Mayan Healing Rituals - Costa Maya — Local services in Quintana Roo

We were really looking forward to the Mayan Wellness Retreat, expecting a peaceful, cultural, and rejuvenating experience. Unfortunately, it turned out to be one of the most disappointing excursions we’ve ever booked.

First, the location is right in the heart of the cruise dock, and with four ships in port that day, it was chaotic, noisy, and extremely crowded—definitely not the serene atmosphere advertised.

The experience began with a shared soak and “head massage”, which was actually one person splitting time between two guests, using one hand on each person. It felt awkward and inconsistent, and half the time, it was more like having your face pulled than a massage. Even worse, the therapist sitting between my 8- and 11-year-old sons wasn’t even trying—she was just sitting there doing nothing.

The temazcal (sweat lodge) part of the ritual was also odd and uncomfortable. You’re packed in a small room with strangers while someone yells to “release negative energy.” After that, you’re rushed into a cold shower, smeared with a clay mask, and asked to sit outside in the cold for 15 minutes before rinsing off—again, in a cold shower.

Next was a yellow-tinted bath that looked more concerning than relaxing, surrounded by the sounds of a bustling port with constant foot traffic. The second head massage was just as disappointing as the first—minimal effort and not at all therapeutic.

Finally, the hammock massage was probably the most bizarre part. Rather than an actual massage, it felt more like someone pretending to work on your back, then lying under you and pushing you up with their feet. It honestly felt like being shoved around by a bored kid while trying to nap in a noisy theme park.

Overall, this felt more like a poorly run tourist gimmick than an authentic spa or cultural wellness experience. It left us cold, annoyed, and incredibly let down. What should have been a calming and meaningful part of our trip turned into a waste of both time and money.

To make matters worse, we noticed extreme price inflation at the restaurants in the port. One Coke was $5, while the same drink was $1 just a few minutes into town. We ended up heading straight back to the ship and have no desire to return to this port in the future.

We’ve been on many cruises, and unfortunately, this was the worst port experience we’ve had to date. I wouldn’t recommend this excursion to anyone looking for a relaxing or meaningful experience—it simply did not deliver...

Avoid this place! At least I now have a funny story about the worst massage ever. It looked nice from the outside but after about 2 min I relized this person has never give a massage in their life and was just rubbing oil on my back. I could clearly tell she was confused on what to do. After she rubbed oil on my upper back for 20 min, then she rubbed the tops of my feet and hands over my bones and tendons which gave me an odd uncomfortable feeling as my tendons wiggle around. That was a new approach on a foot and hand message. She had only a few things she did but she did them all for way too long. Then from my feet she moved up to my head. Gross but I guess she never “massaged” the bottom of my feet so I guess I can be thankful for that. At this point I was glad she didn’t try to give me a face message. Instead she started flicking my ears over and over again. I love a good ear massage but flicking my ears was a little less enjoyable. Another interesting thing she did that stood out as odd was aggressive rubbing my hairline around my forehead. What the heck! Does that feel good to anyone. When she was done I was happy it was over. I started to grab my things when she started re arranging the bed I was jut in. She never changes the towels. Barf! I watched as someone else laid on the same towels used for me. 🤮🤮🤮 face down on the same towel my face was on. I don’t know how many people used those dirty towels before me but that thought will haunt my dreams forever. I’m pretty sure they hired a random person on the street to give massages and gave them absolutely...

If heaven were a place in earth it is at the spa. As a shiatsu therapist and avid traveller, I am always open to enjoying the traditional modalities of the countries I visit. This was no exception, I must say my experience e was out of this world, splendid. Especially how gently I was led into the herbal bath and sooth to a calm and relaxated state. . Then I was so gently guided into my hammock. The hammock massage offered my body an unusual thing, to not be flat. Every massage I have ever had, be it in India, Morocco, Thailand, etc, my body lay flat, the hammock allied my body to just be free. The massage therapist did an extraordinary job on my back, shoulders and buttocks, as she layer underneath me on a mat AHD her legs bent, she rocked me from to tips of my shoulders to the end of my sacrum. That was beyond any massage sensation I have ever had, and would love it again and again.

My utmost compliments to the service, care and gentleness I received while I was there this past Thursday Feb14, 2019. This place as I said to the therapist is a vemm and I shall be sending off my article about it to the massage magazine along with photos. Don't even hesitate, go...