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Overview: Mexico's newest port, Puerto Costa Maya, is the first port on Mexico's Caribbean Coast to have been built exclusively for cruise ships and cruise-based travellers. Situated on the Yucatan Peninsula near the fishing village of Majahual, Costa Maya is the fastest growing cruise port in the Caribbean that consists of three grand pavilions in the style of ancient Maya. The commercial, cultural and entertainment centre offers dining, shopping and recreational facilities, a swimming pool and swim-up bar, local performances in the amphitheatre, as well as art and craft galleries showcasing the region's local artists and their art. The infrastructure has been carefully designed to meet the special needs of cruise ship passengers. Beyond the pavilions, Costa Maya provides access to undeveloped areas of coastline, colourful reefs and shipwrecks for diving and snorkelling, and exploration of ancient Mayan sites. Tour operators offer dune buggy tours, Mayan sites like Kohunlich and Dzibanche, and kayak adventures. Free shuttles transport passengers regularly between the pier complex and their ships. *Note: Costa Maya suffered severe damage by Hurricane Dean on 21 August 2007, and it is estimated that it will take at least six months before the port is operational again.

Shopping: Passengers alighting from cruise ships are carried by shuttle to the Mayan-inspired port complex, which boasts 70,000 square feet (6,503sq m) of shops and a bazaar. On offer are a wide variety of typical Mexican souvenirs, especially local crafts, as well as designer perfumes, leather goods, and jewellery. The bazaar stallholders expect bartering to take place.

 

Restaurants: The port complex contains some fast food outlets and eateries, but visitors docking here who want to enjoy a leisurely local meal can take a stroll into the fishing village of Majahual, where there are several small, rustic restaurants along the beach serving up Mexican favourites, as well as delicious lobster and fresh fish.

 

Nightlife: Being mainly a cruise destination, visitors tend to be day-trippers who do not spend evenings at the port. Those who find themselves overnighting will no doubt be staying in a beach cabana in Majahual, where the only entertainment is to sip margaritas in an unsophisticated open-air beach bar under the stars.

 

Activities: Being a purpose-built cruise ship port-of-call, Puerto Costa Maya exists mainly to cater for shore excursions, and there is a huge range of around 20 of these available for passengers. Excursions range from bus tours to the Chacchoben Mayan ruins, bike and kayak trips, a catamaran snorkelling expedition, trips to the historic Bakalar lagoon, 4x4 drives through the jungle and thrilling airboat rides. Alternatively visitors can just enjoy some souvenir shopping, laze on the beach, or stroll into the nearby sleepy fishing village of Majahual.