Costa Maya is a small tourist region in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico, the only state with Caribbean Sea. This municipality is close to Chetumal (capital of the state) on the border with Belize, until recently British Honduras. The area is generally undeveloped but has been growing quickly and rapidly after construction of a large pier to accommodate cruise ships. The Costa Maya includes two small villages − Mahahual and Xcalak − and extends physically from Xcalak in the south to the southern border of the Sian Ka’an in the north, a distance of approximately 100 km.
The beach at Costa Maya Port, looking toward the cruise ship pier.
The resort of Costa Maya Port viewed from a cruise ship docked at the pier.
While Xcalak is approximately 60 kilometers (37 mi) south of the Costa Maya cruise port, the fishing village of Mahahual is only about 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) away. Cruise ships can easily be seen from the village. Mahahual has soft sand beaches, grass thatched palapas, and a coral reef a short distance off-shore called Banco Chinchorro, as well as several bars, restaurants, and shops. A new development called New Mahahual is being created directly inland from the port. When ships are in port, the village is busy with cruise passengers.
Costa Maya’s port has a new and modern tourist shopping mall. The center has a central plaza with saltwater pools and ‘swim-up’ style bars.