Mayan Experience Tour The most beautiful of all Costa Maya Excursions!
SEE THE WORLD THROUGH THE EYES OF A MAYA!
Share our passion for culture and history in this five hour expedition that will immerse you in a journey from the past of a Mayan city in ruins (Chacchoben Mayan Ruins) to the present of real Maya people at their community (Chacchoben Village). Enjoy this unique opportunity to interact with the ones who are keeping the Mayan culture and traditions alive.
This is an invitation to witness daily Mayan life and a celebration of the Maya traditions. Listen to the sounds of the Mayan language, learn about traditional home remedies, savor a traditional Mayan meal, make new friends and experience their colorful cultural expressions.
Our Mayan experience tour includes our Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Tour, plus a visit to Chacchoben Village where you will become part of a modern Mayan community. You will have the opportunity to walk through the main plaza and interact with the locals engaged in their daily activities.
This experience is complemented with a visit to the house of a local family where you will learn how spaces in the house are organized, from the kitchen to the backyard.
NO VISIT TO A MAYA FAMILY IS COMPLETE WITHOUT A MEAL!
This experience ends when the proud ladies in the family show their skills in the kitchen as they serve a meal cooked specially for the occasion. The menu consists of only Maya pre-hispanic dishes.
BE READY FOR A TORTILLA MAKING LESSON!
MAYAN EXPERIENCE TOUR DETAILS:
Inclusions: Round transportation in air conditioned vehicles, travel insurance, professional native guide, all entrance fees, guided tour at Chacchoben Mayan ruins, bottled water at the beginning of the ruins tour and courtesy drinks at the end.
It also includes a visit to Chacchoben Village, interaction with a Maya family at their home and a Mayan lunch.
Duration: 5.5 hours.
Departure Time: This excursion departs from our Hospitality Desk at Lapis Shopping Plaza, one hour after your ship docks.
Deposit: A deposit of $15.00 USD per person is required at the moment of booking to confirm spaces for this excursion. Balance payment will be required ONLY in cash (Pesos or US Dollars) at check-in. Your deposit is refundable if for any reason your cruise ship does not call port in Costa Maya.
Restrictions: Child rate applies for children under 12 years of age.
There is a fee of $4.00 USD (NOT included in the tour price) for the use of video cameras at Chacchoben Mayan ruins, this fee is paid directly at the entrance of the site.
Recommendations: Wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sun block lotion would also be a good idea. Consider bringing extra film (or an extra memory card) and batteries for your camera. Also bring extra cash for shopping as credit cards are not accepted at Chacchoben Ruins.
Important Notice: Our Mayan Experience Tour departs from our hospitality desk at Lapis Shopping Plaza, one hour after the ship docks. Lapis Shopping Plaza is just 150 yards outside the port, so you do not need transportation to get there.
Your confirmation will include detailed directions on how to find us.
MAYAN EXPERIENCE TOUR INFO:
The ride from Chacchoben Ruins to Chacchoben Village takes approximately 15 minutes. On our way we have to cross Lazaro Cardenas, which is another town (not a Mayan community!). The road is narrow so we always recommend to enjoy the ride since the experience starts when you see the people walking on the sides of the road with their loads of corn or fire wood. Have your camera ready as we may find something interesting on our way.
Lunch will consist of only 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 we could say that by tradition meat is not frequently included in the diet. However, for this special occasion, most likely you will find chicken or turkey (don't worry, we get it at Wal-Mart!!). There are always other choices for the ones who do not eat meat. If you let us know ahead of time, we will make sure there is something special for you in case you are vegetarian.
We are totally aware of your concerns regarding food safety and for this reason the families hosting tourists at their homes had to go through extensive training on how to handle food safely. They also have to be recertified by the health department every three months. We definitely do not want your experience turning into a negative one. All the ingredients we use are fresh and available for you to see and taste. We have been successfully serving tourists for around five years and we want to serve many more over the next years. That is why food safety is also one of our major concerns.
Currently there are no places where they sell crafts to the visitors, since most of the ones produced at our community are taken to the ruins for sale. However, do not be surprised if you find a small collection of pieces at the house you are visiting.
We have been asked many times by our clients if there is anything that families hosting them would appreciate receiving. Our answer in most cases is that we have many limitations in our community and that families always appreciate receiving things that are not easily found here, specially things for the children. If it is your intention to bring anything for the family hosting you, you can let us know ahead of time and we can ask them what it could be.
Please don't hesitate to contact us in case you need any further details or if you need any kind of assistance. It will be our pleasure to help you!
| Adults: | $70.00 USD |
| Children: | $65.00 USD |
Please Contact us in case your cruise ship is not listed, or if there are more that 16 adults in your party.