Experience the Mayan culture’s past and present on this fascinating excursion. See the past during a tour at the famous Chacchoben ruins, and then experience the present during a visit and meal with locals in a Mayan house.

Departing the pier for your excursion, you will drive approximately 50 minutes to the site of Chacchoben, where the first human settlements have been dated as early as 1000 B.C. Evidence collected during the excavations shows that most of the structures restored were built around the years 300-360 A.D. and were modified up to five times over their history.

Today, Chacchoben still keeps most of its secrets covered with vegetation, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience its magic and feel the energy of an ancient city in ruins. The ceremonial center of the site covers an area of nearly six square kilometers ( 2.5 miles) and is located in an area known as the “Region of the Lakes,” due to the number of lagoons.

Your expert guide will bring Chacchoben to life as he recants the history of the city and shares insights on its past and present during the approximately 90-minute walking tour of the site.

Your next stop on this Costa Maya excursion will be Chacchoben Village, where you will meet a Mayan family in their home. Witness Mayan life and traditions as they unfold right before your eyes. Learn about traditional home remedies, savor a traditional Mayan meal, make new friends and experience their colorful cultural expressions. Lunch will consist of traditional Mayan dishes, most of them from pre-Hispanic times. The recipes will be explained widely during your visit, and you will also have the opportunity to see the ingredients and spices added to your meal and learn how they were used. The Mayan diet is mainly vegetarian, and by tradition meat is not frequently included. However, during this special occasion, you may find chicken or turkey has been added in your honor. You will not soon forget this memorable experience!

The Chacchoben Extreme Tour will take you from the green of the jungle to an exciting adventure in the crystal-clear waters of the Seven Color Lagoon.

Departing Costa Maya, you will drive approximately 50 minutes to reach your first stop, the ruins of Chacchoben. The first human settlements in the area of Chacchoben have been dated as early as 1000 B.C. Evidence collected during excavations shows that most of the structures restored were built around the years 300-360 A.D. and were modified up to five times during their history.

Today, Chacchoben still keeps most of its secrets covered with vegetation, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience its magic and feel the energy of an ancient city. The ceremonial center of the site covers an area of nearly six square kilometers in an area known as the “Region of the Lakes,” due to the number of lagoons.

Your expert guide will bring Chacchoben to life as they describe the history of the city and share insights on its past and present.

After your trip to Chacchoben, travel to spectacular Seven Color Lagoon (Lake Bacalar). The lake is approximately 50 miles long and is ideal for kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, and swimming. Kayak and canoe rental is included on your Costa Maya tour, so grab a paddle and head out! A variety of birds can be seen at Laguna Azul, including toucans. During your stop, a short jungle walk through the trails near Laguna Azul will also be offered. Guests can choose to do all activities or just relax and enjoy the view from under the shade of a cabana. A light lunch is served.

Chacchoben, “the place of red corn” in the Mayan language, is a ruin which may date from 200 B.C. The structures found here date from 700 A.D. The site is quickly becoming one of the most popular amongst Costa Mayan excursions.

Due in part to its location away from large cities and cruise destinations, and with the more famous sites such as Tulum getting all the attention, the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins, an excellent example of the most brilliant civilization of the new world, remained in obscurity. As you walk through the jungle filled with evidence of temples, courtyards, and pyramids, you will feel the connection and harmony between nature and history. Along the way, your guide will tell you the journey the city has taken, from the myth of its creation through the collapse of the great Mayan civilization. As you stand in the heart of this abandoned Mayan ceremonial center, your senses will begin to adjust to the sounds of nature. This Costa Maya excursion covers more than two square miles in an area known as the “Region of the Lakes,” due to the number of lakes and lagoons in the area.

Most of the walking is over even-packed dirt and grass on a circular path that passes three excavated and restored pyramids, as well as walls and staircases. The site is far from being completely uncovered, and you will see excavation on several mounds that are known to contain additional structures. Some structures still bear traces of the red pigment with which they were originally coated. At the base of the largest pyramid is a large stone slab called a stela with a Mayan hieroglyphic inscription.

Climbing on the temples is restricted out of respect to the deceased and their spirits.

The ruins site has a service area that includes restroom facilities and a cafeteria. Locals from Chacchoben village have a small shopping area at the site, where they offer handmade souvenirs from their village. Keep in mind that in places like Chacchoben, you are expected to negotiate the prices, so be ready to exercise your Espanol and have some fun!