marketplace & beach

[vtsoccermom]

our family will be in Costa Maya next week and we are planning on a self guided tour of the marketplace (not the shops near the dock), which I assume is only a 5 min taxi ride from port. I would also like to hit a beach maybe for a couple hours. Is there a beach nearby the port/marketplace?

[blue water dude]

The downtown beach is the nicest around and yes, catch a $2 taxi into town. If you can find the outside exit take a taxi from in front of the Hardrock Cafe. There is shopping in that area but the best is along the downtown beach. More like real Mexico.

[crewsweeper]

"Downtown" is really an old fishing village called Mahahual. The "downtown" beach is along the malecon, a board walk/asphalt pathway along the shore with shops, kiosks and restaurants and bars on one side and the beach, ocean on the other. You can catch a taxi like BWD says (it's $3 down and $2 Back). Or you can catch a bus at the crusie center, same price, but you'll have to catch the taxi back. Therea re a number of shops and kiosks in the cruise center as well. Plus out where you get the taxis is another shopping area. If you catch a taxi, have it stop at the Lighthouse and begin your walk there. The bus stops at Tequila Beach, a few blocks down. Do be aware that every restaurant/bar will attempt to hawk loungers and beach massages. You may or maynot feel comfortable with their aggressiveness, but if you don't have a reserved spot somewhere, do walk the entire strip down to the second, and main pier, then come back and select your spot. Don't get sucked into anyone's spiel. too early. It's less crowded the further down you go. And you're not as bothered by people selling their wares.