Rustic, untouched stretches of white sand are common in Xcalak.

Those seeking more tranquility should take a drive down to the southern end of the malecon to find paradise beaches with hardly any visitors and untouched mangroves. This area has restaurants and beach clubs for those who want a livelier beach experience with food, drinks, music and massages. MahahualĪ lovely malecon (broadwalk) runs along the seafront where the Cruise ships arrive delivering day-trippers onto the sand. Palm trees, white sands and turquoise seas provide a natural beauty while the offshore reef is home to an underwater world of tropical fish and other marine life. The beaches of the Costa Maya are much less developed than those of the Riviera Maya and many have an almost untouched feel. There are some second class buses, which serve Xcalak but times are erratic and the service is prone to cancellations. Driving from Cancun (5.5 hours), Playa del Carmen (4.5 hours) and Tulum (4 hours), take the route to Mahahual and then follow the coast on to Xcalak. Xcalak is most easily reached by car and is about an hour down the coast from Mahahual. Mahahual is very small and you can walk everyone, however if your hotel is outside of the town you can reach it by taxi or you may chose to rent a bike. Mahahual is a two-hour easy drive from Chetumal and it can be reached from Cancun (4.5 hours), Playa de Carmen (3.5 hours) and Tulum (3 hours) by following the 307 towards Chetumal until the turn off onto the Carratera de Mahahual.įirst class ADO buses also serve Mahahual daily, with buses from Cancun, Cancun Airport, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, among other destinations.

The bus station is on the edge of town and is reached most easily by taxi. Merida, which sits directly across the peninsular from Chetumal can be reached in under 5 hours.įirst class ADO buses also serve Chetumal daily, with buses from Cancun, Cancun Airport, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, among other destinations.Ĭhetumal is quite a large city but the central area where most tourists visit is easy to navigate on foot.

Heading straight down the 307 you can drive from Cancun (5 hours), Playa del Carmen (4 hours) and Tulum (3.5 hours). Located right on the 307, Chetumal is easily reached by road from other cities in the peninsula. In fact, the only incoming and outgoing flights from Chetumal airport are to and from Mexico’s capital. Mexico’s main carrier Aeromexico no longer flies to Chetumal and flights now only go to and from Mexico City on the cheaper airlines. In recent years Chetumal airport has seen a reduction in flights. Some have a modern design feel but the majority are basic and good for a night or two when passing through the city. Options range from basic cabins to shipwreck-chic hotel options.Ĭhetumal’s hotels are more traditional business style hotels. Hotels in Xcalak are more rustic and laid-back than those in Mahahual and match the feel of the town that is quite far off the beaten track. Most other hotels are set on the beach or a block or two away from it since the town is rather small. Some of the resorts are extremely remote with very little nearby, so they are perfect for those who want tranquil isolation but elegant accommodations. Hotels in Mahahual range from rustic beachfront cabins to luxurious resorts and beach clubs with a bit of everything in between. Bacalar is another important destination and has its own separate listing with detailed information. Most people visiting the Costa Maya will stay in Mahahual, Xcalak or Chetumal. Chetumal is known to many as the crossover point between Mexico and Belize, as it sits right by the border.Ĭosta Maya is a long stretch of coast so hotels differ greatly depending on the area that they are in. The largest city in the Costa Maya area is Chetumal, which is in fact, the capital of the state of Quintana Roo. Some fishing villages have remained along the coast and you can take a drive, stopping at small towns and numerous cenotes along the way. The cruise ship port in Mahahual has certainly added to the numbers of people visiting the Costa Maya, however there are still days when there are no cruise ships and you can have the beach to yourself. The name, however, is hardly ever used by locals, who will instead refer to important cities or resorts in the region such as Mahahual, Xcalak, Bacalar and Chetumal.ĭespite efforts to develop the area, much of this section of the coast remains relatively unexploited. This stretch of coastline was given the name Costa Maya in the 1990s when an official effort to develop the area was undertaken. Beginning where the Mayan Riviera ends, the Costa Maya stretches along the coastline from Sian Kaan all the way down to Belize.

Costa maya mexico