37 Best Stops Between San Salvador and Playa del Carmen
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Wanderlog staff Updated • updatedApr 7, 2023
How long is the drive from San Salvador to Playa del Carmen?
The direct drive from San Salvador to Playa del Carmen is 713 mi (1,148 km), and should have a drive time of 16 hrs 18 mins in normal traffic.
If you’re going on a road trip from San Salvador to Playa del Carmen, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Tulum, Akumal, Mahahual, Puerto Aventuras, San Ignacio, Bacalar, and Belize City, as well as top places to visit like Copan Ruinas and Macaw Mountain, or the ever-popular Lago de Coatepeque.
Top cities between San Salvador and Playa del Carmen
The top cities between San Salvador and Playa del Carmen are Tulum, Akumal, Mahahual, Puerto Aventuras, San Ignacio, Bacalar, and Belize City. Tulum is the most popular city on the route. It's 15 hours from San Salvador and less than an hour from Playa del Carmen.
San Ignacio is a town situated in the Cayo District of Belize, located by the Macal River and linked to Santa Elena via Hawksworth Bridge. The Mayan ruins of Cahal Pech are perched on a hill to the south of the town, with a small museum located amidst the plazas and temples. San Ignacio serves as the cultural-economic hub of Cayo District, characterized by rustic charm between two major rivers.
6% as popular as Tulum
1 minute off the main route, 51% of way to Playa del Carmen
Belize City, located in the Central American country of Belize, is a bustling port city divided into north and south sides by Haulover Creek. The creek opens into the Caribbean Sea and features the manually operated Swing Bridge built in the 1920s that links both sides. The north side is home to various attractions such as the Museum of Belize which showcases Mayan artifacts and traces the history of the country. Meanwhile, local contemporary art can be found at Image Factory gallery.
5% as popular as Tulum
0 minutes off the main route, 66% of way to Playa del Carmen
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Mahahual, a charming village located on the Costa Maya in Quintana Roo, Mexico, has transformed from a traditional fishing village into a thriving tourist hub. Despite some negative portrayals online, it's actually a highly recommended stop along the Quintana Roo coast. The area offers more than just tacky souvenir shops and gringo bars; it's filled with local businesses that contribute to the unique tourism experience.
10% as popular as Tulum
2 hours off the main route, 77% of way to Playa del Carmen
Bacalar, a serene town in southeastern Mexico near the Belize border, is renowned for its stunning Lake Bacalar, known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors due to its mesmerizing blue and turquoise shades. Visitors can explore the 18th-century Fuerte de San Felipe, now home to a piracy museum showcasing colonial-era artifacts. The colonial San Joaquín Parish Church with its vaulted ceiling is also worth a visit.
6% as popular as Tulum
2 minutes off the main route, 78% of way to Playa del Carmen
Tulum is a Mexican town located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. It boasts well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city and beautiful beaches. The main attraction is El Castillo, a large stone structure situated atop a rocky cliff overlooking the turquoise sea. Additionally, visitors can explore Parque Nacional Tulum, which features mangroves and natural limestone sinkholes called cenotes.
Most popular city on this route
1 minute off the main route, 94% of way to Playa del Carmen
I'll never travel to Playa del Carmen without this trip planner again
Akumal is a beach resort located on the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico's Riviera Maya. The area boasts beautiful white sands, an abundant coral reef, and warm waters teeming with diverse marine life - particularly turtles. Additionally, visitors can explore nearby destinations such as Half Moon Bay and Yal-ku Lagoon for more swimming and snorkeling opportunities among colorful tropical fish, stingrays, and barracudas.
40% as popular as Tulum
7 minutes off the main route, 96% of way to Playa del Carmen
Puerto Aventuras is a settlement situated in the Solidaridad Municipality of Quintana Roo, Mexico. With an altitude of 9 meters above sea level, it boasts a population of 5,979 residents according to the most recent census conducted in 2010. It holds the distinction of being the second-largest community within Solidaridad Municipality after Playa del Carmen, which serves as its municipal seat.
15% as popular as Tulum
3 minutes off the main route, 97% of way to Playa del Carmen
Best stops along San Salvador to Playa del Carmen drive
The top stops along the way from San Salvador to Playa del Carmen (with short detours) are Tulum, Playa Akumal, and Zona arqueológica de Coba. Other popular stops include Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Paradise Beach, and Bacalar Lagoon.
Lago de Coatepeque is a picturesque caldera with an island and restaurants that offers popular activities such as swimming, diving, and sailing. It is located just an hour and a half from San Salvador within the Volcanoes National Park. Visitors can enjoy the shimmering emerald green lake while having lunch or taking in the stunning views by summiting a nearby volcano.
This place is beautiful I was there last month right at the peak of the color change, good restaurant and the people is so friendly
Las 8 maravillas is a very nice restaurant with good views
Carlos Miranda-cruz — Google review
most of the coast is private, people have access to some small piece only((
shame
imOKmom — Google review
Relaxing and peaceful, I recommend going in the afternoon when it’s not too hot
Becky Bodden — Google review
Lake itself is a beautiful landscape. But there's no road around it to hike. It's full of restaurants and accommodations. However you can go for a boat ride, kayak, jet ski, swimming, jump in the water. But 220 and 242 from Santa Ana comes to the lake.
Zahra Baghestani — Google review
Nice lake but so much is shut off to private ownership and commercialized so limited public access or nice open nature spots to enjoy which is a shame as the lake its self is beautiful
Nomad Traveler — Google review
Nice lake to spend time with the family. Lago Coatepeque. Take the ferry from restaurant to see a great view from the lake.. El Farro restaurante
Oscar Lazo — Google review
The lake is pretty, but there is no public access (on the northern side) as everything is built up. The color of the water was also not as pretty as is often described.
David Weber — Google review
Stunning volcanic lake with plenty of activities to do. The problem I found was that most lakefront properties are private. Check a hotel and hire kayaks/equipment and spend the day(s) there. Sunsets at the lake are also really beautiful…
Brownboytravels dot blog — Google review
Absolutely beautiful. Great area, jet ski rental boat rides restaurants.
Jose Torres — Google review
Beautiful lake, stunning really. Just a shame it's full of restaurants full of tourists. Would have been nice to have more area for public access. The road down is narrow and the traffic can get busy.
Chris Torres — Google review
This lake is beautiful! Just find the perfect location to watch the colors of the sky change during sunset… Take one of the boat tours too!
Jennifer Rodriguez — Google review
Absolutely beautiful place, so much to do in the area, zip lining, four wheeler rentals, swimming, and much much more. I LOVED IT !!!
Janet Martin — Google review
The view is stunning, there are several water activities you can do here, and there are also rentals available.
D G — Google review
Well let me start by saying! Holy cow! This place is so underrated and is super beautiful I’ve never seen a lake in my life with turquoise water! Like legit! You guys in El Salvador during May - July check this place out! Their water changes colors for reasons I’ve not found on google lol
Roberto Carlos Iglesias — Google review
Amazing another place to visit while in El Salvador 🇸🇻 Lots of restaurant, you can swim, also some of the restaurants has pools for kids inside the lake, there are boats that take you around the lake or just sit and relax in one of the restaurants.
Mama Guez — Google review
Really fun. The food is really good. Good place to hang out and nice places to stay.
Aiden — Google review
Once in a while color of the lake changes to turquoise blue like the pics below. Take a bus 202 and get off before the bus goes all the way down because the view from a high place is much better. You can find the good view spot if you look for one for a little bit.
Copán Ruinas is a town located in the Copán Department of Honduras, close to the Guatemalan border. It is an important tourist destination due to its proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Copán Archaeological site, which belongs to the ancient Mayan civilization. The town features charming colonial-style streets lined with numerous restaurants that offer tasty local cuisine. Despite being a small town, it is considered safe for solo travelers at night.
Tropical bird sanctuary in a natural mountain setting with trails, viewing platforms & dining.
This is one of my most favorite places on the planet. The macaw is a glorious bird and the work done here is just amazing. Go see some awesome birds up close. Be sure to buy some bird cookies to feed them from your hand.
As an added bonus, take a swimsuit and towel. They recently added a great little swimming hole on the river. If you pack a lunch, your trip could easily be 4 or 5 hours.
Kris Martin — Google review
Macaw mountain was beautiful! The river that runs along the exhibit is perfect all the birdlife look well taken care of. The keepers are well informed and knowledgeable of the macaws and you can tell they love the macaws.
christian barahona — Google review
Everything was amazing. I went from Florida and was very disappointed about not taking pictures with the birds !!!! They don't take pictures anymore since covid, and I understand, but I wish they would've updated that online.online, it says pictures at 1:00 pm. That's a LIE ! That's why I went ... the roads are quite hard, so make sure you take the right car 4x4 ...
Be_happy — Google review
Awesome bird rescue with a Macaw breeding program. The animals are beautiful to look at with an outdoor walking path. If you love animals or birds specifically check it out. We walked around for 2 hours and saw/read most of the park.
Ben Welton — Google review
If you're visiting Copan and don't visit "Parque de Aves" you'll be missing out. Here, you'll see a wide variety of different birds in cages and also outside. The Scarlet Macaw roams around by the dozen in the trees above. It's a beautiful site to see.
Oscar Enrique Arias Paz — Google review
They really care about the birds. Taking care of them. The park was good and proper. The staff is well educated and want to tell you everything about their job and the birds. Beautifull plants and the enviroment is also amazing.
Anniek Slinkman — Google review
Incredible rehabilitation center! Definitely worth the visit! They are doing incredible work!
Bhav Patel — Google review
Way way way better than expected. Set in a beautiful river canyon, this sanctuary and hatchery boasts very nice birds in a super nice layout. Seems thoughtful and well planned start to finish. Workers all very friendly. Felt very good about spending money here while in Copan Ruinas. Very informative with many infographics to let you know what is what. Recommend for sure.
Drew Kovacic — Google review
Well worth the visit. Beautiful location with aviaries set amongst tropical jungle. Also has free roaming scarlet macaws flying around. Well worth the 240 limpira entry.
Graeme Holroyd — Google review
Absolutely worth the time and money to visit especially if you are an animal lover! We had a wonderful time wandering among the birds and learning all about the wonderful work that is being done to revitalize the native bird population of Copan.
Lena Sterne — Google review
Excellent place! For the price it's quite reasonable.
Emma Britt — Google review
Such a neat place, and a sanctuary as well! You can learn a lot from the staff and all the signs... Nice walk through the forest, about 80+ birds, and even a few in an open courtyard for photos. Great coffee too!
Pete Birmingham — Google review
This place is awesome. You walk through a forest like atmosphere that allows you to see as well as interact with various tropical birds including macaws and toucans. You even get to hold them and take pictures. Definitely worth it to go to
Sus Paul — Google review
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2 Km al Norte del Parque Central, Carretera a, 00504 Agua Caliente, Copán, Honduras
My partner and I did a sunrise tour of Tikal. Our guide, Marlon, we very kind and knowledgeable. We had a cute breakfast and lunch with him throughout the day, and got to explore so much of Tikal! We had an excellent time!
Erik Nickerson — Google review
Truly wonderful tour made possible only by Gemtrips. Marlon and Evelin are super nice, accommodating and knowledgeable (both in the archaeological and ecological aspects) of the Tikal area. The sunset tour with Marlon is one of my best time in Guatemala
Huopu Zhang — Google review
As the owner of an expedition company, I have experience of many tour operators and guides. I recently led a team of mixed ages to Guatemala that included a tour of Tikal and the surrounding Jungle with Gem Tours. Marlon and Gem Tours were exceptional and treated us throughout as though we were their only customers. As a guide Marlon was wonderful. His ability to manage groups, coupled with his friendly demeanour and exceptional knowledge of the park, its animals and the jungle made our trip. I would very highly recommend Gem Tours.
Venture Force Ltd — Google review
The sunset trip to Tikal was incredible.
Marlon was our tour guide. Great communication before the trip started. He picked us up at our hotel in Flores. Comfortable van with AC for just over an hour to the park.
Once at the park, we had a delicious lunch of traditional Belizean food. The chicken pepinazo was delicious and we had great service.
The tour included seeing so much wildlife including monkeys, crocodiles, turkeys, caterpillars, toucans, frogs and toads, tarantulas and more.
Marlon was very helpful for those of us who couldn't see them at first! We also leaves about different plants, trees and flowers, and even saw some plant that folded onto itself when you touched it.
The tour included walking through the archeological sites and climbing pyramids. There was always an opportunity to ask questions and Marion always knew the answers.
We ended at the Grand Pyramid to watch the sunset. Incredible and moving experience. Marlon was very helpful helping one of us who is afraid of heights to get down safely! Thank you!
A walk back in the dark and the ride home concluded the trip.
Thank you Marlon for an unforgettable experience!
Anne Renaud — Google review
Marlon is a one-of-a-kind, truly exceptional tour guide. He has decades of experience and in-depth knowledge of the area, animals, and Mayan ruins. He had adequate stops, engaging content, and diversified the content between ruins, animals, and history. He also had lunch lined up at the end of the tour, which was a welcome respite.
Separately, Marlon arranged transportation to and from the airport and our hotel in the park, which was seamless.
Jeff Cook — Google review
We did a sunrise tour with Marlon and it was an incredible experience! From the wonderful breakfast that was provided to the never ending knowledge that he shared with us it was all in all an A+ experience. He also kept a list of animals we encountered and took photos to send us after the trip. Marlon made this a unique and self tailored to our group needs/interests. If you want an authentic experience look no further than Gem Trips!
Andrew Gass — Google review
Marlon was an exceptional guide. He answered all of our questions about the Tikal ruins and more. He's truly passionate and knowledgeable. He even took amazing photos for us paparazzi style which was great for our group of 11 girls who love pictures! His genuine kindness is also very obvious. He was always picking up trash as he saw it and our group had fun helping him too as we also care about keeping things clean for others to enjoy. A very special person who I'll recommend to anyone to book with. We used him when we stayed in Belize but he had a helper on the Belize side to help us across the border stress free.
Amber Repensky — Google review
Marlon/GemTours are amazing. Of course Tikal and the wildlife was amazing, but Marlon's knowledge and overwhelmingly love of his history, country and wildlife is contagious. His sense of hospitality and teaching is of the highest grade. His dedication to his family, his craft and his heritage comes out as he guides you through this area. This was our first tour in Guatemala and we arranged pick up from Flores Airport. We travelled to Jungle Lodge with wonderful conversation (his English is great) and a great truck! We started first thing in the morning, 4:00 am and finished up before Lunch. We had arranged transport to Isla de Flores and finished our tour with Marlon/GemTours.
There is so much more of Peten to explore and wouldn't think of doing so without Marlon/GemTours.
Jim Judge — Google review
Tikal sunrise is a excellent experience. You can enjoy all natural sounds while the jungle wakes up. And this experience has the best guide…he is Marlon. Marlon is a very kindless guy, he explained every details about the maya’s history, traditions and nature. Definitely, I recommend him 1000%!
Mariana Obando Céspedes — Google review
Absolutely incredible experience with Marlon on the sunrise tour. It was everything we wished for and more. It started early with coffee and fruit before walking into the park in the dark to see tarantulas and frogs, with the surrounding howler monkeys to be heard in the distance. Once at the sunrise lookout, Marlon provided binoculars as he spotted so much wildlife including toucans, brown jays, parrots, spider monkeys, caotis, an eagle, and a rare anteater. He has such an amazing knowledge of the ruins and it’s inhabitants and a respect for its longevity. He takes care and picks up trash left by visitors while providing you with history and stories of the park and the ruins. Then to finish it off we had an amazing lunch together that’s as way better than we expected!! Thanks Marlon!
Shelby Willburn — Google review
Marlon was absolutely amazing. He contacted us a day beforehand and made sure we were ready to go, and was gracious and friendly even as early as we started the morning of. He was a very courteous guide, making sure everyone felt safe and enjoyed themselves on the hike, while maintaining a good pace for all involved. Our group was 4 people in total which was great. Marlon took his time explaining Guatemalan culture in general, the area of Tikal and its long past, and answer what seemed like endless questions from our group! He was very knowledgeable about local wildlife and we were able to see multiple types of monkeys, birds, and other local wildlife. He moved at our pace and we never felt rushed or in one place for too long. He even made a quick and kind detour to the bathroom while I wasn't feeling well during the hike.
I would suggest to anyone to seek out GEM trips for their Tikal tour. The sunrise morning hike is especially worth it, allowing you to see the sights before the park gets busier during the day, and waking up with the animals before the large crowds scare them away!
Julianna — Google review
An absolutely amazing experience! We had such a great time with Marlon on the sunrise tour of Tikal. His deep knowledge on Mayan culture, structures and biosphere filled our tour with such detail, it really made our experience. The rest & refuel spots he selected for our tour gave us excellent opportunities and vantage points from which to observe the plethora of wildlife from the rambunctious howler monkeys, various species of birds and down to the smallest... the ants. He explained how each one of these contributes to the health of the biosphere and how they would've been helpful to the Maya. Marlon was keenly attentive to our group as well as the surroundings (if another group was being too loud we would move on and revisit) catering the tour to suit our interests and create the best experience.
Toward the end of our tour we had a situation come up with our lodging for which he was very accommodating, going well beyond his duty.
An added benefit he is an excellent photographer, capturing candid moments that made our experience on the tour quite unique and awesome.
Carolina Contreras — Google review
We spent a magical time with Marlon on this tour. Saw lots of wildlife which we would not have spotted without Marlon. He has a great knowledge of the site and history which meant we felt we could begin to understand this fabulous place. The hours before it got light in the jungle were amazing. Snacks and coffee was just right and lunch was great. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. Gracias Marlon!
Crust Family — Google review
We had the absolute pleasure of having Marlon as our private guide in Tikal and Yaxha for 3 unforgettable days.
Marlon is the best tour guide we had ever had in any country (Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador, etc.).
His knowledge and respect of the Mayan culture, pyramids, the fauna, and the flora is vast.
(Master Class Level)
Marlon is:
- Extremely Knowledgeable
- Speaks Excellent English
- Flexible
- Accommodating
- Friendly with a great sense of humor
- Punctual and
- Has reliable, safe, and comfortable transportation
I feel fortunate and honored to have met Marlon and look forward to many more adventures with him.
#Cabal #Calidad
JC Figueroa — Google review
This was one of the greatest tour experiences we have ever had. Marlon's knowledge and passion for Tikal and ability to genuinely share the experience with the group made for an unforgettable day. Our expectations were far exceeded as we explored the grounds and learned about the culture and the way of life of the Mayans. Especially nice was the small group. Marlon welcomed questions and enjoyed quality conversation. This experience will not be forgotten. I will visit Tikal again and only book with Gem Trips.
Papa Schenk — Google review
FIVE STARS! This was one of the best tours I've ever been on. Tikal is truly a special place and this tour is the best way to explore it. It really felt like getting to explore the park alone because our group was so small. You really get to soak up the natural beauty of the jungle and the magic of the Tikal ruins. Marlon knows everything there is to know about the ancient Mayans, every structure in the park and every animal in the park. He also really has the sunrise tour down in terms of timing everything and coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Plus the company is run by Marlon and his wife, which I really prefer to some other tour companies where you don't know whether your guides are well paid. I know this your is pricier than some others but I was so glad to be on this one and not one of the huge groups we saw walking around (and mostly avoided). Marlon is great at spotting wildlife and I really enjoyed watching the birds and monkeys and being there when the jungle wakes up. Can't say enough good things about Marlon and the sunrise Tikal tour. Thank you for a beautiful day ❤️
Katharine Voorhees — Google review
Had an amazing tour with Marlon! His positive energy, passion for his business, extensive knowledge and great organization made it truly remarkable. He brought me to the places where we spotted numerous wild animals and could enjoy fantastic views. I just loved the experience and will keep in my memory those unforgettable magical moments at sunset. Incredible adventure!
Nikolay Konstantinov — Google review
one of the best tours we've ever done!
From start to finish this tour was fantastic, as a small group the tour was personalised, we had a delicious and plentiful breakfast & lunch. Marlon was extremely knowledgeable and passionate about Tikal, he even picked up waste as we walked showing his respect for Tikal. Sunrise and listening to the jungle was very special, after this we explored the ruins on an arachaeological tour (most other large sunrise tours seemed to leave around 8am following a quick visit to the main temples however we were exploring until 11am). Marlon brought binoculars so we could spot wildlife and we saw plenty - toucans, oropendulas, parakeets, vultures, monkeys. Couldn't recommend this tour highly enough!
Clare Bowman — Google review
Marlon was the best tour guide we could’ve asked for as we spent 3 days touring Mayan ruins in/near Tikal. He was so knowledgeable and made our experience wonderful. The transportation to/from the airport and to sites was perfect, and our lunch spots each day were exceptional. We felt truly sad to part ways with him today and hope to return to Guatemala to continue learning about the beautiful culture and seeing more incredible sites with Marlon!! Thank you, Marlon!!
Cassidy Mattingly — Google review
From pick up to drop off, everything was great! Marlon is so knowledgeable and you can tell this is his passion. We learned so much history about Tikal and about the rainforest.
The food he provided was very traditional and perfect for the hike. It was what we needed for the boost of energy to keep trekking the forest!
It’s also worth getting there at sunrise when barely anyone is there. It starts getting crowded by the time you are done with the tour.
10/10 recommend Gem trips!
Valerie Ramos — Google review
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Esquina Bulevar y 16 Avenida, San Benito, Guatemala
Caracol Natural Monument Reservation is an ancient Mayan city, located near the Guatemalan border in Belize. It was once one of the most influential cities in the Maya world and covers an area of over 200 sq km. The site sits on the Vaca Plateau and is believed to have stretched over 70 sq miles at its peak around AD 650. There are around 40 miles of internal causeways that lead to large plazas and residential areas.
Absolutely amazing place to visit. Ruins are still being uncovered and the grounds are littered with shards of pottery. We visited the last week of June in the rainy season however it only rained heavily one day out of the whole week. There were scattered showers the rest of the week but mostly in the evenings. The rain kept the temps down so the days weren't ridiculously hot. We stayed at Blancaneaux Lodge, which is beautiful with the best staff. I highly recommend this lodge and the guided trip to Caracol.
Matthew McCune — Google review
The drive to get to these ruins took a little over two hours on mostly unpaved road. Time went by fast though as the scenery was very beautiful. The ruins themselves were great. It’s crazy to think only about 1% of the ruins there have been undiscovered!
Aiden Rodriguez — Google review
Words can’t describe how special it feels to be in a Mayan ruin like this all alone, surrounded only by the sounds of the forest and the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere with this place just to yourself.
If you hire your own 4x4 and arrive mid-afternoon when the small group tours have left, you’ll have a fun drive down and enjoy it in total solitude. They do seem to be upgrading the road, so maybe in a year or two the road will be paved.
James Robinson — Google review
We originally booked a tour with Belize Family Adventures to Tikal but last minute disputes between Guatemala and Belize over covid protocols and testing resulted in changing the tour to Caracol. From San Ignacio this was a 2+ hour drive each way on rough gravel and mud roads. Do not attempt to drive this route in a rental car. Our group was just our family of 4 plus our guide Leo who was fantastic. He had first hand experience with the excavation of the ruins making him a wealth of knowledge. The ruins are amazing and probably as a result of the bad roads there were very few other people there. Lunch was also very good. I'd highly recommend setting aside a day to see Caracol and using Belize Family Adventure for the trip.
Doug — Google review
Beautiful place, friendly staff around, its a challengeto climb to the top but it worth it.
Such a fantastic place full of history, you can hear lots of howling monkeys around too and visit the tree of life.
The only thing it's the way to get there.... the road still on construction and it's such a pain if you drive an small car, specially on rainy season 😑 the road are super bumpy and not the best.
Hoggustina — Google review
Definitely go with a guide or you're just looking at neat piles of rocks. If you're a bird lover, take some time to sit back and look because this place has some awesome ones including the collared aracari and the Montezuma oropendula.
Loan Chung — Google review
Superb. Remote location but worth the drive. Road is under construction but doable with any car in the dry. It’s getting a bit slippery when wet… very few visitors on a week day.
Jeroen Berghuis — Google review
What an incredible archaeological site, it was very special visiting Caracol. The drive to the site took us about 2 hours from San Ignacio and was mostly dirt road. There's about a 15km section towards the end that was pretty bumpy and rough but the drive was its own adventure. Make sure you have a vehicle that can handle off roading adventures.
This was the largest site we visited this trip to Belize and it really is just awesome in how massive and spread out it was. I was only here for about 2 hours and wish I had at least one more hour.
Brielle Soper — Google review
Amazing site and a must see in central America’s Maya’s land . A bit of a hard to get but you will have the ruins for yourself .
philippe fortunato — Google review
Great place to visit! Four stars only because of how difficult it is to get to! I drove my own vehicle, and the roads are just terrible! Need a high ground clearance 4WD vehicle to get there!
The ruins area is amazing! Just pay your entrance, and your free to roam as you please. It appears there are no restrictions on what you can climb and visit, etc. I went with my daughter, and we had no guide. We just explored and did lots of climbing!!! Perhaps a guide would have helped explain more, and it seemed that everyone else there had guides - or came with tour groups. It’s a full day with a tour group and guide. Half day if you drive yourself. Bring food and plenty of water - there’s nothing there! I will definitely go back if I get the chance!
Jeff deVita — Google review
Amazing experience. We stayed at the Crystal Palace Resort and did the tour through them. The guide was very knowledgeable and the ruins were amazing. We also got to see howler monkeys. The drive is pretty long to get there, about 2 hours from where we stayed. The roads can be bumpy though there was serious road work going on so probably in a couple years or so will be fully paved the whole way. They have excavated some amazing structures and you get to climb up to the tops. Seeing how the jungle had completely hidden things is amazing, some structures are only half exposed. Certainly worth the drive, maybe not for younger kids though. I
Our 14 year olds complained a bit but did enjoy it. 😀
Cyrus Bazeghi — Google review
A lil preview of my greatest adventure of 2023, in beautiful Belize. The largest temple at Caracol, known as 'Caana' or 'Sky Place,' truly took my breath away. Rising over 149 feet above the jungle floor, this massive pyramid is a sight to behold. But let me tell you, getting there was no easy feat! We had to conquer a 1.5-hour drive through a muddy, liquid sand jungle. I highly recommend a four-wheel drive for this epic journey! Can you believe this is the largest structure in all of Belize? 😱✨
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I had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to climb this majestic pyramid, setting powerful intentions under its ancient walls. It was an extraordinary experience that connected me both physically and ethereally with the gods. Belize, you've stolen my heart forever! ❤️🌴 #BelizeBound #GreatestAdventure2023 #SeekingAncientWisdom
Brandie G — Google review
About 3 hours of drive on dirt road, lots of deep holes to drive through. Definitely you need a high clearance car. The view is spectacular and the ruins are the tallest in Belize. The park is well kept, very clean and friendly staff. Well worth it!
Suzy — Google review
Such a incredible, well preserved, and expansive mayan site. I would strongly recommend hiring a guide to drive you down there as the road is not well maintained or well marked, and once you're there the history and stories make exploring the sites that much more interesting.
The Cahal Pech Archaeological Reserve is a historical site with ancient Mayan temples and scenic views, dating back to 1200 BCE. Although smaller than nearby Xunantunich, the unexcavated parts of the reserve hold much promise. The excavated areas are well-preserved and tell compelling stories of the past. Visitors are advised to take note of significant structures such as the priest's area, children's quarters, and other notable features in the back of the reserve.
We drove from Placencia to San Ignacio for the day to see the city and visit the ruins. These were a great option because we had a 3 year old with us. We had the whole site to ourselves on a Thursday morning. The staff were friendly and doing a great job of maintaining the property. The ruins are gorgeous and so much fun to walk around in and climb up. My son enjoyed playing hide and seek. It was $5 USD per person and well worth it! This is a great alternative to the ruins that are a little bit farther away and less safe for younger children. They were stunning!
Sonja Miranda — Google review
Oh wow, this place is really impressive. A huge sports complex 1200's style. You can really feel the presence of a special energy here. Thousands upon thousands of people over all the years have left an impression on this place. I'm no hippie, but this place feels incredible. For 10 US and some exercise, you can really have an opportunity to experience something pretty special. Run around, play all over stuff and be respectful. Just take a min to feel the special sauce flowing from this place. 😌
Lucas Hebert — Google review
This site is Compact, easy to reach and a very manageable walk to see these fantastic ruins. It is super cool with many complete chambers that enable you to visualize how they lived. Fascinating and well worth the $5US per person entry fee. I say this site should not be missed and we have been to 4 ruins recently.
J P — Google review
This is a gem of a place, with far fewer visitors than the big Maya sites in the region. Apart from a couple of others we encountered, we had it pretty much to ourselves for an hour, which was not really long enough to enjoy all that was on offer. If it lacks some of the enormous buildings of the main sites, plenty has been excavated and it is a delightfully atmospheric place to explore, well worth the effort to visit.
Phil Bradford — Google review
This is wonderfully accessible sight, even if you don't have a vehicle. It is up the hill in San Ignacio and easily accessible by cab. It is well worth the time to wander around this amazing site. There are no artifacts to be seen in the structures themselves but the history outlined in the small museum you pass through gives you a good insight into what you are seeing when you arrive to the ruins. This is a site that is hands on accessible and very interesting to imagine what life might have been like there some 3000 years ago.
Glenn Baum — Google review
A short walk from town and 10 Belize dollars for foreigners to enter, 5 for locals. A beautiful site right outside the city. The ruins are perfect for exploring. Our kids loved being able to walk into and through most of the ruins which are very well maintained. The people working there are super kind, the grounds are beautiful and mostly shaded and the restrooms were very clean too. A must visit for anyone in the area.
Jacqueline Lemaire — Google review
Another day. Another Mayan ruin. Yet I can’t get enough of them. Having spent previous trips to South America and Mexico I thought I’d have had enough of them but no, each ruin has a story, a history and that many people lived here as a community once upon a time.
This set up is very good. Plenty of parking. Nice entrance, small fee to get in, rooms with descriptions of the site with maps, ceramic pots and artefacts. Toilets are located in this building. Then a short paved walk to the site itself. It’s not large but there was something magical here. Perhaps it was the lack of people. Or maybe the silence except for cicadas and birds. Or maybe even the symmetrical nature of the ruins which with courtyards that feel like a backyard.
I sat on my own for some time listening to the wildlife. Feeling the cool breeze rising as the sun went down. The waft of that rainy smell on its way.
Perhaps I like this ruin more than others because it’s so peaceful and I felt a humble connection with Cahal Pech.
Highly recommend.
Debi Slinger — Google review
Spectacular. If you want a very easy Mayan Ruin to climb, this is definitely your best choice. It is easy to get around, and it's very beautiful and unique . It is great for visitors with children.
Jashua Navas — Google review
Way bigger than we expected and well worth the time to visit.
This is the third largest Mayan site in Belize and is so accessible being right in San Ignacio. We visited in the afternoon and almost had the entire place to ourselves.
The ruins are fantastic and we also saw howler monkeys and toucans in the beautiful vegetation surrounding the site.
Chad Thomas — Google review
A smaller site than the nearby Xunantunich, but one worth visiting. Most of the site is unexcavated, from the parts you do see you can imagine how much more goodness lays buried. The parts that are excavated are in amazing condition, and contain great stories. After you enter on the left you'll see a half excavated home, standing there and reflecting is recommended.
Remember to checkout the kids quarters, the priest's area, and other notables in the back part. Your visit will be memorable if you are with a guide, they can make the stories come alive.
Mini Rag — Google review
Small ruin above San Ignacio, costs the same as Xunantunich even though it's much smaller. The museum on site has good information texts. Definitely a worthy stroll if you have time in the town.
Petr Vasicek — Google review
Very quiet and few people here. We walked from city center by walk about 20 mins, met nice people who wished luck!
Inside the ruins there are different zones to explore, about 30 mins is ok for everything. We saw big snake and bird toucan with colourful beak so it's half like mini zoo as well!
Tripi Me AroundTheWorldTrip — Google review
Sehr schöne Tempelanlage mit kleinem Vistor Center mit vielen Informationen. Es sind schöne Wege angelegt und man kann mit etwas Glück viele Tiere beobachten. Wir haben Tukane zwischen den Bäumen entdeckt. Man kann die Tempelanlagen gut begehen.
(Translated by Google)
Very nice temple complex with a small Vistor Center with lots of information. There are beautiful paths and, with a bit of luck, you can observe many animals. We spotted toucans between the trees. The temple complex is easy to walk around.
Isabel — Google review
Cool place. There's a small indoor museum and then you walk up a path to the ruins, which are surrounded by huge trees. We saw an aguti here!
This site is quite small and you can definitely expect to be through it in under an hour.
Ry Book Suraski — Google review
We just had to visit. We are stay at Lost Compass Cabin as, directly behind the National Park.
My first Mayan Ruins. I was slightly disappointed. I expected big blocks like they make the Pyramids in Egypt out of. Or Olaytantambo(sp?)
Still, it's an impressive "collection" of stones pilled up in a pretty good set set of buildings. That's an usual way to "👍"
James Goodwin — Google review
Very first Mayan archaeological site we visited in Belize and definitely was the smallest but still incredibly impressive. It was raining the day we went but it didn't pour on us and we had the entire site to ourselves. It was a very special experience and easily accessible for small kids (we have a toddler so these things are important to us)
Brielle Soper — Google review
Amazing archeological site that actually lets you walk inside and observe the ruins.
Fascinating views and interesting historical objects all around. Very beautiful entrance with lots of botanical beauty. Definitely want to come back and spend more time.
nathan lunday — Google review
Cahal Pech is the little brother to Xunantunich but is so much closer to San Ignacio. So if you are pressed for time, or don't have transportation out to Benque, or the ferry to Xunantunich is closed due to high river levels, this is a decent second option. Sure, it's not as grandiose nor impressive but it does have some qualities of its own. There is a small little museum in the house where you pay your admission, there is a nice trail, there is a pyramid of average size, some bats in the little rooms and alcoves, a couple of excavations, and some other mounds of rock. 60 - 90 minutes ought to do it. 4 stars.
Note: Google Maps is incorrect... do not follow it either by car or by foot... it will send you astray. From the roundabout go up the road toward Yellow Belly Backpackers Hostel, 50 m in at the fork in the road (just before the hostel) stay to the right and continue up that road to the parking lot. Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT turn left at any point in time.
Wong Family — Google review
This site is impressive, more for its age and its place in the span of Mayan history than for its size. Its more rugged, less developed nature is also appealing. An easy stop in San Ignacio, a steep walk up the hill from the traffic circle, or there's reasonable parking if you rented a car. Enjoy the butterfly garden, and if you're luck like we were, you might see (or maybe hear) a howler monkey!
Mike B — Google review
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4WWG+9CJ, W. Ford Young Drive, C.A., San Ignacio, Belize
The Green Iguana Conservation Project at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel is a unique initiative aimed at raising awareness and educating both visitors and locals about the endangered green iguanas. The program offers hands-on interaction with these fascinating creatures, providing insight into their entire life cycle from egg to rearing. Situated atop a hill amidst 14 acres of rainforest, the resort is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including 150 bird species and 70 types of trees and plants.
Great quick activity in San Ignacio. Seems like it would be especially fun for kids. We enjoyed learning about iguanas during the one-hour tour, and we loved being able to pet and hold them. The entire tour takes place in a small enclosure (I was expecting something larger), but it provided plenty of entertainment and information. Even with a larger group (12 or so), we had plenty of time and space to take pictures and interact with the iguanas.
Emily Fletcher — Google review
We did a tour 3 weeks ago while we were in San Ignacio. The Green Iguana Conservation Project was established in 1996 to protect the threatened Green Iguanas. It is located in the beautiful San Ignacio Resort. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and we learned about the incubation, hatching, rearing, and releasing process. My husband and I were the only ones in the tour which was special since we had more quality time and experience with the guide and the iguanas. Highly recommend for families and a great learning experience for kids.
Catherine Hunt — Google review
Went to the iguana tour ($22) during the day and it was cool, beautiful animals to see up close and ask questions. But this was nothing compared to the night critters tour ($56). We saw so many cool things: bugs, opossums, kinkajoe, schorpion, many spiders that are so beautiful (you really should do the tour to figure out why). Lots of special credit to Santos, our tour guide. I hope you will keep your enthusiasm mate! And I hope you will visit Italy and Germany for the cars and nature :)
Mirjam D — Google review
I genuinely enjoyed this 1hr iguana tour. There were only 4 of us on the tour so maybe the small numbers made for a better experience. We could touch, hold, and carry handfuls of baby iguanas; our guide, George, just continued to pile more and more onto our shoulders and heads!
It was interesting to learn about iguanas, even though I'm not normally that interested in reptiles. This is a very small refuge that only accommodates about 100 new iguana eggs every year, but then releases the mature lizards when they're about 4-5 years old.
We paid $20-30BZE for 2 adults.
Sarina Collins — Google review
10/10 experience, definitely a must when visiting San Ignacio especially if you love wild life and love to learn about the different kinds of animals within the country your visiting, the tour is about 1 hour long and definitely worth the money you can also get food and drinks at the bar/restaurant while you wait for your tour. Very educational and fun 10/10
elijah — Google review
Loved this experience! We have seen iguanas all over central america but it was so awesome to learn about them, see them upclose and touch some of the residents that can't be released. The keeper runs the 12pm tour and he was amazing, very clear and informative. The tour runs every hour on the hour, for 10usd/20bze. You book it (on arrival, don't need to prebook but can online if you want) at the San Ignacio Resort front desk and wait for the tour there, don't let google maps lead you the back way! The tour is suitable for children as well, there was a little girl in pur group who loved feeding the iguanas. We saw an agouti and black howler monkey on the surrounding property as well!
M J — Google review
LITERALLY AMAZING!! wonderful experience for everyone, especially if you aren't afraid to hold them — i got to have a bunch of iguanas in my hands and on my hat, and our guide was very informative and friendly, totally receptive to our questions! amazing and totally totally recommend :)
we went for the 11 AM tour, which lasted around an hour.
Shriya Sankaran — Google review
Amazing experience getting to know more about Iguanas.
Its worth the 10us spent as you get to see iguanas and learn the difference between the black ones and the green ones.
The green iguanas are a specie that needs to be protected and thanks to the project of conservation they are on a successful path.
We got the chance to see, touch and even to take pictures with adult and baby iguanas!
Totally recommend going there and helping the project financially !
jean-marc riscale — Google review
Had a great time at the tour. It was short but I learned a lot. We took turns taking photos with the adult iguanas. They did not allow photos with the baby iguanas. They said iguanas become domesticated real quick and crave human attention once they have it. So the only ones we held were adults who were unfortunately kept as pets and the owners either gave them up or died before the iguanas. They said iguanas become domesticated real quick and not enough people who take them as pets are willing/able to commit to 30+ years of them craving attention since they cannot survive in the wild. The babies were about 3 months old and almost ready to be released into the wild.
There are some reviews and photos that show the baby iguanas being held and touched with human hands. I hope those are older reviews and they no longer do that. I visited 7 February 2023 and they only let us hold the adults who were already traumatized as pets. Our guide said they no longer allow humans to hold the babies. 😭
Hopefully one day less people keep iguanas as pets, so there'll no longer be adult iguanas who require petting here. And even more, hopefully less people eat iguanas ("bamboo chicken").
Tours are every hour or so. Mine was at 12:15 p.m. and finished around 1 p.m. Best to arrive early enough to use the toilet and wash any chemicals off your arms if you plan to touch any iguanas. They have wifi you can use if you arrive early.
Maddi Petro — Google review
I didn't know how much I didn't know about iguanas!
We had such a blast learning about and interacting with these beautiful creatures. Our guide knew so much about iguanas and clearly cared about all of the ones they had on the property. So glad to be able to support this great effort to save them!
Megan Swilley — Google review
Funny that I should see an iguana while walking to this conservation area. I bought a ticket to see the iguanas. It's always nice to see nature but I wasn't overly impressed. The guide mostly talked about the $10,000 fine if caught poaching them out of season. (They are supposed to taste like chicken). Apart from learning about their attempts at breeding and their different colours, not a lot was gained. The major thing was to be able to handle them and take pictures. What really surprised me was on top of the entrance fee ($16 BSD) I was also charged a $2 BSD iguana service charge and a $2 BSD donations payable fee. Small potatoes I know but I was surprised there was no notice of this. So all in all it was a meh experience.
Vernon Ashby — Google review
Insightful tour and introduction to iguanas and their situation here in Central America - I learned a lot. Our guide was super knowledgeable and approachable, and it was great to see what’s being done to support the species. Would recommend.
Anna Mitchell — Google review
I found the experience to be educational and fun. I learned that iguanas are threatened in Belize and what is being done to protect them. We interacted with some adult iguanas that cannot be placed in the wild for their own safety, and held with some babies too! Great excursion for the whole family!
Sarah Read — Google review
We were so happy to have visited the Green Iguana Conservation Project. It’s a great cause and we really enjoyed learning more about the animals. Gomez & Peach were friendly and it was so much fun to be able to hold them !
Thank you to the efforts of this project, the workers, and volunteers.
Shira Morrison — Google review
Better than I expected! We got to hold the iguanas,, I was totally scared but they’re very calm animals. Great tour as we learned a lot about the iguanas!
Karie TouchOfGlam — Google review
A really interesting tour that lasted 45mins or so. George was informative and the whole place seemed genuinely about the iguanas and their conservation - he was pretty passionate about it. We did hold several iguanas but only ones sadly unable to be returned to the wild.
Simon Melvin — Google review
Great cause and a very interesting afternoon spent at the Green Iguana Conservation project.
Brian was an incredibly knowledgeable guide and the one hour tour was a highlight of our trip to Belize.
The green iguana is prized for it's meat and you can help protect them by visiting and learning about this interesting species along the way. Very interactive and fun for all ages
Chad Thomas — Google review
Tours are every hour on the hour and we just missed it when we arrived. They let you wait in the air conditioned lobby or you can have a drink at the bar while you wait.
The tour itself was very good. It takes about 45 minutes but it goes very fast as there is a lot to see and they provide a lot of information. You get to see all the different stages from eggs to adult. He even pointed out some resident iguanas on the way to the enclosure and explained the differences in the species. It was very educational but fun as well to see all the different stages (the babies were my favorite). Well worth a stop if you are in the area.
Kristi Vesterby — Google review
Walked in to see about a tour and had perfect timing. Waited less than 10 minutes. Great presentation from George. He’s very knowledgeable and obviously cares a lot about helping the Green Iguana. Even stayed for a while afterwards to bird watch and enjoy a delicious drink from the resort’s bar.
ATM Cave, also known as Actun Tunichil Muknal, is an underground archaeological site located in Belize. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the extensive cave system which contains human sacrificial remains and other ancient artifacts belonging to the Mayan civilization. Cameras are not allowed in the cave after a tourist dropped one on an ancient skull. The full-day tour involves swimming, hiking, climbing and squeezing through tight spaces with all necessary equipment provided.
A lifetime experience, worth every single penny. Guide was excellent and helpful, the cave is huge. Lots of climbing, swimming and squeezing through tight places. The tour provides all the equipment. Don't miss it!
Suzy — Google review
A fun activity to do in Belize! We booked our tour with Yute Expeditions (guide Philip). Their tour starts early, so you are the first ones in the cave! Which means that it’s still quiet and not much traffic. I would recommend visiting the caves during your travels in Belize and go early! Lunch is included in the tour and vegan/vegetarian is possible.
Stefanie Vandeweyer — Google review
ATM Cave, also known as Skeleton Cave Belize because of the 14 skeletons found in its main chamber. ATM cave is considered a World Heritage Site and is known for its unusual sizs chambers. This tour offers mild challenge and can be done by most age groups. It's best to book with a tour company in advance because only a limited number of visitors are allowed in a single day.
Mara Burgess — Google review
Wow! What an experience. I have never done anything as exhilarating as this tour yet in my life. We went with Maya Walk out of San Ignacio. Jamir aka JamJam was our tour guide and he was excellent. He told us all kinds of history and information the entire tour. He didn’t rush us though and really let us experience this amazing place. There were other tour companies but some seemed to be in big hurries and their people were moving quickly. I was grateful for JamJam and his pace. I really wanted to enjoy the whole experience and he accommodated.
This tour is not one for anyone claustrophobic or faint of heart. That being said, if you are committed you can do it. We had a beautiful 1.5 mile forest hike to get to the cave where JamJam filled us in on a wealth of history. You have to cross three rivers with only one getting to shoulder level.
From the moment you enter the cave you know you are in for quite the experience. There was rock climbing, shimmying through tight spaces and swimming at times. Ending at the beautiful Crystal Maiden remains. The ambiance and historic beauty of this place is not to be missed if you are in the area. Fantastic fabulous trip ending with a delicious lunch back at the car park area.
We have a place on Caye Caulker so we came in for the day and spent the night in San Ignacio. Maya Walk did a wonderful job of arranging our transportation from Belize City water taxi to ATM, then to our Airbnb and return transportation to Belize City the next day. Great way to see some countryside.
Would highly recommend Maya Walk and Jamir aka JamJam.
Anne Kinley — Google review
ATM Cave isn't for the faint at heart, instead it's a place made for only the fit and adventurous. Before venturing off into the cave, you must know that the place is very sacred and it contributes a key factor for Belize's history; especially for the Mayan heritage. Do note that nothing of artifacts should be moved or touched and always listen to your guide. Hence, NO CAMERAS are ALLOWED! Commencing into the half hour hike, you will find yourself crossing 3 rivers, only one will require swimming. At the cave you will enter an extreme environment made of darkness and constant walking in water. Watch your foot steps and never stray away from the group. There will be a few parts where you will engage in rock climbing. Take a small snack, and sufficient water. On a personal note, use a black socks throughout the tour. All in all, you will have such an amazing time and you will definitely be traveling back in an ancient Maya world. The cave is intriguing and by the time you come out, you will certainly have a great story to tell. Have a terrific time out there folks.
Chief Witz — Google review
This was one of the coolest experiences of our week long trip to Belize. From the very beginning of the trip it's an adventure. River crossings, swimming in to the cave, climbing, crawling, etc. Then once you're in the cave chambers the artifacts and calcified human remains out in the open are incredibly cool.
You don't have to be an athlete or in incredible shape to do this, but it's also no walk in the park. Just bring proper shoes because you'll be walking in water for 80% of the cave
10/10 would recommend and would do this again
Cody — Google review
Wow what a tour! We had an amazing time but this is was no joke physically. We are in good shape but there was significant rock climbing and ankle breaking potential on the slippery rocks. All went well for us but we were exhausted by the end. Definitely a once in a lifetime excursion with Mayan ruins and stalagmites galore!
Gemma Hobbs — Google review
Amazing historic experience - MAKE SURE TO BOOK A GUIDE IN ADVANCE. You cannot enter the cave without one of the 20 something local guides.
Patrick Bradley (Belize Caves and Limpkin Tours) was amazing and had a wealth of knowledge about the caves, history and other fun facts. YOU WILL GET SOAKING WET AND MUST BRING SOCKS. Shorts or pants, long or short sleeve doesn’t matter but would recommend tevas/chacos as the shoe. If you don’t have them, running shoes are okay, don’t go out of your way to buy them. This is a long day and is physically taxing, climbing in the caves and swimming. Wear a life jacket if you are afraid of water or swimming - the guide will provide. No mosquitos to worry about and you cannot bring anything into the caves at all (no water, phones, cameras, literally anything).
Our group was small (5 people) and it took about 7 hours round trip. Very nice having a smaller group!
Would 1000 percent recommend if you are in San Ignacio!
Brina Moh — Google review
I've been caving and spelunking in many cave systems and this one is by far the coolest all around adventure. The walk though the jungle, swimming through the mouth of the cave, boulder climbing, and all of the artifacts make this place a real life Indiana Jones situation. You can't take cameras in side which is great. Ypu would spend 2 hours just taking pics and not enjoying the experience. You'd honestly either lose them or ruin them in many of the spots where you have to swim. Easy enough that the 9 year old and 70 year old both killed it yet both had fun.
Derek — Google review
Lots written elsewhere so succinctly:
Go before it gets closed to visitors. It was an intense experience which made me feel closer to understanding Mayan culture. The very end of the tour where you see the sacrifice of a young woman is moving. You can feel the desperation of the Mayan people as climatic and other changes ended their way of life in the region.
Bring trainer shoes or similar, towel (showers available) and dry clothes. Socks are useful as you walk without shoes in the archaeological site. You will get wet to your neck at least. No cameras allowed. Some scrambling, it's not slippery. Most difficult part was getting up the ladder right at the end. One bit of the cave on the way out is a bit of a squeeze but the guide went around it and I'm sure it's an alternative route for anyone not willing to squeeze through getting very wet!
Enjoy!
Aaron Corp — Google review
Definitely worth a visit when you're in Belize! You'll walk, swim, climb and squeeze through the cave - so better not be claustrophobic. You should wear clothes, socks and shoes (e.g., sporty sneakers, trekking sandals) that you can walk / climb well in and that can get wet. At the end of the tour inside the cave, you'll only walk in your socks. Also bring dry clothes and some water, to leave at the tour operator's van. There are restrooms and changing rooms at the parking lot. No sunscreen, bug repellent, sun glasses or hats needed; no phones, cameras or gopros allowed inside the cave. So you'll only come in what you wear and make photos with your mind :)
Jana M — Google review
We can Luis as our guide on the tour recently and it was amazing.
We were somewhat anxious about claustrophobia before we went in, and while there are parts that definitely get the adrenaline going, you never feel like you are in danger.
There's a short swim at the start into the cave of maybe 20metres, this was the only time I was out of my depth. There are parts of the cave where you need to be able to haul yourself up, maybe equivalent to climbing a ladder. I recommend good running shoes to make sure you get good grip.
Luis was great, we were being overtaken by other tours constantly who were rushing through to get you in and out of the cave, where Luis spent most of the day explaining the local flora and fauna, as well as more detail than I could ever imagine on the archaeology. The pace was slow and easy, we were the second group into the cave and the last out, which goes to show how much value you get compared to other tours
D L — Google review
Absolutely loved this place! The caves are beautiful and traversing then is incredible. The tour's are a bit pricey, but well worth it! Definitely a highlight of travelling Belize and Central America.
Hayden Pitman — Google review
Luis and Johnny are a dynamic duo. They are punctual and clear on expectations to ensure a safe and respectful trip to and from the tour (listen to their instructions!).
Luis is extremely knowledgeable of the rituals within the cave. If you are an ancient history buff, I highly recommend going with Luis and Johnny as the information they provide are much more in-depth than any other tour groups seemed to have attained. Luis also provides an objective perspective on what was happening within the Mayan civilizations at the time, and specifically points out the more sensational theories that others may spin to appease the imaginations of tourists.
His wife’s cooking is also delicious as that’s what’s for lunch!
hc92123 — Google review
Amazing place, went in 2008, from what I remember there's quite a walk and a few river crossings before you reach the cave. Once at the cave there are a couple of times that you have to swim before you reach the bones and the pottery. I went barefoot and my feet were really hurting on the walk back from the cave as the river crossings are quite rocky and stoney, I would recommend a pair of crocs or similar plastic sandals.
Lee Vally — Google review
Cool hiking through the cave up/through the river. Great cultural experience also. The human remains from history are incredible, not many places you can get within inches of archeological artifacts and skeletons.
Moderate+ physical activity. Have to do some climbing and water is deep enough in places we had to swim. Great Time!
Nozslo — Google review
Definitely a must see if you are in the area. It is a guided tour that you aren’t allowed to take photos and you will get completely wet, as you will have to cross the river multiple times. and after entering the cave you will have to swim in some areas and climb rocks. It was really spectacular but if you have bad knees or can’t balance it might be hard for you. The reasons cameras aren’t allowed was due to three incidents that damaged the artifacts caused by fallen cameras. We did really enjoy it and would do it again if I visited the area.
Ahmed Said — Google review
We booked this trip through our resort. By luck or design we got a great guide, Luis. He's like Indiana Jones crossed with Neil deGrasse Tyson. The more attentive you are the more in detail he will go. We wore sneakers with socks, swimsuit and swim shirts. You will get fully wet and maybe cold by the end. No photos allowed past the parking lot
pooch punter — Google review
Very cool cave and ability to get very close to artifacts. Be ready to hike a bit, go in and out of water and through a couple tight spots. It was a highlight of our trip to Belize.
Brady Franklin — Google review
The most intense caving experience I’ve ever done. It’s sad that you cannot bring any cameras or electronic with you on the tour but tour company email you some pictures. I enjoyed the adventure so much! Swimming, crawling, climbing are needed. The difficulty level was measured as 6 out of 10, but our group had two 70+ ladies who made through! Our guide was taking us to the more difficult routes where at one point we had to fit our neck through a rock gap. If you have time and chance, do not miss out on this!
Emma — Google review
Mind blown!! I feel honored to have seen and done this! We went with Maya Walk tours. Great group! comfortable transport. Very fun!!!!! and lunch was both tasty and plentiful.
Carla Coberly — Google review
The ATM cave tour was one of the top highlights of my trip through the Yucatan peninsula. This was an incredible experience and one of the most thrilling experiences I've ever had. If you have any sense of adventure, you will love this cave tour. Before starting the tour, my two main concerns were footwear and temperature. I ended up wearing socks with Teva sports sandals. This combination worked well for me. I found it was important to have good foot support and grip on the wet rocks in the cave and for the moderate walk up to the cave entrance. I moved my feet very carefully in the cave while walking through the water. There are some sharp rocks and you can't see them under the water. If you move slowly and carefully, you should be fine. The water was a refreshing temperature and for someone who gets cold easily, I was OK with a long sleeve rash guard and shorts. The life jacket provides some warmth. If you worry about getting cold, I'd add leggings.
Helen Ting — Google review
One of the best things you can ever do!!! Go here - you will not regret it. Seriously one of the best experiences of my life and in my travels. I have never seen anything like it!
You hike and then swim into a cavern. Then you spelunk (but it's pretty open - not claustrophobic). Eventually you climb up a ladder unto a perfectly preserved Mayan ritual chamber.
You will not regret doing this experience!!!
The Belize Zoo, established in 1983, serves as a sanctuary for native animals that are orphaned or have been rehabilitated. Unlike traditional zoos which operate as maximum-security prisons for wildlife, the Belize Zoo provides natural habitats to its many rare species such as tapirs, coatimundi and pumas along with other exotic animals.
Excellent experience, very friendly staff. It wasn't to busy when we're there, the majority of animals there are rescue ones, I think this is something amazing, well done to everyone who works at this Zoo, they do a very good job, the place is very clean and the animals are very look after. All are so happy to assist you if you need, its free wifi around the place.
Restaurant its a good option for a bite after the walk. The place is small but had a very good variety of animals.
Hoggustina Hoop — Google review
We really enjoyed our visit to the Belize Zoo!
It was our first day in Belize, journeying from the Airport to San Ignacio, and what a way to begin our adventure. You can clearly tell that the people of the zoo truly care about their animals from everything from the enclosures to their sweet signs.
It is a great way to get a taste of Belizean wildlife as all of the animals have been found within Belize and being rehabilitated.
Highly recommend!
Megan Swilley — Google review
The animals are well looked after here. They have huge enclosures and are given the opportunity to have some privacy from people. The staff at the zoo were also really informative and friendly. If you want to do something extra special you can volunteer to look after the animals giving you the opportunity to get up close and personal with them. I think this is probably the best zoo I've been to where the welfare of the animal is first and foremost. I highly recommend visiting this zoo.
Vanessa B — Google review
Fairly small but in the right ways 1.5-2.5 hours is sufficient. Very intimate. Loved the Jaguar bridge above the walkway! Admission would have been worth it just for seeing the Tapir during feeding.
Brady Franklin — Google review
We LOVED it. All the animals are being rehabilitated, which is so great. Unlike other zoos, this setting truly is jungle. Down to the bugs (wear bug spray). There are amazing animals all around. Of course you'll love the leopard, toucan, and the snakes. But you'll be surprised and delighted be the other birds, like the Harpy Eagle, and the ocelots (listen to them grunt!), Owls (they'll hoot), and the pelicans (flapping to their wings like crazy in the water). Do take the time to read the signs, they are both funny and informative.
Mini Rag — Google review
A very cool little zoo. We went from opening time til about noon. We got to see the tapirs eat. We paid for a meet and greet with one of the jaguar and it was 1000% worth it. It was awesome being able to read about each animal's story and how the zoo rescued them. The signs were also funny as heck.
Loan Chung (Pikaloan) — Google review
If this is on your way somewhere it’s a nice stop; but I would not go out of your way. It’s $15 USD per person. $5 for kids under 12.
It’s more of a refugee center than a normal zoo. Your admission goes towards feeding the animals which is nice. A few jaguars, lots of birds and lots of tapirs. Bring so much bug spray. There’s a gift shop that’s a bit overpriced and a small cafe with ice cream and drinks that are very affordable. Clean bathrooms.
Alessandra Camargo — Google review
Small zoo showcasing native Belize fauna in naturalistic settings. Needs better signage. Good food and drink. Has a gift shop.
Glen Jacobsen — Google review
We had a lovely morning at the zoo. It is packed with animals. It is much better if you get there for feeding time (10am-11am for us) as a lot of the animals are easier to see when they are being fed. We had lunch there. They have a good variety of local foods and cold drinks. Bring big spray as the zoo is like walking through a rainforest.
Matthew Henderson — Google review
This zoo is so cool, we came here to check out all the local wildlife and it did not disappoint, the gift shop is great, they've got a refreshments area and the zoo itself is built around the animals in their natural habitats. There's plenty of experiences to feed the animals and some get up close and personal. I had a great time and can't wait to go back.
Isabel Mastrangelo — Google review
Beautiful wildlife rescue and education centre. Very affordable activities like feeding the tapir and red macaws. Incredible animals, well looked after. Highly was seeing the Jaguar and harpy eagle - just amazing.
E R — Google review
Quite nice. Bring your water and cool wet towels. In addition to the animals, we loved the zoos down to earth and witty signage that made you laugh 😃! Can you find the "kitty kitty " in the photos with green foliage??
Thomas Reeber — Google review
Delightful! We loved that all the animals are rescued, not stolen from the wild, and you can often get great views of them. The clever signage explains more about each animal and how it came to the zoo. We were glad we had a guided tour; our guide was able to find and point out the shy animals, and he knew his way around the zoo's winding paths.
Linnea Crowther — Google review
Small but nice zoo for rescued animals. Paths between enclosures are well laid out, lush and beautiful to walk through. Staff are all very friendly and helpful. There's a restaurant and gift store on site. We didn't do a tour or animal encounter but there are some available. We spent about an hour here but it was hot and we were using the location as a rest stop
Donella Held — Google review
They call this the best little zoo. It really is. The animal habitats were very nice and represented their environment well. It was great seeing animals that I had never seen before.
Spacey J. — Google review
The Belize Zoo has always been an amazing place to visit ..even more so for young minds. Our children had a great time, and after a great walk about the grounds , the little restaurant serves affordable and delicious foods.
Absolutely worth the drive to see the animals of Belize .
stanley gideon — Google review
The zoo is absolutely incredible! Such an amazing origin story! You get to see animals all native to Belize, all of them are there because they were rescued and unable to be returned to the wild, so they get to live happy healthy lives and represent their species and bring awareness to the detrimental effects of deforestation and poaching.
The zoo was easy to get to on the local bus system, and there is a small cafe where you can get some food and drink.
Moriah Wilbur — Google review
All the animals are from Belize and have been relocated to the zoo due to extenuating circumstances. The enclosure are native to the animals environment and mostly large enough to hide from visitors if desired. For an extra fee we were given the opportunity to feed Edgar the jaguar chicken provided by his keeper at the zoo. He had lost his eye to cancer, but they have been able to save his life and provide the necessary care he requires. Looked healthy and had a beautiful fur pattern coat.
S Sorrick — Google review
We stayed in a pond house and did the night time tour. Amazing doesn’t even describe the whole experience. The night tour was 100% worth it. Everyone was so knowledgeable. It was great to hear the history of the zoo and of all the animals we saw. A definite must do when in Belize!
Christina Biggs — Google review
A must-do in Belize. Literally the best zoo I have ever been to. Very walkable and easy to fit in, only took a couple hours. The jaguar experience was my favorite part, reasonably priced to have a very up close experience that contributes directly to the animals. They care deeply about conservation and all animals were in large enclosures that seemed very natural and comfortable for them. Also they are all rescues/rehabilitated that couldn’t survive in the wild on their own making the zoo an opportunity for them to live in peace.
Kennedy Combs — Google review
The zoo was wonderful. It's like stepping into the jungle, without the risks. It's well worth paying extra to arrange the guided tour. The guide knows all the animal's favorite hiding places and where you can get the best views of them. He made sure we got to see everything. He also had a lot of insights to the animal's history and behaviors. I would absolutely do it again. I recommend bringing water, as the only place to get any is at the souvenir and restraunt area at the end. Also wear sturdy shoes as there is a lot of walking and a few uneven paths.
Samantha Coty — Google review
We stayed one night in Casita and did the nocturnal tour at the zoo. Everything was amazing and I wish we had planned more time here! The grounds are beautiful, the food was excellent, and our guest house was spacious and quiet. Juan Carlos was very helpful and a great birder. We were surrounded by wildlife and jungle sounds. I would have loved more time to explore the trails and relax in the hammock.
Sarah M — Google review
We enjoyed visiting a zoo that felt more 'natural' in the space and environment afforded to its animals. Not a huge area, but well worth a 1-2 walk. Especially appreciate that the animals here are either rehabilitated by the zoo, or are for some other reason unable to live in the wild
Campbell MacLean — Google review
The Belize Zoo was the highlight of our trip! We stayed at TEC which is just down the road from the Zoo and has a shuttle to bring you back and forth. They arranged our transportation from the airport and to our next destination. The staff members were very friendly and our 1-night stay included dinner and breakfast. They were able to accommodate a gluten allergy for someone in our group and the dessert with dinner was a hit! Our room had AC, our own bathroom, and no bugs. I would highly recommend both the VIP morning tour & night tour. You get unique and up-close experiences with animals you can’t get anywhere else. Everyone who works there is very knowledgeable and clearly cares about the animals.
Lily G — Google review
On our trip to Belize, we visited the Zoo. We enjoyed seeing the wildlife native to the region. Also, it was wonderful to read the stories of the many rescues of animals they had made throughout the years.
Jude Tegen — Google review
Coolest zoo I've ever been to. Read up about the history and mission of the zoo, it's definitely not your run of the mill zoo. It's quite small, but in the best way. Also, very affordable. Ask about the Jaguar experiences when you're purchasing your ticket!
Amanda Stanek — Google review
I stayed in a Forest Cabana, which is no A/C (but has a strong fan) and "shared" bathroom - it's 4 showers, 4 toilets, and 4 sinks for 10 cabanas. When I was there only other cabana was occupied, so it was fine!
Nadine, Carlos, Melvin and the rest of the TEC staff were all so kind and helpful. You ARE in the tropics - there are scorpions, etc but if you ask at the office, they will remove - no charge (haha!!). Dinner and breakfast were incredible, and they do make accommodations for veg/vegan, gluten, anything you need.
It was wonderful to take the night tour of the zoo (and I got to help feel Indy and the porcupine!) and then come back the next day to see all of the daytime friends as well.
Lisa Feinman — Google review
All rescued animals with great stories, you can get a GPS map on your phone to make sure to see everyone. We went in the hottest part of the day so everyone was sleeping and still but it was lunchtime too so got to see crocodiles eat!
The Great Blue Hole is a popular tourist destination in Belize, especially for certified divers. It is located in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which also offers excellent diving opportunities. The best way to visit the Blue Hole is by booking a tour with one of the local dive shops. Frenchies Diving School comes highly recommended for all levels of divers, and they even offer PADI Open Water and Advanced courses that take more than two weeks to complete.
For a hole.... It's pretty great ...not that blue though 🙁
Delightfully Devilish Seymour — Google review
Must see! It is so amazing when you look from the top it looks like Mayan Universe/Egyptian RA sun god symbol 🤔.
Joella r — Google review
While the actual blue hole may not have a lot to see marine life wise, it's still impressive seeing the walls and Stalagmites. However the dive sites nearby (Aquarium Long Wall and Half Moon Caye) are OUTSTANDING. Saw sharks, turtles, various rays, garden eels, parrotfish, barracuda and more. There are swim throughs, great drifts and overall amazing variety. Strongly recommend Frenchies Diving on Caye Caulker, highly professional, fun and solid equipment.
Nick Brooks — Google review
Wonderful experience. Not much to see, actually. Snorkled the rim but hardly any fish. Keep in mind... it's 2.5 HOURS out and 3 hours back. If it's a bucket, go for it. Otherwise, shrug.
Mitzi Logan — Google review
A good place to go for a deep dive (40 m / 130 feet). Interesting cave formations. Too dark for my taste but worth the 2-hour boat ride
Oriol R — Google review
The Great Blue Hole of Belize is a stunning natural wonder that left me awestruck. Located off the coast of Belize, it is a giant sinkhole in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, measuring over 300 meters across and over 120 meters deep. The clear blue water and unique underwater formations make it a popular spot for divers and snorkelers.
During my visit, I was amazed by the vibrant marine life that call the Great Blue Hole home. I saw schools of colorful fish, sea turtles, and even a few reef sharks. The underwater formations were equally impressive, with giant stalactites and stalagmites that have formed over thousands of years.
The dive itself was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The water was crystal-clear, and I could see for miles in every direction. The dive instructors were knowledgeable and made sure that everyone had a safe and enjoyable experience.
Overall, the Great Blue Hole of Belize is a must-see destination for anyone interested in marine life and natural wonders. It is a reminder of the incredible diversity of life on our planet and the importance of protecting our natural resources. I would highly recommend a visit to anyone looking for an unforgettable experience.
The Murad Anwar — Google review
It was awesome experience flying over the Big Blue Hole. The bird's eye view of seeing the entire Blue Blue Hole is amazing. In addition, plane also flew over Belize Barrier Reef and Turneffe Atoll which were beautiful. Along the way, saw a really picturesque shipwreck which made a great photo. The flight from Belize City took 1 hour and cost close to USD300, not cheap but worth it.
CK Cheong — Google review
We booked the Great Blue Hole with Belize Pro Dive Center and had a great time. Great shop and a fun day of diving.
Charlie C. — Google review
Very cool place the long boat ride is the reason for not getting 5 stars
Richard Madill — Google review
We went to the Blue Hole with Amigos del Mar. We were only snorkeling, so we were not able to see the cave formations. From what the divers on our boat said, that seemed pretty cool. We snorkeled for about 45 minutes and saw absolutely amazing coral formations and marine life. I highly recommend doing the Blue Hole tour with Amigos.
dave church — Google review
Once on a lifetime location. If you are a swimmer and want something truly amazing where even pictures and videos cannot do justice, then come here.
The location is truly what makes Belize special. Sure the home grown beaches are nice as well as their wineries. But don't sleep on this location for a bucket list items.
Waters were choppy a couple of days. So keep that in mind. I did a fly over in the interim.
Texas Boy — Google review
Took an one-hour fly-over tour and it was amazing! Two full turns on each side of the aircraft so everyone gets a few minutes time admiring the Great Blue Hole.
The fly-over tours are very popular and most airline only do one flight per day (10 a.m. to 11 a.m.) in a four-seat plane (Cessna 172). I got lucky to be able to book the tour one day before but I heard that people usually book that at least two weeks in advance.
Pakho Wong — Google review
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Belize
I'll never travel to Playa del Carmen without this trip planner again
Lamanai Archaeological Reserve is a site of ancient Mayan ruins, including temples and scenic vistas. The reserve is situated on the west bank of a breathtaking 28-mile-long lagoon, one of only two Mayan sites accessible by water. Visitors can explore the partially open city with the help of knowledgeable guides and even climb to the top of one temple using modern stairs.
Very interesting tour. We had a great guide who told us plenty about the ruins. We were able to climb to the top of one of the temples on modern stairs around the back. It’s a big city that hasn’t been fully explored and is only partially open to tourism. We reached it by water, but I’m not sure if that’s the only way to get there. We even saw howler monkeys resting in the heat.
Robert Schremmer — Google review
Historically rich Mayan site. There are 3 large ruins that really impressed our family. One round is about 150 feet high. You are able to climb the ruins but when we arrived the largest ruins public access broke and we were sadly unable to climb it. Although it took an hour shuttle ride and an hour boat ride from Belize City one way, it was hands down totally worth visiting!
Janet Couch Vong — Google review
We booked an excursion through St George Caye with Colin of Eco Tours. He was educational, informative, friendly, generous with his time, and kept us rapt amongst the ruins as he told us about them. He even got the howler monkeys going! And grabbed a tarantula for us. Best of all- he provided an authentic Belizean lunch. Colin was great!
As was Cornell from St George Caye.
The ruins are magnificent & the boat ride too!
Angie Kinsey — Google review
Absolutely fantastic time on our tour, we did the Lamanai adventure from Belize city and it was well worth the effort. The riverboat cruise down was super fun and we spotted tons of animals including crocodiles, toucans, various birds, huge iguanas and more. At lamanai we climbed the temples and got to observe a family of howler monkeys. It was capped off by a delicious lunch. The guides were extremely professional and kind. I would recommend it for sure!
Joe L. — Google review
The site is a must see when visiting the area! We took a riverboat tour with a guided tour of the Lamanai. upon arrival, we could hear howler monkeys, but unfortunately we were not fortunate enough to see in person. It was so impressive to learn more about the history and be able to climb a handful of the sites themselves. Truly amazing, we feel so fortunate to have been able to visit and experience.
Caitlin Moriarty — Google review
Absolutely breathtaking site. Long drive on dirt road but totally worth it. You can go by boat if you have no car. Had the site for myself, very clean and well kept as all the other sites in Belize. Totally worth it.
Suzy — Google review
Beautiful experience. EFTours in conjunction with Lamanai River Boat Tours. Maracus bar and Restaurant was very good too. Very very polite people and extremely professional.
Dean Myslivecek — Google review
This was an amazing, probably once in a lifetime visit to some fantastic Mayan ruins! We hood Lamanai Belize Tours for the day, and we’re very pleased with their service and knowledge of the grounds.
Amanda Kenyon — Google review
Boat ride through the jungle with many birds and animals along the way, then you arrive at Lamanai to see the amazing ruins. Walking the trails, you see many different plants and animals. You see and hear the howler monkeys up in the trees. Finished our visit with a Belizean lunch prepared by our tour guides wife and visited the shops of local Belize products. You don't want to miss this tour.
James McCabe — Google review
Booked tour via carnival cruise which included transportation and tour guides. Initial bus ride was about 1 hour with guides sharing culture and information about country of Belize. Made one stop to disembark, use bathrooms, purchase snacks or beverages before getting on boat to reach Mayan site. Boat ride was pretty cool with great lake views. Tour guide was very knowledgeable on Mayan culture and temple ruins. If you are up for an adventure I recommend booking this tour.
Nolvin Jimenez — Google review
Other than the on and off rain, which can and does regularly happen on any day of the year, this was a very cool Carnival excursion. The ruins are quite impressive and the tour guides very knowledgeable about Belize's history & culture.
ChrisPandHisFlyingV — Google review
Hot and humid, make sure to carry water and wear toe covered comfortable walking shoes. Amazed at what has been built by the people years back and only 5% of the ruins have been excavated up until now. Would certainly come back in couple of years.
Vinu Samuel — Google review
This was a nice group of ruins, very informative and immersive. There are several different pyramids and ruins with a little bit of walking in-between. Some of the pyramids you can climb to the top or partially. The high temple is closed for climbing at the moment but it is still great to look at. The view from the top of the Jaguar Temple is great and you can see for miles over the tops of the trees. It is a moderate climb but my husband and I were able to make it even with our bad knees. The ball court and Mask Temple still have amazing detail. There is also a short hike to an old sugar mill.
Spacey J. — Google review
First, the drive here from Orange Walk was easy, despite a couple locals warning us the road was bad. It's not great, but it's not terrible.
You'll drive through Mennonite country; be sure to slow down as you pass the horse and carriages.
Lamanai itself was decent. There's a good museum that summarizes the history of the area to help put into context what you'll see.
As for the ruins, there's not a lot to see here. The Mask Temple can be climbed, but the High Temple (one of the largest Mayan buildings) cannot.
Expect to do aot of walking. We spent probably 80 min walking around the site and 45 min in the museum (we read all the panels).
At $10 for the visit, you'll get your money's worth. We heard that there were howler monkeys in the area; we didn't see them, but we did see a Mexican Red Rumped Tarantula!
Michael Greer — Google review
It takes a bit of travel and effort to get here but well worth it. Awesome and knowledgeable guides. Was able to climb to the top of one of the Temples. Not allowed on the others.
Mike Flood — Google review
This is not just a place, it's an adve ture! Getting here in a fast river boat is half the fun. The ruins are magnificent! You can still climb on many of them. Very informative museum, restrooms and lovely affordable gift kiosks. We were lucky enough to see a few howler monkeys as well. Highly recommended!
Leigh Bowie — Google review
Amazing!!! The boat ride in was fabulous. The guide taught us about the wildlife and history of Belize. He maneuvered the boat to ensure we were able to see marine life when they appeared. The walk through the ruins was breathtaking. The guide had the ability to transport back in history with his storytelling. We had free time to explore and climb the ruins. In our trip, lunch was provided. Yummy! There were shops there you should make time for. The bathrooms were clean.
Kelly Christian — Google review
Great experience the staff is very welcoming. Having the opportunity to see a part of history definitely made the trip worthwhile.. However I would not recommend driving in to get there, roads are very bad. If I ever visited again, I would take the tour boat in..
Clayton Wilks — Google review
We enjoyed visiting the ancient Mayan ruins! Hearing the howler monkeys in the background really gave it a Jurassic park feel and wish I would’ve captured that part on video. Amazing what they were able to build so long ago. Wow! It takes a bus ride and boat ride to get there, but it was a great day altogether.
Heather McCray — Google review
We went with Exotic Cruises. Our guides were Jay, Liz and Alex. They were all excellent, very knowledgeable and keeping the group on track.
You can see from the photos that it is a fascinating place and very well maintained.
The cruise up the Belize River is very fast (about 40 mph or more). So that adds a lot of fun in each direction.
The food was good for lunch with an overall Creole theme
We loved it!
Thank you to everyone including our bus driver.
Kevin Pope — Google review
Wow. I have never had the pleasure of seeing Mayan ruins prior to my visit to Lamanai. The history is truly fascinating and the setting is the most beautiful lush jungle I’ve ever seen. Also my first time seeing monkeys in the wild. Sooooo cool.
Altun Ha is an ancient Mayan city located in a forested area, one hour north of Belize City. It is the most popular Mayan site in the country due to its numerous traces of Mayan culture, including multiple stone altars and a large expanse of grass. The site is also significant for being home to the largest carved Jade artifact, which depicts Kinich Ahau, the Maya Sun God.
This was the best experience I ever had. I recommend anyone who wants to learn more about the Mayan ruins to visit this place. I enjoyed myself so much. I stayed in Belize for a week and this was the highlight of my day. It's also helps to have a wonderful tour guide and a tour guide that's very knowledgeable which we had
All smiles Over Here Phenomenal — Google review
It was like the many other ruins you find in area. This one is in the middle. There are bigger and there are smaller. If trying to decide which one to visit, this is good choice. If limited on time, you can do this and something else all in 1 day. We were on a cruise and did this and cave Tubing through Royal Belizean Adventures (a local tour group).
Adina Thimm Long — Google review
This is a historic site that can be easily gotten to for disabled people. If you are able to climb, I highly recommend going to the top for the view! An archeologist excavated part of this temple and found the remains of some of the royals. They were buried with jewels which would allow the totals to keep their stature in heaven.
Bonnie Patterson — Google review
A really cool area to see some well maintained Mayan ruins. We spent about an hour there and saw all that's available. A couple short but steep climbs to get to tops of temples. We stopped here early before heading to airport which was perfect amount of time we thought - if you're staying in the southern part of Belize it probably isn't worth a full day trip.
Matt Quinn — Google review
First Mayan Ruins and would go again. It is a beautiful location and a non strenuous adventure. Our tour guide Wallace from Belize Exotic adventures was amazing and informative! He even helped with photos and told us to take as much time as we would like! It was not busy in the morning at all we had the place pretty much to ourselves.
A — Google review
This was one of the best hikes I’ve had. Just looking at these ancient wonders was remarkable. I would recommend waking up early and being one of the first because it gets full. I suggest climbing the pyramids to have a better view and definitely take the walk to the hidden lake just looking at the foliage is like a jungle like feeling. I climb all of them and took many pictures. This is a must go to spot as soon as you get to Belize.
nelson valla — Google review
Impressive Mayan site. Easy access for people who can't get around as much as they used to. Very clean. Our guide was fantastic. We enjoyed learning about Altun Ha. I did climb to the top of the Sun Temple, but it wasn't easy. There are railings to hold on to but, I kept thinking....what if I fall?
Anita Simmons — Google review
Truly epic!!! It felt like I was stepping back in time. Our tour guide was from the area and answered all our questions and gave an awesome retelling of history. 10/10 recommend. Wife said it was better than Talum.
Chris Benham — Google review
Visited this place in august which was off season and we were the only ones there! It’s not a huge place so not much walking. You can climb up some of the temples, really cool. It’s so hot so be prepared with water. Bring BUG SPRAY. They sell some there but probably at double the price. So many bites.
$5 usd per person to enter. No time limit.
We quickly saw it all in about 45 minutes, but you can go with a guide and learn about it all it can take a lot longer.
Some nice souvenir shops around. Very clean bathrooms!
Alessandra Camargo — Google review
You can climb the temples. I came on a tour and it was very informative learning about the Mayan history. The steps are steep though so maybe bring some comfy shoes and not flip flops. It’s also very hot so being sunscreen
Brittany Ibarra — Google review
Altun Ha was amazing. The energy there was magical. Our tour guide was the grandson of the man that discovered the Jade Head and he was both informative and entertaining. I will definitely be going back again.
Samar Gabourel — Google review
Very beautiful, relaxing and grand experience. We went in July, it was extremely quiet. Cheap to get in, very clean and well kept. The ruins were stunning, especially the large sun temple. Few stalls to buy knickknacks outside and a couple spots to get food after. 100% recommended
Travis Gordon — Google review
Beautiful location, one of the cleanest Mayan sites in Belize. Road to it is mostly paved as well which makes it more accessible than other sites. Worth the detour off the highway
Chris Leonard — Google review
Great experience.
Amazing history and impressive designs/ architecture.
The landscape is well kept.
Lots of flies but ir was no problem. It was expected.
Our tour guide was very informative and answer all questions presented.
The store/ shopkeepers all will want you to purchase items but all items are overpriced by at least three times its original BZ cost. They will want Dollars.
In some cases i notice 4 times expensive. And i understand that they want to make a profile but you will feel worse when you get to a store in the city and find the item you bought dor 10 Dollar is really 5 BZ ...
The experience overall was great.
Fenelix K Paulino Jr — Google review
I love visiting Altun Ha. We were surprised and didn’t know that it is free for Belizeans on Sundays. That was a plus. Several little gift shops to choose from. A couple of the ruins had ropes that we couldn’t clime. The weather was extremely hot when we visited. I suggest taking a backpack with water. We did get water right at the entrance though. Was a nice family trip.
Mel Skeen — Google review
Interesting to compare this larger (wider) lock compared to the original lock that we passed through in our cruise ship. Original lock had small tug-trains to pull the ship compared to the larger lock using only large tugboats to assist the large container ships.
Ray Glur — Google review
Alton ha is a small Mayan site in Belize. The ruins are well maintained. The site is only small because a small portion is only excavated and is available to public. If you want to understand what those different buildings were all about , it’s recommended to hire a knowledgeable guide. It’s possible to complete a tour of the complex within a couple of hours
Kaushik Ghosh — Google review
Altun Ha is a well-maintained ancient Mayan ruins. There are several very tall structures that can be climbed safely and easily. The views from the top are fabulous! You only need an hour or so to wander around and climb if you would like.
Leigh Bowie — Google review
Altun Ha was amazing! It was so mesmerizing looking at all the Mayan architecture and feel the spiritual energy surrounding you. It was truly an experience of a lifetime. Visiting has inspired me to go visit other ancient Mayan Ruins. Our tour guide was Onofre and he was superb! Very knowledgeable about the area and the surroundings of Belize city.
Shanta Buffington — Google review
Park, souvenirs shops, toilets were more than ok. Museum is great, its in English so it is easy to understand history of those Mayan buildings. No words for Altun Ha piramides - great. Tour guide was also great and helpful, ready to answer on all questions.
Milos Grujic — Google review
Nov 15, 2023: Visited the Altun Ha Ruins as an excursion offered through Carnival Cruise Line. It is located about 50k/30mi out of Belize City (the 45-ish minute bus ride is worth it). Upon entering the actual grounds for the pyramids, I felt a sense of calm/groundedness - I am really unable to convey the feeling as I have never felt it before. I was able to ascend and descend the multiple ruins fairly easily; it would be difficult for someone with a weak gait and if you utilize a wheelchair/buggy I do not think most of you would be able to access the top of the ruins. PLEASE NOTE that if it is raining the stairs are extremely slippery and they do NOT allow you to climb the ruins at that point (it started raining when we were about to leave, and while I was coming down one of the ruins I slipped a little). This is was my first experience with any type of ancient ruins and it certainly did not disappoint. As with any commercial travel area the vendors do try to hustle you, but I simply stated I was not interested with a firm "no thank you" and kept moving - there is no need to allow it to negatively impact your entire experience/rating.
Mitch H — Google review
This ancient site is just amazing. Our guide was full of knowledge and clearly as a connection to the site and its importance in Mayan culture and trade. The unique location relatively close to the coast and the artifacts discovered at the site are fascinating. I highly recommend a visit if possible. Additionally, this site is not fully excavated with the oldest section still to be explored. I look forward to hearing about future excavations and the knowledge that will be gained.
M Ahern — Google review
Loved the history of it!!! YES you get to climb the ruins if it's not raining. 45 minute bus ride, a few hours to explore and lunch on the way back. I highly recommend this excursion!!!
Phillip Elliott — Google review
Stay away from the food /snack areas.. Would have been 5 stars.. if the snack people weren’t such swindlers ..at one point I didn’t know who I was buying from they need to get it together. Took away from me and our friend’s experience. They will try to rip you off. Very grassy Mayan Ruins. No Cenotes or Bodies of water around.
Caye Caulker is a coral island with a bohemian past that offers opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing. It is part of a Belize itinerary that also includes Ambergris Caye and the country's interior, where visitors can explore Mayan ruins, go caving, and stay in an eco-lodge in the jungle. Those who prefer to move around less can choose between the two islands.
Awesome island off mainland Belize. Easily accessible by water taxi or ferry from Belize City. Many good restaurants and excursions to keep yourself busy.
Derek — Google review
The kinda place destined to be enjoyed, lose one’s cultural identity, and fall in love with the greatest human opportunity: to protect and preserve our habitat shared in species diversity.
The trees 🌴 of Belize are reason enough to take pause and learn some 🌱 phytobiology! Look up how Cashews grow 🤯 🤩! Yet, of course the myriad blue shades in the sea 🌊 are the draw. To the East, the reef is healthy, as are the locals passionately protecting it and helping arrogance in tourists dissolve into the epic western setting sunsets.
Let go and go slow 🤙🏻
S P Fletcher — Google review
I really enjoyed my stay on this little island. Although my bungalow was very simple and a bit overpriced, it was all worth the trip. Super laid back atmosphere in the lovely and genuinely friendly company of the rasta crew from lazy lizard and raggamufin tours. The snorkeling trip was awesome as we got to see a bunch of wildlife : sharks, turtles, rays, all kinds of fish and coral. Too bad that day visibility wasn't optimal, but hey, nobody's fault
JustForFun KohPhangan — Google review
I went here fo snorkeling, it was amazing experience swimming with sharks. Its also pretty good to just walk on island from one end to other if you aren't into snorkeling
Chandra Kanth Reddy — Google review
So many positives. I first came here for a day trip and missed the last water taxi back to Belize city! It was terrifying to say the least but people living here on the island made sure me and my spouse were okay. We only visit here now and wouldn't change that scary situation one bit! Please come and enjoy this island and it's beautiful people. Just be sure you are respectful and humble when you do please. They have their own worries and don't need anymore from the outside! #BetterBelizeIt
CiCi Glasgow Brown — Google review
If you have children who loves nature, this is the place to bring them for a day of fun besides learning all about stingrays. You can feel and touch these beautiful creatures of the sea while learning about their way of life. A great learning experience for kids and children's
Tina Kay — Google review
Must see on your Belizean trip. My favorite place to take it easy. Enjoy the grilled lobster for sure.
Paul BigFire Roberts — Google review
Beautiful love the friendliness of the people - Iguana Reef where you can learn about sting rays and feed them as well as see the seahorse reseve, & feeding tarpin as well as the split
Ursula Illing-Vinson — Google review
Quaint little island yet it offers a variety of restaurants and bars.
Kathryn Dirkse — Google review
Had a fabulous day snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve off Caye Caulker. Plenty of fishes, marine life and clear water. The operator even arranged for the feeding of nurse sharks which was an amazing spectacle. There are many eateries, souvenir shops and tour operators peppered all over Caye Caulker. A great day of sun, sand and sea
CK Cheong — Google review
The water was marvelous and clear at the far end of island. Be prepared to climb down into the sea. We enjoyed the tour of the island narrated by “Jane” on her golf cart. The SPLIT is an incredible event cause by the destructive forces of nature!
D Eldemire — Google review
It such a go slow laid back 5 mile long little island with so much to offer like,
Snorkeling,fishing,kayaking,hand feeding magnificent friget bird and tarpon & diving.
alfonso magana — Google review
Great vibe on the island, which is split in 2. We stayed at the southern more backpacker vibe Island. The other has more trendy accommodations (I guess it's pricier).
Everything is in walking distance. Nice little food shops/trucks & restaurants, from local cuisine to Chinese, Italian and fast food.
You need to buy the local Belizian breakfast: Fry Jack, it's a flat bread stuffed with your liking at Jenny's for instance. She uses fresh ingredients and bake the bread also when you order.
Petra (Pitch) — Google review
If you would like a to visit a laid-back island, with friendly people, in a very relaxing atmosphere surrounded by exquisite blue green waters with a chance to pet stingrays, see sea horses, herons, and other shore birds, snorkel, and maybe dive, visit Caye Caulker!
Deborah Kehoe — Google review
Amazing place to visit. Mush slower and laid back from Ambergris Caye. Dirt roads and golf carts. Excellent restaurants and bars. And some of the best diving I’ve ever experienced. Would recommend staying at Weezies or Iguana Inn; both are excellent places.
Hol Chan Marine Reserve is a popular destination for diving and snorkeling in Belize. Situated at the southern end of Ambergris, this 6.5-square-mile nature preserve is home to diverse marine life and spectacular coral formations. Its name, which means 'Little Channel' in Maya, comes from the natural break in the reef known as Hol Chan Cut. The colorful corals on the walls of the channel support an impressive variety of fish species like black groupers and moray eels.
We went with Amigos del Mar. It was awesome. The coral and marine life at Hol Chan were spectacular, but swimming with and touching nurse sharks was probably a once in a lifetime experience for us. I highly recommend this location and Amigos del Mar.
dave church — Google review
We went for Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark/Ray Alley Snorkeling tour. Guided snorkeling helps to point out turtles, fishes and sharks. Enjoyed the 3-hour experience … the tour operators will register with the Marine Station. Good viewing possibilities.
Sa Sh — Google review
Snorkelled as part of our tour from Ridge & Reef Adventures. Lots of boats and each operator has to get their spot from the Marine Reserve office on a boat off to the side. The tides can be quite strong, but nothing serious for a good swimmer. Lots of marine wildlife to see.
Phil Ashman — Google review
We booked with Searious Adventures and it was great! We noticed on the way there that all of the boats had normal chairs and were in a rush to get to each location. Our tour let us lounge on beanbag chairs while the guides started by pointing out the different stingrays and marine life in the area so we knew what to look for. When we got to Hol Chan, they talked about the history of the location dating back to when the Mayans came there. Afterwards the prepped us up and let us go in. While trying our best to maintain a safe distance, it was insanely cool to see how amazing these creatures are. My favorite animal is a stingray so seeing them gliding around with the sharks was so beautiful.
Amarillo Doe — Google review
An abundance of marine life! Such a beautiful spot. Not a super deep diving area but it’s absolutely stunning. Good for diving or snorkelling. Shark ray ally was a really great experience.
Jennifer Bernard — Google review
Amazing. You will see so much wildlife here and the coral does look healthy. The main problem is how many boats are there at one time.
Michael Messenger — Google review
I followed a family of Spotted Eagle Rays here for around 15 minutes. 2 adults and 2 little ones. They did not seem to mind me swimming with them. I was at peace and hypnotised by their grace. Even though I also saw such a diverse range of wildlife here like manatees, sea turtles, sharks and lionfish - the Eagle Rays were the highlight. I saw more stuff here in Belize than the Great Barrier Reef in Aus. Paradise. Anyone into diving simply must come here
Alan Egan — Google review
My wife's favorite snorkel spot so far, swim with nurse sharks, I mean touching and all. Lots of sea life. Bit of a long haul boat ride but yes worth it.
Patrick Cates — Google review
Ok guys if you want an epic experience you have got to add this to your list of things to do. I have done this so many times in the past 5 years. I take every person I can out to do this as it is one of the best experiences ever. The guides are always amazing. It is worth every penny you will spend on this.
Scott Bell — Google review
Hol Chan was amazing and breathtaking! We did a guided snorkeling trip, and this was one of the stops. We swam with sharks and all species of marine life, got to see all the natural coral in the open sea. Definitely recommend this as an excursion if you're looking for something to do. The waters are clear and beautiful, it was amazing!
gualberto jr garza — Google review
An absolute fantastic experience snorkeling here. All kinds of tropical fish, rays, and we even saw a sea turtle. We also swam with the sharks. It was intense but awesome.
Darren Baker — Google review
We all went snorkeling here and were able to see a variety of sea life! We did a booking tour that brought us here. It was fun and busy!
chad ratigan — Google review
A must see and do when you are here. You see nursing sharks, stingrays, sea turtles and all kind of fish swimming along the coral reefs.. beautiful 😍
Susanne Morrison — Google review
I've been snorkeling more than a few times, and this was by far the best experience. The Coral was alive and there was an abundance of marine life. It can get a little crowded out there there are many resorts all coming to this particular reserve due to its quality morning is by far the busiest but the afternoon you may not have as clear of water or visibility. This is a must do if you're in the area there's also divers there but I would much rather recommend Blue Hole over Hol Chan period
Average Joe — Google review
Fantastic spot to snorkel and dive. We have seen many animals like sharks, turtles, sting rays etc. Very clean water and not too crowded. We made a snorkel trip and enjoyed it very much. Highly recommend
Thorsten Siering — Google review
This has been the best snorkeling experience of my life. Certainly trumped Hawaii and the Great Barrier reef in Australia. The way its set up and being able to see the slow yet steady decent of the reef was amazing. Still teeming with life and not but a 10 min boat ride from San Pedro coast.
Tyler liberatore — Google review
Our tour guide was Pepper, very knowledgeable of the sea life, awesome guide! Pepper explained everything to us before getting in the water. He made us feel comfortable. Although I didn’t stay in the water as long as the others, I can say that this was the best experience ever. Thanks Pepper!
(First time in Belize. First time snorkeling)
Cassandra Bou — Google review
Everything was perfect...from pick up to drop off. Kind, funny, professional staff. Bird pointed out sooo many different things and made swimming with sharks safe and exciting!!
I have only visited secret Beach, they have really great foods and drinks!!! They also have staff at the bars that will serve you on the beach so you can relax and enjoy the day!!!
Gwen Mefford — Google review
Very courteous and accommodating! Rooms are very nice. We stayed a whole week here and don't want to leave. The Cabanas bar also has great food and very kind operators. Always felt safe and well taken care of. Highly recommend staying at Secret Beach Cabanas.
Jeff Muskrat — Google review
That was by far the best part of our belize trip. Very friendly people there.
Patrick Greindl — Google review
We only stayed one night but it was a great experience. The room was clean and well kept. While there is no air conditioning, we were aware so it was not a surprise (you may want to consider this if traveling during the dry summer months). It is close to the popular bars that have the in-water seating and service so you can hit those places up during the day and head back here for little more laidback setting. The breakfast was both unexpected and quite honestly amazing…eggs, toast, breakfast meat, and fruit. Very hearty. Just be prepared that most places at Secret Beach close early (6-7pm) so you either need to make good friends with a bartender to make it worth their while to stay open for you, or you have some food/drinks that you brought.
Robert Sherman — Google review
We stayed in the green cabana at the end of May into the beginning of June. It was a great location for us to be able to spend time at Secret Beach, and then venture to San Pedro Town. The cabanas do not have air condition, but the caretakers provided a nice fan for us which helped make the evenings seem a little more comfortable. The food and drinks at Aurora‘s was excellent and they were all very hospitable and welcoming!
Edited to add that Aurora’s is no longer a restaurant/bar associated with services at Secret Beach Cabanas.
Nicole Nawman — Google review
We went back to Secret Beach with our group we had a great relaxing day. Great service, Selima was AWESOME!
Lynn Charles — Google review
My wife found the cabanas on Airbnb and what a find it was. The location is great, perfect for a chilled vacation. We stayed in the yellow cabana, and were treated like old friends by Rivaldo and Kathy who run the bar/restaurant. And their cooking was top shelf. Alexi and Giselle, the couple who oversee the cabanas were so friendly and accommodating. I could go on and on but it’s enough to say one of the best low key vacations we’ve ever had. Thanks to Aimee and Mike for a great stay
Alan Brown — Google review
The new owner Aimee is unprofessional with no customer service and just lies though her teeth to Make herself feel better. Please be aware of this person. Plus Food and drink are over price!!!! I tried reaching out to them and they’ve been dodging my phone calls. And the husband is a retired firefighter and has no morals because if he does, he would’ve told his wife to be more kind and nice and STOP WITH THE LIES!!!!
Joe Dick — Google review
The best area on the beautiful island of Ambergriscaye Belize for swimming, beach bars , casual dining and unbeatable sunsets. We stayed here in Aug. 2021 in the larger blue unit. If you are looking for full days sunshine in the most beautiful waters, multiple beach bars, friendly staff and really affordable nites stay . The magic of this place is when all the other tourist have to drive back miles on bumpy roads . You'll have the polar opposite experience of your evening. Just steps away from where you enjoyed your super fun filled day in sun . You can relax watching the most beautiful sunsets over Ambergris Bay, enjoy the quiet sounds of the water, unpolluted nite skys and have nearly entirely to yourselves, very few rental places at Secret Beach.
Corey Dyer — Google review
Stayed in the yellow cabana above the bar. This place is heaven on earth. The sunsets are killer, the drinks are tasty, and the views are spectacular. My only regret is that I only stayed one night.
Josey McGuire — Google review
4.7
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4.0
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4.5 Miles NW of San Pedro Town at Secret Beach, San Pedro, Belize
Stalwart 1729 stone fort with a moat, a museum with artifacts & murals depicting area history.
Cool fort to see in Bacalar. We did a tour that included this so we got some history of the fort. There's a little bit of walking over uneven stones but should not be too difficult if you don't use a walker. Not suited for wheelchairs.
Christina Boone — Google review
Just off the main square is the fort of San Felipe. It's quite expensive to enter 110 mxn as of December 2023 but inside there is a small museum which details the history of pirates in the area. The fort was built to protect the town - in the Lagoon itself, there is a narrow channel called the Pirates' Channel through which ships could enter.
Joe Sidonio — Google review
Nice archeological place with a nice history about Bacalar.
It has a museum inside with a beautiful Mural and some stories about pirates 🏴☠️
The price is super reasonable same for foreigners and nationals.
Our favorite part was the nice views of the lagoon you can have from here.
Danichatz Travels (Danichatz) — Google review
The castle was ok. Nothing special. it looks like you are looking to the Caribbean Sea, but you are looking to a sweet water lake. You can do from the castle some nice pictures. But the little museum wasn’t special. You had to pay an entrance fee of 110 pesos.
zimmi zimmi — Google review
Very complete and explained. Loved the views
It started raining and rain was pouring inside through a window over important displays
marina rodriguez calvo — Google review
Amazing old 17th centenary fort that was built to protect the local town from pirate attacks. It’s small but we’ll preserved and includes a museum that has displays in both English and Spanish
J G — Google review
Not breathtaking or anything, but the price is fairly cheap (especially for Mexicans and kids), and the information is very interesting. I felt like I learned a lot about Mayan culture and the Spanish invasion from the visit.
Stephen R — Google review
This small fort has a museum that does a decent job in summarizing the history of the fort, the Yucatan peninsula and piracy in the region. 110 pesos for foreigners, less for nationals.
Nice view of the lagoon, and some of the resident iguanas (in the moat) are quite large.
Michael Greer — Google review
I've visited several old Spanish forts in Mexico and I thought this was a nice one. Although the fort is small, it is well preserved and there is a nice museum located in the central building. I would say it's definitely worth a visit if you are in the area.
Mark Goodwin — Google review
Nothing to do. The boats don't go out on Wednesdays. Dust and dirt everywhere. Roads are filled with trucks for construction of Tren Maya, which is seriously delayed. Big disappointment.
Tony Montano — Google review
It's an old fortress with a very small museum, not really exciting 😉 Did love looking at the very big leguano's living there tho 🥰 and the view over the lake is very nice.
The website said you pay 55 pesos to enter but the price is 110. I think the price is too high for what you get.
Silvia Bogers — Google review
Lots of plaques and information but it needs to be given some attention as the information plaques were peeling and falling apart, a few were hard or impossibleto read. The museum has an excellent timeline for the history of human habitation in Yucatan and covered a lot of topics from Mayan culture to colonisation and pirates. There's actually a human skeleton visible under the glass floor of the museum, no information was available. Interesting but sad place. No refreshments but the cafe's nearby are excellent, and watch out for iguanas riding cannons!
Cameron Southey — Google review
This is the only really historic building in Bacalar, hence its kind of a must when you're in town. Tickets are 110 pesos for foreigners, which is one of the more expensive tickets to historical sites that I've purchased in Quintana Roo. the inside of a fort is very plain, i mean its a fort, it had a military function only. The main building has been turned into a small museum that talks about the history of the area, from the pre-Columbian times to integration with Mexico.
Bacalar Lagoon, situated in the magical town of Bacalar, is a hidden gem known for its clear aqua water and white limestone bottom. It's a favorite spot for travelers looking to escape crowded Yucatan beaches. The lagoon offers over-the-water hammocks and swings at hotels and resorts along the shore. Its brilliant shades of blue and turquoise have earned it the nickname "Lagoon of Seven Colors.
I been to this place twice and it is a publo magico magical town. Just looking at the blue water and walking all the way in and still the water is at your waist. The beautiful turquoise crystalline beautiful water is astonish of the lagona of seven colores. This is must visit if you get a chance while in Cancun, you can either rent a car or take a bus from Playa del Carmen.
Marlondo Sanchez — Google review
Superó todas mis expectativas! De verdad que esta increíble !
Un dato que debes saber es que existen muelles públicos donde no tienen costo, tienen sus reglas pero son muy recomendables !
(Translated by Google)
It exceeded all my expectations! It really is incredible!
One thing you should know is that there are public docks where there is no cost, they have their rules but they are highly recommended!
Juan Carlos Navarro — Google review
Fantastic place for a swim - must do for Intrepid Travel folks on their way to Chetumal
russky — Google review
I have seen a lot of amazing lakes, from the Titicaca lake to lake Ohrid in Macedonia to lake Jheel Lulusar in Pakistan, which had been my undisputed favorite lake in the world for a long time. Well, it is no longer undisputed, since I got to witness the seven shades of the blue water of Bacalar gradually change hour by hour. I came from Belize and crossed the border to see the lake, but it is not that far from Tulum/Cancun and it is a must see.
Shahab Uddin — Google review
This 7 colour lagoon is amazing. Much nicer than ocean. Cristal clear, warm water. Every shade of blue you can imagine. Mangrove alley. Possibility to swim, take a boat tour, take a cajac. Place to make plans for some 2 to 3 days of true bliss
Iveta Stasulane — Google review
Legendary. Akalki hotel is especially amazing.
egor — Google review
Bacalar Lagoon is as breathtaking in real life as it is in pictures. I have a feeling it’s going to explode in tourism soon, so go before it does!
Taylor Locke — Google review
It's just wonderful! The blue in this lagoon is unlike any other I've seen before. I just hope they will take more action for conservation here as there are a lot of motorized boats, and it ruins the ecosystem and the peace of the place.
Benjamin Roy — Google review
Very beautiful lagoon.a boat trip is really a great experience in the incredible blue waters
Maria georgieva assenova — Google review
My 3rd third time in this area . it's been a very pleasant experience overall. Truly recomend. Just make sure you stay for couple days . It's and easier commute if you stop first in tulum Instead of driving directly from Cancun ...
Oscar Cabrera — Google review
There is no single word to describe this place!! Its the serenity you won’t find anywhere else, its the literally crystal clear water, its the delicious authentic Mexican food, and the extremely nice people. We were very lucky to see the lagoon’s 50 shades of blue. While we were on a sailing boat trip, we witnessed the crazy rain that came out of nowhere and added to the the magic and beauty if this lake, and it was such a fantastic experience!! So even if the forecast is saying it will rain cats and dogs there, just never cancel your boat trip, believe me you won’t regret it and it wont rain more than half an hour.If you’re visiting the Quintana Roo area, don’t hesitate to visit Bacalar Lagoon, its easily reachable from Tulum ( 2 hours by car)
NISRINE AMMOURY — Google review
Lake is beautiful. Boat tour was ok. I didn't have great time in Bacalar though. Entire beach privately owned, I felt terrible for local people, not only buildings blocking views/breeze water, it's just seem so unfair and sad. So if you want to have decent time you either have to pay expensive beachfront hotel/apartments or pay for private beach club day ( with terrible food and overpriced drinks. Public beaches sometimes overcrowded and don't have much shade. I personally didn't have good time also because locals complained that I have service dog with me. So security have to come and check my papers every time, then settle it with locals. The whole thing felt uncomfortable, so I had to pay for beach clubs. Also it was mistake to come in August. It's extremely hot. I mean it's more hot than Singapore. Most restaurants and stores also have no AC. Again blocked beaches making it feels worse. Plus children that walking around entire day and begging tourists buy souvenirs - heartbreaking. Immediately I remembered similar tough childhood. This is my personal experience at lake Bacalar.
I M — Google review
Best shore excursion ever. But it was not as good as I thought. In my case cloudy and shower so it’s depend on weather.
I think awesome place when sunny day.
Ps. Thanks Sofia our tour guide for amazing experience and wonderful time.
Sukil Yoon — Google review
That's really hidden gem of Mexico. It is not so crowdy, maybe cause its kinda far from tourist places. Much better then Tulum! And even more cheaper! The Lagoon is so, so so amazing!!! The colour is unbelievable. Also the Lagoon is not deep at all so you can swim as you want.
Alfonso deMucha — Google review
Beautiful place, they conserve the area with closing the lagoon on Wednesday. I recommend to go on a tour with a sailboat to preserve even more the lagoon.
Maya Chan Beach is an all-inclusive day resort that offers various water activities, comfortable sun loungers, and shower facilities. Additionally, there is a bar and buffet restaurant available to guests. The staff members are friendly and attentive, always willing to assist with anything needed. Visitors can enjoy the added convenience of having their own private hut for shade and reserved seating. The food served at Maya Chan Beach is exceptional, particularly the fish tacos which are highly recommended by guests.
This place was incredible. The service was top notch. I was literally laying out on a float in the water and one of the gentlemen brought me a replacement drink. The drinks were the best drinks I’ve had. I went down the list on the drink menu and EVERY SINGLE drink was delicious. The tacos were awesome. They have dogs there that are super cute and friendly.
Judith Martin — Google review
Oh my there aren't enough words to describe the staff and this little get away. We had two stops in Mexico on our cruise and Maya Chan is the only one I can say I truly loved. This place is outstanding!!! The staff is absolutely amazing and made our anniversary trip the best! The food was so fresh and delicious!!! The drinks were spot on and never ending. We had a little cabana area that was so relaxing and tranquil it lulled you to have a siesta after you ate. The staff made sure that you were back in plenty of time before your ship left. I will be back to Costa Maya and to Maya Chan. Cozumel has nothing on this little piece of paradise.
Sarah Tipton — Google review
We absolutely loved our time here! After a short walk we found staff that were awaiting our arrival to take us to the beach. The entire process was smooth and they explained the issues they were having with the seaweed and offered us a refund (of course we didn't take it). After checking in they then loaded us up and took us to the beach. The entire drive was around 20-30 minutes. Once at the beach we were welcomed and shown around. The dogs and cats there are great and all of the staff were so friendly. We were then shown our spot on the beach and began our stay. The service with drinks was amazing as there was always someone coming around seeing if you needed anything. The food was being prepared during the morning hours and was served at lunch time. They also showed us how to prepare guacamole which was really fun! Overall this place was fantastic and we can't wait to return! 1
Patrick — Google review
Absolutely do not miss an opportunity to visit here if in Costa Maya. I stumbled upon this while searching for day trips while on our cruise. SO glad we did it. The service was excellent and very accommodating. My daughter is a vegetarian and they prepared a special dish. The food and drinks were delicious. We've been talking about the fish, chicken and steak since we departed. Well, my daughter hasn't, but the other 3 of us have!
The palapas are a wonderful touch. A huge thank you to Maya Chan Beach for giving us a perfect experience!
Tim Darragh — Google review
We absolutely loved our time here! The service was amazing, all the employees seemed to really enjoy working there and wanted to make sure everyone was taken care of. If you reach for a water toy, an employee will literally run over and help you get it into the water. They were so helpful and always checking in on us. We even got our own private little hut to stay out of the sun, we enjoyed having our own reserved spot so we didn’t have to worry about saving chairs. The food was incredible, the best fish tacos I’ve ever had. The drinks were delicious and the employees had great drink recommendations. We will absolutely be going back!
Emily Seaton — Google review
We visited this beautiful place a couple of weeks ago. Although the water wasn't clear due to the recent storm, the staff and food made up for it. Manel, I think is her name, was absolutely amazing. The owners were so friendly and welcoming as well. When we first got there we started with the guacamole and then had the delicious tacos for lunch. We also had a massage that I would recommend everyone to add on this trip. Thank you again the owners and staff for making this an amazing experience.
Hilary Hill — Google review
My family & I spent the afternoon here during a cruise stop in Costa Maya. Maya Chan was very laid back & peaceful. The food was superb and the service was very friendly and fun. Our kids (ages 16, 15, and 10) had plenty to do on the beach and our private seating area was just right for us. I definitely recommend this place if you're looking for something low key and on the water.
Jenny Johnson — Google review
Nice spot. Amazing service! Beach a little small with lots of seagrass (they clean it throughout the stay) and some rocks inside water (caution). Food and drinks very enjoyable. Not far from cruise port but the street to get there is awful, never had such a bumpy ride and it takes around 30mins because of that.
Would come again! Service is the best!
Tom Seen — Google review
I would give them 10 stars if I could.
The staff and owners are incredibly friendly. The beach area is great as you get your own seating for the day. Smaller all inclusive which is great because you get dedicated service, wifi, kayaks, paddle boards, all the gear is included. Did was AWESOME, and the massages were a MUST DO. One of the best I have ever had. Per other reviews, yes there can be some seaweed, but they keep it very well managed. This is a must do if you are in the area. TRAVEL IS INCLUDED IN THE COST!
Ralph Browning — Google review
Amazing service and good food and drinks, overall super relaxing spot on our cruise. Would highly recommend. There was a lot of seaweed on the beach but they were very forthcoming with the situation and accommodated well. Quality massages for a very cheap price as well!
Casey McCool — Google review
When we arrived at the meeting point by the pyramid, we were offered a full refund due to excessive seaweed (sargassum) at Mayan Chan Beach. Management previously emailed the refund option to us but we were on a cruise and didn't notice. Waveringly we hopped on the bus for the 30 minute ride/back massage😉. The vehicle was very nice and the road was pretty bumpy but it was fun ride through Mahahual and then south along the coast.
The property flourishes with greenery and is enchanting in its beauty. They had a spot picked out for us which included two comfy chairs, a beach bed with a canopy right on the Caribbean Sea on the Mayan Coast.
The allure of our emplacement was only surpassed by the service we received. The chicos y chicas of Mayan Chan could not have been more attentive and engaging. The staff share in their responsibilities so requests were quickly and joyfully met.
The lunch served was fantastic as were the cocktails. The carnitas was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
This was an experience that we plan on repeating promptly and plentifully.
david allen — Google review
Wonderful little beach resort. Everything you would need for a relaxing day. They cater to the cruise lines and are very flexible about pickup and drop off times. Great value. David and Julieta are amazing hosts. Looking forward to next time.
Massages are available as well.
Steve Herron — Google review
Where to begin?!?!?! The whole group of people are exceptional! Luis was our server.... our drinks never ran dry! He was attentive, funny, perfect! Axel and Andi (the bartenders) mixed delicious drinks! They catered to our tastes and provided perfect recommendations. David was a great host and made us feel welcome! Hands down, our favorite person was Julie! She made us feel like family!
Our day was amazing! We ate our fill, drank to our hearts were content, relaxed in the comfy loungers and beach bed. We were so impressed that we have already secured our reservation for December 2024! You are missing out if you don't visit this slice of heaven!
topaz t — Google review
This is such a hidden gem. The staff are amazing and professional. We will be back! The ride to get to it is half the fun! They did let us know due to being on the other side the water right near the beach is not as clear as at the Port. They keep it natural. This was not a problem for us the water felt amazing! If you go to Costa Maya check out this place! The food alone is worth the money!
Sara Fulton — Google review
Amazing! So peaceful, beautiful, and serene. The water is gorgeous and pristine. The beach is picture perfect. They have everything you could possibly want for the perfect day in the ocean. They bring you drinks, chips, guacamole, and pico when you enter. They then bring you all the drinks you could possibly drink. The Mayan lunch was soooo good! The wait staff and owners were so kind and welcoming. It is a little bit of a drive but so worth it. Don't miss this place!
Andrew Dunsworth — Google review
We were a group of 18. They picked us up at the pyramid at Costa Maya and drove us to the beach. Greeted us with drinks when we arrived and took us to our cabana. Service and food was excellent. Brought drinks to you in the water. Everyone had a great time. At the end of the day they returned us to the port. Everyone loved the place and had a great time. Only downside is the water was tea colored as there is a river just north of the beach and the current moved the dark water south.
Leonard Gude — Google review
What a treasure! Best vacation day of my adult life, seriously. Small and family owned, all inclusive. The food was amazing, it wasn’t over crowded, every single person was attentive and accommodating. We felt so pampered! I will absolutely go back the first chance I get. I cannot brag on this experience enough, we just enjoyed every second of our day. Thank you to the owners and staff, we just love your crew and the way you make your guests feel at home.
Jennifer Jones — Google review
We just returned from visiting Maya Chan over spring break and had an amazing time. This is the PERFECT way to spend a day in port in Costa Maya. The team did a fantastic job from transportation, to check in at the resort, to impeccable service throughout the day. The location is the perfect location of rustic, with charm and a great view. The owner was onsite and checked in regularly. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting the port who wants something a little more authentic and more charming than staying in the port for shopping and the large pool area.
Patricia Jones — Google review
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5.0
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Carretera Mahahual - Xcalak Km. 6.5, 77976 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
Mahahual Beach is a vibrant coastal town with an array of small dining establishments and bars along the shoreline. This beach offers snorkeling expeditions where visitors can observe turtles and coral reefs. It is located in close proximity to Costa Maya, Mexico making it a convenient destination for tourists. The area provides inexpensive beer and food, making it an excellent place to spend the day on the strip.
Water was very clear, warm and in nice tones of blue and light green. Sand was great as well. U can find a lot of restaurants, souvenir shops and small coffee bars on the beach also.
Milos Grujic — Google review
Closest beach to Costa Maya, Mexico. Excellent place to spend the day on the strip with super cheap beer and food. Good for scuba right on the shore, no boats needed.
A Jekov — Google review
Great beach. Lots of choices of restaurants, shops, and services. It is a $4 cab ride from the cruise terminal. Shop for a good spot on the beach when you get there. They are all right next to each other.
Rob Harrison — Google review
Loved cruise port! Free pool with swim up bar. Easy free beach access. The air walk aviary was awesome. Was only $15 per adult to do. The Mayan air acrobats were very cool as well.
Anne Davis — Google review
The beach is vary dirty and full of seaweed.
Because there are lots of seaweed, the locals fence off the beach and then there are like small, shallow pools in the sea.
We did not enjoy this beach. The shops on the sidewalk are cool and fun to walk around there.
Lior Bless — Google review
10% of this beach is accessible and it cost to be the boss. Federal pere is the place you can access for free. Don't waist the ride up ocean because it's all Funky seaweed.
King Kwa Zulu — Google review
This beach has so much potential but it has been commercialized. You'll be frequently approached by people wanting you to go to one of the private restaurants. Most of the beach is gated to keep the sargusm seaweed away.
Stephanie Rodriguez — Google review
The people are like mosquitoes and won’t leave you alone. Always trying to sell you trinkets/junk. Water and view is nice. Nice strip of shops. Prices comparable to America so don’t expect to get a good deal on anything.
Travis zuidmulder — Google review
Did this “excursion” Costa Maya tours from ship $65 USD for shuttle to and from beach (return is by taxi but they wait till it’s full before it will return) snorkel was guided- they attempt to show you marine life- they offer life jackets for inexperienced swimmers. Reef is grey-bleached in many spots. Offered kayaking and “free drinks” after snorkelling.
Beach chairs provided.
Lots of paid food options and lots and lots of people coming around to sell you bags, bracelets and flowers made of green straw.
Not as relaxing as I would have liked.
jackie burke — Google review
Very Beautiful Village. Great for families, couples and friends. You can practice aquatic sports, fishing or just swim and lay down eating ceviche and having a drink. they have great seafood. make sure to try lobster!!!!
Karen Vargas — Google review
Mahahual is a small fishing village converted in a tourist place.
You can find nice easy scuba diving reefs, with a lot of experienced guides.
It has some sargazo but you can enjoy a pleasant stay.
Ricardo Rodriguez — Google review
Nice beach, but the restaurants took over the place. There are chairs and tables everywhere
Patricio — Google review
The beach is not big and don’t have much sand. All of it is occupied by thousands of tables/sunbeds so you can’t really escape paying for a place to stay. The sea is very shallow and full of nets… Closer to the lighthouse is better. During the day it is full with people from cruises but after they leave it’s very quiet. The best part is the little town, with little shops all along the coast.
Catalina Bello — Google review
Mahahual Beach was amazing. The water was crystal clear and so clean. The beach was well maintained with lots of seating. Our excursion offered us an open bar and clean restrooms maintained by the employees. Make sure to bring cash with you as there are a ton of local street vendors with lots of yummy fruit and street tacos and corn cups. Bartering is a big thing with the vendors so be aware.
We went via taxi from Costa Maya (Carnival Cruise), only $35/person instead of over $100 per for the excursion. Taxi ride and tour was FANTASTIC!!! The ruins are very impressive. The locals were very nice and easy to communicate with. The monkeys in the trees was a really cool bonus. Even though it was extremely hot, would highly recommend this!!!
Tim Caldwell — Google review
We visited the Mayan ruins with a group from pre-purchased tickets through our cruise trip. From the cruise port, it took an hour but our host made the trip seem shorter as he gave lots of great information. We rode in a comfy air conditioned bus with lots of room. Getting to the ruins, there was a little shopping center. Walking through the park was nice and not crowded. We saw spider monkeys walking about and were able to climb some of the ruins. I would recommend anyone interested to visit at least once!
Esmeralda ?Esmi? Contreras — Google review
Nice Mayan ruins city. Tour is active and beautiful to experience. Wear sneakers, no exceptions. Be ready to climb!
Kirsten Alford — Google review
A historical/ancient site to definitely visit in Honduras. A tour guide will make the experience better and educational. The place could have some info-panels for tourists.
Stavros Katsikadis — Google review
We did an excursion through Norwegian Cruise Line. Worth every penny. Our guide was Morales. He was knowledgeable and very funny. This was our first tour of Mayan ruins so we don’t have anything to compare too but it exceeded our expectations. The monkeys were especially entertaining.
Alexis Laub — Google review
Great place to visit! There are not many tourists so it is a really great experience to visit the ruins and have them basically for yourself. Temples are really impressive so it is definitely worth visiting.
We even saw some spider monkeys there so it was a very good experience for us.
Andrea Miskovicova — Google review
Such a beautiful site. The paths were easy to walk, but there is some steep climbing up pyramid steps at points. We saw wild monkeys in the trees on our walk. The scenery is amazing. We used native choice as our tour guide and they were amazing.
Ryan Nowlin — Google review
Beautiful site and outstanding views. The guides are great and very informative. Cute little shop stalls that we got some cool souvenirs from. If you want to get the full experience, be prepared for some moderate physical exertion to climb the numerous steps.
steven campbell — Google review
What an amazing place! Such incredible history! All covered by jungle until 1972...
Original mortar holding these massive pyramids in place is mind boggling. Note if climbing the stairs on these pyramids that they are uneven and of varying heights...it is easy to fall ( which I did) so be careful!!! Great jungle vegetation and a spider monkey in the trees!
Allison Batchelor — Google review
Visited these Mayan ruins while on a Carnival cruise which stopped in Costa Maya. These were the largest ruins I had seen at the time, and they were very impressive. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and very engaging. This was a great alternative to the other excursions from the cruise, and the whole family loved it.
Tim Kitchen — Google review
Amazing place. Good to learn the history of the Mayan people. Only complaint is the shop, I didn’t see any prices on things and you had to ask. Makes you think they charge whatever they want depending on who you are.
Josh Dundon — Google review
Probably the most up-close ruins experience on the planet. There is no hands off rule. We had an excellent guide, Carlos, from Toucan tours. Book online and save 50%, over ship sponsored excursions. Plus the gift shop was extensive without the pressure.
Carlos asked us if we wanted to try some street tacos on the way back to port and everyone was in. Great, but simple food, at a fantastic price. My Bride and I each had a beer and 3 tacos for $5!
Bill Tomko — Google review
We really enjoyed this trip! We saw several Mayan temples, one of which we were able to climb to the top. We walked through the ruins of the Mayan village and saw some spider monkeys zipping through the jungle canopy! Our guide, Dennis, was very knowledgeable of Mayan history and language! He also gave us two tidbits of potentially life changing advice, "If you see a Jaguar, don't try to touch it!" and "When viewing monkeys up in the canopy overhead, keep your mouth closed! The trails can be slippery and a little muddy in some areas, so wear sturdy walking shoes that can handle rocks and light mud. A hat, cool clothing and insect repellent is a good idea. Also I noticed a few wise travelers had small folding fans that helped hold the heat and humidity at bay. The Yucatan peninsula can be rather warm. Overall, a great trip!
Jack Adkisson — Google review
A beautiful piece of history that was easy to get to from our cruise port. Everyone we encountered during our visit was friendly, kind, and talkative. I'd love to spend more time here.
Vincent Esposito — Google review
It is a fantastic place to visit, right in the middle of the forest and close to the Belize border. It takes 45 minutes driving from Mahahual. The site has 5 main buildings and many more still to bring to light. It is said to have a total of around 200. Local guides are available. The tour takes about 1 hour and in order to take pictures or film you need to pay a 4 dollars fee. To be honest, I didn't see anyone checking it, although I have paid for the permit. The site is mostly accessible. However, the main building is at the top of the hill, and you have to climb some steps. Not accessible to everyone.
At the entrance there is a small café, a souvenir shop and toilets. If you enjoy chewing gum, I advise you to buy a pack of the original one. Produced locally and organic. It's completely different from the nowadays ones. If you visit the place in the rainy season, I advise you to use mosquitoes repellent.
ana tavares — Google review
Chacchoben Ruins are a must-see if you want to explore without feeling overwhelmed in the cruise port, I booked through cruise line, and it was an hour trip to and back. Bring cash, and don't be afraid to negotiate for souvenirs. And be prepared to walk, pack water, sunblock, and a portable fan.
Alma Fawcett — Google review
This was amazing to me, We took the tour and it did not disappoint. The Tour Guide we had was very knowledgeable about the site as she also had Mayan ancestry in her. She explained the Language, Medicinal Plants used, the different Pyramid uses. There are still new pyramids being found on the site.
Papa Victor — Google review
Great views of the Mayan ruins. There is some walking involved as well as climbing at the last stop. Best to wear appropriate shoes.
Even in the hot weather, nice n cool under the trees.
Gerhard J — Google review
Chacchoben is a very nice and accessible Mayan ruins site. We visited as part of a cruise excursion. Only an hour from the port of Costa Maya. These temples are not huge but they are still very cool to see.
Randy Barsch — Google review
Out of all the Mayan Ruins that I have visited, this is the best. Ruins still covered by jungle overgrowth as well as many that have been restored.
Be sure to bring bug spray/Off, after the month of March.
Todd A — Google review
Chaccoben Mayan Ruins: A Journey through History and Culture
Nestled off the coast of Costa Maya lies a hidden gem that captivates the hearts and minds of all who visit - the Chaccoben Mayan Ruins. My experience exploring this ancient site during a Norwegian Cruise excursion left an indelible mark, revealing a rich tapestry of history, architecture, and cultural connections that transcends time and borders.
As our 12 group embarked on the journey to Chaccoben, excitement permeated the air. The anticipation of unraveling the mysteries of this ancient civilization was palpable. Little did we know that what awaited us would far surpass our expectations.
Upon arrival, the grandeur of the Mayan ruins unfolded before our eyes. Towering pyramids, intricate stone carvings, and sprawling temple complexes painted a vivid picture of a once-thriving civilization. Surprisingly, the architecture and religious symbolism bore striking resemblances to structures found in South India, a testament to the interconnectedness of human history and the universality of human expression.
Guided by the knowledgeable Fabiola, we embarked on a journey through time, delving into the rituals, beliefs, and daily life of the ancient Mayan people. Fabiola's insights illuminated the significance of each structure, from the towering temples dedicated to deities to the humble dwellings of the common folk. As we explored the sanctums and ceremonial plazas, it became evident that every stone told a story, every carving a testament to a bygone era.
One aspect that added an element of adventure to our exploration was the presence of wildlife, particularly snakes. Thankfully we had appropriate footwear and stayed vigilant as we navigated the site. Despite the couple of sightings, the allure of the ruins remained undiminished, a testament to the resilience of nature and the enduring spirit of the Mayan civilization.
As we traversed the ruins, the importance of preparation became apparent. The journey from the port to Chaccoben took approximately 1.5 hours, followed by an equally enriching 1.5-hour tour of the site. Our presence of mind to carry water, sunshades, caps, and sunscreen proved invaluable, ensuring that we remained comfortable and hydrated throughout our expedition.
Each step we took was a testament to the awe-inspiring legacy of the Mayan civilization. From the intricate carvings adorning the temples to the verdant jungle that embraced the ruins, Chaccoben offered a glimpse into a world shrouded in mystery and wonder.
In conclusion, my visit to the Chaccoben Mayan Ruins was an unforgettable journey through history and culture. From the awe-inspiring architecture to the spiritual significance of the site, every moment was a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the ancient Mayan people. As I reflect on my experience, I am reminded of the profound connections that unite humanity across time and space (continents), reaffirming the importance of preserving our shared heritage for future generations to cherish and explore.
Satya Aluru — Google review
What to expect: An hour ride from the cruise drop off point, an hour and a half of walking around the ruins, and an hour ride back.
Some walking, and some shopping at the temple site with limited food options (get the tamales if you can!)
An incredible excursion for any cruise stop - I highly suggest it!
Cameron Yoder — Google review
4.8
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4.5
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Carretera Federal, 307 Via Carta Mérida, Pedro Antonio Santos - Chunhuhub, Chetumal, Q.R., Mexico
Located at the southern end of the Riviera Maya, the Sian Kaan Biosphere Reserve is a protected jungle preserve that offers guided boat tours, wildlife sightings, walkways and Mayan ruins. This natural treasure has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO due to its diverse flora and fauna both on land and in the sea. The area comprises of various ecosystems including a rich coastline of the Mexican Caribbean.
Absolutely one of the most beautiful places on earth. Here you have the opportunity to see lots of wildlife like crocodiles, manatees, dolphins, turtles and more then 300 different species of birds. The turcoise water around Punta Allen is absolutely stunning!! Highly recommended visiting Sian Ka'an.
Matthijs van veen — Google review
We went there with a tour organized by the local community. The staff was super friendly and open to share thoughts.
On our boat trip we stopped on a beach that was full of littering. When talking with the tour guides they said that the place was completely abandoned by the administration. Even though they do their best to preserve it, it is only that much they can do.
I hope everyone who visits this place reports it to put some pressure on the admin. 🙏🏽
Irene Jim?nez — Google review
Give yourself a day to explore The Biosphere Reserve of Sian Ka'an. Be forewarned that the dirt road/path is full of potholes. It takes a while to drive through the dirt road envelope by a heavy tropical forest, mangroves, lagoons, and marshes. There are many beaches to find and wildlifes to see.
Some areas are privately owned, but we found a little nice beach area that we were able to enjoy.
The drive to this reserve was 2 hours from Cancun, but we spent nearly a whole day here exploring and driving through the area and back.
Noreen Roberson — Google review
Amazing beautiful place. The drive to the pick up place (where we met our captains) is hell. 10 km by the most rocky jungle road took us around an hour but it’s so worth it. The nature is stunning. We saw 3 dolphins playing for 20 minutes! Lots of birds! No crocodiles or turtles for us but still amazing!!!
Scott Landon — Google review
This place is only for extremely patient people, that's for sure. To get there you need to either drive or go on a tour, but either way the trip is very long due to the fact that the road is not paved and it's EXTREMELY bumpy. So the driver is forced to go super slowly while the vehicle is shaking for 3 hours on the way there and 3 on the way back (from playa del carmen , a little les from tulum). It's worth doing it at least once though, because the lagoon is spectacular. You can see dolphins, turtles and manatees with their babies, in their natural habitat!
Danila Massara — Google review
You can skip it! 100 pesos entrance fee for a bad road which is mainly closed on both sites. Everything is private and the beaches plus the nature is full of plastic. I think mexicos beautiful nature is close to be past thing. Its sad but when you see what you can buy here in the supermarkets its not a surprise. Plus most of the people here just only think on profit and don't care about their nature.
Alexander Kiesche — Google review
Today 22 April 2023 it was world's earth day and we did a beach clean up in the Reserva Sian Ka'an.
We first stopped at the narrowest part, where at one side was the mangrove and at the other side the sea & beach.
Here we saw a crocodile and a manatee. As all volunteers came together we went to the actual place where the clean up was.
There were a lot of volunteers participating. We went with 7 persons of Infinity2diving from Tulum.
We gathered all together a lot of plastic garbage.
Petra (Pitch) — Google review
This is an amazing natural reserve area where there is an abundance of wildlife, including manatee, dolphins, crocodiles and many species of birds. Among the birds that were present during the dry season, when we visited, were frigates, egrets, osprey, and pink spoonbills which were nesting at the time. Fauna include of course the mangrove (red and black), air plants and banana orchids (not in bloom but still interesting) This is a must see and even though the tours are expensive at around 150 usd per person, you will get more out of it with a guide. Theoretically having that guide would mean that the tour would be more eco friendly and cause less stress to the animals. There is an unfortunate tendency for the boat drivers to surround the animals, which must cause stress. Luckily right now there are a limited number of boats but sometimes they many arrive at once and there were a few times when i wanted to leave to give the animal more space. The Mexican government needs more oversight on the Form of rangers to curb some of the less desirable behaviours before it gets more out of hand.
Paul Taylor — Google review
Really sad to be giving this one star. The road here is absolutely ridiculous. Really. This is not hyperbole. You'll be lucky to get back with your car intact. But even if you do, it's 4 intensely nervous hours of driving through potholes that you will never get back. Even with a jeep it's just not worth it. And that's 4 hours just to get nowhere and back. Seriously, just say no. Plenty of other places to explore.
Arnon Cahen — Google review
A wonderful park which definitely deserves a visit. Make sure you get a good tour that takes you snorkelling to the reef
Elena Macciò — Google review
We love visiting the Sian Ka'an and have returned multiple times. Luis, Mirian and Daniel in the buffet restaurants take very good care of you and are attentive. Victor on the animation team leads very goof aqua gym sessions, paying attention to any injuries and giving advice rather than pushing you. Love this hotel!
Tony B — Google review
Turtles, crabs, dolphins, crocodiles and Coral reef. Bird Islands (mangrove Islands) and lots of beautiful scenery. I fully recommend visiting.
Marketa Koulova — Google review
2.5 stars. this is a conflicted review.
we had an amazing guide/captain who took care of us and tried his best to show us the marine animals in the lagoon. we saw a manatee, a stingray, a lot of birds, an underground cenote,and learned a lot of interesting facts. the floating river in the middle of the mangrove forest was amazing, especially because we were the only people there. overall, it’s a beautiful place to see and i would recommend a visit.
shame about all the plastic trash washed up on the otherwise beautiful beach. i didn’t understand why they’re even showing this to tourists. our guide told us that the trash comes from the island of cozumel and washes up on this side. they don’t clean it up and just leave it there while also maintaining an image of an ecological and protected biospheric reserve that doesn’t even have functioning toilets. there should be stricter laws regarding trash and pollution in the whole of yucatan, not just in e.g. tulum where they don’t allow plastic bottles anymore. but most of all, the constant development and construction of tourist resorts and hotels needs to stop. the road leading to the mayan ruins and sian ka’an was lined with half-finished construction zones. they should never have allowed cozumel or riviera maya to become the tourist hotspot it is today.
Eli Hythova — Google review
The road is serious business, not for whiners or delicate day trippers. It has protected this area by keeping out those people who don't appreciate life's journeys.
Danette Day — Google review
Amazing view, great spot for dolphins. Boat goes fast
Samuel Colassin — Google review
Absolutely beautiful place, we saw lots of animals.
Charlie Zhang — Google review
Amazing place, simply amazing. Brilliant management plan for tourism, fingers crossed that doesn't change. Pepe was an awesome guide, very knowledgeable and had an addictive level of enthusiasm. Would love to return in 20 years to see any changes
Adam Locker — Google review
The views are amazing but not that different from those you see in Tulum public beaches, but the road is in terrible conditions. You'd average 10-15 kmph and you're lucky if you don't get motion sickness...
Ancient Mayan site with temple ruins & artifacts dating from 300 BCE to 1500 CE.
I really enjoyed visiting here over Tulum as it was a lot quieter and shaded. It's much smaller but the towers are much taller and impressive. Beautiful architecture on the rest of the pyramid. It costs about 65 pesos and has a free toilet facility.
Luke Barnaby — Google review
Fantastic ruins and a park that’s small enough to get through in the couple hours with the boat tour. Bring bug spray.
The lagoon boat tour was wonderful as you have the opportunity to “swim” in the natural canal. It’s “swimming” because the current is so strong it feels like a lazy river! Enjoyed the whole experience a lot.
Sarah Candee — Google review
So beautiful and you can walk about 10 min to the back of the site and continue to the biological sanctuary, which is then another 20 min walk to the beach.
There is a platform on the way that you can climb for about 5 stories and get a fantastic view!
Michelle Lin — Google review
This was great! Would do again just for the lazy river part! Be prepared to walk a-bit on some wooden plank walkways! Definitely well worth the trip! Completely incredible to see what they could create back then with what they had! Definitely wish could have a guided tour to know
More about the history!
J McCracken — Google review
Must see!!! One of the earliest and longest inhabited ancient Maya sites on the eastern coast of the Yucatan peninsula. It's an easy drive from Tulum. Around $3.50 to enter.
Brian Lawson — Google review
70 pesos per person to enter. Plus 50 pesos for drones or (professional) camera equipment. Plus 50 pesos to walk the wooden path from the ruins to the lagoon.
Well worth the entry fee and a few hours exploring. We did see a snake whilst walking along the path, can you spot it in my photo?
The park has written signs in three languages so you don’t need a tour guide, although they do work the area.
Parking is free at the entrance and there is a refreshment place and souvenirs across the road.
Jourdain W — Google review
Definitely add on the boat tour. It was 1,000 pesos when you buy it from the park. It's so worth it to see that part. There is another smaller ruin they take you to, and the view of the biosphere is amazing. You get to float a section of it, which is refreshing after you walk the ruins and the path through the park. They don't allow sunscreen or big repelant if you are going on the boat tour. There are definitely mosquitoes during the walk through the trail.
Kristiana Spehr — Google review
Fantastic place. Simple, silent, you feel the nature. When you go inside, you'll find a wooden door where you can go to a lagoon through forests and costs you extra 50 pesos. Definitely go there. It's an amazing adventure to walk there. You feel like in jungle 😍
Alexandru Tomuz — Google review
Cool little historical spot to check out for a couple hours. Not a hugely popular spot so you'll have a relatively private time. There are a few different ruins, some nice wooded trails with great trail maintenance. Then there is also a lagoon you can walk to using a wood plank path that's about 1km long. Fun little day trip with multiple street taco spots nearby.
Alex Trimpe — Google review
I really enjoy bringing people here. It is smaller than other Maya ruins but in some ways more approachable. There is ongoing restoration and the setting is very jungle like. Less commercialization and fewer people.
Diana Harris — Google review
Incredible sights. Would recommend using bug spray! Make sure you also book the boat tour through the laguna and lazy river, as that was the absolute best bit!
Pablo Orlando — Google review
Super cool if you’re into historical sites. Definitely recommend going on the earlier side and bring bug spray. You can pay on site to enter its about 70 pesos. If you would like to explore the wooden bridge that takes you to the lagoon it’s about another 50 pesos to enter that part and another 50 or so if you want to take a boat ride on the lagoon. There’s also a cool wooden tower you can climb along the way!
Jordan Watson (Ace King) — Google review
This is a really cozy site! There is a jungle walk possible after seeing the ruins. And thereafter there's a boat tour on the lagoon that you could take.
The ruin entrance costs $70, the jungle walk is $50, and the boat tour $160.
Sofia T A — Google review
Amazing. Vast in thr jungle with some bright colors and relifs. Caves and affordable. Monkey's can be heard. No wifi. It links yo an amazing walk and boat tour where manatee and turtles are. Check out the full review on tiktok annastravels and on ig annastravelsnyc
Anna Hess — Google review
I drove and used google maps to get to the office. Talked to one of the guys inside the booth to purchase the ticket and also the boat ride to the lagoons. Ticket price is 70 mx for the ruins and additional 50 if you proceeded to take the pathway at the back of the ruin. If you’re not going to take the boat ride, I suggest to only purchase the ticket for the ruins. There’s not much to do aside from the sketchy tower that you can climb when you’re close to the dock where they take you to the lagoon if you purchase the boat ride. The best is if you take the boat ride. It’s 1000 mx per person. They’ll take you to the 2 lagoons then lastly to the shallow canal where they let you float around for almost an hour.
Donald Harvey — Google review
Cost for Ruins = 75 MXN per person.
Cost for Bridge and Walk to Lagoon (chance to see wildlife) = 50 MXN per person.
Cost for Lagoon Exploration Ride = 1000 MXN per person. (1 hr, swim in lagoon).
We only did the first two. Would recommend the first, but not the second, unless you intend on the lagoon excursion. If not, save your pesos, the walk is too long for little ROI.
We met a father/daughter who said the Lagoon excursion was worth it.
Ali V — Google review
The tour for the site at the time we arrived was $70MXN. There is an additional cost to walk the trail that leads from the end of the archeological site down to the lagoon behind it and the cost was $50MXN. We highly recommend the trail; it takes you through the jungle and you can see a few very small cenotes (not swimmable) and wild life. Also, if you can, book the lagoon tour with them directly. They sell it for a third of the cost of third party tour operators and the money goes towards the Mayan community in the area that protects the site. Raul was our tour guide and provided us with a great experience. The cost of that tour is $1000MXN.
Gabriela Carrillo — Google review
As an explorer, here's my spin... I would have never found this on my own on how to get here unless you take an inflated tour. Found some travelers that has gone here before and tagged along for the adventure. Went to the local bus station ADO and found the bus that was heading that direction, paid 35pesos directly to the bus driver was what we were told at the ticketing booth. The Arqueologica de Muyil (75pesos) was being rebuilt on most of the ruins, the paths were not marked out properly, but it was not too big a site. The strangest extra 50 pesos to walk on a shabby not well maintained boardwalk through the jungle was simply a scam, a rickety tower that is downright dangerous and really the view on top was not worth it. We took the boat tour to the lagoon river (you get to float in the river for about half hour in crystal clear water) was pretty good but pricey, good for the experience.
Eddie Wong — Google review
Pretty good time at the ruins overall. It’s a small park; the ruins are for sure the highlight for me, and you can explore them all within about an hour and a half. Reasonable price and there are quite a few good food/drink options for such a rural area. But in my G-d’s honest opinion… don’t waste your money on the rest of the park. The lagoon is nice or whatever but unless you’re going to spend $800+ per person (not per boat) to go farther across the lagoon, it’s not worth it… but the ruins were great, and I did enjoy the walk and the view! We just couldn’t justify paying $1600p for a two hour boat tour, and we weren’t allowed to just rent our own kayaks. And as you can see, they are speed boats, so it isn’t like the guy would have to be rowing extra weight to justify the cost (we are both very thin anyhow).
The hardest part for us was getting home. You can catch the ADO bus from the cement parada but Lord only knows when it’s coming, and if it will stop! We ended up hitching a ride back to Tulum with a random van driver. (NOTE: This is NOT recommended for people who don’t speak Spanish or women traveling alone!) If I were alone I wouldn’t do that, but I do speak Spanish and was with my boyfriend. We were fine, BH, but please be aware that if you didn’t drive, getting home can be a challenge (regardless of whether or not you bought round-trip ADO Bus tickets!)
Gorgeous ruins though, A+
Shark Bolan — Google review
4.6
(3255)
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4.5
(336)
Reforma Agraria-Puerto Juárez km 25, 77710 Chunyaxché, Q.R., Mexico
Paradise Beach is a stunning coastal destination in Tulum, known for its pristine white sand, palm trees and clear turquoise waters. The area offers many casual dining options and sunbed rentals for visitors to relax and enjoy the view. It's also an ideal spot for snorkeling tours to see the local marine life, including Tortuga. While it can get crowded during the daytime, heading far left provides an opportunity to enjoy a breathtaking view without any crowds.
Beautiful beach, take a snorkeling Tour to See Tortuga. It gets bit crowded at daytime. Beach Bars overpriced. Go far left to enjoy beautiful view
Massimiliano Magnini — Google review
Good place to go for the beach
it’s clean and A day bed with a table and umbrella will cost 300-500Pesos depending on the season
the beach is pretty clean here but be wary of the restaurant they have a service fee added to your bill which takes the place of a tip but all the waiters will want a tip
no tip bad service
Chad Lawrence — Google review
Beautiful water and sand. The Go Snorkeling was beautiful with clear water. Got to hang for the day and walk to different beaches and the ruins from here.
Kevin Markman — Google review
Great experience!! Beautiful beach with so much to do
Damien Love — Google review
A really nice beach located north of the Hotel Zone in Tulum. Parking is first-come-first-serve along a narrow beach lane so unless you show up early you'll probably need to pay around 100 MXN plus tip to a beach club attendant to be able to park. The beach itself is gorgeous and free to enter, if you choose there are chairs and sun loungers you can rent from a beach club, they are 100-200 pesos per day. Drinks are very reasonable, and tasty. The pina colada was the best I had in Quintana Roo. The water is nice though some sargasso is present and you'll notice it but it's not bad at all. The beach is swept of sargasso on regular basis, but you'll still notice some in the sand. Came back here for three days in a row, I guess we liked it.
Robert Chomicz — Google review
Completely filled with sargazo, no cleaning, horrible smell. No sign of paradise at all.
This is Paraiso for the owners of hotels and beach clubs with the prices they give taking into account very poor condition of the sea and the beach. Shame!
Anikeyev92 — Google review
We had an awesome time. Parking wasn’t too bad nor expensive, there was plenty of parking available. The line to get to the beach was long ~45 min in the car waiting. @the beach we were approached to do a private or group snorkeling session and we chose the private for $~135 USD, we have never snorkeled before and weren’t really given directions, just told to follow the guide but we caught on quickly. It was awesome to see the turtles and sting rays. I wish we had a GoPro but unfortunately we didn’t, but if you do you’ll get some great footage. The food was a really good price, we got a mixture which was filet mingnon, shrimp, lobster and veggies for ~$40 (that being said do NOT go to Parole restaurant they wanted $200 for a small lobster tail)
Sarah Elizabeth — Google review
One of my favorite beaches in Tulum. Lots of restaurants to eat at and hang out at the beach. They offer parking, $200 pesos.
Cynthia Q — Google review
Nice beach but seaweed/sargassum makes it dirty and stinky. Riff in about 2 min by boat where you can find not colorful corals but swim with sea turtles and manta rays. No showers or changers at the beach
Bandi Koeck — Google review
It is used to be a beautiful Caribbean beach around 5 years ago. Now it is spoiled with sargassum. Apart from nature problems, in beach clubs like everywhere in Tulum tourists are seen as bags with money. Everything is overpriced and they try to scam you all time. The beach can be accessed with your own car , by scooter or bike. Even though it is a state natural reserve they are only private parkings that charge you 250 or 300 pesos a day. If you come by taxi be prepared to pay a fortune to go back. There is no bus or any ither public transportation. You are left with no choice. From February and till end of summer it is full of sargassum and no one cares to clean it. It is a pity that all private beach clubs and hotels do not take care of the beach and just use nature to put their business. I hope people will realize it and stop going for locals finally to realize that they are in charge of providing conditions for tourist. Tons of sargassum do not even let you approach the water. Instead of cleaning it , they came up with idea of taking you 50 meters away from the shore by boat for you to be able to enter the water. Xpu ha beach is much nicer experience.
Валентина Рогачева — Google review
The best beach I’ve visited in the area. Even in winter season you can enjoying visit it.
We were into a beach club with live music and amazing food but you can visit it for free.
Just remember carry on your own drinks 🍺 and food 🥘 is a touristic place and for that reason the prices are highest.
Victor Moreno — Google review
Nice beach. I was on private side . 500 pesos to spend in a day incluse bed toilette good food.
Nicolas Freyermuth — Google review
Beautiful beach, we went twice during our trip. The walk up and down the beach is beautiful and you can see ruins from the water.
Alexx Harley — Google review
A really lovely beach but you need to wait in line for the queue to enter and pay for the “national park” that the beach sits under. The queue can take as long as 45 mins and they only take exact cash (no change given) or card. The amount is 60.50 pesos which is not a lot but the queue can be long. It’s not a beach you can just turn up to. Parking is also 150 pesos.
Nimmi Patel — Google review
I really liked this beach club. Clean, attentive staff. The territory has everything you need for a great holiday. I recommend. The beach is clean without algae.
Victoria Kokhan — Google review
The beach is beautiful! The reason for three stars is that businesses have grabbed and exploited this beautiful area. Unfortunately, the local businesses charge to park your vehicle, and charge a minimum "consumption fee" to stay on "their" beach. Overall, prices are excessive for beverages and food!
Ångel I am who I am — Google review
Indeed a lovely beach. Located in the Tulum natural park is a semi wild beach with beautiful sand, shallow water and reef barrier good for snorkeling
Catalin Marica — Google review
Had a great time with the whole family. Kids loved the inflatables on the water and the food was yummy. Service was great!! Ask for Omar - so much fun and can’t wait to come back.
The Tulum Archaeological Zone is an ancient Mayan city situated on a bluff with a view of the Caribbean Sea. It was a significant trading port during the Mayan post-classic period, attracting both land and sea routes. The city's ruins offer stunning views and architectural wonders to explore.
Very awesome! It's so breathtaking and beautiful to see. Just trying to imagine the history in this area overwhelming. I highly recommend everyone to visit and experience. I'd say average 1-2 hours to see all the ruins, ready some historical data, and just take in the beautiful scenery.
Llorito Castanares Todd — Google review
Very nice and spacious. Ruins are preserved quite well and the views of the water and beach below are stunning. There are a few nicely cut out viewpoints for the ultimate photos. Oh! And many awesome iguanas posing for your photos and walking around minding their business.
Great way to spend part of your day. ( there’s also guides around if you want the true historical tour )
Rodino Janowski — Google review
Interesting stop as part of a tour. Suggest a hard pass unless you find viewing the ruins a must see. Non stop vendors enticing you to stop for pics with monkeys, iguanas, or parrots. Oh, and don't forget the excruciating heat. Bring water, a fan and a quick ride back.
Christopher Martinez — Google review
Designated UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 . 600-800 year old Mayan ruins. A gem from Mayan history. Hire a guide who can provide you historical insights. Beautiful seaside property. Strategic coastal location aided trade and connections. Unique defensive walls and fortifications for protection of inhabitants.
Haroon Sarwer — Google review
This place is awesome. Step back in time to a different life. The tour guide’s are so knowledgeable and each one tells a little different story. The views are so beautiful. The beach was wonderful. We spent about an hour and a half walking around the ruins.
GREG SOUTHERN — Google review
A small set of ruins set up high on cliffs that provide a beautiful and dramatic view of the gulf. Stairs down to the beach are inaccessible now though. Absolutely worth a visit you can walk the entire complex in about 45 minutes maybe an hour if crowded. Several large buildings are very impressive though you cannot go into anything everything is at a distance. It will take longer to get in though. You absolutely want a local driver or a tour as there are multiple entrances and the rules change on a whim. Also expect a search of your vehicle by armed security or army. We went via private vehicle with a local driver (shout out to Edgar) who navigated everything for us with no issues but would have been lost on our own even with decent Spanish. You purchase tickets at a small trailer and then take them to the entrance line. While they say credit cards are ok I recommend pesos or dollars. In my opinion you do not need a tour guide at the site. Everything has placards in Spanish and English and most of the guides were just repeating what they said. Many wonderful photo opportunities. Pack water and use the restroom before you arrive as it will be dreadful hot/humid and there are no concessions bathrooms or souvenir shops anywhere on site. There are beaches outside the ruins that you can access separately, and nearby on the main road is a large tourist area with restaurants and shops.
Trey Tollison — Google review
A lovely set of ruins but with a few drawback to the experience. The ruins are impressive and the site itself well maintained. If you have a guide they will explain the history and point out some of the interesting architectural delights that is part of the Mayan ruins. Some of the sculptures are well maintained. To keep everything well maintained, the key buildings are roped off (only the local lizards can pass). That goes double for the local beach which is beautiful but inaccessible. One of the main reasons is the rubbish that littered it so beware that you won't be able to bring plastic bottles into the site. There's not much shade so bring a hat but the tour we were on wasn't that long. Outside the site, you'll find they are building a nice pathway to the ruins and there may be a wait to gain access. Where the car park is you'll find also the usual tourist shops, an original Mayan Starbucks and Hagan Dazs. It's probably best to come with a tour group just from a transport perspective as it doesn't look very accessible to those without the local knowledge. Still the ruins are impressive and it's a good half day out. Just was expecting a little more.
Julian Johnson — Google review
Tulum was beautiful. We visited as part of a tour and we think that is the best way to go if you want to learn more about the history. It is a popular attraction. I recommend going as early as you can to avoid crowds. Also note that it’s very hot and a bit of a walk. So wear a hat and comfortable walking shoes - I did neither and that is my only regret.
Amy Rash — Google review
Absolutely Fabulous, definitely a gorgeous historical site. If you care about the history I'd recommend reading up on it before visiting. The guides are well educated but they each decide which buildings and stories/histories to highlight so the more you know in advance the better. Bring plenty of water and an umbrella if possible. It was scorching in the beginning of our August visit. Requires about 15 of walking to get there and the grounds are not that big but wear comfy shoes. We were there for about an hour. Strongly suggest going and seeing the overlook of the Beach. The ground is uneven but it's easy as long as you don't have mobility issues.
Ryan L — Google review
Amazing place! Anyone who loves history, must come see this.
Pay for the tour guide at the entrance. Every building, road, sign, picture, just about every stone has meaning behind it. It is just great to have someone tell you and story and meaning behind it.
edhem besirevic — Google review
I loved this place, which is very small, perfect to do two different activities in the rest of the day. My recommendation is to take a guided trip. You will understand and appreciate more the ruins if you know the maya history.
•••voltai•••• AR. — Google review
There are several things to consider, but those will depend whether you hired a tour previously or not, because there’s a parking fee, an access fee, and a tour guide (optional). I strongly recommend to use sunscreen, mosquito repelant, bring water and maybe an umbrella for those who burn easily.
Eber H. J. — Google review
We took the Tulum Express tour, and it was nice with direct hotel pick up and drop off. It was nice because we got to go and still have 1/2 the day. The view of the ocean and turquoise water is amazing!! We came early and it was already hot and didn't have to wait to get in, but as we left the line was almost a mile long to get in and was very warm. I recommend bringing lots of water, use the umbrella, and go early. It's worth the trip.
April Maxey — Google review
Very scenic. Crowded with street vendors at the parking lot entrance. Best with a guide for the facts on what you are looking. Federal property with tons of rules and authorizes on site enforcing them. Easy to stay on pathways and easy to navigate.
Ari Villafuerte — Google review
Great time. The tour of the ruins and the boat tour of the ruins was great.
Advice: Don't bring plastic water bottles or you will have no water.
kyle rhubottom — Google review
The place is spectacular...
First there's a 500m walk before entrance you can choose to take the "train" (a bus jungle styled) for 25 pesos round way.
Even arriving early in the morning there's a lot of people but it doesn't take much time to get in. Theres a temperature check before tickets, then tickets which is not too crowded since most people have it in advance, and then the ticket check and you're in.
You should take the tour following you're left side all the time, since this one will take you up to the breathtaking ocean views and you'll get to explore the whole place.
It says is stroller friendly, it is not. You can so a smaller tour if in wheelchair or with a stroller without getting up up near the ruins.
Outside you can find souvenir shops, restaurants and shops, shops, shops. Also people with costumes and some art to take pictures with.
A must visit when in Tulum !
Alejandra Morales — Google review
✨Be prepared to be amazed and walk a lot 🚶🏼♀️I end up my day with 18k steps. To get the tickets 🎟️ you can buy them at the entrance for 85 pesos, there is also an option with a guide tour for 200 💸(I suggest that one - you avoid the long line). Purchase the water in the bookstore before to get in 💧you will need it. All the info ℹ️ an map 🗺️ can be found in the QR at the entrance. 🌂 Take a umbrella with you if possible to protect yourself from the sun ☀️. The ruins are next to the beach 🏖️ so the view is amazing. 🚶🏼♀️Near by you can access the Santa Fe Tulum beach 🌊 I got there walking from the ruins.
Hope you find this useful ❤️
Vanessa C Moya — Google review
This place is amazing!! You really need a guided tour to explain all the history you are seeing! But it is a very long walk to get them and then a lot of walking inside so may not be great for anyone with children who can't walk all of that.
Janna Murphy — Google review
The view from the top of the plateau and the dramatic coastal landscape was more impressive than the ruins themselves. It’s worth a day trip from Cancun but I wouldn’t stay longer than a couple hours 👍
Jessica Lau — Google review
The ruins are gorgeous! If you're going to go into the park with a GoPro they will ask that you pay an additional fee to the park. I believe it was like 20 pesos or something? Not super expensive! I so highly recommend going here, it is breathtaking.
Christina Cola — Google review
A Scenic Marvel with Some Considerations
The Tulum Ruins offer a unique combination of history and natural splendor, set against the backdrop of the stunning Caribbean Sea. The ruins themselves are impeccably maintained, a testament to the preservation efforts. However, I found that they didn't personally engage me as much as I had anticipated.
What truly stole the show was the panoramic view of the Caribbean. It's nothing short of a masterpiece, with its turquoise waters and the rugged coastline creating a truly breathtaking scene. This alone makes the visit worthwhile.
It's worth noting, though, that accessibility could be a factor for some visitors. The walk from the parking area to the ticket counter is quite long, and from there, it's another substantial trek to reach the ruins themselves. While the journey may be a bit taxing, the payoff at the end is undeniably worth it.
For history enthusiasts, the Tulum Ruins provide an intriguing glimpse into the ancient Mayan civilization. The well-preserved structures and informative guides offer valuable insights into their way of life. However, for those seeking a more interactive experience, it might leave something to be desired.
In summary, Tulum Ruins offer a captivating blend of history and natural beauty, with the view being the true highlight. Be prepared for a bit of a trek, but rest assured, the enchanting scenery at the end of the journey makes it all worthwhile.
Vinutha Goutham — Google review
Great experience long wait to get in but they are making a lot of improvements. Hopefully, that will remedy the situation. I think the main problem was all people with tickers were in a very long line, and those without walked past us to go to the front to buy tickets, then just merging into the line in front of us.
Leon Miles — Google review
Fantastic ruins of the Mayan people! Great tours are available that explain what each of the buildings are. More places are being excavated and the understanding of the culture keeps improving! I highly, recommend if you love learning about history
Juan Carlos Nieves-Perez — Google review
Definitely a very nice place to go. Located in a nice, cozy cove, this place is great to go to with a tour guide. Price is right on, and the wait is a bit hot but bearable. The whole experience, though, is very hot and warm. Additionally, they don’t allow plastic water bottles to cool off. Overall, very nice place to learn and explore Mayan history.
Harvey Shao — Google review
Archeological park definitely worth the visit. It should be around 530 Mexican pesos. You pay a surcharge if you want to use professional cameras. All around it is full of souvenir shops. The park is beautiful, as well as the ruins. The atmosphere recreated is really engaging. Better to go with a tour guide, or hire one on the spot.
Claudio Cafarelli — Google review
This was an awesome adventure to vist this world renowned archaeological site. It is just a short ferry ride and then drive to Tulum. It is definitely worth seeing. Remember it is hot here most of the year so stay hydrated. The staff here are very nice and professional and there is plenty of shopping at the entrance to the site.
Chris Lee — Google review
A must see site in the region. It takes about an hour to explore the ruins. Please be aware that plastic bottles are not allowed inside. There is very little shade. Please come prepared.
Dennis Bauszus — Google review
Very beautiful! No plastic bottles or food are allowed inside. Only reusable bottles and canned water (which they sell)
Jade Stark — Google review
Amazing, beautiful and lovely to see! Not as accessible as it could be. Ticket sales are annoying. Arrive on site, pay to park if needed (probably same cost as a taxi from town to the site). Pay a national park fee at a side booth. Go through security entrance. Walk a ways. Pay for an entrance ticket. Walk a ways. Hand your ticket over. Walk a ways. Explore the grounds up and down several stairs and slopes. We went without a guide, pausing near tour groups to hear info as we wanted. Loved seeing the amazing turquoise waters below the cliff side citadel and iguanas everywhere.
Very, very beautiful!!! Totally worth it. A bit pricey though, but a life jacket and snorkel kit is included. Bring an ID to secure the snorkel
Hayat Katerji — Google review
Overpriced, overcrowded, underwhelming: no changing rooms, you have to change clothes in a dirty toilet without shelves, no towels. Tourist trap. Go to Akumal, pay a fraction and see more. This here is just an empty cool pond.
Beda Hammerschmidt — Google review
MXN 500,- per person,
MXN 250,- per child.
MUST wear swimwest & shower (incl. hair) before swimming in the cenote.
you can see turtles there. feel sorry for them bc of the overtourism which infects their habitat :-/
the ppl, who work there are very unfriendly and not helpful.
Sabrina Z — Google review
Beautiful cenote but very overpriced
Sóley Jónsdóttir — Google review
Beautiful cenote. Worth it for the wildlife alone! So many turtles and fish and bats and birds. We’re able to swim so close to the turtles. Beautiful. There was a line waiting when they opened. It’s a busy one so get there early.
Open 8:10am-4:45pm
300 pesos or $15 USD
Includes a life vest
Stephanie O'Callaghan — Google review
Swimming with the turtles was more fun for adults and scared the little patooties around. The place is magical like you entered a different dimension! The entrance fee was very affordable too! We drove 2 hours from Cancun to Tulum and also paid a visit to this most talked-about Cenote.
Ja Ric — Google review
At 500 pesos, very overpriced for what it is. We spend about 2 hours here, snorkeling, laying on the grass and taking some pictures. Beware that if you want to use their snorkeling equipment, you will need to leave your ID with them or a very big deposit.
You can reach this place by bike from Tulum, the road is not that bad.
Bollejef — Google review
Amazing cenote with sump-turtles. Really beautiful place and great with an open space on top where we could enjoy the sun before going back in the cenote.
Sebastian Demant Pedersen — Google review
Really cool place, definitely recommend to go there. Entry cost 180 pesos, well worth the money. You can find turtles and "pedicure fish", it was quite busy when we got there by still really enjoyable. Bring your snorkelling stuff or you can rent them anyway there. Definitely do it:)
Anaïs C — Google review
4.0
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4.0
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77764 Quintana Roo, Mexico
I'll never travel to Playa del Carmen without this trip planner again
The Zona Arqueológica de Coba offers visitors the opportunity to explore the ancient Mayan city of Cobá, with its well-preserved structures and rich history. One of the highlights is climbing Nohoch Mul, the highest pyramid in the area. Guided tours provide insights into the culture, sacrificial offerings, and historical significance of the site's symbols and natural resources.
Interesting ruins in the jungle. You can rent a bike but it's possible to do it on foot, whole route is no more than 5-6 km. Unfortunately the big pyramid is closed for climbing die to covid restrictions.
Tomek Bogda?ski — Google review
Lovely ruins, it was worth to come I definitely recommend if you’re near by is worth to visit.
We were amazed with the kindness of the guy that took us on the bike, he taught us some words in Mayan and the history of the ruins.
Big ruins there’s plenty of space to go around.
Catarina Alves — Google review
Well this is a very cool place to go visit. The tour we were with had a guide that was connected to the folks there.
Nevertheless was guide was pretty thorough about showing the archaeological site and the history and the significance of the different symbols and obsidian and some of the other natural resources in the area.
Be careful about engaging in any ceremony because it's likely to lead to a consultation where it may cost you a thousand or more dollars upon their recommendation. However just a note that it is just a recommendation you don't have to take the consultation and before you get a full consultation they give you an estimate and you can walk away if you like or go through with it.
DavidC EG — Google review
We regret very much not getting a guide as the places we got to see where fabulous, we did not have the knowledge that of what the are besides the very few information tablets around the area. We were able to get little information from the gentleman that rode us all around the ruins which was very convenient as the ancient city cover a good area. Get a tour guide!
Zacarias Michilinsky — Google review
Very nice place. It's nice that it's almost entirely in the shade, but it's still a walk of about 3-4 km. In this heat, I recommend renting a bike. They offer them for about 150-200 pesos. We didn't and we regretted it. It was possible to miss it, but in that heat it was possible to take it.
Zuzana Vitochova — Google review
Went there June 2023. These ruins are beautiful and literally in the middle of the jungle!!! Many options to view it…you can walk it bout 40min, bike or have a 2 seater umbrella bike with an onsite peddler…only $10 to view….
Michelle Harris — Google review
Definitely worth visiting and not thronged with crowds of people like Chichén Itzá. Not a difficult place to drive to if you are self driving around Mexico. Worth getting a guide and taking the bicycle taxis which will shuttle you around the extensive archeological site
Mathew Taylor — Google review
Really neat place to visit and wasn't too crowded. You can't climb the big tower steps but there are some smaller ones you can get on. This place was very cheap to get in and I would recommend renting a bike. It's not too far to walk but the biking was a fun experience. Bike rental was also cheap. Definitely worth visiting.
Benjamin Burk — Google review
Beautiful place full of history. There are so much details that you could easily spend at least 5 hours to inspect most of the site. You wouldn't have check everything out. One of the most impressive archeological site in the area. Luckily it was not too crowded when we were there in the afternoon.
Also no need to go from the first pyramids to the other with a bike. They will convince you that it is far away but if you are healthy and can walk 20-30 minutes you won't need it.
If you are driving there, it is pretty easy from Valladolid, the road is in great condition and you do not even need a GPS, everything is well indicated. Parking was 80 pesos.
Rob — Google review
Mayan culture is very interesting. Coba has some very old temple's, walls and other buildings. I would recommend walking to the larger pyramid and taking the tricycle back- don't forget to tip your cyclist!
Mike Coe — Google review
Lucky me - I visited the spot back in 2019 when climbing the pyramids was still allowed (meanwhile it‘s prohibited). Very impressive archeological site on extended grounds in the middle of the jungle. You can easily get around by rental bike or walk. Make sure to come as early in the morning as you can - the later the more people.
ed da — Google review
One of the oldest Mayans settlements still in existence and has the tallest pyramid in Latin America. Nohoch Mul sits way above the trees and given how flat Tulum is you can really see from miles making it an excellent guard post and temple for the ancients. In 2021, and earlier, it was possible to actually physically climb up this temple but now you can just view it, which was a bit disappointing. We visited the site with a tour so we did not pay the entry fee. It was part of our tour ticket. There is an area in the front that sells gifts, water, and food right near the large parking lot. At the entrance you can rent bikes or a two person rickshaw driven by a Mayan local, which is free, but we tipped them a lot for all of their hard work. The site is very large and spread out, so it really was nice to have wheels to get around otherwise it will be quite a walk.
This site is much older than Chichen Itza and was most likely abandoned due to infighting, deforestation, and drought. You can see a few small scale Mayan ball court here, but obviously the largest version is over in Chichen Itza. It’s really humbling to see how great of engineers and architects the ancient Mayans were and being able to physically walk on site is truly a memorable experience. I would definitely recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and water. We did not deal with any insects during our visit, but it was about 95° out in Fahrenheit so it was extremely toasty given the humidity.
Overall, this is a must visit site when in Tulum, especially if you have any interest in Mayan history. This was the oldest and first Mayan settlement, so it’s very important to see where a civilization started to really understand it. I would recommend to anyone and feel that it is a great place to visit for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Zan Lee — Google review
Really nice shady place to visit and walk. We drive here from Tulúm, which was an easy drive. We paid for parking and then the tickets to enter required two payments. Kind of confusing but expected having read other reviews. We did not hire a guide or a bicycle. We walked to all the ruins and spent about 2 hours exploring the site. So impressive. I enjoyed being out in nature.
Andria Martin — Google review
Nice ruins that are almost entirely hidden in the forest. During our visit there were minimal people, it was possible to enjoy some places almost alone. As always there is a separate charge for parking, entrance and government fee. The main pyramid is the biggest attraction, but Grupo Macanxoc is also worth a visit for the inscribed stones.
It is possible to rent bicycles, but we did without them - it takes about 6.5 km to visit all the sites and thus takes two to three hours. There is no place to buy water in the area itself, so have plenty of it with you.
Jakub Chramosta — Google review
I paid for the bike taxi service. It was a good price, but honestly, even as a pregnant woman with asthma who had forgotten my inhaler, even I could have ridden a bike by myself the whole way as it was completely flat. I would recommend just renting their bikes, which is also a very good price. The ruins were really cool to see. It includes huts and stone buildings. There was even a tunnel and a court that was used to play ball games. One important thing is that if you rent something from them, you can only pay with cash and not with a card. There is a public restroom right outside that you need to use before you pay to enter or after you leave.
Savannah Warren — Google review
Got a tour and highly recommend it. There aren’t much in the way of signs/info. So if you want to really learn about the history and culture a guide is the way. Otherwise it was a pretty cool place to explore. Tons of shade and enjoyed biking. Since Covid you aren’t allowed to hike up the big ruin, but there were others you can walk on to get up close and see the architecture of it all.
Parker Moses — Google review
Amazing archeological site. Not many people around. The ruins are in the middle of the jungle so even on a hot sunny day you are in the trees shade. There are 2 main areas and they are about 1km away from each other. You can easily walk the whole site which would take under 2 hours. You can also either rent bikes or hire a taxi-bike
Nikko — Google review
Highly recommend getting a tour guide and renting a bike or a bike cart for this archeological site, there’s a lot to learn and no signs or pamphlets if you don’t go with a guide. There’s a bathroom and some stores at the entrance but none inside the site. Wear comfortable apparel and shoes.
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park is situated at the southernmost point of an inlet with small islands, offering a stunning white powder beach and turquoise sea. It's part of Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, featuring dense forests, lagoon systems, and coral reefs as part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. The park provides opportunities for snorkeling from the shore and observing herons and flamingos in a less crowded setting compared to other beaches on the island.
Definitely worth the admission price, I got my ticket online for only 18 usd. Boardwalk where I saw a crocodile, walked the lighthouse 133 steps, walked the trail saw vultures and iguanas, lagoon boat tour saw another crocodile and turtle, snorkelling and great service at the restaurant. Definitely spend the full day here. Highly recommended
kelly coles — Google review
This place was worth the trip! Beautiful beach plus snorkeling. You do have to swim out quite a ways to the reef. The pontoon boat through the lagoon was awesome with many crocodiles and bird sightings. Find yourself one of many beach umbrellas and have seaside food service at your fingertips. Highly recommend this day trip.
Cynthia — Google review
Wish I read the reviews before I came here! Paid almost $20/per and went to the snorkel area, the lady told us it was beautiful coral reefs out there. You have to swim far away pass the whole giant of seaweed for like almost a mile then we saw absolutely nothing except for 1 starfish and a few fish! Our resort we are staying even much more beautiful with tons of fish and corals! And don’t forget to bring your own gears! Everything here costs $7/each for rental! Spent $40 for 2 tickets and renting gear for my husband it costs $30 extra. Seen absolutely nothing everything here was boring af! The beach was calm but not as beautiful as our beach! Last but not least is the road was about 4 miles full of potholes! Can’t imagine how much money they made from the tourists and not even fix the road? Like please do not bother to come here! See nothing but wasting time!
Nok T — Google review
We did a shore excursion through Virgin Voyages for Punta Sur Eco Park in Cozumel. We have been to Cozumel in the past, but never here. It was an open air bus, so you felt the bumps and you get wacked by tree limbs due to the height (see the picture of the bus).
What we enjoyed was the variety of things to see and do. It hits many travel points as you can see wildlife on land and in the sea (if you go snorkeling especially). Archeological site and a lighthouse to climb. I didn't climb it as others were ahead of our group and it was a narrow climb. This is the only part I regret missing as the view is stupendous from what I heard. We hit the beach at the end where they have a beachside food stall. Food is awesome for being so far away from the city.
All the photos were taken by me during our visit with my phone. As you can see, it is an oasis for the mind and body. Word of warning, watch out for the raccoons and black birds. They are out to steal your food at every turn :^)
Daniel Grove — Google review
Great location and good area for snorkelling, but definitely not worth the price. You are forced to eat very expensive food.
We found a quiet spot and luckily had our small lunch. The government should be supporting their own people not relying on tourism to support them. They get lots of taxes from us so they should be using it for their people.
Maureen Buggy — Google review
This was the location for our snorkeling excursion and it was simply beautiful. Very nice private beach with crystal clear water and white sand. Staff was great and the tequila tasting was pretty cool.
Chris R — Google review
Yes, you need a car, yes, it is kind of expensive (especially if you have kids, as kids have to pay) yes, it is far from the cruise port and the town.
And yet, this is probably the best beach place we have been to in Mexico! Absolutely stunning!
Away from the crowds, in the middle of nature (and yes, you can see crocs, however not at the beach). No pushy people selling you stuff, no sleazy sales people in general, just very nice and laid back wait staff.
We stayed at Anemone beach bar and we also had the best experience there. Reasonably priced and good food, honest exchange rate when paying with a credit card (maybe the only place where they didn't add tax and a bad exchange rate to the bill), nice set up with chairs and beach beds.
Also, very very nice snorkeling guides and snorkeling right out of the beach. They offered to take us snorkeling for tips only.
We only wished we spent more time here.
Sebastian Zavoian — Google review
Punta Sur Eco Beach Park stole our hearts as the ultimate destination in Cozumel, featuring breathtaking beaches, captivating lagoons, enriching museums, and vibrant beach clubs with delectable food and drinks. We rented a scooter to get there. They only accepted cash, so bring some with you.
This expansive park offers a multitude of attractions, boasting sprawling lagoons with scenic viewpoints to observe crocodiles, fish, mangroves, and a myriad of bird species. The pristine beaches left us in awe, although it's worth noting that some beach clubs require purchasing their food or drinks to access, which can be slightly expensive.
Our highlight was the complimentary boat tour of the lagoon, guided by an enthusiastic and knowledgeable captain. We marveled at the enchanting mangrove forest and soaked in the informative narrative. The free museum and tower added historical depth to our visit, leaving us with a greater appreciation for the park's heritage.
The remainder of our day was spent indulging in swimming, snorkeling, and sipping refreshing coconut water on the beach, immersing ourselves in the tranquil ambiance.
From the untouched beaches to the diverse wildlife and the mesmerizing views from the lighthouse, every aspect of the park showcases the wonders of nature. If you're seeking a serene escape and an opportunity to connect with the environment, Punta Sur Eco Beach Park is an absolute must-visit destination.
Ashok Kadariya — Google review
Really great and wild place to spend a whole day.the ticket cost 18$ but there are things too see- a boat trip in the lagoon, another tower to see the lagoon and crocodiles, the lighthouse and the beach with lounges included. From the shore you can snorkel and see some fishes and sea.stars too. The beach is not crowded and the whole area is nice and feels wild. Several hours to spend or whole day is worth the price.
Maria georgieva assenova — Google review
$32 US dollars to get in, cool crocodile area, lighthouse was a fun climb. Beach was great! Lots of sponge, plenty of good snorkeling. Service was excellent.
Christina Wilson — Google review
A natural state reserve with over 1,000 hectares filled with a wide variety of flora, fauna and lagoon systems. Its the ideal place for nature lovers. With its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and numerous sea fan gardens that extend through out the reef.
Entering Punta Sur is to transport yourself to a natural paradise filled with diversity of birds and animals, many of which are endemic to the island. There is also a scenic tower to observe crocodiles in their natural habitat and a museum light house with the most spectacular view.
Niccol? Antoniotti — Google review
This place is awesome. We came on our excursion from the cruise. Our private tour guide brought us here to check it out. We climbed 133 steps up and I was exhausted climbing up. I'm not a slim girl so I was tired half way up but I made it. Once I was up there, I wished I had a water bottle with me while I was catching my breath. But the views from the top were stunning. Great place to add on your 'to visit' list. We even did a little shopping in the market down below. The vendors are very nice and made great deals for me because I spoke Spanish. The locals really do love and appreciate it when you can speak their language. They are so kind and make muchas cosas preciosas. All hand made and worth every peso. If you are able to try the margaritas there, the lime is fantastic. They also have oreo mezcal. IT'S DELICIOUS.
analisa harvey — Google review
Beautiful park. The man that was at the crocodile spot by the lagoon was so knowledgeable and helpful. He introduced us to Julio, Julia, and Camilla. It was very fascinating to see them in their natural habitat.
The beach is perfect. The white sand is soft and the ocean bottom is very sandy with grassy areas. The water is very clear. Bring your own snorkel gear, or rent some. Umbrellas and chairs are available to use, they like you to order from their menu for that. Menu prices are $$$ for mixed drinks and food, but cerveza is $100mx.
The view from the top of the lighthouse is amazing. It’s 133 narrow steps to the top, but if you can physically do it, you should.
Cyndee Rivera — Google review
Super friendly staff, tons of things to see & do. Boat tour was a bit underwhelming but was free with the day pass. Beautiful beach, even tho it was raining a good portion of our time there. Warm, clear water!
Maryann J — Google review
This place is absolutely stunning. This was part of my excursion around the island and by far had the best beach and sights! Highly recommend!
Justin Burdette — Google review
There is a beach club with a nice beach here, but the main reason to go is for the lagoon tour. They are no extra cost, the boat runs out every 30 minutes or so, and take about 20-25 people out for a local-guided tour. The host was extremely knowledgeable about local ecology, funny, and charismatic. I appreciated his statement at the end about how the 360 peso park entry fee helps to pay for the conservation of the local wildlife we all came out to see, and also that our boatmen were Maya who still speak the language and keep the culture alive. Don’t miss this if you’re coming to Punta Sur!!
Garon Baxter — Google review
Don't waste your valuable vacation time. There are nicer, cheaper beach clubs available around the island. Way too much off-road driving for the few bits of scenery. The "limited availability" eco-tour consisted of a half-hour boat ride to four spots where there are "crocodiles". None of them moved when we approached their faces, or at all, for that matter, or seemed even to breathe. Probably 'cause they weren't real. We did see one real baby croc near the lighthouse area but were immediately swarmed by mosquitoes such that we had to vacate. Given that the area is known for Dengue fever, not an ideal situation. Visited "free" beach club where we snorkled and saw the same fish we saw everywhere else and were treated to the astounding math skills of our waiter who believes that 80 + 280 = 400.
Steve Bush — Google review
Amazing white sand beach with facilities (beach chairs, food, drinks, showers, bathroom, etc.). Beware, it closes at 4:30pm. Free chairs and umbrellas but you have to buy drinks and food. Prices above average but they are very friendly and totally worth. Taxis and shuttles get you there. Entrance to the park $17 USD per person.
Marco Ugolotti — Google review
Beautiful park! Gorgeous water, white sand, restaurants, lighthouse, shops and museum. Definitely recommend going here if you’re visiting Cozumel!
Sue Mansour — Google review
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4.5
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Autopista Km. 30 Sur Matamoros Norte-Centro-Sur, Guaycura, San Miguel de Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico
Playa Akumal is a well-known public beach with fantastic tourist amenities that offers visitors the opportunity to snorkel and swim with various species of sea turtles. The beach's coral reefs provide natural protection, creating a beautiful bay that serves as an ideal location for swimming. This unique beach is a favorite spot for different types of sea turtles due to its natural characteristics.
Stunning beach, here we swam with the turtles and manta ray!!! The cost is very reasonable for entry and the tours too, absolute must do especially for younger children as your within an enclosed area so much safer than heading out by boat to a reef
Ben King — Google review
There’s a parking lot nearby that you can pay for the day, or if you drive closer to the entrance you pay per hour. (I would recommend the lot that is for the day) A beautiful beach with a restaurant nearby and you can rent chairs if you’d like. Cost 120 pesos per person for the entry fee. Beware that every person will try to sell you on the snorkelling gear and tours to see the turtles, but you can bring your own stuff and swim along the borders in the water (they have areas marked off where you have to pay to swim) We didn’t see any turtles when we went but we saw some cool fish. They have nice bathrooms there.
Julaine Huard — Google review
It is not a public beach but a national park so the entrance fee is 120 peso per person. Plus you need to pay for parking 50 pesos all day or 20 peso per hour. If you enter through the restaurant Lol Ha, the entrance is free, but you need to consume there.
The facilities are great, toilet, lockers and shower. You can buy snorkeling with turtles for extra fee, there are a lot of people offering this service. We didn't like it because they emphasize the importance of conserving nature and the turtles, still if you pay, they will take groups of dozens of people to see them.
Now the beach is moderately full with sargasso. If you walk 100 meters towards the hotel, you can put your towel on the sand, it is much cleaner.
Nikoletta Szabo — Google review
Good spot for snorkeling but not via the paid tour. If you join one of the paid ones, you'll be crammed with a lot of folks in a small area which ruins the whole experience.
My recommendation - bring your own mask and swim to the buoys. Then keep swimming south along the rope. You have good chance to see rays, tortoises and schools of fish. The area in front of the resorts south from the beach has coral reefs close to the shore with lots of fish next to them.
The paid snorkeling tours in my mind ruin the whole experience.
Steve Zamek — Google review
Drive all the way inside, park on the Happy Turtle parking, it's also $100 pesos, just like the ones on the entrance. But here the walk is minimal.
Bring your own picnic, beach towels, just no glass containers. Restaurant with touristy prices is available.
Don't hire the guides on the entrance. Big companies. Pay your entrance on the ticket office to this National Park.
Once inside enjoy the clean dressing rooms, bathrooms and showers. Hire the local independent guides to swim with the turtles. $600 pesos. Please only apply SPF until after you finish your tour. Help protect the turtles.
Pro tip from my guide. Get there at 4pm. Take the tour. At that time most of the crowds are gone, and many more turtles come back to hang out.
Jorge Aguilar — Google review
120 pesos per person for entry . If you want to see turtles ok then go to Akumal . If you want a quiet beach avoid this one . We literally had people one foot away on left and two feet away on right and about 1000 people on the beach . Yes you do see some fish off the shore as you get in but there are many more beautiful beaches than this one . If you go bring water shoes as dead hard coral if about 5 feet from shoreline ouch . March. 4, 2022
Bertha Figueroa — Google review
Very beautiful beach!
I liked how they try to preserve the nature and still let you snorkel around.
We got to see a few turtles very closely and it was amazing!
Don't buy tickets of the guys standind on the road, they will get you the same service you can get by yourself for more money.
Tom Tsausho — Google review
Public beach with a few restaurants and shops.
Quaint area with small shops, restaurants and dive shops. Unfortunately everything is overpriced.
We wanted to have a drink at the beach bar/restaurant but they were charging $8CAD a beer. Food was overpriced too.
Checked out the souvenirs shops and a small wall 3D picture box was $50CAD.
It’s too bad they are gouging the tourists - that’s why the restaurants are empty.
Mikica J — Google review
Amazing snorkeling experience. You need to go on a tour to actually have a chance to see turtles and stingrays. We paid 400 pesos each for a private tour. Only get the tours at the beach, not before the entrance or at the car park. Tell those guides that you're only going to swim and not see turtles, otherwise they will try very hard to convince you and waste your time.
Make sure to drive to the end to park at the official parking lot and to save walking. There is one car park for 40 pesos per hour or 100 pesos for a full day. I carried on driving and found free parking.
Make sure to ask different tour guides as some were going to charge 650 pesos and that would be with a group! The tours give you money back if you don't see any turtles, but you're pretty guaranteed to see them. Try and go early, before 10am.
Entrance to the beach costs 120 pesos each.
Masud Anwar — Google review
Lots turtles in the water. We snorkled not even 10 minutes before spotting the first turtle. We also saw a couple of stingrays and fishes. You can rent snorkel gears and have a guide for your group for $ 20 US per person.
Jihye Bajkor — Google review
We visited here with an Airbnb snorkeling tour. You need to pay an entrance fee otherwise. Lockers are free to rent but require a 100 pesos deposit.
We saw a ton of turtles, sting ray and various fish! The beach vibe is super nice and the water is beautiful!
Anna He — Google review
We had such a great time with a beautiful and clean beach. Snorkeling with a turtle is a must activity to do!
Deelada Kasa — Google review
Stunning strip of beach. Unfortunately in the last few years has been hugely commercialised. Local rates are cheaper for those that can speak Spanish. Car park right outside the entrance to the beach so don’t stop until you get to the end as a LOT of locals will try to make you park in their car park, and even present themselves as officials to make you stop.
We paid for a local guide to take us around a set route, we got snorkel and goggle hire as well as life jackets.
Make sure to put sun tan lotion on at least an hour before arriving as you are not allowed to put it on fresh as it leaches into the water and affects the wildlife.
There are lockers available and I would recommend using them if you are going to leave any belongings unattended for any length of time.
A level of fitness is required to snorkel as sea currents and general swimming is tiring.
Robbie Torres-Howarth — Google review
I personally did not go on this tour but my wife did and she loved it. She doesn't even know how to swim but the guide took great care of her. We told him that my wife doesn't swim and he use a life ring to pull her along. He was telling her when to put her face into the water to see the turtles and fish.
For me, I sat at the Lol Ha restaurant with a Pina Colada and waited for her. We have no picture of anything under water but there's no shortage of those pictures from other reviewers. I do have a few from my activity though and I'll share those.
Kit Cheng — Google review
I swam with the turtles here.
Go early. I went in low season (early September 2023) and arrived before they even open. The car path to Akumal Beach is chained off with a guy guarding it. You should say that you're doing a tour with the Akumal Dive Centre (the Akumal Dive Shop is a different place). THEN you can drive in and access the parking lot that's right next to the beach.
Akumal Dive Centre opens at 8am. Keep that in mind for your travel time.
If you want to go for a tour to swim with the sea turtles, Akumal Dive Centre sells them for 700 MXN. You get a locker rental, life jacket, snorkel gear, and then they take you on a one-minute boat ride out with a guide for a small group of people.
During the tour, you can't take anything with you - leave everything in the locker, and the key to the locker you'll hang right by the central desk. No sunscreen of any kind allowed so buy a rash guard / sun shirt.
However, you can also just swim out to see the turtles for FREE without paying for anything once you know what you're doing. You can simply go to the end of the line of boats on the beach, use the anchor chains to move up and you'll come across white buoys that demarcate the area that you're allowed to swim up to WITHOUT a life jacket. I have done this after the tour and still found a couple of sea turtles that swam in past the border.
If you go over the white buoys, you're required to have a life jacket. The dive centre rents them out for less price than a tour. Then all you have to do is see where the people are bobbing in the sea together - most likely they're looking at a turtle. Just go swim up to that area.
Otherwise if you go later in the day, especially in high season, other tourists will have kicked up the sand and drastically lower visibility of the turtles.
When you get hungry, I recommend going to eat at La Buena Vida or La Lunita - about 5 minutes drive up the road into Bahia De La Media Luna (Half Moon Bay).
Leemarc Lao — Google review
This is such a lovely place to go snorkeling. GO EARLY! We were one of the first groups out and we saw 6 sea turtles, a pufferfish, some rays, chocolate sea stars, some coral, and various tropical fish like blue tang. By the time we got back to shore at around 9:30, the beach was packed.
Jessica Pan — Google review
You need to pay 100 pesos to get into the beach (they got different prices for nationals, you can pay by card too), and if you have a car or scooter parking is paid as well (200 pesos for a car, all day). The beach is beautiful but throughout the day there's an incredible amount of tours to go see the turtles so there's dozens of groups of people passing by at all times, and when you look at the ocean you can see hundreds of people at any point floating doing those tours (and we were not even in the "high season"), so if you want a quiet and chill place, this is not it. There's also a lot of tour operators at the entrance trying to get you to sign up for one, feels like the beach is being over exploited. Photos/videos were taken after 5pm when activity was almost over for the day.
Jose Rossi — Google review
Amazing experience seeing turtles and stingrays! Would highly recommend it. You do have to pay for parking and an entrance fee to the beach. We went on a private snorkelling tour for 400 pesos each. The tour guide was wonderful. I would recommend asking around about the price of the tours to find the cheapest one.
Siama Begum — Google review
Very nice beach. The challenge I found was that there are boats all along the beach. It makes it commercial and not bearing in mind what’s best for people coming to enjoy the beach and swimming. The other issue I had was the monopoly over snorkelling business and the rule that you have to pay to a guide to be able to snorkel and enjoy the turtles. Unless they were lying to me in order to lure me into paying a guide!! A Very misleading situation.
Ghassan Shamseddine — Google review
nice beach but got rocks here and there so the entry is a bit rocky.
Parking costs 100 per day (there are several spots, drive as close to the beach as you can). avoid parking at 40/hour unless you really intend to eat there or stay an actual hour
Get some snorkeling 🤿 before you come! Saw a 🐢!!
Illya Stepanskyy — Google review
The beach is a lovely spot and costs 120 pesos to enter. A car park is nearby with plenty of spaces and costs 40 pesos an hour. The beach itself has a reasonable amount of shade with palm trees.
If you want to see the turtles, you will have to pay for a guide to take you out there (as they have sectioned off the water so that you can only go out to the main areas where turtles are if you pay a guide unfortunately!). There are still areas to swim in but the water is quite stirred up with sand due to all the boats and swimmers and there are not so many fish to see. However, if you are lucky the occasional turtle does make an appearance closer to the beach outside of the guide only swim Zones.
If it weren't for the guide only swim zones, I would have given the beach 5 stars. I think it is a shame that they make you pay to go on the beach and then have to get hassled and haggle with various guides just to swim in the good areas. The guides typically cost between 400-600 pesos from what gathered there and you will have to wear jacket to do this.
Victoria Bentley — Google review
I was expecting better. I didn't get a chance to go out and snorkel and see the turtles unfortunately. The water was not clear and there were a lot of rocks which I cut myself on. Plus side, There is a life guard with first aid who cleaned it with alcohol and provided 2 Band-Aids. Mostly tours come here to snorkel with groups of tourists. There is a $7 charge to enter the park. Showers, bathroom and a locker in included. $100pesos for parking. It used to be a free public beach. Would not come back
Rob A — Google review
It’s crowded and chaos when we drive over there. People on the road side want to stop your vehicle to get your business. The access to the beach is US$7 for foreigners. We paid $40 each person to get a guide for turtles view. If you want to go on your own, you need rent life jacket, which is mandatory to swim to see turtles. Turtles are not far from shore (50meters). The park lot is private and charged $100MX.
Yal-Ku Cenote, also known as Cenote Akumal, is a large and shallow cenote located close to the sea, giving it the feel of an inlet rather than a traditional cenote. It's a popular spot for snorkeling due to its clear waters and abundant marine life, including fish and sea turtles. The lagoon offers paths and benches for visitors to relax and enjoy the natural beauty.
PLEASE READ: You do not have to pay to access the cenote. You can walk in for free from the west side (must drive by car on the freeway) or you can swim in from the sea. Just wanted to make that clear.
This place charges a $300 pesos (or $14USD) fee to enter the lagoon from their property. We paid for it and it was worth the price for us. The amount of fish you see is INCREDIBLE! Big parrot fish munching on coral, electric blue fish, so many I don't have a name for. The best fish can be seen right where you get in the water, at the south tip.
We did not need life vests, you float just fine in the ocean water. Kids and those who tire while swimming should consider them though.
Bring a sun shirt to swim in and wear (no sunscreen is allowed in the cenote- ouch!). Wear very good sandals if you want to walk around at all, the ground is broken lava rock with really cool fossils everywhere you look.
I recommend swimming out to the north side, there's a sandy beach you can hang out on, and way fewer people so you can get those beautiful shots of nature. You can also access that side of the cenote by taking the private property trail I mentioned above :)
Jolee Evans — Google review
If you are looking for lots of fish and a variety of fish? Plus snorkelling in a safe environment? This is the place to go. We went twice during our trip because the access is so easy and we got to see more fish here than we normally see elsewhere. Best moment was being surrounded by a school of sardines. Just crazy!!!
The staff is very friendly and this the smaller, locally owned operation. $300 MXN per adult.
Freda Piskorik — Google review
Great place to snorkel with salt water fishes and other sea creatures! We loved it! Although it was rainy, it wasn't uncomfortable and it added to the experience in my opinion. It's a deep swim, so if you are not a strong swimmer, better take a life jacket instead of a life vest. Don't disturb the fishes please.
Hector Sanchez — Google review
My 17 year old daughter and I enjoyed the lagoon. Many fish, and great mangrove overhang to see huge schools of sardines. The corals are really no longer alive due to the volume of people that has been in this section of the coast, but the mix of salt and fresh waters still attracts a huge variety of fish. If you are new to snorkeling or new to visiting the Yucatan than this definitely is a great location to start in.
Michael Esakov — Google review
Our group had such a good time! Especially love how fun the zip line helpers are! The gentleman who took us through the caves was very funny. The whole experience was great! Definitely visit if you vacation nearby! Also, I love that they are an animal sanctuary!
Julie Krische Albin — Google review
Very clear, refreshing water. Snorkeling here was a great intro to the activity, but not much to see here underwater. The beauty is the cave itself.
Courtney Chanette — Google review
Clean, safe and very cool spot for snorkeling in Tulum! You will see a ton of fish and even a turtle or two.
This was a nice first stop on a day long cenote tour. Worth the visit
Diana Arena-Morris — Google review
This is a great place to visit. The lagoon is beautiful and full of fish. We visited it without a guided tour and I would recommend not to book a tour. You can easily get here by Taxi which is way cheaper and also the entrance fee is lower than what you have to pay in a guided tour.
Dimitri Sivolap — Google review
We booked through our hotel it was expensive and it was an okay experience. I’d definitely wouldn’t go back since it wasn’t enjoyable. When we went the water was murky not at all as you see in the catalog. We were rushed by the tour guide, didn’t enjoy it as much. I think it would’ve been more enjoyable had we been able to spend more time where the fishes were rather than swimming to murkier waters where there was like only 2 fishes.
CENOTE:
it was beautiful, however I was told to buy a waterproof case in advance by the hotel concierge so we could take our own photos in the water however we got told at the cenotes that we had to pay and they would take the pictures. Cenotes I would definitely do again. It is freezing water but it is always a great experience. Just feels rushed since there’s tour after tour waiting.
Mariela Santamaria — Google review
Great spot for easy snorkelling with lots of different fish. We used the entrance where you could take your own gear. The other entrance you had to hire a life vest. Not much shade unless you walked back towards the entrance.
Ian Dixon — Google review
Beautiful! We swam for a little in the lagoon. Tip: go early, right when it opens, so it’s less busy and the water isn’t cloudy. There are also hammocks to rest in, and wildlife such as cute wombat-looking creatures (quokkas??) and lizards! Life vests are also available to rent.
Aya EZ — Google review
A must visit lagoon to snorkel and see a lot of fish and maybe even turtles (if you are lucky).
The place is beautiful and the price to get in is good if you go directly there without buying a tour.
You will find several people, as they take groups from tours, but you can happily swim around a d see the amazing fish
Perfect to take Instagram pictures and short reels.
Bring snorkel equipment and water camera.
Myrna Villanueva — Google review
First recommendation is go there early. It gets very busy after 11 am. Tours start bringing people in and it is not big enough to accommodate everyone. There was traffic jam in it towards the end. All you need 1-1.5 hours in total to see some fishes and do snorkeling. After that it becomes repetitive in my opinion. There are no turtles but fishes. You can take your own life vest, fins, GoPro, snorkel set etc. or rent it from them. It costs $17 USD per person.
Mehmet Aygun — Google review
In the morning when we got there, it was beautiful and we saw hundreds of fish. It's a beautiful lagoon with hammocks to rest in the shade along the trails, a quaint restaurant to stop in, showerz, locker to rent, beautifully maintained vegetation and jungles.
Jolane Sundstrom — Google review
It was an amazing trip! The ruins, cenoté, and the lagoon snorkeling! All of it was a blast. Jarrod the guide was very informative and had a fun/great personality!
Alfred Herren — Google review
Great snorkeling spot! Lots of colorful fish with very clear visibility. Like another reviewer said, you can observe the halocline effect which is where fresh water and salt water become mixed and cause a distortion, very neat! It was 300 pesos to enter and 100 pesos for gear rentals. There are showers, bathrooms, and lockers available.
Dolphin Discovery Riviera Maya is an aquatic center located near Dreams Aventuras Hotel that provides visitors with a variety of interactive dolphin swim options. The center offers detailed information on local wildlife and animal care practices, making it an educational experience for families who can enjoy seeing the animals together in pods. This unique encounter with magnificent creatures promises to be one-of-a-kind and unforgettable.
It was my first time around dolphins and I experienced pure joy from the encounter! I was so lucky my trip was off season and it was just the instructor, dolphins and me. I got to meet 5 of these majestic creatures each is very personable and playful. One of them was not supposed to join the push on the paddle activity, but she insisted and instead of just one dolphin I got two propelling me! It was amazing! The instructor- Gisel - is very knowledgeable and easy to work with, she knows her dolphins and manatees very well which is always a plus to break the ice when they meet random strangers. The whole team did such a great job and it was a flawless, full of joy experience. I was not planning to get the pictures, but when I saw them, I had to, these memories are too precious not to have a reminder of how these wonderful sea creatures made me feel!
Would highly recommend to anyone to put this on your bucket list!
Liza Gomez — Google review
If only there was a zero star rating. This place is absolutely disgusting - there are around 15 dolphins and 3 seals (and those were the ones we saw) trapped in tiny and shallow caged ponds, just waiting to be entertainment to humans in exchange for $100. They stay in the same tiny ponds all day and night, they are constantly around noise as they are near all the restaurants and nightlife of Puerto Aventuras, and the water is filthy. This business should be ashamed of themselves keeping these incredible, beautiful, intelligent animals in such horrendous conditions.
Before you consider swimming with dolphins (in this establishment or any others), please do your research about the dolphins welfare when they are being held captive - and consider going to see them in their wild, natural habitat instead.
Pete G — Google review
Unfortunately there's no 0 star rating. We didn't visit the place, but walked past it a few times during our stay in Puerto Aventuras. It's a real shame that these magnificent creatures (dolphins, sea lions and manatees) are kept in captivity... Animal Liberation!!
Till Almeida — Google review
LOVED it they had so much fun. Only bad thing is pictures cost just as much as another activity! We did manatees se lions and dolphins
Daisy CB — Google review
The actual time with the Dolphins was fantastic, the trainers were great and helpful. Highly recommend this activity and would have given a 4 star except for the (super expensive) pictures money grab and not being able to take our own. Save some money and buy tickets online.
Blaine — Google review
Did the middle package and was excellent. Tons of pictures to download with many to choose from when get home to frame. Well worth the money.
Randy Miller — Google review
We had an amazing experience at the Dolphin Discovery! They were very timely for the pick up at our hotel. We were checked in quickly and waited a short time for our experience to start. Our Dolphin guide was awesome and very informative as well as patient and pleasant. The dolphins were amazing. We did the deluxe package so we got a kiss from the dolphin, swam holding their fins, foot push and patty cake with their flippers. Then we moved on to see the sea lion. The trainer was awesome and we got a kiss on the cheek from the sea lion, a smile, stuck out his tongue and a loud roar! The final activity was feeding the manatees which was a very cool experience. After the three activities we ate at the included lunch buffet which was pretty good for the price we paid. The only complaint is the photos they took cost way to much money to buy at $162 for 98 digital pictures that were a lot of duplicate pictures. We opted to buy one digital picture for $40 that we have to print out at home. I would highly recommend this dolphin experience.
Michelle Rubin — Google review
It's okay. Wish we could bring our own camera. Instead they take multiple of same poses of pictures for $160. You get about 100 pictures but lot of duplicates poses. We where rushed through. But it was a fun experience overall.
Lee Lee — Google review
A small but peaceful dolphinarium, where dolphins, sea lions and manatees swim in large pools, very friendly service and meeting and the opportunity to communicate with these beautiful creatures leave an amazing feeling
Peter Perháč, MBA — Google review
These animals could be thriving in the wild. It is unethical to induce the psychological harm of having them in captivity. Such intelligent mammals have complex social development with other dolphins and the environment they live in. It is sad that peoples own self gratification of swimming with captive dolphins makes this such a popular attraction.
James Aston — Google review
Don't support this. I'm not some animal activist nut, but this is just absolutely depressing to walk by. The equivalent of keeping your dog in the bathroom it's entire life.
Tyler — Google review
What a terrific experience. On the doorstep of the dreams aventuras Hotel.lots of info on the wildlife. Details of the animal care. All families together in pods a fascinating experience with some phenomenal animals.
haych enterprises — Google review
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Plaza Comercial Marina, Bahía Xcacel Supermanzana Plano 1 Manzana 23, Desarrollo turístico, 77750 Puerto Aventuras, Q.R., Mexico
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