Mahahual

Mahahual used to be a quiet and friendly small fishing town off the beaten track. However a large cruise ship docking jetty dubbed "Puerto Costa Maya" has been constructed just up the beach. Every day a couple of cruise ships dock and the occupants are disgorged onto the town to drink, shop, swim and ride jet skis and quad bikes. However the further south away from the cruise ship dock you go the quieter the town becomes, so it's still possible to have a quiet time of it, especially at some of the hotels south of town.
In August 2007, Hurricane Dean landed just north of Mahahual. It heavily damaged the cruise ship dock and destroyed much of the small village. The village was rebuilt, cruise ships returned, and many nice hotels openrf.
A new seaside Malecon runs from the main road to the southern end of Mahahual Pueblo. The Malecon is a pedestrian walkway with the beach to the east and businesses to the west. Many nice restaurants and shops line the Malecon. The town has several ATMs: one is in the "Casitas", a subdivision adjoining the port, at the Mobius internet/DVD rental store; another is located at Luna De Plata, a kilometer south of the pueblo; a third is an HSBC bank ATM within the town's only Pemex station, 4 km west on the main access road. Cash is still the best option as many times the ATM machines do not work or are out of cash.
If you are looking for quiet tranquil beaches, away from the crowds, drive through Mahahual and continue 4 kilometers along the coastal road. After passing the small bridge of Rio Bermejo (hardly a river, more a small stream connecting the mangrove waters with the ocean) you will find small ecological hotels, restaurants and rental houses, all beachfront. Electricity is generated with solar panels, wind mills and most of the businesses use a generator as a back up. Rain water is captured on roof decks and collected in systerns used tio shower and flushing toilets.
When you arrive at km 15, there is a turn off to the right, take it to either return to Mahahual or continue to Xcalak. If you continue on the beach road, you will find lots of empty bays,only a few rental houses on the road side.

From the port: Organized tours are also available from a variety of companies.
You will not necessarily be over run with the tourists from the cruise ships, when they leave you have this sleepy town to yourself. Things switch quickly from bustle to mellow.
From the airport: ADO bus service is now available to and from Mahahual from either the airport, central station Cancun or the stations in Playa del Carmen.
Staying just a few km outside of town will keep you from the majority of the cruise traffic.

Your best bet is to rent a car. Most travelers land in Cancun. It will take over four hours but do not confuse this area with Cancun. Four hours gets you to an entirely different world.

Beaches

• Puerto Angel Beach -

Mayan ruins

There are several sites of Classical Period Mayan ruins close enough for a day-visit. Mexican law requires a fee of about US$5 for the use of video cameras at these sites.

• Chacchoben - Dates to the 3rd-8th centuries. The tallest pyramid rises above the trees and for those physically and psychologically equipped to climb it, offers a view of the countryside. Several smaller ruins at the site may have been the houses of nobles.
• Kohunlich - A ceremonial center and the capital of a powerful dynasty. The Temple of Masks features five stucco masks with the features of the Sun God, along the its stairs. It also contains the ruins of residences and a ceremonial ball field.
• Dzibanché - An important city, featuring stone plazas bordered by temple pyramids, including the Temple of the Owl and the Temple of the Cormorants.
• Ichkabal - Under excavation by INAH since 1995, this vast and important preclassic city 30 km from Bacalar is not yet open to the public as of Feb 2019. A "lost" city of gigantic proportions, Ichkabal may be one of the most important discoveries in Mayan archeology in decades.

There are many tours offered from Costa Maya port and the town of Mahahual to meet all kinds of demands. Enjoy the many resturants and shopping along the sandy beaches located in town. Venture out onto the water with unlimited water excursions. Enjoy the culture and charm of this small and diverse village.
The barrier reef, which is part of the Meso American Reef, just off shore offers opportunities for snorkeling or scuba diving, and keeps the waters of the Caribbean safe for kayaking. This reef is the 2nd longest barrier reef in the world being just over 900 km long, starting at Puerto Morelos in Mexico, stretching down past to Belize to terminate at Honduras.

• Nomad DiversScuba diving.

• Gypsea Divers

  address: Malecon
  Professional dive and snorkel business.

• Dreamtime

  address: South Malecon
  Professional dive and snorkel business

• Amigos Del MarOfficial Cressi Dive Center with top of the line dive equipment. Their customized dive boat fits 14 divers and has racks for 32 tanks. They also have the required government permits in order to take divers to the Banco Chinchorro Protected National Reserve.

• Doctor Dive

  phone: +52 983 834 5619
  address: Calle Coronado con Calle Huachinango s/n, Centro, 77976
  Dive trips, PADI courses, snorkeling

Water excursions

You can find many water excursions from town, including snorkel and dive tours, catamarans, paddleboards, fishing, jet skis, flyboard, and kayaks.

Beaches

The beaches of Mahahual are often restaurant concessions that provide many services to you. You can find great food and drinks and massages on the beach. The nice sandy beaches provide great swimming and snorkelling opportunities.

• Yaya Beach

  address: Av. Huachinango con Calle Coronado
  Bar, restaurant and beach service.

• Almaplena Restaurant

  phone: +52 983 137 5070
  address: km 12,5
  Facing directly on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. The restaurant menu offers mainly Mediterranean cuisine with local influences that incorporate and enhance the best ingredients and regional flavors.
• Casa del Mar Serves excellent shrimp tacos.

• El Grito

  address: inside Matan Ka´an hotel
  Real Mexican food.

• Pizza Papi Pasta

  phone: +52 983-104-0667
  address: avenida paseo del puerto 1095
  Pizza Papi Pasta is at Puerto Costa Maya, really Italian food with brick owen wood. Cool service and nice night ambient
• Tapas Bar, Capitan Mono, El Delfin are a few of the bars/Restaurants on the Malecon.

• Travel In'

  address: 6 km south of Mahahual on the beach road
  Fantastic and varied international food from a Dutch couple who transplanted to Mahahual some years ago.

• Restaurant Maya Luna

  phone: +52 983 836 0905
  address: km 5.2
  Beachfront restaurant south of town. Mix of European and Mexican kitchen with an Indonesian touch. Famous for their stuffed pineapple.

• Maya Chan Beach

  phone: +52 983-101-3585
  address: Km. 6.5 Carretera Mahahual - Xcalak
  Maya Chan Beach Resort is minutes south of Puerto Costa Maya. Discover the underwater world through the glass bottom of a Costa Maya kayak tour or the mask of your snorkeling gear. All included.

• Maramao Resturante

  phone: +52 983 834 5791
  address: Calle Robalo
  Nice place to eat fresh seafood. Mix of Mexican and Italian dishes with the possibility to eat right on the beach.

• La Bodeguita

  address: Center of Mahahual
  Sports bar and meeting place for locals who gather here after work to watch their favourite sports game, often a soccer or boxing game. Or to play some pool or darts

• Almaplena Eco Beach Resort

  address: Coastal Rd Mahahual-Xcalak

• Arenas HotelBoutique hotel.

• Mahahual Hotel

• Cabanas del Tio Phil Carretera Antigua a Xcalak

• Dreamtime Diving

• Margarita del Sol Oceanfront Suites

• Maya Luna Hotel

• Maya Palms Resort & Dive Center

• Mayan Beach Garden B&B

  address: KM 21.5 N Camino Costera Rio Indio-Uvero

• Casa del Cielo de las Estrellas

  address: km 8.5 Coastal Road Mahahual-Xcalak

• Travel In'

  address: 6 km south of Mahahual on the beach road
  Quiet and isolated if you want to get away from the noise of Mahahual. Guest house and camping palapa.

• Casita Dragonfly

  address: Km 11 S Camino Costero Mahahual-Xcalak
  Charming 2-bedroom, 2-bath beach house: internet, caretaker, gardens, kayaks, privacy.

• Hotel Caballo Blanco

  phone: +53 983 834 5830, +52 983 126 0319
  address: Malecon lote 1 manzana 12
  Beachfront boutique hotel with rooftop pool.

• Xcalak - Remote village for Great fishing and diving
• Chetumal