Costa maya: the best things to do in Mahahual
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.
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.
Care you must have if you travel by car to Costa Maya Mahahual
If you are planning to travel from anywhere in the republic to the town of Mahahual by car, motorcycle, truck, or whatever has wheels. For your safety, see these recommendations.
If you are planning to travel from anywhere in the republic to the town of Mahahual by car, motorcycle, truck, or whatever has wheels. For your safety, see these recommendations.
The section called “Cafetal Mahahual” is a 55 kilometer long road with 2 lanes (round trip) indicated by the junction that is on the Chetumal – Cancun highway, approximately 30 minutes from Bacalar and 5 minutes past the town “Pedro santos” if goods from Chetumal / Escarcega, or if goods from the Cancun side, is 3 minutes past the town of “Limones”.
“I travel at least 2 times a week from Mahahual – Chetumal and it is very common to see crashed cars stopped at the curb changing the tire of their car, the passengers next to the car desperate to want to continue on their way … ”
The journey begins with approximately 25 minutes of travel / approximately 40 km on a road that is not properly / worn with signs, at night one gets lost in nothingness as there are no yellow lines and is blinded by cars that come from the front .
After approximately 25 minutes of travel you will find the only curve in the road, a curve in poor condition and judging by the number of blows that the restraint bar has, many accidents have occurred there.
“I pass this curve at a maximum of 80 km / h, at a higher speed you feel the jerk that the inertia gives you due to its poor construction ”
You go about 10 more minutes and I ask you to be very attentive to the road, you will see 2 marking tires of a “talachas” business on the right side.
You advance for another 500 meters and you will feel the change of pavement in the car, smoother and smoother.
In this section of approximately 15 km until you reach the gas station you will find the most dangerous and deadly potholes on the road, and even worse the exaggerated amount of loose stones on the road with dimensions of up to 1 human head!
The recommendation to clear this section successfully and without damage to your vehicle is to change to the left lane with a lot, I repeat a lot of caution as long as no car or motorcycle comes from the opposite side, or go as slowly and close to the shoulder as possible.
“In what I have been living here for approximately 3 years I have replaced the 4 tires of my vehicle ”
Along the road section it is common to find deer and tapirs (large and heavy animals), cause of many serious accidents, I ask you to be very careful and alert to this potential risk.
Finally, if you are going to travel the same section out of town but now in your corresponding lane, there are a couple of stones and maybe 1 or 2 potholes that you must be careful and of course be very attentive to the cars that are passing on the left side that piece of road, because when they crash or try to avoid those holes they can collide with your car
We are very grateful to the people of Mahahual, since on occasions and with the economic cooperation of local businessmen these potholes are progressively filled.
“I can only express my concern for the families, couples, visitors in general who decide to come to this beautiful town, and let me know, dear reader, that several of my friends have been injured in the 55-kilometer stretch, from potholes, coalition with animals (deer and tapir) to rollovers out of the road. Remember it is better to be 5 minutes late, the beaches and the fun will not go anywhere ”
Coastal town of Costa Maya Mahahual Quintana Roo
The most exact description for this marvelous paradise is “magical town”, with less than 5000 inhabitants and thousands of hectares of beaches and virgin jungle, it is a mandatory stop if you are looking for tranquility, rest and adventure.
I have been living in this community for approximately 2 years and the most accurate description for this wonderful paradise is “magical town”, with less than 5000 inhabitants and thousands of hectares of beaches and virgin jungle is a mandatory stop if you are looking for tranquility, rest and adventure.
How to get to Mahahual?
If goods from Tulum, Playa del Carmen or Cancun
The cheapest option: in several groups. Bacalar-Limones bus ($ 48-50, 1h) + Limones-Felipe Carrillo bus ($ 50, 1h) + Carrillo terminal taxi (free) + Carrillo Tulum bus ($ 65, 1h). In total $ 163 and about 3-4h (there are buses at all times).
Hopefully a Mayab bus passes through Limones that leaves you at the same price and direct the ticket to Tulum.
BACALAR-MAHAHUAL:
Micro / Collective: $ 78/80, 1h30. With Caribe-ADO (every 2 hours approximately) and Taxi-Tours (every hour).
They do the Chetumal route to Mahahual passing through Bacalar and Limones (for connections to the north, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancun).
ADO bus: there are only 3 buses / day (7:30, 10:30 and 17:00) and they are expensive (no discounts apply). $ 278, about 3h.
In Mahahual, the ADO-Caribe office is on the back street of the malecón, just north of the court (central part of town).
Next to the court is the small bus terminal Taxi Tours.
There are many taxis around Mahahual. They have the established rates. Calculate minimum $ 20, $ 100 from the cruise ship dock to downtown and $ 500 to Xcalak (up to 4 people).
How to get around the town of Mahahual?
Bicycle rental in Mahahual : several businesses on the boardwalk with prices from $ 50 MNX the hour up to $ 200 MXN all day.
Rent of ATVs or scooters : varies from $ 500 MXN for 2 hours / half the rent for walk around and discover for yourself, this option is scarce, or you can also find guided quad bike tours.
Golf cart rental: The price can vary between $ 1000 MXN for the whole day or by the hour.
Cruises in the Costa Maya port
There is a private port 3 kilometers from the lighthouse, where 1 to 4 cruises with international tourism arrive daily or every third day, within the port there are several attractions (too expensive for Mexicans) and at high prices in USD for foreigners, from guided tours to Chacchoben, Bacalar, ATV tours, activities with dolphins, etc.
As a personal opinion, based on several books and opinions of locals, I agree that the Costa Maya port is a monopoly of services and products, leaving the town only with the crumbs of the little tourism that leaves its facilities, of this we will deepen in others articles
Hotels, Hostels and Camping areas, cheap accommodation in Mahahual
Being a coastal town there is still no great variety of accommodations like the Riviera Maya, but we can find really fantastic places with very affordable prices.
Cheap camping in Mahahual:
Prices from $ 50 MXN per person to $ 150 MXN with shared bathrooms, fresh water, beach areas and varied amenities.
“It is a different and very beautiful experience, waking up with the waves of the sea, making friends with other travelers in the common areas, saving 70% of the accommodation and spending it on other activities or food, staying up late at night on the beach drinking a couple of beer and see the completely starry sky … ”
Some of the things to keep in mind regarding camping:
Bathrooms are shared
Security in the facilities / cameras / nightstands / lockers
Repellent for mosquitoes and other insects
Adequate tents with mats, sheets and / or pillows
Sometimes it rains and / or it is very windy, the tents have to be protected indoors
Shared kitchens or fire pit areas
Cheap rooms in Mahahual:
From $ 400 MNX in the doctor’s cabins, to shared rooms from $ 100 MXN in hostels in the town.
Food in Mahahual
The boardwalk is full of Beach Clubs with restaurants, but the prices are expensive. In the back street, next to the ADO office and the side of the court, there are taquerías, pizzerias, cheap kitchens, marqueistas and other “cheap” foods.
However, you cannot visit Mahahual without having tried the exquisite dishes with lobster, fish, octopus and snail. We will talk more about these dishes in future articles. So while I leave you a video of the specialty of some restaurants “Butter lobster” cooked at Lunas Bar Mahahual
If you are looking for another more daring option to eat, it is an open secret that many tourists “stealthily” take fish, lobster, snail and other seafood for consumption, but you have to be careful with the Navy as it can sanction you. The best option is to attend the fishermen’s cooperative and legally buy fresh seafood, you will only need an area to light a fire, some partitions, fresh wood and a frying pan with oil to delight yourself.
Services in Mahahual
There are no banks, you can find 2 ATMs in the “Costa Maya” hotel and another 2 in the town, next to the Maha Suites hotel and during the week from Monday to Friday you will find TELECOM open. Regarding electricity, they cut the supply from 1 to 3 days a month to do “maintenance” and the internet service is terrible. I work online and believe me that some days it can be a headache to do Home Office.
What to do in Mahahual? a video says more than a thousand words
Visit the reef
It is right next to the coast, you come swimming from the shore and there are still corals (mainly purple tree-like corals) and fish (a lot of variety and we also saw several manta rays!). < / span>
Snorkel in Mahahual
Swimming straight from shore! It is between the 2 piers (Naval Base and Koox, Blue Kay area, the northernmost beach).
Corals are mostly concentrated in front of the Koox jetty (you will see groups snorkeling here).
You can also hire a snorkel tour to the nearby reef (area south of the fishermen’s dock) for about $ 250 MXN with one hour of travel.
There are 2 beach areas: the northernmost next to the Blue Kay and the longest to the south to the fishing pier. There are still some areas without beach clubs. With some palm trees. They are about 2 km of beach.
Fishing in Mahahua l
Ask for Ojitos tours, it is a very professional service
Torus or rental of an ATV
Rent an ATV with helmets, cooler and travel the coast of Mahahual Xcalak 60 km or Mahahual Rio Indio 30 km.
Resultados de traducción
Chinchorro Bank
Tours are expensive as it is quite far away (30 km).
Calculate about US $ 100 / pp (snorkeling) and US $ 150 / pp (diving).
Costa Maya dolphinarium and park (currently closed due to COVID)
These attractions are inside the Private Dock, next to the cruise port.
Kayaks and paddle boards rental
Prices vary from $ 100 MXN per hour to $ 150 MXN, even restaurants and beach club lend you the kayaks for free only for the minimum consumption.
If you are looking to get active and keep moving, break your limits!
How personal opinion Mahahual is mostly composed of new people from other states and countries who come for work and in search of new opportunities, unfortunately Mahahual can be heaven or hell and perdition, what do I mean? For being an isolated town and having only 2 patrols, drug addiction and vices have taken over many weak souls.
The Mahahual Reef Costa Maya
Known as the second largest barrier reef in the world, the easy access to the Chinchorro bank, and surrounded by low jungle along the entire coast until reaching Xcalak, make Mahahual a site of interest for divers from all over the world.
Known as the second largest barrier reef in the world, the easy access to the Chinchorro bank, and surrounded by low jungle along the entire coast until reaching Xcalak, make Mahahual a site of interest for divers from all over the world.
As we can see in the following image, the beaches of Mahahual consist of 5 main areas:
Land, jungle and mangrove: this area is full of humidity, flora and fauna specific to the Caribbean, they are hectares that cover from Xkalak to Punta Herradora (incredible places of which we will talk in other posts).
Urban area: This area can be found in the town of Mahahual and the habitable area (approximately 3000 locals).
Reef lagoon or beach area: This area is a visual spectacle consisting of our beaches on the shore of hotels and restaurants with sand and crystal clear water.
Barrier Reef: Incredible wildlife filled with a variety of species unique to Mexico.
Open sea
In the following image we can see in intense black the barrier reef and the artificial entrances where the ships enter the docks.
The reef offers some excellent diving in the Caribbean, and because they are a bit off the beaten path, divers will enjoy pristine quality of reefs and will usually have each dive site to themselves. Not only are the reefs healthy, but the topography varies drastically from walls to canyons to coral gardens – a diversity not seen anywhere else in the Mexican Caribbean.
There is a great variety of marine life, including rays, lobster, grouper, barracuda, snapper, and three different species of Caribbean turtles.
May is the mating season for the loggerhead turtles, so the giant males come closer to shore. Some of them are the size of a small car and they are always an amazing and memorable encounter. Occasionally dolphins and sharks also visit the shores.
Divers have many options to choose from within the barrier reef as there are hundreds of dive sites scattered along 60 kilometers of shoreline heading north to the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve and another 42 kilometers south to the Xcalak Marine Park.
There are also more than 15 sites within walking distance of the town for those divers who prefer short boat rides. The variety of dive sites available makes this small fishing village a very special destination for divers.
How to get to the reef by swimming?
The starting point is Moons Bar Mahahua l, a few meters away you can find a dock where You will be able to put on your equipment and enter the sea safely, at just 300 meters swimming you will find the “Aquarium”, it consists of a group of corals with a great variety of fish, later you can continue swimming to the reef that is approximately 500 meters away.
The best and funny way to enjoy
You can travel to the reef in 2 ways: by boat or in kayaks, later a guide will give you the safe correction throughout the reef.
2 hours
1 hour
1 day
As the writer’s notes, I recommend that you be very careful when you go alone to see the reef, it is mandatory and for your safety to carry a signaling ball and always be attentive to the boats that pass through there, avoid touching or touching the reef or also known like “Fire reef” because it can hurt your skin just on contact. If you bring your snorkeling equipment you can leave your car parked or order your bags with Don Luis or Doña Paty at Lunas Bar Mahahual while you go out to explore.
Restaurant Lunas Bar Mahahual
Wooden bar and surrounded by swings makes you live a beautiful and romantic experience. If you know this place you will remember Don Luis and Doña Paty the managers of this magical and fun establishment.
If you know this place, you know Don Luis and Doña Paty, the managers of this magical and fun establishment. Formed 8 years ago and built with wood from the Noc Ben region, it is one of the most picturesque palapas in Mahahual.
Wooden bar and surrounded by swings makes you live a beautiful and romantic experience with your friends, family or partner, the soft lights and pleasant music make this place a different and enjoyable attraction isolated from the hubbub of the center.
Let’s talk a little about the gastronomy of this place, Don Luis with a trajectory of more than 10 years preparing dishes of international stature always surprises us with his Caribbean, spicy flavors and an unmistakable flavor. Their specialty, butter lobster and tikin xic-style fish make Lunas bar and don luis one of the busiest places and people in the region.
All the seafood that is consumed in this restaurant comes from Banco Chinchorro, a magical place that we will talk about in another post, and many of them are sold to Don Luis by local fishermen, lobster, octopus, fish and snail, some are still brought alive by the fishermen.
As a personal opinion, it is a fairly complete place with many things to do and fully enjoy the day and night, ride in transparent kayakas, breakfasts on the beach, karaoke, dance and sing with your partner, even sleeping in your area of camping, waking up to the song of the waves is a unique experience.
La fiesta y diversion
Dance, karaoke, beer, tequila, mezcal, mojitos, margaritas are the perfect combination to make new friends and live an unforgettable night. If you have the opportunity, ask Don Luis or Doña Paty to prepare a special mojito (pitaya, mango or strawberry) or one of their special mezcals brought directly from Oaxaca.
and finally
General recommendations if you visit Mahahual, it is essential to have mosquito repellent and sunscreen, since being a few meters from the mangrove, at sunset there are hundreds of mosquitoes that can make you live in a twilight
We leave you the list of activities and services they have. but as I have always said “A video says more than a thousand words”
Seafood Bar Restaurant in Mahahual
Karaoke in Mahahual
Camping on the beach
Kayaks free
Bicycle rental
ATV rental
Snorkel, fishing and chinchorro bank tours
Beach area with lounge chairs, hammocks and tables
