Costa Maya

Address:Costa Maya

In the Costa Maya, you will find peaceful beaches and faraway towns. The area known as the Costa Maya is a portion of the Caribbean coastline that is still very small, but has a tourism focus that is beginning to grow more and more. This area is south of the much more popular Riviera Maya, and visitors will find themselves in an area with much lower prices, less people, and more of a focus on sustainable tourism. The Costa Maya is the paradise of adventurers, offering breathtaking rewards for those who want to venture beyond the beaten path. You will find beaches that are not congested, sparking lagoons, and world-class fishing, as well as great diving.

Visit the small town of Xcalak, and share a cold beer and stories with the locals. Xcalak is a perfect place for sport or fly fishing, dive trips, and snorkeling, which you can arrange through the local hotels or any travel agencies.

If you’re in for a little bit more action, go visit the town of Mahahual. This is a fishing town that is quickly growing in order to support the influx of cruise ships that are beginning to dock at their deep water pier- one of the few in the area. The local businesses offer support to the very small, yet very vibrant tourist center. However, many of the visitors choose to walk along the beachfront malecon first so that they can get the full impact of the Caribbean in this town in the Costa Maya.

Finally, if you want something totally different and away from the beaches, head into Lago Bacalar, or Bacalar Lake. Here, you will find the Lake of Seven Colors, old Spanish war forts, and many freshwater activities. The town is off of the lake shore, and therefore sees very few visitors- most people prefer to stay near the facilities and accommodations near the lagoon.

In this area of Mexico, it’s all about the water. Whether you’re fly-fishing on the salt water flats, or deep sea fishing on the Caribbean, or maybe you’re diving in the second largest barrier reef in the world and the banks of the Chinchorro- the best part of the Costa Maya is the perfectly peaceful atmosphere you will find. You will not encounter many crowds here, whether you’re on the water or in town, which will meant that you will have a relaxing vacation away from the bustling tourism of the Riviera Maya.

There are several Mayan archeological zones that are located on the Riviera Maya: Dzibanche, Becan, Chicanna, Chacchoben, and Kohunlich. Here, you will not have to fight the crowds of the tour buses, because these are sites that are not known very well. Being able to explore the Mayan ruins on your own is truly special and you will be able to explore the history of the Maya in greater detail.

Take some time to go and visit the Fortress de San Felipe Bacalar. It was built in the year 1729, in order to protect the town of Bacalar from coming under siege by the pirates. The fort is now a museum containing a rundown of the local history of it, as well as the events of the Caste War- which is when the fort was used to protect against the Mayans who had won their land from the Spanish invaders.

To get to some of the towns and villages located in Costa Maya, you will travel south from Tulum on Highway 307, passing through the town of Felipe Carillo Puerto- which is approximately an hour away. Continue heading South for about 65 kilometers, or 45 minutes, and take a left to reach the towns of Mahahual and Xcalak. To reach the the pueblo of Bacalar, you will continue traveling South on Highway 307 until you reach it.

Though it is growing in popularity, the Costa Maya is still less traveled than the Riviera Maya, on the Caribbean Coast. This is exactly the reason it is so special. When you visit here, you get a vacation unlike any other, far enough away from the crowds that you can enjoy yourself, but still close enough that you can visit those hot spots. Many people consider the Costa Maya to be heaven on earth.