Costa Maya - MAJAHUAL (The Little Fishing Village) - WONDERFUL Day! - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

LuLu · 03-03-2006, 05:17 PM

This was our 3rd time in Costa Maya. All three times we went to Majahaul.

WOW! Has that little fishing village changed over the years! Lots more vendors and MANY more beach bars. Even so, you KNOW you are in a small Mexican village -- a dirt road and only a very few permanent structures.

On our day in Costa Maya there were three large cruise ships (HAL, RCCL, & Carnival) so the port complex was EXTREMELY crowded. The other two times only two ships were in port. That extra ship with another three thousand people made a huge difference -- way too many folks!

We immediately headed for the TAXI EXIT. Taxi-van tickets at a stand marked "Little Fishing Village" were sold for $3 pp. There was a short line for the vans. Majahaul is only a couple of miles away ... about a 5 minute ride. The return trip was by taxi ($3 pp). Naturally, we tipped both drivers.

Our favorite watering hole, El Restaurante Bar, is located directly on the beach (across the road from where the now closed Tapas use to be) ... about two blocks from the taxi drop off. It's a sturdy thatch covered hut with tree trunks for bar stools ... also, chairs, tables, lounge chairs at n/c for customers. Unlike many of the other beach bars in Majahaul, they do have electricty (refrigeration is a good thing ) and a small bathroom with a working toilet. MOST IMPORTANT: Icy COLD XX Beer for $2 per bottle!

The beach was sandy and clean -- no need for water shoes -- and the pretty blue water was warm and clear. This beach is NOT good for snorkeling (take one of the many dive boats there for that) ... but it is great for just swimming and playing around in the water.

We picked a spot with half sun and half shade ... literally, only inches from the water. Everyone was in a Fiesta mood -- laughing and talking as if we were all long time friends! A group of us pulled our chairs into the calm blue water and continued to party there. What a FUN and HAPPY place to be!

We ABSOLUTELY LOVE this sort of thing -- shabby beach bars and partying with others ... so for us it was a WONDERFUL DAY!

Any comments or questions are welcomed!

Annieeee · 03-03-2006, 05:43 PM

Lulu, I love Costa Maya too. Sorry you had to share it with two other ships. I canonly imagine how crowded the port shopping area must have been. I was there only once but look forward to going there again real soon. I loved the food, the water, the drinks, the food, the shops, the drinks.........

When were you there? I am gonna have to check on a port schedule, sure don't want to be there with 2 other ships.

Annieeee

Rex · 03-03-2006, 06:19 PM

Loved Costa Maya also, there is even a little "beer stop" on the way to that town. Or atleast their was.

And you can rent golf carts!

sailyn · 03-03-2006, 06:24 PM

We also loved it in Majahual. We were fortunate to be the only ship there the day we visited. It was wonderful. I would go back in a heartbeat. I wish more RCI cruises stopped there.

Lightsluvr · 03-03-2006, 06:40 PM

It looks like the Rhapsody is going there every other week through 2007/ (They replace Costa Maya with Ocho Rios on alternate weeks...

LL

canarymoon · 03-03-2006, 06:49 PM

We indulged in some really great snorkeling there when the Zenith called at Costa Maya last April.

lv2cruise · 03-03-2006, 07:23 PM

We also loved our day at Majahual! Sorry to hear Tapa's is no longer open.They took GREAT care of us!

Sheffie · 03-04-2006, 11:33 AM

We loved our time in Costa Maya, also. In the morning we did a Mayan Ruins excursion with http://www.chacchobenruins.com/. David and Ivan are locals who run a fabulous excursion! In the afternoon we hung out at the beach at Tapas. I had never had the local conch dish before and found it delectable!

Here are some pictures from that day.http://community.webshots.com/album/527685047YCNWgf

Looking down the beach from Tapas:

Looking back towards the pier:

askdad · 03-04-2006, 12:07 PM

Just got back from a 7 day western Carib with a stop in Costa Maya. In my opinion this could have been one of my favorite ports ever. Because the ship came into port late we had little time in Majahual but we did the ruins tour with David and Ivan. HIGHLY recomend this tour over the ships tour. Their tour had about 50 people we had 40, which David took half and Ivan took the other half. Very personal, VERY informative. When we found out that we would be late, we emailed DAvid and Ivan and they altered the trip to suit us.

David and Ivan weere telling us that the Mexican Government is spending lots of money to develope the Costa Maya rea into a high end tourist area. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

LuLu · 05-09-2006, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by askdad

....the Mexican Government is spending lots of money to develope the Costa Maya rea into a high end tourist area. I'm not sure if this is a good or bad thing.

Like you ... not sure if this is a good or bad thing ....

Guess we'd all better enjoy Majahaul (still looks like a rustic little fishing village) and the Ruins (not roped off) while we still can!