An easy, guided half-day tour from Costa Maya Port that explores Chacchoben’s pyramids, plazas and jungle setting. Learn Maya history, spot spider monkeys and return to your cruise ship in time to board.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the ship into a humid ribbon of air and, within an hour, leave the open port behind for a green, lowland jungle that frames stone platforms and rising pyramids. Paths narrow between buttressed ceiba and sapodilla trees, and the guide’s voice threads history through the leaves as spider monkeys chatter in the canopy above.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
3–4 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most travelers with basic mobility; involves walking on uneven dirt paths and climbing short pyramid steps.
Wildlife
History
Chacchoben was occupied intermittently from around 200 BCE and was a regional center during Classic and Postclassic Maya periods; its monuments show practical civic and ceremonial functions tied to agriculture and trade.
Conservation
The site is managed to balance visitor access with preservation; stay on designated paths, avoid touching masonry and follow guide instructions to minimize erosion and disturbance.
Reserve your spot on the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour from Costa Maya Cruise Port today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Arrive at the meeting point early
The tour departs about one hour after your ship docks; allow ~15 minutes to walk from the ship to Plaza Las Fuentes meeting point.
Wear closed, grippy shoes
Trails are packed dirt with roots and occasional slick patches—low hiking shoes or sturdy sneakers reduce slip and ankle risk.
Bring bug protection
Mosquitoes and biting flies are common at the edge of the clearing—use DEET or picaridin repellent and consider long sleeves.
Hydrate and pace yourself
Tropical heat can spike; carry water (bottled water may be provided) and take the short climbs slowly, especially on pyramid steps.
Sturdy walking shoes
Protects ankles and provides traction on dirt paths and pyramid steps.
Insect repellent
Helps reduce bites during jungle-edge exploration, especially in warmer months.
summer
Sun hat and sunscreen
Open sections of the site offer little shade—UV protection matters even during cloudy skies.
summer
Small binoculars or phone with zoom
Useful for spotting canopy birds and monkeys without disturbing wildlife.