Is Mahahual worth visiting?
When deciding whether to visit Mahahual (or not) at lot can be left to the imagination if you don’t get the the proper advice from someone who has actually visited.
Known for its unique diving and snorkeling opportunities, deep blue waters, and picture-perfect beaches, Mahahual is not usually on the radar of the hoards of new travelers arriving in Quintana Roo or other regions that belong on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
Thats all good and well, but what else is there to do in this quaint beachfront town? While buzzing around on a beach bike as you sip on a young tequila-laced coconut may not be your jam, what about visiting the nearby Mayan ruins and learning some history?
In this article, we’ll not only list 7 reasons why visiting Mahahual is a great idea, but also why you should keep this place on the down-low, because it really is that special.
Is Mahahual worth visiting?
Quick Answer: YES Mahahual is worth visiting and makes the best choice for those who want to have a more laid back experience while visiting the Mexican Caribbean.
Where is Mahahual?
The off-beaten-track town of Mahahual is located on the Caribbean coast in the state of Quintana Roo. For those in Central America, it is a short distance northeast of Belize.
There are two main parts to Mahahual, one is the beach village (which this guide will focus on), then you have the Costa Maya cruise port terminal (east of the village).
There is around a 2 kilometer distance between the two. On the days that the cruise ships arrive you will notice a more ‘heated’ atmosphere around both sides of the town.
How far is Mahahual from Playa del Carmen?
Those travelers who look for more authentic beach town vibes will look to extend their more expensive stay in Playa del Carmen and make there way down towards Mahahual.
The distance from Playa del Carmen to Mahahual is roughly 223 kilometers and it takes around 3 hours (in theory) but in reality it takes much longer. First you’ll book a ticket with Ado to get to Bacalar. Then once in Bacalar, book a shuttle from Bacalar to Mahahual.
We recommend that you read this guide on how to get to Mahahual for more information.
Getting the timings right can be tricky and the ticket can only be booked once you get to Bacalar. There are two companies that sell the tickets. Ado have a shuttle that leaves at 5:30pm. The time to get to Mahahual from Bacalar is around 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Whatever happens, if using public transport you’ll need to block out a full day of travel. Be sure to carry DEET mosquito repellant to prepare for sundown in Mahahual on arrival.
Have you got travel insurance for Mahahual?
7 Reasons to Visit Mahahual
Are you still wondering if Mahahual is worth the visit or not? Here’s 7 reasons why we think you should head to this small and friendly Caribbean beach town in Mexico.
1. Connect with the Slow Beach town Vibes
When you just want to get away from the tourist crowds in the north of the region and connect with a slower pace of life Mahahual offer the best of both worlds.
Albeit cruise ships are arriving here on certain days, the beach area is super quiet on the days that the cruisers don’t dock. You can rent out a bicycle and go for a ride along the Malecón or put yourself in a horizontal position on the sand without a worry in the world.
If you are staying a place such as Eco Cabañas Blue Kay (popular with backpackers) you can get a cabin right in front of the beach and get bike rental included in your stay.
2. Day Tour to Chacchoben
After a few days of relaxing by the sea and doing some of the aquatic activities we have suggested, you will no doubt want to see what else is on offer.
Why not learn all about Mayan history? Located around 50 minutes from Mahahual you have these beautifully structured pyramids that have an inspiring backstory of how they were discovered back in 1942 by a local Mayan family.
We suggest doing this 1 day tour because you also get to stop in Bacalar along the way which allows you to save on transport costs when visiting both attractions individually.
3. Go Diving / Snorkeling
With turquoise waters, and some of the best diving and snorkeling in the Costa Maya, Mahahual is home to the “Great Mayan Reef” which runs along the coastline and is home to a host of species such as rays, moray, tropical fishes (i/e Parrot fish, Snapper) and turtles which are found in the same area and can be located in a few minutes by boat.
Aside from the equipment you need (which is provided) you can jump on a tour like this one where you can enjoy an exhilarating boat ride. There are signs all over Mahahual warm visitors about the corral and protecting it. You instructor will also give talk about the importance or preserving the sea live as it important for the local ecosystem.
When heading into the blue, we highly recommend that you carry some Biodegradable sunscreen and a quality UV protector sun hat with you for added sun protection.
4. Visit the Lost Mayan Kingdom
Located close to the Malecón in Mahahual there is the Mayan Kingdom water park which is perfect for those days where you want some extra fun. Here you can find water slides, Kamikaze slides and even a spinning Hidrowhip slide (which is not for the faint-hearted).
The 3000ft zip line is one of the features of this park as you can get an incredible view of the Costa Maya coastline from the top.
However, lets say you wanted a change of scenery, or to relax in this setting as you would on the beach, you can grab an inflatable inner tube and lay back in one of the many pools. Fancy some river tubing? You can try floating through the man-made Mayan jungle.
5. Eat fresh seafood
If you love seafood, Mahahual is one of the best places to indulge. The Malecón here is lined with restaurants selling everything from shellfish to lobster to ceviche and shrimp.
You’ll see the guys from the restaurants offering freshly caught fish ready to be cooked for the next customer. In terms of street food in Mahahual, here you can tuck your tastebuds into dishes such as fish tacos, shrimp empanadas and cheesy quesadillas.
Fish Soup, Shrimp Cocktails and Shrimp Fried Rice are a bit of a delicacy here too.
If you want to eat like the locals do, then we highly recommend that you look out for the mobile food carts that you see hovering around the Malecón (usually during the day).
Gringo pricing is rife here! As always, learning a bit of Spanish from a book like this one will go a long way in getting the ‘local prices’ doing repeat buys also works as well.
These local food vendors arrive with the purpose of serving the local workers along the Malecón, and believe it or not, you can get a juicy home-cooked meal for $50-80MXN (if you are there at the right time). Buying food in the restaurants will cost significantly more.
6. Visit Xahuayxol
Mahahual is about sun, sand and sea. So when you want a unique beach experience and prefer to be far from the Malecón area, visit Xahuayxol (“garden in the sea” in Mayan).
This is a private beach club located around 30 minutes drive from the main beach in Mahahual and is touted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.
If you are staying in one of the Eco Cabins near Xahuayxol it’s a short walk. Unfortunately, we have not managed to get out to this exclusive beach yet, however, if you have an extended stay in Mahahual, or are here to treat yourself, this could be a solid day activity.
With only 1 or 2 days in Mahahual you would be pushing it but you could buy this special ticket which includes transportation if you happen to be staying closer to the cruise port.
7. Go Birdwatching
When looking for natural activities to do that can take you outside of the water, why not get acquainted with some of the native birds from the region?
Activities such as joining this birdwatching tour with which you will be given a set of 10x binoculars and get the chance to spot and learn more about the local birds are on offer.
Some of the birds you get the chance to spot are:
- Lesser Nighthawk
- Yucatan Jay
- Black-headed Trogon
- Rufous-browed Peppershrike
The local guides here are so knowledgeable that when it comes to fauna and flora you can usually pick any species from the region out and they will be able to tell you about it.
Not to mention all the things in your peripheral that you would have otherwise missed. According to the guide, it is not uncommon to spot between 17-20 different species of bird on a normal day. If you are passionate about conservation and like the idea of supporting the local economy and it’s stakeholders, we highly recommend this tour.
Is Mahahual worth visiting?
We would like to say a massive thanks for reading our guide to visiting Mahahual, which in our opinion, gives you some real backpacker logic as to why it is a place worth visiting.
We know it’s slightly out the way and can be challenging to get to when compared with other beach towns in Mexico, but it is worth it if you want to be in a more relaxing place.
Here there are some memorable day trips to take part in such as visiting Mayan ruins which allow you to get more acquainted with the historical side of this rustic paradise.
While you’re still here, we invite you take a quick look at our 2 week Riviera Maya itinerary to get even more ideas on what to see and do while exploring this sun-soaked region.
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