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my day at Costa Maya/Majuhaul

serene56

By serene56,
in Costa Maya

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chewap

chewap

Posted
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The outbound to Mahahual is run by the Port facility and you cannot take the taxis into town. When I was there in Jan. We bought our tickets and was escorted to the bus. As we were the only ship in port, we waited for over 1/2 hour :( for the bus to fill up. They have taxis but they make a bigger profit by only having one driver. Coming back to the ship, you pay $2 and there are plenty of taxies (different company) waiting in town.

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jznet2

jznet2

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We just went last week (2/23). If you can find your way out of the Shopping maze that the cruise lines have built at Costa Maya and actually find the taxi stand, it will be worth the trouble. We didn't experience more than a 3-minute wait for a cab.

 

My wife and I got the $20 30-minute massages but I think it was closer to 40 minutes than 30... If you are looking for a quiet, tranquil kind of place, it's probably not for you. It is a little crowded but we had no problem getting a table and chairs to put our stuff on.

 

The shopping was fantastic and fractions of the price that you will payin Costa Maya. And, oh, my favorite thing of all. The ice-cold, $2.50 liter bottles of Corona were awesome!!!

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mcanuck

mcanuck

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We walked along the beach from the pier to the village it took us fifteen minutes and there were no line ups.lol. We just headed to the edge of the pier area past the pool and beach area and walked around the wall.There was a sand path that took you into town.Saw many iguanas and different birds.It was an easy hike and no line ups for cabs.We ate and drank at Pez Quadro which was near the end of town.It was not as busy and the beer were only $2.Had a great beach day and took a cab back for $2each.

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  • 1 year later...
232271

232271

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Ihave been a member of cruise critic since 2000. I love researching my ports using this site. I know Costa Maya is a relatively new port BUT nothing i read on here or anywhere on the net prepared me for this day. Especailly in the begining.

 

We arrived in Costa Maya with 2 other ships- Royal's Explorer and Grandeur.

Both ships arrived an hour before we did.

 

I know I wanted to head to Majuhaul and had to take a taxi. What no one ever stated was the lines waiting to take a taxi. We headed to to the taxi stand to wait in the long line to buy tickets. $3.00 pp to get to Majuahaul. (yes, you need tickets to take a taxi) Yes it is per person. So we waited in the hot sun for little over half an hour to buy our tickets. There is no shade to buy tickets for the taxi- After getting our tickets we then had to wait in another line to board the buses. Again no shade and again a half hour wait.

I think that someone should be there to direct people (there is no signs that state you need to have a ticket and lots of people waited in the line for the bus without the tickets- so they had to go back -get the ticket and wait in the line for the bus again. Once on the bus it was smooth sailing. It is a 2 mile ride to the beaches. We saw lots of people walking. Nothing to see as you walk and I dont think I would have walked that. I can see where there is a lot of room for development and expect the next time we go back there will be tons of new stuff built.

The bus took us through the back way into Majuahal. All the poor people/ houses etc. To think on the other side of these houses was a beautiful beach/water country side. I can only imagine where the tourism board will build up this area then where will those people go.

The beach is one long strech of beach. there is a sandy road that gives access to the bars/food. Each bar has access to the beach in front of it.

From reading the boards we decided to try Tappa Bar. We got our table. Yes there are tables with umbrellas. We ate tacos/quissadillas/nachos and had a few sodas. Two people total bill was 15 bucks and that included a tip. Massages are 30 minutes for 20 bucks but if it is slow you can haggle 45 minutes for the same 20 bucks. Both Joe and I had a massage and the people giving the massage are good. BUT please be aware that the towels are never changed between customers. THey just take the towels, shake them out and refold them. I also never seen them leave and wash their hands between people either. Not saying they dont do it-- I just never seen them leave. Kinda gave me a yucky feeling most of the day but for $20 bucks compared to the ships $100 for the same thing it was well worth it.

 

After lunch and massages we ventured out to see what the different vendors had to offer. Lots of nice stuff and haggling was going on all around us. We then headed to the taxi stand to buy our return trip to the ships. THere was no line and we were in a cab with in a few minutes.

 

There is a posted guard at the front roads into Majuahaul. ANd we did see a few guy wearing black = carrying guns. It is intimadating to see this but they are there to protect everyone. I guess they like the tourism dollars that are being spent here and want to keep it that way. Unlike St Croix where crime was rampant with cruise passengers.

 

I did get the menu so I can post it...and have pictures. GIve me a few days and I will get them posted for you.

 

 

looking for the photos, thanks!

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soccermom4

soccermom4

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Just saw a post from someone who returned from Costa Maya - who was on the Grandeur of the Seas. She said the pool at the port was drained and the seas were too rough to swim!!! Don't know why the pool was drained, but just wanted people to be aware.

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  • 2 weeks later...
clgcrusier

clgcrusier

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Serene,

Like you, I will be on the Miracle and be in port with two other ships. We are scheduled for 10 AM and they are scheduled for 7 AM. It appears we will encounter the same issues you did with the long lines. Is the pool and bar area just off the pier a "free" area? I have seen pictures but have not read much about it. Would you recommend taking a "beach break" tour as opposed to waiting for the taxi's to go to town? I am afraid of waiting and then getting into town and finding the beaches crowded. Like you I have read posts on this site trying to come up with the "perfect" day for the family! ANY advice or suggestions you have would be appreciated!!!! Thanks!

 

Just curious-how do you find out that other ships will be in port with your ship? We will be going there in February-that info might help us decide what we'll do that day!:confused:

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Iceman-007

Iceman-007

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its a safari type jeep GOING to Majuahaul and a small taxi coming back to costa maya.

 

What r u afraid of?

I am afraid of the driver kidnapping me and my girlfriend or robbing us.

As lonely planet says mexico has a crime problem and says a lot of bad things about the safety of mexico.

Maybe Costa Maya is different?

 

 

I thought it was a bus taking you into town?????

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Iceman-007

Iceman-007

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here is some of the bad things lonelyplanet.com says about Mexico

Also just recently a couple was Murdered in their hotel room

 

 

 

quote from lonely planet

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************.

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buckeyeinmd

buckeyeinmd

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do you take a shuttle bus into town or a private cab because I afriad to take a private taxi back into port because I feel it may be unsafe in Mexico

 

We took a cab back into port. There was a line of cabs waiting for people to leave the village.

 

Doug

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serene56

serene56

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I am afraid of the driver kidnapping me and my girlfriend or robbing us. As lonely planet says mexico has a crime problem and says a lot of bad things about the safety of mexico.

Maybe Costa Maya is different?I thought it was a bus taking you into town?????

 

its a safarit type bus.. not the kind of buses we have at home. THey hold about 25-30 people.

 

Every place you visit will have some crime- You really just have to be aware of your surroundings. Cruise ships will not take you to places if the crime is rampant. (thats why they dont go to St Croix no more.)

 

Being robbed-- please dont carry huge amount of money or valubles to any port. Only carry off what you really think you will need.

 

the people who work their--- driving taxis etc are not going to put their jobs in jeopardy to get a few things off passengers.

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Iceman-007

Iceman-007

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. Cruise ships will not take you to places if the crime is rampant. (thats why they dont go to St Croix no more.)

 

.

 

thank you for the reply!

 

What about Belize City it is very high in violent crime according to lonely planet and the murder rate is 6 times higher then the USA and the cruise ships always go there.

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serene56

serene56

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thank you for the reply!

 

What about Belize City it is very high in violent crime according to lonely planet and the murder rate is 6 times higher then the USA and the cruise ships always go there.

 

the cruise director will also tell you not to go into belieze unless you have an excursion to do. Do not venture on your own. We took an independant tour

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