The Best Cruise Excursion in Mexico? | Maya Chan Beach | Costa Maya, Mexico

Costa Maya, Mexico is beautiful - but what should you do when your cruise ship stops there? Maya Chan Beach Resort is owned and run by a family of cruisers. They set out to make the kind of day resort they wished existed. We visit frequently, and have no doubt that it is the best and most relaxing shore excursion in Costa Maya.
This video includes information on pricing, transportation, amenities, and a cat licking Billy's face - everything!
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#costamaya #shoreexcursions #mayachan

[@jworth7203]

This is one of the best review style videos I have ever seen. New subscriber here. Live your style !

[@CruiseHabit]

Thanks!

[@jasonpeterson572]

I would book a cruise that stops at this port just to spend the day here. The service is amazing and the food and drinks are delicious. They have very reasonably priced massages too. The day seemed too short when I was there. The transportation being included makes it a great value.

[@CruiseHabit]

Couldn't agree more. Often we're tempted to enjoy time on ships while in port, but we never hesitate to head out and enjoy a full day here.

[@clanzil]

Headed to Maya Chan 12/15 on my Breakaway cruise. Can’t wait! Thanks for the great video review.

[@CruiseHabit]

Hope you enjoy it! Tell them we say hi!

[@jaredpermenter9750]

Going for the first time on May 4th and I am so excited about it! Found your channel looking for info on Maya Chan, now watching all the videos! love the channel!

[@CruiseHabit]

Thanks so much! Jealous you'll be at Maya Chan, we've not been in a few months but hopefully we'll sneak our way onto another Western Caribbean sailing soon :-)

[@eprohoda]

enjoyed-you shared superb - CruiseHabit,😮

[@julieserna-hendricks]

My family and I went in June 2022. We did have a great time. Food, drinks and service was great but we waited for a long time for the bus to get back and were literally the last people running down the pier. Luckily we made it. The ride was really rough because of all the potholes. It mattered because I'm disabled.

[@CruiseHabit]

The ride can certainly be rough. In the past I think they mention it in instructions they send, but I've not re-read them recently. Absolutely a consideration.

[@williamfeyh8921]

Love your vlogs, booked for Maya Chan for the first time 3/6/24 on NCL Joy.

[@CruiseHabit]

Hope you enjoy it! Be sure to tell them CruiseHabit says hello!

[@wildgeek1]

Thank you for the great review! We'll be there 3/21/23 via carnival dream. Super excited!

[@CruiseHabit]

Thanks for watching. Enjoy, and say hi to them for us :-)

[@harriswilliams2242]

Great video! Thanks.

[@CruiseHabit]

Thanks for watching!

[@AmandaSchnaare]

April 24th for us on the Oasis! We will be in CM on the 26th!

[@CruiseHabit]

Enjoy! Such a relaxing place. Send our greetings to everyone there!

[@AL-sp2vq]

Thanks for the video I just booked this beach for November sailing on virgin voyages valiant lady

[@CruiseHabit]

Excellent! Thanks for watching. We'll be checking out the new VV ships soon as we really love Scarlet Lady. In fact you can sail with us in July for VirginVoyagesGroupCruise.com!

[@barbarakroth6855]

Thx so much! We r one of those guests with dietary restrictions, since we keep kosher, but I doubt they could provide us with special meals, but did u have fruit with the buffet, that we can eat? Thx again😍

[@CruiseHabit]

I don't suspect they keep a kosher kitchen, but I'd not rule out the possibility they might be able to help depending on how strict you are. As for the fruit specifically, it's not something that I recall seeing as part of the lunch, but they've been able to bring us some things not usually laid out. I'd recommend you give them a call and discuss what would work for you - they're very nice folks.

[@LindaD2023]

How was the water? Did it feel dirty? We love the clear blue waters, definitely doesn't look like that, but I haven't seen any videos of any crystal clear beaches in Costa Maya. The resort looks nice. Can you eat out on the beach or do you need to sit there at the tables? Our cruise got switched to this port so I don't know much about it.

[@CruiseHabit]

The water is very clean and actually quite clear (awesome when on the glass-bottom kayaks they have for use at Maya Chan). The brown tinge is just because of the seagrass that is common there. At times it can really like up (depending on weather, tides, etc) but often it's just a matter of the water color and little more. As you noted, that's the case in most parts of Costa Maya. You can indeed eat anywhere you'd like. At your private palapa, the dining area, the bars, by the pool - doesn't matter.

[@LindaD2023]

@@CruiseHabit Thank you so much for the quick response! Scrambling over here to look at new ports and ideas as our cruise changed. We were thinking of canceling, but it sounds like costa maya and belize might be nice. :)

[@tinahindi]

Oh nice I am going there t the end of the month

[@CruiseHabit]

Enjoy! Tell them Billy and Larissa from CruiseHabit say hello!

[@tinahindi]

I am sailing at the end of Jan. I should be there around the 1/29 on Royal.

[@lusybazan5307]

Do they have music playing? Can you take your own speaker for your group to listen to without bothering other guests?

[@CruiseHabit]

There is often music playing - depending on what activities are happening and where you are. On our trip there were some areas around the pool and beach with fewer guests than others, where playing your own music probably wouldn't be disruptive. The variable, however, would be how busy/full the resort is on your particular stay.

[@christinemcdermott7801]

As a guest I’m sorry to say that would definitely bother me. Taste in music is so personal

[@danandroberta]

wife and I will be there in Feb on RCC

[@CruiseHabit]

Enjoy! We'll be sailing in February, but Eastern, not Western. We're always looking forward to going back.

[@nataliemerritt1590]

Plan to be at Maya Chan on December 14th I believe.

[@christinemcdermott7801]

Do they allow solo guests? Do they allow choice of which hut you get?

[@CruiseHabit]

Solo guests are absolutely welcome. When you book they'll reach out to you via email, at which point you can put in special requests. They may or may not be able to get you your preferred location (depends of others requested it prior to that, if accommodating a larger party required re-arranging things, etc). Either way they're very responsive, so you can always email them even before you book to ensure your questions are answered.

[@eespecialeventsdj]

Thanks for the video. We are considering a visit in March 2024. I have a question about the snorkeling. How is the snorkeling? Is the reef via kayak or swim feasible?

[@CruiseHabit]

Thanks for watching! The waters along that part of the coast are very shallow a LONG way out. I've kayaked out quite far and it's still shallow and mostly sand an seagrass. In short, we love this spot, but it's not a place I'd recommend specifically for snorkeling. If your itinerary includes Grand Cayman, take a boat out over the reefs there. If you're stopping in Coz take a tour to the far/east side of the island - unspoiled and spectacular, with more sea life to enjoy.

[@toddthomason3412]

Hey! Thank you for this review. What did you think about the drinks? Good quality rums and tequilas? Frozen drinks available?

[@CruiseHabit]

The drinks are great. They tend to have several local tequilas and mezcals, so it's always fun sampling those. The tequila barrel at the bar has tequila they infuse with various spices and such, and is really nice. I don't recall what rums they keep in stock. They can indeed make frozen drinks upon request.

[@rgruenhaus]

Do they provide straws for drinks? Mr Sancho's on 02Dec22 did not! Even for frozen drinks!

[@toddthomason3412]

@@rgruenhaus I only went to a wedding so not sure.

[@rgruenhaus]

No images of the food?

[@charlesrosborough524]

Where do you find taxi to ride there and how much is taxi also how far or long is taxi ride?

[@CruiseHabit]

Transportation is included. When you reserve your day with Maya Chan they'll fill you in on transportation. The ride is about 20 minutes? Maybe 25? It's only a few miles but much of it is down a dirt road, so it takes a bit longer because of that. Ultimately they make it wildly easy. Just book your day with them and they'll arrange everything, keep track of and I form you of the timing for your ship, etc.

[@TxGambler77]

Had there recently been some bad weather? the water sure did look pretty dirty compared to what it should look like.

[@CruiseHabit]

Throughout Costa Maya and the surrounding area there is a lot of sargassum (a type of seaweed). Sargassum is brown, so it's presence makes the water appear brown - but it's not dirty. In that region there are times that the tides can cause a buildup of this on the beach, and when that happens Maya Chan works hard to clear it, but also reaches out and offers refunds if people want to cancel. When we were there most recently (mid Jan), there wasn't any buildup at all, but as there is seaweed in the water, it doesn't have the turquoise appearance you may be used to. Was still lovely, and not at all dirty. I actually used one of their glass-bottom kayaks to go pretty far out and aside from the sand churning from the tide where it's especially shallow, the water is quite clear.

[@amylloyd4614]

Do you happen to know the cost for massages? Sailing in May definitely coming here! Do you know what time they close?

[@CruiseHabit]

Messages are $25 for 30 min or $45 for 60 min. Cash only. They tend to stay open until the last guests leave, so it depends on the hours that ships are in port. I'm not sure how late they stay open when a ship is there after dark, as the property isn't really meant for the night.

[@rgruenhaus]

On 14Jan24 my ship says it will arrive in Costa Maya at 12 noon! Is it worth the $69 to arrive that late?

[@katd6580]

When were you there?

[@CruiseHabit]

Most recently we were there Dec 12, before that was Nov and Sept of this year.

[@txmade8235]

Water doesn’t look clear

[@CruiseHabit]

The water is quite clear, but very shallow, and there is a seagrass in the area that adds that tinge to the water - so you don't get that classic blue look at most of the beaches in this area.