LDS Shore Excursion - Costa Maya, Mexico

Next in my series of shore excursion reviews is Costa Maya, Mexico. This port is a little different than the other ports we visit in that it really isn't a city but rather a small community built and serviced by the cruise lines. There is really no surrounding infrastructure for tourism, so the Costa Maya village is where you will spend your time unless you leave the premises on an organized tour. First a few words about the village. In August of 2007 the village took a direct hit from hurricane Dean totally devastating the area. After a great deal of effort the docks have been repaired and the port is accepting cruise ships. You will find a couple of restaurants serving food and drinks, a swimming pool for cruise passenger use, a dozen shops featuring local goods and an area where local residents present handicraft items. The village fronts the ocean but it isn't suited for swimming and because of the rocky shoreline it is barely suitable for sunbathing. It wouldn't take more than a couple of hours to see everything and visit every shop.

If you choose to participate in our tour you won't have much time in the village, just a short visit as we walk through to our bus, and maybe a half hour at the end of the tour before boarding the ship. The Cruise Lady tour in Costa Maya visits the serene and peaceful Mayan ruin of Kohunlich. As we disembark the ship be prepared for a rather long walk along the pier. There may be a trolley operating along the pier for those who need some assistance, but with our early start it is usually not operating, although it would be available on the return trip. Once off the ship and gathered up we walk through the shops and meet our guide. In Mexico our guide is always Helaman, a member of the church and licensed guide in Mexico. It is always enjoyable to listen to his lectures on the 2 1/4 hour long bus ride to the archaeological site. Helaman makes the time short by enlightening us on the gospel and sharing the history of the saints in Mexico. Once we arrive at Kohunlich we enter the ruins through some high trees and see the open grassy expanse of the site. The tropical foliage surrounding the area adds to the peaceful feelings.

Helaman points out the features of the structures that compare to those found in Solomon's Temple. There are no high temples to climb here, but there is one smaller unique temple with stone masks or faces carved on both sides of the steps. Be sure and walk up and take a look.

Some of our "headliners" point out there is a spirit of the place and I personally can say I feel that special spirit as we visit Kohunlich. After the tour a lunch is provided, sometimes at a local restaurant and sometimes a box lunch on the bus. The amount of port time for each visit determines the dining choice. Bring your swimsuit, if we eat at the restaurant you can take a quick dip in the water.

What goes up must come down, or in this case the 2 1/4 hour bus ride out results in a 2 1/4 hour bus ride back! It is a long day on the bus but well worth the visit and effort to see these incredible ruins.