Discover Mayan Ruins in Chacchoben
Honor the explorer in you visiting the Mayan Ruins in Chacchoben. The journey starts way before landing in Costa Maya, when you see the Mayan village from the cruise and you clearly recognize the adventure spirit infiltrating your soul.
By the time you are walking down the pier you already feel like a member of Columbus expedition back in 1492.
As a seasoned traveler, you might know that it is better to pre-book your tours to avoid the lines and get better seats, so, once you are in the port experiencing the slow rhythm of the place, you can go directly to the Pre-booked tours area in the Expedition Plaza. The early bird gets the worm.
The bus is so comfortable and modern, the guide is delightful and the driver is so professional. You will get a complimentary bottle of water to keep you hydrated and soon the adventure starts.
Going out of the port and entering the village is an eye-opener experience. There is so much green! Mahahual is a small town, but the people looks happy to live here. Youngsters ride their bikes to school and you still see children playing on the parks and waving hello to you.
After 2 or 3 minutes on the bus you already feel the call of the jungle. The voice of your guide resonates deep inside your heart when saying “Mi casa es su casa” in 5 languages, and this time you truly feel the phrase: This is your home, this is our home.
The foliage of the trees looks like an exaggeration, and the many butterflies flying around the bus will make you feel you are about to enter some sort of magical land, and we might say so, because in the blink of an eye, you are already in Chacchoben.
The best time to visit the ruins is early in the morning, when the heat and humidity are still tolerable, the mosquitos are asleep and other more pleasant animals are still around. You will have 10 minutes to prepare for your adventure, so, use the restrooms, spray on bug repellent, sunscreen and get ready to go back in time.
The path to the first pyramid is amazing, you hear the birds singing their matinal songs and the morning breeze falls fresh over your face. At the end, you see the splendor of the first Temple. Your guide gives you time to take pictures and then he explains to you where the name of place comes from and other amazing facts about the Mayan Culture. If you have visited other Mayan Ruins, you might know some details about this culture, but let me tell you, Chacchoben guides really know their stuff, most of them are Mayan descendants and will give you insiders information you might not know.
Going deeper into the jungle on your path to The Palace you will learn about the Chicle tree and how its sap is used to fabricate bubble gum. If a sound on the trees distracts you, don´t worry, it must be a curious Spider Monkey jumping up and down over the branches.
Follow the lead of your guide climbing up the stairs to the top of the third pyramid, and once there, fill your lungs with the purity of the air and relax your eyes with the captivating view of the jungle.
It is true! Time flies when you are getting fun. You will have a few more minutes in Chacchoben to check on the hand-crafted souvenirs made by local hands, take some more pictures and then it is time to return to the port.
Do not go back to the ship feeling hungry! Keep up with the adventurer spirit and come to our front beach restaurant “Flavors of Mexico” to taste a delicious Lobster pescadilla. You will love it!