Costa Maya | Cruise Port — Local services in Quintana Roo

Costa Maya Cruise Port: A Vibrant Destination for Travelers

Costa Maya Cruise Port, located on the eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, is a picturesque and vibrant destination designed to immerse cruise passengers in the beauty and culture of the region. Known for its warm hospitality, stunning coastal views, and diverse activities, it’s a favorite stop for many cruise itineraries.

The port is a lively hub featuring colorful architecture, local artisans, and a variety of shops. It offers everything from handcrafted souvenirs to high-end jewelry, making it a great place for both casual browsing and serious shopping. Visitors can also indulge in authentic Mexican cuisine at one of the many restaurants, where fresh seafood, tacos, and margaritas are always on the menu.

One of the highlights of Costa Maya is its sprawling pool area, complete with swim-up bars, lounge chairs, and shaded cabanas. It’s an ideal spot to relax, especially for families or travelers looking for a break from excursions. The surrounding marketplace also hosts live performances, including traditional Mayan dances, adding cultural richness to the experience.

For those eager to explore, Costa Maya offers easy access to the region’s natural beauty and historical treasures. Shore excursions include visits to ancient Mayan ruins like Chacchoben, where travelers can marvel at centuries-old temples and learn about Mayan history. Adventure-seekers can enjoy snorkeling or diving in the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the world’s second-largest coral reef system.

Whether you’re looking to shop, relax, or explore, Costa Maya Cruise Port has something for everyone. Its vibrant atmosphere, combined with its proximity to some of Mexico’s most iconic attractions, makes it a memorable and worthwhile stop on any cruise itinerary. It’s a place where culture, adventure, and relaxation blend seamlessly for an unforgettable...

Aviarius is in the Costa Maya port and located in elevated aviaries above most of the port area with each aviary connected via an overhead bridge. The bridges were were suspended on steel cables and were a unique way to move about the attraction. The bridges also afford a very good view of the entire area, so they are nice to do even if you are not super into birds.

Entry is $14 for adults and $12 for kids 12 and under. I think it took us about an hour to go through, maybe a little more. Not strollers or handicap accessible as one must climb stairs and cross bridges to access the various aviaries. They do accept credit cards (not American Express) for the entrance fee. Any items you may wish to buy from the gift shop though must be purchased in cash.

The ground level has a large habitat for flamingo, which was nicely done. Outside the hut at the exit are perches for macaws, which rotate between green and gold macaw and red and green macaws.

Leaving the parrots takes you to the series of the longest bridges which are three huts connected by bridges over the dolphin pool. The middle hut contains the aviary for lovebirds. This space was probably the weakest of the outdoor aviaries, lacking many plants. However, there were plenty of perching spaces and flight area. When you get closer to the end of your adventure, you'll walk over the Dolphin Encounter excursion area. This was a complete surprise to us and we were excited to be able to see dolphins in additional to beautiful birds.

If you're scared of heights and/or moving bridges, this may not be the right experience for you. When entering or exiting some exhibit huts, you'll have to push open net doors. A word of caution, some of the birds are rather calm and don't move very much. Meanwhile, others are flying from branch to branch and have no care in the world that a human is...

Expensive, pushy, long hot walk to be harassed by vendors. Poor directional signs. Had a very rude experience with a bartender while just politely asking for directions - decided to not do business with that establishment when we were returning after our visit down in town. We generally stop for a drink before boarding the ship but chose not to because of the anti-American treatment received, wish we had gotten his name and the business name. The last time we visited there was a shuttle to the ship, it broke so now you walk a mile plus to get to the taxis. This could be a great place except for the trash and debris just thrown down everywhere. Mexico and many Caribbean places could really improve on their trash cleanup. They scream eco-tourism yet the place is covered with beer bottles, bags, and pieces of trash everywhere. There are many people standing around doing nothing-grab a trash bag and cleanup your home area!! Sargassum was horrible this visit, thousands of dead fish floating everywhere - unable to snorkel the reefs safely. Enjoyed a visit with local business owner Dave with La Leyenda ECO-TOURS - this is a must visit company if you want quality, local flavor, and a considerate small private tour. Forget the cruise ship tours and call Dave - fishing, snorkeling etc. At a great rate and true local flavor!! Beware of the up-pricing with restaurants and bars - kitchen and bar as well as server mandatory tipping at "their rate"!?!? and 3-4 different fees and taxes. We had 1 beer, 1 small margarita (disgusting) and 1 cerviche - should have been about $40 but after fees, taxes, add one etc. $91 USD. If you pay with credit card *5-8% additional so be alert!! They are gaming the Americans...