza Bacalar
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Remember to wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and water during your visit. Also, please respect the site’s rules and regulations to help preserve this important heritage.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 35 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
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
4 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
35 verified traveler reviews for Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Totally recommend
Great experience!!! The pantoon was awesome and the seven color Bacalar lagoon is amazing!! Jocelyn is so nice and informative Ankino (sorry about the spelling) was a fabulous driver and got us to and from on time. Note: only downfall was we couldn’t do the chacchoben ruins - however they were very upfront and gave us a refund.
Response from the operator: 💚 It brings us so much joy to know that you enjoyed your experience at Naturaleza Bacalar. We sincerely appreciate your trust and the time you took to leave us a review. 🌿✨ We look forward to welcoming you back again very soon!
via Viator
Highly Recommended Experiences
We cannot say enough about how terrific our day was at Costa Maya thanks to our tour operator, Tours Naturaleza (Nature Tours). Before and up to the day of the excursion, the owner, Andres, reached out to us to ensure that we could have any questions or concerns answered. He was super responsive to our questions about the activities, travel times, etc. Our tour guide for the excursion, Xiomara, was fantastic! She was friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating, and very mindful of the timing of the activities and the early return to the ship. On our way to the Chachoben Mayan Ruins, she shared information and illustrations of the history and geography of the Costa Maya/Mahahual region, and the Mexican Riviera to the north, Costa Maya's culture, agriculture, wildlife, ect. We even stopped along the road to pick up a fresh pineapple. At the ruins, she was incredibly informative of the history and culture of the Mayan population, including class distinctions, and the purposes, uses, and manner of building and situating temples and houses evidenced by the ruins. Xiomara was just as informative about the natural formations and distinctions among the cenotes at the Bacalar fresh water lagoon, which contributed to the 7 colors of the lagoon. We rode a pantoon on the lake and over the cenotes. denotes. got a chance to go in the water and eat the fresh pineapple at the lagoon. We then were taken to an authentic Mexican restaurant, where we were expected and served promptly. The food and drinks were great! Overall, every activity was well planned/organized, safe, comfortable, informative, and remarkably enjoyable. We were well taken care of by all of the Naturaleza Tour staff.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that our guides were friendly, helpful, and made your experience so much fun. For us, taking care of our guests goes beyond providing a great excursion—we also understand how important it is for cruise passengers to enjoy their day without worrying about missing the ship. We’re especially happy to know that you returned to the ship on time and could enjoy your experience with complete peace of mind. Thank you for choosing us to discover Bacalar, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next visit to Costa Maya! Warm regards, The Team
via Viator
Although I would have...
Although I would have loved to swim for longer in the beautiful Bacalar Lagoon, I'm very glad we chose to also tour the Mayan Ruins. Great tour, amazing tour guide!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that our guides were friendly, helpful, and made your experience so much fun. For us, taking care of our guests goes beyond providing a great excursion—we also understand how important it is for cruise passengers to enjoy their day without worrying about missing the ship. We’re especially happy to know that you returned to the ship on time and could enjoy your experience with complete peace of mind. Thank you for choosing us to discover Bacalar, and we hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on your next visit to Costa Maya! Warm regards, The Team
via Viator
Excellent cultural and experience
Siomara (our guide) and Isaac (driver) were both polite, engaging, and professional. Answered any questions we had and was always looking out for us, especially when we needed to be back at the port. Would highly recommend, just wished we had more time.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful experience! We’re thrilled to hear that Siomara and Isaac made you feel well taken care of throughout your excursion. Their professionalism, attentiveness, and genuine care for our guests are exactly what we strive for every day. We’re especially glad they kept a close eye on your schedule and made sure you were able to return to the port on time. We understand how important that peace of mind is when you’re traveling by cruise ship. We also completely understand wishing you had more time! Bacalar has so much beauty to enjoy that the day can go by very quickly. We hope you’ll have the opportunity to visit us again someday and spend even more time enjoying this incredible destination. Thank you for recommending us, and we’ll be sure to share your kind words with Siomara and Isaac! Warm regards, The Team
via Tripadvisor
Great excursion!
Great excursion for families! We all had a lovely time! Our driver Hakino and tour guide Saul we both amazing, friendly and very informative! Highly recommend this tour especially for families with little kids! The Lagoon is beautiful and shallow enough for my 5 year old! Make sure to wear swimwear underneath clothing.
Response from the operator: Great excursion for families! We all had a lovely time! Our driver Aquino and tour guide Saul we both amazing, friendly and very informative! Highly recommend this tour especially for families with little kids! The Lagoon is beautiful and shallow enough for my 5 year old! Make sure to wear swimwear underneath clothing.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $144 to $180
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 12
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Tours Naturaleza Bacalar, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 65.6.
See everything Tours Naturaleza Bacalar runsWhy this scores 63
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 $144 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 6 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 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.4/5 across 35 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 6-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 12 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 6-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, 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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon?
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Included: Guaranteed return to the ship on your schedule; Entrance to the Chacchoben Archaeological Site; Drinks included (Water, soft drinks, and beer); Pontoon Boat Ride on Bacalar Lagoon; and Snacks. Not included: Gratuities. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon?
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Head to the meeting point just a few meters from Costa Maya Port. Our team will be waiting for you with a sign with your name to check you in and take you in a comfortable. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon 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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon?
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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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; and Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon 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 Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon?
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Across 35 reviews averaging 4.4 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, organization. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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