Combine a guided walk through Chacchoben’s thousand-year-old Maya temples with a soothing boat ride on Bacalar’s seven-shade lagoon. This one-day shore excursion pairs archaeology with swimming, lunch, and local tacos.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off the cruise gangway into warm, salt-tinged air and a minivan that hums toward the jungle. Within an hour the canopy tightens, and ruins appear through shafts of light—broad stone platforms and a temple face that has watched centuries roll by. Your guide moves confidently along shaded paths, translating glyphs of place and purpose into clear stories.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; short, flat jungle trails and calm swimming from the boat
Wildlife
History
Chacchoben was a regional Maya center with ceremonial platforms and plazas used for rituals and trade; its stone architecture reflects centuries of coastal Maya habitation.
Conservation
Bacalar’s water clarity depends on limiting nutrient runoff—use reef-safe sunscreen, avoid single-use plastics, and support operators that follow local waste-management practices.
Reserve your spot on the Chacchoben Ruins & Bacalar Lagoon from Cruise Port today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Stay Hydrated
Carry at least 1 liter of water for the ruins walk and refill after the boat leg — tropical heat and humidity dehydrate quickly.
Sun Protection
Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a sun hat, and polarized sunglasses for the open-water boat sections.
Secure Valuables
Use a dry bag for electronics on the boat and a small daypack for the jungle trail; wet conditions are possible.
Cash for Extras
ATMs are limited; bring small bills for tips, local snacks, and souvenirs at the restaurant stop.
Swimwear and quick-dry towel
Needed for swimming stops in the lagoon and quick drying on the boat.
summer
Reef-safe sunscreen
Protects skin and the lagoon’s sensitive aquatic life during sun-exposed boat time.
summer
Closed-toe walking shoes
Provides traction and protection on shaded, sometimes uneven jungle trails at Chacchoben.
Dry bag or waterproof pouch
Keeps phone, documents and small items dry on the boat and during swims.