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Today's port of call isn't traditional if you define a port as being centered around an existing town.
Costa Maya, which debuted in 2001, was carved out of the forest on this part of the Yucatan coast. Its premise, to provide a resort-like option right off the dock, incorporates a host of activities, from restaurants and pools to shopping and tequila. You can take part in a Mayan healing ritual and watch dolphins frolic. But if your experience doesn't stretch beyond the close-at-hand facility, you're missing the point of this cruise stop.
As always, Oceania's shore excursion menu provides insight into the truly meaningful experiences here. This is, as the name implies, Mayan country and Chacchoben, dating back some 1,500 years, is the big attraction. It was only recently excavated, having been discovered in the 1970s when an archeologist flew overhead and noticed grass-covered mounds (the terrain here is largely flat so any hills you see are likely to be ruins, covered in foliage, and as yet un-excavated). On a previous visit, we loved this place for its serene atmosphere. Don't miss the chance to climb up Gran Basamento, its hallmark temple, for wonderful jungle views.
Just outside Costa Maya, there is a real town to explore; Majahual is a one-time fishing village boosted by its five-minute proximity (via taxi) to the port facility. It's got a lovely beach and is just the spot for swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkeling. It's also known for its cheap beach massages. And finally, it's a great place to capture a shot of your ship at the dock!
And one more thing: Maya, an adventure and watersports theme park, a relatively new addition to the area, has become our Costa Maya happy place.
Here, the 1940s jungle outpost-themed park offers ziplining, water slides and a host of pools. It's all themed around the 1940s and Maya is probably best suited to families (there were so many, hailing mostly from bigger ships also docked here today).
There are plenty of options for lunching in Majahual, Costa Maya and the Maya adventure park, but Oceania's food is so good, we held out for a late lunch at Waves, onboard. Waves is open until 4 p.m., and you'll find it onboard every ship in the fleet. It's a decadently delicious gourmet grill (with terrific proximity, i.e., right alongside, the ship's ice cream and milkshake bar). Here you can find wagyu beef burgers; the "surf and turf," which is lobster and beef burger; and even a humble hot dog is made of superb ingredients. Waves is part of the pool deck and we found a table with a view of the dock, around which three other ships were tied up; there was great people-watching.
