Mahahual is a stopover for cruise ships from all over the world, yet it is a very quiet coastal town with a lot of local magic. Thanks to its location away from the crowded tourist places such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, the town of Mahahual invites you to an adventure and discover the most authentic flavors of Mexico.
Where is Mahahual located?
In the south of the state of Quintana Roo, very close to the border with Belize, Mahahual Mexico is close to the second largest barrier reef in the world. The easiest way to get to Mahahual is to rent a car, but there is also public transport (shared vans) that take you to the center of town.
In the south of the state of Quintana Roo, very close to the border with Belize, Mahahual Mexico is close to the second largest barrier reef in the world. The easiest way to get to Mahahual is to rent a car, but there is also public transport (shared vans) that take you to the center of town.
To get there, you must drive on highway 3a07. It is a spectacular trip as it takes you through several unique towns in southern Quintana Roo.
Approximate distances
Playa Del Carmen to Mahahual – 289.7 km (180 miles) – 3 hr 34 min
Tulum to Mahahual – 225.5 km (140 miles) – 2 hr 35 min
Bacalar to Mahahual – 103.7 km (64 miles) – 1 hr 14 min
Chetumal to Mahahual – 142.1 km (88 miles) – 1 hr 47 min
The best activities to do in Mahahual
Mahahual is a very small town, but there are many adventures and magical things to do. I have been living here for 4 years and I continue to be surprised with each passing day. In this article I will share some of my favorite things to do in Costa Maya Mahahual, so that you too can plan the adventure of your dreams.
1. Diving in the barrier reef, the second largest in the world!
The second largest barrier reef in the world (or the Mesoamerican reef system) is right here, which means: less than 10 minutes away you can find some of the best diving in the world. When you take a diving tour in Mahahual, you will see an impressive variety of marine life, sea turtles, manta rays, a variety of types of fish and if you are lucky, manatees!
Learn more about this activity, whether you are a beginner or an expert
2. Mahahual Reef Snorkeling Tour
Although diving is one of the most popular things to do in Mahahual, you can also choose to do the snorkeling tour, you can do it by boat or via kayak, me and my friends always choose to travel by kayak since it is an activity super fun and your photos are included in the package.
Know the 2 most popular modalities to carry out this activity.
3. Rent a bike and ride the boardwalk
The boardwalk of Mahahual is a stretch of approximately 3 kilometers along the beach where you can find restaurants, beach clubs, and all kinds of shops. Traveling by bike on the Malecón is super fun.
If you rent a bike, you could also take a trip to the residential area of Mahahual (casitas), where you can buy groceries in large stores and stop at the ATM if you need cash.
4. Buy handicrafts and souvenirs
looking for beautiful things for family or friends is one of the favorite things to do in Mahahual Mexico. Walk along the Malecón and you will find street vendors selling beautiful handmade products such as dream catchers, bracelets, hats, etc.
Many of the vendors speak English, we recommend learning a couple of words in Spanish to make things a little easier for you.
5. The archaeological sites near Mahahual
By car or tour you can take a road trip to a couple of Mayan archaeological sites. Chacchoben is the Mayan archaeological zone closest to Mahahual, about 25 minutes north. If you want to go a little further, you can also visit the more remote ruin sites of Dzibanche and Kinichna which are approximately 2 hours from Mahahual.
If you don’t have a car, you can visit the Mayan ruins near Mahahual. To do so, you must book a guided tour that will pick you up at your hotel and take you to the Mayan ruin site. The tour is accompanied by a guide who speaks English and will tell you about the incredible history of the archaeological zone.
Other interesting Mayan ruins south of Mahahual are Dzibanche, Kinichna and Kohunlich.
Kohunlich is another archaeological zone near Chetumal and takes about 2 hours from Mahahual by car. Dzibanche and Kinichna are two archaeological sites very close to each other.
We leave you here more information about these enigmatic archaeological zones near Mahahual Costa Maya
6. The monumental photo at the Mahahual lighthouse
At the end of the Malecón you will find a colorful Mahahual sign that is perfect for a special photograph. You will also find the famous (Mahahual lighthouse) which is turned on every night to guide cruise ships and local boats.
I recommend you to be before 6 in the morning to see the incredible sunrise, unique for the contrast of its colors and the early arrival of huge international cruise ships.
7. Enjoy the free beaches
The beaches are incredible! All the restaurants located on the boardwalk have beach clubs where you can stay all day after buying a drink and/or food.
Another option is to reserve a full day at a beach club where they provide you with chairs, tables and access to restrooms, including food and drink.
8. Travel to Bacalar
If you will be in Mahahual for more than 3 days, and would like to explore the region a little more, I recommend you take a day tour to Bacalar, a neighboring town 1 hour south of Mahahual that has an impressive lagoon called (seven colors) Awesome.
As a personal opinion, Bacalar is a destination that can be enjoyed in 2 or 3 full days, since there are many activities to do and dream accommodations.
We leave you more information about the beautiful town of Bacalar
9. What to bring, essential things to have a good time in Mahahual
Mahahual is a paradise, however, there are a couple of things you should know that will help you have a better experience.
The sun is strong intense, so I recommend a good sunscreen. As I mentioned before there is a lot of Marian life and you could consider someone sunscreen friendly.
Because Mahahual is a humid place and is surrounded by mangroves, there are a large number of mosquitoes and other types of insects that can be annoying and even aggressive with some people. We recommend a fairly strong and effective repellent to take care of these attacks.
How safe is it to visit Mahahual?
It is much safer than Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. From the first time I visited this town until today I have walked at any time of the day and night without any fear of being accosted by undesirable people.
What is the best season to visit Mahahual?
Like other destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, Mahahual has a warm tropical climate. December through April is the dry season with little to no rain and lots of sunshine and is the busiest time of year in the region. Hotel prices in Mahahual as well as tours tend to be more expensive than during this time.
Low season in Mahahual is from June to October, when the area receives the most rainfall and storms are not uncommon. However, if you plan your trip carefully, you can still enjoy Mahahual as the rain tends to fall in the afternoon and lasts only a few hours.
Eastern time to visit Mahahual is during the shoulder season from November to early December or from May to early June before the rainy season starts.
