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Chetumal | Bacalar | Mahahual | Maya Ka’an

Grand Costa Maya

I f you haven’t yet heard of Grand Costa Maya, that’s not only okay, that’s also very much the point. In an era of overtourism, here’s a gorgeous expanse of Mexico’s Caribbean coast that may well be the next big thing, but for now, feels under-the-radar, authentic and — with its Mayan ruins, soft-wave beaches and lush lagoon systems — ripe for exploration. None of which is to say that this area is hard to reach. Thanks to the recent debut of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport — aka the Tulum Airport — there’s an ultramodern and convenient new gateway to the region, with direct service from Canada via WestJet, Air Transat and Air Canada. Put otherwise: Gone are the days of the mandatory two-hour drive from the Cancun airport to get to Tulum and points beyond. Read on for some of the best things to do once you arrive. Whether you want to simply take in the sights, or hike, rappel, or do water sports, you'll find endless options here.

The capital of the state of Quintana Roo, Chetumal is the Grand Costa Maya’s doorstep — and a lavishly adorned one at that. To see for yourself, start by exploring the jewels, sculptures, pottery, and other relics at the Museo de la Cultura Maya, where you’ll get a great overview of the ancient civilization for which the Grand Costa Maya is named. For the best overview of contemporary life in this city, head to the iconic Boulevard Bahía. Taking you by foot or bicycle along Chetumal Bay, the road is a reminder of an oft-forgotten aspect of this corner of the world: British influence. (Bear in mind that the country just over Chetumal’s Rio Hondo border — Belize — used to be called British Honduras.)

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Bike along Chetumal Bay

Fuerte de San Felipe

Chetumal

Bacalar

Mahahual

Maya Ka'an

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Cenote Azul and Cenote Cocalitos

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Water sports in Bacalar

Chetumal Zoo

Mahahual

Muyil (Chunyaxché)

Explanada de la Bandera

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Chacchobén

Oxtankah

Reffen Street Food Market Photo credits: Lukas Bukoven (left); Reffen - Copenhagen Street Food (right)

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El Cocodrilo Dorado

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Banco Chinchorro

Kinichná

As a result, quaint, English-style wooden houses remain here, adorning a boulevard you’d want to experience regardless for the sunrise- and sunset-viewing ops — ideally with a sweet-filled local crepe, or marquesita, in hand. Serious architecture and history buffs will also want to check out the Payo Obispo maquette — a reproduction of the full 18th-century local street plan. Other local treasures not to miss: the nearby fishing village of Calderitas and its old-timey charm; Cenote Cocodrilo Dorado; a gorgeous jungle-shrouded sink hole on the Belizean border; and a pair of gorgeous, swimmable lagoons: Milagros and Xul-Há.

Situated about half an hour from Chetumal, Bacalar is a dreamscape as much as a real-life destination. The most famous local body of water, for example, is nicknamed the Lagoon of Seven Colors, given the gradations of blue and turquoise therein. Even dreamier? The lagoon is home to a naturally occurring lazy river — los Rápidos Bacalar — that carries you on your back or in a kayak along eminently relaxing currents (“rapids” may be overstating the case) though surreal crystalline waters.

Can’t get enough of the life aquatic? Swim or snorkel the sapphire waters of the Cenote Azul, the emerald waters of the Cenote Esmeralda, or the groovy formation-studded waters of the Cenote Cocalitos. But as many ways as there are to immerse here, there are also plenty of others that let you enjoy the view from the surface: swings that protrude from the water; hammocks that sway you over the gentle waves, and all manner of boardwalk. Well above the surface, there’s the impressive Fuerte de San Felipe, aka the Castillo (castle) of San Felipe. This restored 18th-century Spanish fort has stunning lagoon views and plenty of pirate lore to ignite the imaginations of any kids in your travel party.

Upon arrival in this chill beach town, orient yourself by the sight you truly can’t miss: the bright white 22-meter Faro de Mahahual, aka the lighthouse. Not just a gorgeous photo backdrop, it places you at the scene of some of the prettiest seascapes in region, and lets you preview the waters that will occupy most of your time here.

Just offshore lies the UNESCO-listed Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve, Mexico’s largest platform-type reef complex system and — thanks to its relative isolation — one of the best-preserved ecosystems in the world. A blend of open water, sea grass beds, mangroves, sand beaches and coral reefs, Banco Chinchorro makes for an intrepid diver’s or snorkeller’s dream. Emphasis on intrepid: You may spot the resident saltwater crocodiles in addition to eels, rays, conch and all manner of fish. Perhaps not surprisingly, fishing is a popular pursuit around Mahahual, too, with lobsters being among the prize catches. In the nearby tiny town of Xcalak, you can fly or spin fish, though beach combing, dock walking and kayaking are also popular pursuits.

The Grand Costa Maya is full of Mayan ruins of all kinds: Near Chetumal alone, you’ll find the large settlement of Chacchobén; the dramatic Temple of the Masks at Kohunlich; and the mixed Maya and Spanish remains at Oxtankah. But at the same time, the Mexican Caribbean has a living Maya culture, as you’ll find at Maya Ka’an between Tulum and the Grand Costa Maya. Perhaps the most famous draw is the UNESCO-listed Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve where the thousands of resident species include manatees, marine turtles, howler and spider monkeys, crocodiles, jaguars, pumas, ocelots, pink flamingos, toucans and tapirs. Committed to conservation and sustainable tourism, this reserve specializes in small, low-impact tours. These range from sport fishing with residents of Punta Allen (a small village within the reserve) to birdwatching and floating through the freshwater channels of Muyil.

If you’d like something a little less tame, consider this next-level local wildlife experience: the Cave of the Hanging Snakes — sometimes called the bat cave — near the village of Kantemó. Inside this cavern, yellow-tailed rat snakes have taken to dangling from the ceiling and walls to feast on the resident bat population. But whatever you choose to do in Maya Ka’an — kayak, dive, snorkel or experience local cultural or healing traditions — community tourism enterprises will lead the way, connecting your experience directly to the region’s Maya population.

Faro de Mahahual

Stand up paddleboarding

Best Bet 2025

Grand Costa Maya was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2025. Only nine worldwide destinations were selected for this honor, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.

Best Bet 2025

Destination XYZ was chosen as a Travelzoo Best Bet for 2025. Only XXX worldwide destinations were selected for this honour, based on factors like increased interest among Travelzoo members, sustainability considerations or landmark events for the new year. See the full list here.

Best Bet 2025

Calderitas

Boulevard Bahía

Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve

Mahahual

Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve

Cave of the Hanging Snakes

Museo de la Cultura Maya