The cruiser cult-favorite beach day: a calm, shallow, palm-fringed private cove with your own reserved palapa, an all-you-can-eat Maya buffet, all-day open bar, glass-bottom kayaks and snorkel gear, all in. Family-owned and not tied to any cruise line, it's the low-risk, do-nothing-but-relax fallback if the inland tours feel like too much for your one port day.
What to expect
You arrive at a sheltered private cove fringed with palms and claim your reserved palapa for the day. From there, the rhythm is yours: float between the shallow, calm turquoise water with snorkel gear and glass-bottom kayaks, retreat to your shaded palapa when the sun peaks, and graze the all-day Maya buffet whenever hunger strikes. The open bar runs continuously, so cold drinks are always steps away as you drift between lounging, light water play, and food—it's designed as a zero-friction beach day where everything is already here.
Good to know
Book at least 3 days ahead as the beach controls numbers and fills up; round-trip transport from the pier is included, though confirm pickup times when you book to ensure a comfortable buffer back to the ship. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and a light cover-up, as the palapa offers shade but the reflection off the water is intense. With a 6–8 hour port window, you'll have roughly 4–5 hours of actual beach time after transport, which is ample for this all-in model; just plan to be back at the pier 30–45 minutes before all-aboard.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Costa Maya — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.