Costa Maya

Costa Maya trip ideas

Costa Maya Shore Excursion: Chacchoben Day Trip

Badge of ExcellenceCosta Maya, Mexico

3 hours 30 minutes
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Disembark your cruise ship at the port of Casa Maya and embark on a shore excursion to the ancient Mayan city of Chacchoben. Discover the mystifying archeological site as you admire colossal pyramids and sacred temples that were only discovered in the late 20th century. Experience the diverse wildlife of the surrounding jungle as your knowledgeable guide offers a captivating commentary of the atmospheric ruins. Round-trip transport from the port in an air-conditioned minivan is included in the tour.

Sightseeing shore excursion of Chacchoben from Costa Maya
Drive deep into the jungle where the Mayan city once lay buried under foliage
Walk around the archeological ruins of Chacchoben
See several reconstructed temple pyramids and a stela with Mayan hieroglyphics
Spot native plants and animals like howler monkeys and armadillos
Covered by Viator's worry-free policy: guaranteed on-time return to your ship

What's Included

Local English- and Spanish-speaking guide
Bottled water and soda
Port pickup and drop-off
Worry-free Shore Excursion guarantee
All Fees and Taxes

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

Av. P.º del Puerto 1300, Nuevo, 77976 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
After disembarking, find the exit to the shopping facilities of the cruise port. Pass the parking lot and taxis. Our office is located one block outside of the port facilities. In the right side of a really big mayan pyramid replica.

Pickup point

Costa Maya Port, Mexico

Start time

Opening hours

1/1/2024 - 12/31/2024

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

Our tours start one hour after disembarking time of your cruise ship . Our check in office is located one block outside of the Cruise Ship Terminal. On the right side of a really big mayan pyramid replica.

What To Expect

Meet your driver at the port of Costa Maya and begin your archeological odyssey to the ruins of Chacchoben. Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned minivan, sipping complimentary bottled water for the journey until you reach your intriguing destination in the heart of the verdant jungle. Greet your professional archeologist guide and circumvent the site as the significance of the city’s excavated temples, pointed pyramids, and ancient walls are explained.

Gain insight into the mysteries of the Mayans as your guide unravels the history of a civilization that dates back to the pre-Classic period of 200BC; hear about how the ruins were discovered by local farmers in 1970 and learn about the complex archeological techniques employed to excavate the structures. Note the red pigment used to decorate the temples and decipher the enigmatic hieroglyphics at the base of the principal pyramid.

Immerse yourself in the atmospheric splendor of the jungle as you awaken your senses to the sights and sounds of nature. Identify fascinating flora and fauna as your guide shares insightful knowledge, listening and looking out for howler monkeys, toucans, armadillos, spider monkeys, and gray foxes. Gasp as you learn of the nearby presence of jaguars, pumas, and tapirs.

Peruse the gift shop for special souvenirs before returning to the port in your comfortable and air-conditioned transportation.

Worry-free Shore Excursion:

We will ensure your timely return to the Costa Maya cruise port for this activity. In the rare event your ship has departed, we will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call. If your ship is delayed and you are unable to attend this activity, your money will be refunded. See our terms and conditions for full details.

Zona Arqueologica De Chaachoben

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible

No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 50 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

Filter by:

Q:Where is the meeting point?

A:After disembarking find the exit of the shopping complex and parking lot of the Cruise Terminal. We are located half block outside of the first security gate of the Cruise Terminal. On the left side walk, passed the yellow taxis. Please look for MAYAN TRIPS signs and we will have a slate with your name.

Jul 2019

Q:What is the meeting time?

A:Our tours to Chacchoben depart approximately one hour after your ship docks. Please be at check in office 10 minutes prior to departure.

Jul 2019

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

894 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 894 reviews

Amazing tour- yes you can climb (but just to a point) HIGLY RECCOMEND!

Brittany_A, Apr 2024

Our tour guide Rafael was AMAZING!! Our tour group was small- just my husband and myself and another couple- and I was so grateful after seeing the other tour sizes. We had an incredible experience and our guide was incredibly friendly. He told us so much about the history of the area, the plants and animals of the area, and gave us a literal taste of the local life by sharing some incredible honey pineapple. I couldn’t be happier that I booked with them, and even happier than I saved money by not booking through our cruise line! Octavio greeted us and also gave us great history of the area while we waited for the other couple arrive. I would recommend this tour of this beautiful area over and over again.

Amazing ! Don’t hesitate to book!

Eve_U, Apr 2024

Rafael was an excellent tour guide. He went out of his way to teach us the history of this beautiful archaeological site. He truly loves his county and it shows how he talks about every aspect of it with passion. It was a very nice touch that he stopped on the way back for complimentary honey pineapples & local empanadas. Honestly the best I have ever had! Highly recommend this local tour. Felt super safe and comfortable with him.

Great trip to the ruins

Lexi_S, Apr 2024

Fantastic trip. The ruins are great. The staff were helpful and accommodating to kids. We saw lots of monkeys at the ruins as well. Great trip. Walking to the check in point from the cruise port was super easy and they had sent a map to help you know where to go. Lovely ice cream place right next to the pick up place as well.

Ruin review

Deborah_A, Apr 2024

Octavia did an excellent job of the history and explaining the history of the ruins. He was kind and caring about his tour needs. We recommend this tour. And it was a small group, unlike the cruise groups.

Awesome!

margarette, Apr 2024

Raphael, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and made sure that we all had a good time answered all of our questions made sure we were very hydrated as it was very warm. Took us to try some honey pineapple which was delicious. We really enjoyed the small group tour

Awesome tour

Ben_s, Apr 2024

Great experience. Excellent guide. Great value. Easy to find the tour start location. Would recommend.

Mayan

emiley_s, Apr 2024

Octavio was a great guide. He was well informed and was very kind to our family and younger kids. We will be back again

Really wonderful tour!

Casey_C, Apr 2024

Very professional, educational, and entertaining tour. We had a great time on our tour; Raphael was knowledgeable, experienced and engaging. Would absolutely recommend.

Knowledgeable guide, private tour

Jennifer_B, Apr 2024

We had elderly family members in this tour and were delayed in finding the tour operator, but they waited for us and provided a personalized exceptional tour. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it, and the guide went above and beyond.

Very enjoyable experience

Marco_F, Mar 2024

Great experience. The all team was very attentive. Our guide was very knowledgeable and always keen in telling us about Mayan culture.

Myan ruin excursion

Joanne_V, Mar 2024

Seeing the ruins and the monkeys our guide was great and very informative. The driver was very good. Would highly recommend this excursion

Great excursion and guide

Kimberlee_C, Mar 2024

The site was amazing and our guide was very knowledgeable. We were surprised and enjoyed seeing the current excavation in the area. Even though there were a few other tour groups while we were there, our guide was able to maneuver us so we got great pictures without people in them. On the way back to beginning/end point our guide stopped and purchased a honey pineapple for everyone to try. It was delicious! We would definitely recommend this tour!

Ruins Adventure

Jami_S, Mar 2024

Very interesting place to see. Our driver was also our guide and we learned a lot about Costa Maya. The meeting point is outside the shop area behind the pyramid once you get off the ship. Prepare for a long drive to the ruins.

Outstanding trip in Roatan

allan_p, Mar 2024

The tour guide Balfous was amazing We felt like part of his family Saw a lot of the island Did some great things

Our guide was very...

shawnee_v, Mar 2024

Our guide was very knowledgeable about local and mayan history. We enjoyed the stop for fresh pineapple. The ruins were well maintained. We saw monkeys in the trees.

Terrific stop at an amazing site

Crystal_G, Mar 2024

This was an amazing day. Octavio was an extremely knowledgeable guide and was able to tell us all sorts of history even before we made it to the ruins. While the site might not be one of the biggest it was gorgeous and the paths super easy for my middle-aged self to walk on. We very much enjoyed our guide's reverse path approach starting at the back of the ruins and working our way back to the front gate. It was very nice because we didn't feel rushed to get to the 'good stuff' like we might have in a larger more traditional tour. It was all good stuff in my opinion, but the leisurely pace made it so much better. The drive to and from the ruins was pleasant and while it was probably longer than I think it didn't seem to be. Though stopping at the roadside stand for fresh pineapple might have skewed my recollection. (It was very delicious, that I do remember) Overall, it I had it to do over again, I would do it without a moment's hesitation. For me it definitely counts as a bucket list experience.

Family Day Trip to Chacchoben

Linda_C, Mar 2024

We were in a small group of 12 people (including kids and elderly), and our tour guide Rafael was fantastic. He shared a lot about the history of the ruins and Mayan culture. Even though there were a lot of people at the site, he timed his stops so that we were able to take nice photos without too many other people in the background. The ruins had lots of trees that provided nice shade.

Very informative tour...

Chris_M, Mar 2024

Very informative tour guide. Comfortable ride to and from the ruins. If you want to see a Mayan tour this is a good one.

Great shore excursion

Amanda_B, Mar 2024

Rafael was excellent! The tour was better than I expected. I enjoyed the smaller group. As we pulled into the ruins, there were large tour groups, and I was happy to have a more intimate tour with our family and one another.

Awesome tour

Neeka_H, Mar 2024

The tour was super easy to find with the directions they gave us, just about a 10/15 min walk from the ship. The car ride had AC and it was a nicely cleaned van. They had cold water bottles for us. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable. It was nice that we were in a super small group, compared to a lot of other tours there that had 20 people or more

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