A unique look into Chacchoben's vibrant culture Mayan Experience Tour

Embark on an immersive journey into the heart of Maya culture, blending ancient history with vibrant modern traditions.

This unforgettable tour begins with a guided exploration of the serene Chacchoben Ruins. Here, you'll walk in the footsteps of the ancients, marveling at their impressive temples and a legacy that has endured for centuries. Next, the experience continues to Chacchoben village, where a local family will welcome you into their home. As a special guest, you'll have fun learning to make your own tortillas, and savoring an authentic Yucatecan lunch cooked with local spices and fresh ingredients, specially for your visit.

A visit to a Maya home wouldn't be complete without a meal, and this one is the culinary highlight of your experience. You will savor authentic traditional flavors in a lunch prepared following treasured family recipes. This is a genuine, home-cooked meal you won't find anywhere else in Costa Maya.

This unique tour provides a genuine opportunity to connect with the living traditions of the Maya people and make new friends.

Tour details

Pricing

$90.00 Adults [Participants ages 13 y/o and older]
$80.00 Children [Participants ages 5 to 12 y/o]
$0.00 Infants [Participants ages 4 y/o and younger]
Rates are quoted in US Dollars.

Tour duration

5.5 hours

Operating days and departure times

This tour operates daily, with limited availability during Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Earliest departure for cruise ship guests is one hour after the ship docks. Depending on the ship's scheduled time in port, later departures may also be available.

Difficulty level

Easy

This is a walking tour and includes walking on trails under the jungle. Climbing at least 13 steps is needed to see the temples on top of Gran Basamento.

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, we recommend contacting us in advance if you require mobility assistance or have specific accessibility needs. This allows us to discuss availability to accommodate your needs and the best tour options for your visit.

Tour meeting point

Meet us at The Native Choice Kiosk, conveniently located just steps from the Costa Maya Port. Detailed directions, contact information, and a map will be included in your confirmation email to kick off your unforgettable adventure!

Costa Maya offers a variety of exciting tours and activities!
While the cruise lines provide their own excursion options, you also have the chance to discover the authentic charm of Costa Maya with local companies like us, always at better rates than onboard options. To meet our friendly representatives and access a wider selection of tours, you'll just need to head conveniently outside the port terminal.

Policies

• A deposit of $15.00 USD per person is required at the time of booking to confirm spaces on this tour.
• Your remaining balance is due in cash (USD or MXN) at check-in. Alternatively, you can pay your full reservation amount when booking.
• Our family admission policy allows for complimentary admission of up to two infants (aged 0-4) per family. Standard child rates apply for all additional infants.
• This tour operates rain or shine.
• Full refund guaranteed if for any reason your cruise ship doesn't call port in Costa Maya at all.
• Cancellation policy is 2 days before the tour to avoid a cancellation fee of $15.00 USD per person.

Recommendations for your tour

• Comfortable walking or tennis shoes are highly recommended.
• Don't forget a hat and sunblock!
• Carry extra cash for any shopping or small purchases, as cards are not accepted at Chacchoben.
• We find this tour is most enjoyable for children aged 6 years and up.

Tour timetable

This tour is completed in 5.5 hours.

Mayan Experience Tour gallery

About Mayan Experience Tour

This tour departs from The Native Choice Kiosk, conveniently located just steps from the port entrance. For a stress-free start, we include detailed meeting point information on all tour confirmations.

This tour is a two-part adventure that seamlessly blends ancient history with vibrant local culture. You'll begin with a guided exploration of the Chacchoben Ruins, followed by a hands-on experience in Chacchoben village for the rest of your cultural immersion.

Details about the Chacchoben Ruins visit

Chacchoben is still under investigation, it has a fascinating mix of restored and unrestored structures, offering a unique perspective of the city's past and a glimpse into ongoing archeological efforts.

For preservation purposes, visitors are NOT allowed to climb the temples.
Climbing is permited at Gran Basamento to explore the temples on top of it.

Guests with walking difficulties can still enjoy the beauty of Chacchoben. The leveled paths and trails allow for a slow-paced exploration. To ensure your comfort, please let us know in advance if you require a collapsible chair or umbrella. Our friendly staff is always happy to assist you throughout the tour. Before booking, please review our tour meeting point information.

When you visit an archaeological site in Mexico, keep in mind there's a $5.00USD fee if you want to bring a dedicated video camera like a camcorder or a GoPro. This is specifically for personal use, not for commercial filming. This fee isn't included in the tour price, and it's paid at the site's entrance.
There's no charge if you're just using your smartphone, film camera, or digital camera to take photos, even if those devices have video capabilities.

Tripods and drones aren't allowed into the site.

Chacchoben's service area has a cafeteria selling drinks, water, ice cream, and snacks. Only cash (US Dollas or MX Pesos) is accepted for payments.

Deatails about Chacchoben village

Beyond an educational adventure, your participation in the Mayan Experience Tour directly benefits the Maya families of Chacchoben village, ensuring that tourism supports their community and preserves their rich culture.

While the ancient ruins are a highlight, our guests consistently tell us that the tour's focus on hands-on activities in the village is the most authentic and memorable part of their experience.

While we encourage you to fully embrace the cultural exchange, we understand that every guest has a different comfort level. The level of interaction is completely up to you, but our hope is that you'll leave with new friends and cherished memories, as connecting with the modern Maya people is truly at the heart of the Mayan Experience.

Our local host families have undergone extensive training in food safety, so you can relax and enjoy the authentic flavors of the Yucatan. We use only the freshest local ingredients, and every meal is prepared with care and cooked thoroughly to ensure a delicious and safe dining experience.

You will savor the true, exotic flavors of the Yucatan with an authentic lunch prepared with local spices, fresh ingredients, and traditional family recipes. Your hosts will even explain the recipes and let you see and taste the ingredients used to create your meal.

The traditional Maya diet is primarily vegetable-based, but our special meal for you includes chicken or turkey.

We are pleased to prepare gluten-free and vegetarian meals upon request. If you or a member of your party requires any special dietary accommodations, please let us know in advance so we can ensure you have a wonderful and worry-free dining experience.