Chacchoben Mayan Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon with Certified Guide

A person walking towards a large ancient stone structure. 1

A coastal landscape with a large body of water, a small island, and a sailboat. 2

By Next Experience Travel

Exceptional

Free cancellation available

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Features

Free cancellation available
5h 30m
Mobile voucher
Instant confirmation
Multiple languages

Overview

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.

Activity location

Zona Arqueologica De Chaachoben
- Zona Arqueologica de Chacchoben
- 77926, Chacchoben, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Meeting/Redemption Point

Av. P.º del Puerto 1180
- 1180 Avenida Paseo del Puerto
- 77976, Mahahual, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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Dates

Travelers

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What's included, what's not

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
$5.00 USD copyright fee for the use of cameras at Chacchoben. This is paid directly at the site.
Souvenirs
Premium alcoholic beverages & additional cocktails
Gratuities

Know before you book

- 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.

Activity itinerary

Zona Arqueologica De Chaachoben

2h 25m
Admission ticket included

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.

Lake Bacalar

3h 5m
Admission ticket included

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.

Location

Activity location

Zona Arqueologica De Chaachoben
- Zona Arqueologica de Chacchoben
- 77926, Chacchoben, Quintana Roo, Mexico

Meeting/Redemption Point

Av. P.º del Puerto 1180
- 1180 Avenida Paseo del Puerto
- 77976, Mahahual, Quintana Roo, Mexico

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