Table of Contents
Top Things to Do in Mahahual
To visit Mahahual is to discover a small Caribbean village on the Costa Maya, south of the Yucatan Peninsula , 1h30 from Bacalar, much less touristy than Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
People come here above all to enjoy its beaches, and to snorkel or dive in the Mesoamerican Reef, the 2nd largest coral reef in the world.
As I found very little information before going there, I took advantage of my stay to write the most complete guide possible on Mahahual!
You will find all the activities to do and unmissable places of interest to visit, the best beach clubs, my recommendations for restaurants and hotels for all budgets.
I’ve also included a money section, my opinion of Mahahual , and all the details for getting there from Chetumal Airport , Riviera Maya, or Mexico City.
So what to do and see in Mahahual?
The Essentials of Mahahual
1. Enjoy the Beach
Of course, we come to Mahahual – also called Majahual – to enjoy the beach!
The water is calm and very shallow for several meters : ideal for children and anyone who is not very comfortable in the water.
It is reached by walking along the malecon which is lined with small beach clubs and restaurants.
Be careful, we are far from the style of Cancun or Playa del Carmen and the “beach clubs” are generally quite small and quiet.
I tried several beach clubs in Mahahual, here are my favorites:
Yaya is a nice restaurant on the beach, whose advantage over the others is that there are double beds and sun loungers.
Honestly I found the service friendly everywhere in Mahahual, but at Yaya the server was particularly attentive, it’s nice!
- My favorites: guacamole (the best in Mahahual!), its artisanal mezcal, the Santorini salad
Malecon 21
Another beach club in Mahahual with a quiet and relaxed vibe. Perfect for breakfast (chilaquiles 120 pesos, eggs benedict 170 pesos and very good green juice).
The margarita is excellent, especially the spicy mango mezcal margarita 😉 (150 pesos)!
Quadro fish
The Pez Quadro is the beach club of the 40 Cañones hotel where I was staying in Mahahual .
If you are not a hotel guest , you have to pay 200 pesos which gives access to deckchairs and parasols, as well as to a shower and toilets at the hotel.
It is the only beach club that charges entry , but this ultimately allows the hotel to keep a majority of space for its customers and to ensure a certain tranquility.
It really is a place to relax and enjoy the water, rent kayaks and enjoy a massage. This is also where we find the swings in the water, one of the best places in Mahahual to take a picture.
You can order drinks and food from the restaurant and they will bring it to you, but there isn’t really a table to sit at.
To eat, I recommend going to the restaurant instead, which is pretty, comfortable and in the shade.
- On the other hand, Pez Quadro closes at 6 p.m. , unlike Yaya and Malecon 21 which close around 10 p.m.
The other beach clubs
If you are looking for a popular atmosphere with more affordable prices, go to La Chilangaloense and Krazy Lobster instead .
To be honest, I didn’t really like it because it was very big and full, with a beach that wasn’t very nice. It’s good for having beers with friends, but not for relaxing on a deck chair (there are hardly any of them anyway!).
I had also heard of Nohoch Kay, but found the place quite noisy, the food ordinary and the service lacking. Maybe it was a bad day?
You can also go to the beach without consuming, but you should know that the clean sections are opposite the establishments, and the rest sometimes leaves a little to be desired (it’s every man for himself in terms of waste management in Mahahual, Unfortunately).
For a luxury experience, I was recommended to go to the Hayhu beach club 30 minutes from Mahahual. The day pass (from 500 pesos per person) gives access to a magnificent private beach, very quiet, with absolutely nothing around!
On site: restaurant, bar, deckchairs, hammocks, kayak and stand up paddle rental, snorkeling equipment, kiteboarding lesson. A taxi from Mahahual should cost 250 pesos one way.
2. Explorer Mahahual
The center of Mahahual only extends for 7-10 blocks, so one can easily walk on the malecon, Calle Sardina and Calle Huachinango.
You can go to the lighthouse which is one of the places to see in Mahahual, with its colorful letters.
You could also go a little further, to the new residential area of Mahahual, where the entrance to the port of Costa Maya is located . But besides the small replica of the Chacchoben pyramid, there are only houses, so I admit that I don’t really see the point!
3. Go Snorkeling
Snorkeling is an essential activity in Mahahual thanks to its proximity to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef and you will find plenty of agencies that offer excursions along the malecon.
I had been recommended Gypsea, which is at the National Beach Hotel, run by a Quebecer and her Mexican husband.
I usually have a bit of trouble breathing with snorkel gear, and I’ve only done snorkeling in cenotes, so I was a little stressed about snorkeling in the sea with waves.
But in the end, he was very patient and attentive, making sure we were always comfortable in the water. He even found my ring which had slipped off my finger in the water…what a lynx look!
It is also thanks to his keen eyesight that he pointed out different corals and colored fish to us. Apparently it is also possible to see some turtles, but we were unlucky that day because the water was a little choppy.
Tips for your Mahahual itinerary:
The price varies depending on the snorkeling location. We paid 400 pesos per person and we could see some beautiful coral formations.
I loved the excursion and the price is very correct, but it is true that I expected to see more. It’s always the same when you stay close to the tourist area, whether in Mahahual or elsewhere!
Other companies offer 500 peso tours that take you further to the start of the barrier reef with more opportunities to see more coral, fish and even manatees.
4. Go Scuba Diving
Diving is a must-do activity in Mahahual!
You will find many spots between -15 and -60 m deep, only about ten minutes by boat.
Xcalak also offers several dive spots: La Pozeta (10-15m) for beginners), La Poza for intermediate level and La Chimenea (20-27m) for advanced level divers.
1h30 from Mahahual is the Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve with the largest atoll in Mexico and part of the 2nd largest coral reef in the world.
You can see a multitude of colorful fish, rays, 3 species of turtles ( couanne, green, and hawksbill ), crustaceans, dolphins, nurse sharks, crocodiles and manatees.
Not to mention the many wrecks of Spanish and English galleons from the 16th and 17th century!
In short, if you have the budget (around 3000 pesos per person + 300 pesos for access to the reserve), Banco Chinchorro is really the best place to dive in the Mahahual region 😉
Tips for your Mahahual itinerary:
You don’t have a diving certification yet ? A good option is to take the “buceo discovery” excursion which will allow you to test an immersion with all the equipment for 1h30 (1600 pesos).
If you like the experience, you can then obtain your diving certification, allowing for 3 days of training.
Gypsea offers this introductory scuba diving experience and I imagine other agencies in Mahahual do as well.
5. Rent a Bike
It really is one of the best ways to visit Mahahual beyond the tourist area!
You can walk along the malecon and go further on the Costa Maya for about 10km. I recommend taking the opposite path to the lighthouse which is more scenic.
While walking on the malecon you will find several bikes for rent, but it is better to compare them and choose one with a comfortable saddle.
The one I chose was not in great shape and after a while of riding on the dirt roads…my lower back was really hurting! 😀
- It takes 50 pesos per hour or 150-200 pesos for the day (from 9 am to 6 pm).
- Remember that it is hot and there is a lot of sun in the middle of the day. We took the bike around 1 p.m. without thinking too much, if I had to do it again I would start around 9-10 a.m.
- There are also children’s bikes and tandem bikes. I seem to have seen electric bikes as well, but to be confirmed!
6. Take a Quad Tour
Another option to discover Mahahual is to take the guided quad tour.
We followed Alejandro from Tucan Tours who first took us to the lighthouse, then to the entrance to the port of Costa Maya where there is a replica of the main pyramid of Chacchoben, the largest archaeological site in the region.
We then set off again on the road on the opposite side for several kilometres. In reality, we took the same route as the day before by bike, but of course arriving much further.
It was very nice but if I had known, I would have still chosen the bike or the quad, not both
- You must book in advance (Whatsapp 52 983 123 1436) and the meeting point is on the malecon, right next to the Aquastar hotel
- 550 pesos per quad (1 or 2 people), the visit lasts about 2 hours
- No driver’s license needed
- No helmet provided
- If you are sharing a single vehicle with two, bring a towel: it will be much more comfortable for the person behind!
7. Kayaking
I absolutely wanted to do a kayak tour in Mahahual before leaving for Bacalar.
So we rented a double kayak (200 pesos for around 1h20) with the friendly Javier of Lizeta Tours, just in front of our hotel 40 Ca ñones.
As there was a little current, he recommended that we first go towards the lighthouse and then come back by being carried by the waves.
The water level was quite low, it was transparent and we could see some fish, in addition to having a nice view of the coast from the sea!
- Lizeta tours also offers fishing trips in Mahahual
8. Relax in a Temazcal
The temazcal is a steam bath considered both medicinal and ritual , the practice of which dates back to pre-Hispanic times .
The Blue Kay Hotel offers the opportunity to live this unique experience, whether you are a guest of the hotel or not!
The ritual lasts about 1h30 and is done inside the dome, having first been purified by the shaman.
- To know: it is available from 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., with a minimum of 5 people and you must book at least 1 day in advance.
9. Lost Mayan Kingdom
This is a water park not to be missed if you visit Mahahual with your family : 9 slides, 12 zip lines, a river, two swimming pools and a section reserved for children (mini slides and swimming pool).
Perfect for spending half a day there!
- Maya Park website
- Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday (temporarily closed due to Covid)
- Admission includes access to restrooms, locker rooms and parking, but not lockers ($5usd) or meals or drinks at the two on-site restaurants
- 5 min walk from the port of Costa Maya
10. Enjoy a Massage
I would have liked to have a massage on the beach in Mahahual but unfortunately from the 1st day I had a bad sunburn and I did not want to touch my skin.
- I asked the prices anyway: around 500 pesos for 40 min
11. Go Fishing
There really is something for everyone, whether it’s spinning, trolling, deep sea and near shore fishing.
The best way to enjoy fishing in Mahahual is to hire a boat with a certified guide, for half a day or a full day.
Mainly found are mahi mahi, barracuda, amberjack, grouper, snapper and king mackerel
- Don’t forget your sunscreen!
- Some excursions include refreshments and snacks, others do not.
Other Attractions around Mahahual
12. Rancho Km5
On the way between Chetumal airport and Mahahual, Gabriel our taxi driver recommended that we make a short stop at Rancho km5.
It is a family business that started 10 years ago. They dry their peppers on site and prepare a dozen different sauces based on chile habanero.
Now everyone knows them in the region because their products are very good!
Personally, I especially liked the mango and passion fruit ones, which are sweet and a little less spicy, but there are also some for real chilli fans. They also have good peanuts!
- Rancho Km5 Facebook page
- Right next to Rancho km5 (1 min by car) is Mariposario Alas de Amor which is a butterfly breeding and preservation site. They also host a few deer. It is possible to visit under prior reservation, except that I couldn’t find their phone number!
13. Chimneys
1h15 from Mahahual is Bacalar, a small town known for its beautiful freshwater lagoon called the Lagoon of 7 Colors.
You can discover the lagoon and its cenotes, the pirate channel, Fort San Felipe and the Bacalar Rapids or, with a little more time, go to the Xul-Ha Lagoon.
One can easily stay several days in Bacalar or visit Bacalar in 1 day from Mahahual.
If you are thinking of spending a day in Bacalar, I advise you to start with the catamaran excursion on the 7 Colors lagoon (click here to book!) in the morning (departure at 11am, lasts around 3h).
In the afternoon, take a day pass to have access to the lagoon the rest of the day.
Several hotel-restaurants offer a day pass (200 to 800 pesos depending on the location), in my case I loved Los Aluxes which I recommend: 300 pesos which give access to its pretty facilities and the same amount in credit at the restaurant. Open from breakfast.
Getting to Bacalar from Mahahual:
- By public transport : with Caribe ticket 90 pesos departures 6am, 12pm, 4pm and 6pm every day. Better to buy the ticket the day before! Remember that the minibus leaves you on the road and then you have to take a taxi to your hotel.
- By taxi : with my trusted driver Gabriel Castañeda Whatsapp: 983 181 8348 (1000 pesos, 1h20 journey)
14. Xcalak
If you like places off the beaten path , take a trip to Xcalak !
It is a fishing village, with an ideal geographical location, both facing the Caribbean and close to several lakes, where you can do many activities.
For example, you can do sport fishing ( no-kill only ), snorkeling and diving for all levels at Arrecifes de Xcalak National Park, which is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
Or take a kayak trip to La Aguada to see the mangroves and observe up to 40 species of birds .
It’s also a good place to rent a bike to explore the surroundings or just enjoy the beach.
Getting to Xcalak from Mahahual:
- 1h20, take Carretera a Mahahual/Quintana Roo El Cafetal-Mahahual then Q.ROO / Mahahual and finally, at the end of the road, turn left (a sign announces Xcalak)
- There are also several agencies in Mahahual that offer excursions to Xcalak
15. Chacchoben
Located 1 hour from Mahahual, Chacchoben is the most important Mayan archaeological site in the region.
The city would have been mainly occupied between 200 BC and the 8th century, but even centuries after its abandonment, it would have been a place of pilgrimage since ceremonial objects from the 13th century have been found there. and 15th c.
You can visit, among other things, Temple 24, the Main Square which was the center of the city, the Gran Basamento with the Temple of the Vases and Temple 1 and several small ruins.
And keep your eyes open because there are toucans around!
- Open daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Entry 75 pesos
- If you have a car and want to explore the other archaeological sites (further), you can also visit Kohunlich and Dzibanche, 2h15 from Mahahual, passing Bacalar
My Experience at Hotel 40 Canones
For my stay in Mahahual, I chose the 40 Ca ñones hotel somewhat by chance and what an excellent surprise!
First of all, the hotel is charming, rather intimate, with lots of plants, and a rustic-chic feel. My room was very clean, with a comfortable mattress, TV and air conditioning.
It is in a great location, right in the center of Mahahual, but in a quiet corner of the malecon.
Here we are facing a clean beach, with a restaurant, a beach club, massage tables, kayak rental and two ATMs. It is really very practical!
As I mentioned at the beginning of the article, it is the only beach club in Majahual to charge an entrance fee (200 pesos) to those who are not hotel guests, so we ensure additional peace of mind. .
I must say that having my morning coffee at the hotel restaurant facing the sea, with calm and a little sea breeze, is one of my best memories of Mahahual.
For having now traveled long and wide Mahahual (it’s not difficult with 8 street corners) and having seen all the hotels that I had spotted on Booking, I can confirm that it is here that I will return next times.
If you want to discover the hotel, click here to book.
Accommodation in Mahahual
Here are all my best recommendations for hotels in Mahahual, for different budgets:
- Eco Cabanas Bluekay : the best option to sleep on a budget in Mahahual. Small hut with comfortable bed, only a few meters from the beach, with shared bathroom, access to the beach with bar and deckchairs, bohemian atmosphere. From just 30 euros per night!
- Hotel Jaiba Mahahual – Adults Only : for more calm, here is a small hotel for adults only located 15 minutes walk from the beach, with swimming pool and hammocks. From 82 euros per night!
- Almplena Boutique Hotel : ideal hotel to relax located 30 minutes from Mahahual on a white sand beach and surrounded by the jungle. With swimming pool and restaurant, rooms with sea view from 101 euros per night!
- Hotel 40 Cañones : I spent 4 nights there and I recommend it 100%! A small hotel with lots of charm, very well located opposite a well-maintained beach, with its Pez Quadro beach club, restaurant facing the sea, excellent service. Comfortable bed and air conditioning, from 120 euros per night!
PS: I had hesitated for a long time between the 40 Cañones and Aquastar hotels, and luckily I chose the 1st! The photos of Aquastar are very beautiful on the Booking site, but once there, I was surprised to see that even if the building is pretty (in a modern style), with an outdoor swimming pool…the beach is small, dirty, with rocks, and even looks unused.
Celebrate in Mahahual
Mahahual is a very quiet little town where the majority of places close around 6 p.m. There are a few exceptions, but honestly you don’t come here to enjoy the nightlife like in Cancun or Playa del Carmen.
That being said, I was told that there are 2 bars open at night Luna Roja and Pitaya and a new El Nido Nightclub.
Money in Mahahual
- There is only one exchange office in Mahahual, it is here in the center.
- There are a few ATMs around the main street, some to withdraw in $usd others in Mexican pesos. There are 2 counters at the Hotel 40 cañones.
- There is no bank in Mahahual
- Many places (including the bus station) don’t accept debit or credit cards so I recommend bringing enough cash to avoid paying too much in fees when withdrawing at the counters.
My Review of Mahahual
While planning my visit to Mahahual, I found it very difficult to find clear and precise information on the destination.
And once there, I understood why! It is a small village which is still quite isolated and whose development in recent years has been abruptly halted by the pandemic.
The center of the village seems to have been relatively preserved, but as soon as you get out of it, you can see dozens and dozens of small hotels that seem abandoned (permanently or temporarily).
Mahahual probably looks like Playa del Carmen and Cancun a few decades ago, and for now we can say that it is an alternative destination to the Riviera Maya.
Looking at a map we understand why it is slow to develop:
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- It is 1h50 from Chetumal airport (the closest) and 4h from Cancun
- There is little transport (bus, colectivo)
- To reach Mahahual from Highway 307, you have to travel 55km, so many are reluctant to take the detour to discover a destination they don’t know, instead of making the direct trip between Tulum and Bacalar, which are very well – known destinations.
You don’t come here to go to an all-inclusive resort but to enjoy a beach vacation in a still local atmosphere, mostly frequented by residents of Quintana Roo and a few foreign tourists who want to enjoy a relaxed pace.
If you are the active type and like busy itineraries (archaeological site, cenote and beach in the same day), I suggest staying between Cancun and the Riviera Maya instead because you may quickly go around Mahahual.
But otherwise, it’s the perfect place to disconnect for 2-3-4 days!
How to Get to Mahahual?
From the City of Mexico
You must first take a flight from Mexico City to Chetumal (2h15 direct flight with Aeromexico or Volaris), then go to Mahahual (1h50) by car, bus, colectivo or private transfer .
From Chetumal Airport
- By car: 1h50 after the Chetumal airport , in front of Av. Aarón Merino Fernández in the direction of Av Insurgentes/Lib. from Chetumal, puis rejoindre México 307 vers Carretera a Mahahual/Quintana Roo El Cafetal-Mahahual, et Carretera Mahahual/Quintana Roo El Cafetal-Mahahual vers Calle Huauchinango à Mahahual.
- By ADO bus: Monday to Saturday (not Sunday), 1 departure at 9 a.m. with arrival at 11:45 a.m. , ticket 255 pesos
- By taxi: those from the airport ask for around 1700 pesos. If you want to pay less, you can either walk to the glorieta to get a taxi (which then costs around 1300 pesos) or take a taxi from the airport and ask him to drop you off at the vans that do Chetumal-Mahahual (2h, 100 pesos) on Avenida Insurgentes.
From Cancun
- By car: 4h30 in suivant Highway 307 Cancun – Chetumal/Carr. Tulum – Cancún/Mexico puis à gauche sur Carretera a Mahahual/Quintana Roo El Cafetal-Mahahual.
- By bus: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. with ADO
- By plane: there is no direct flight , it takes at least 5h30 with a stopover in Mexico City – with Volaris, AeroMexico, Viva Aerobus
From Playa del Carmen
- By car: 3h30 en suivant Carretera 307 Cancun – Chetumal / Carr. Tulum – Cancún / México, puis à gauche in the direction of Carretera a Mahahual/Quintana Roo El Cafetal-Mahahual
- By bus: duration 3:55, departures Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 9:55 from the ADO Playa del Carmen turística terminal , ticket 378 pesos
From Bacalar
- By car: 1h15 per Carretera México 307 and Carretera a Mahahual/Quintana Roo El Cafetal-Mahahual
- By bus: departures Monday, Wednesday, Friday 1 bus per day (12:20 p.m.), ticket 90 pesos
From Tulum
- By car: 2h34, south Mexico 307 and Cancun – Chetumal, then Carretera a Mahahual/Quintana Roo El Cafetal-Mahahual
- By bus: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 1 ADO bus per day (departure 10:50 am arrival 1:45 pm), ticket 296 pesos. There are also yellow vans that make the trip at 3:30 p.m.
Other Direction
- From Mahahual to Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancun : ADO outings Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 3:30 p.m. The yellow vans leave at 8am for Tulum.
- From Mahahual to Chetumal Airport : 1 ADO bus at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
- From Mahahual to Bacalar and Chetumal: Caribe ticket 90 pesos departures 6 a.m., 12 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. every day. Note that the minibus stops on the road at the entrance to Bacalar and then you have to take a taxi to your hotel. So I decided to take back the taxi service with Gabriel (whatsapp: 983 181 8348 ) 1000 pesos from my hotel in Mahahual to my hotel in Bacalar.
ADO and Caribe share the same terminal, which is really a simple stop on Cherna Street, at the corner of Calle Huachinango:
The yellow vans that go back and forth Tulum-Mahahual are very close, facing the football field:
My tip for buses
I did a lot of research on bus schedules before visiting Mahahual and the information was all different, both in terms of days and departure times.
You have to understand that Mahahual is far from being as touristy a destination as the Riviera Maya , so there aren’t a lot of bus routes…and the pandemic certainly hasn’t helped matters!
So be careful, it is important to confirm the schedules once there at the bus station or call the ADO customer service number: (0155) 5784-4652 or Mexico City 55 5784-4652
Where to eat in Mahahual?
I mostly ate at the beach clubs Pez Quadro, Yaya, Malecon 21 to enjoy the beach. I will not talk about it any longer since I have already detailed everything in point of the beach clubs of Mahahual. 😉
But there are two other restaurants in Mahahual worth checking out:
- The Tierra Verde vegan restaurant with a superb space on the 2nd floor of a house on the malecon
- The tortas (sandwiches) of the restaurant whose name I forgot on the corner of the bus station. When you arrive, the lady will probably hand you the menu, but ask her directly what the sandwiches are. It was a resident of Mahahual who recommended the place to me and it is true that they are not expensive, and very good!
Find your Flight
The majority of travelers land in Chetumal where the nearest airport to Mahahual is located (1h50 drive).
It is a small airport that mainly receives flights from Mexico City (2h), but also from Guadalajara, Belize City, Mérida, Cancun and (soon) Miami.
Personally, I took a Mexico-Chetumal flight with Aeromexico which is the most reliable and punctual company, but there are also slightly cheaper flights with Volaris and Viva Aerobus.
When to go to Mahahual?
There’s a simple rule for making the most of the beach in Mexico : avoid the rainy season from June to October.
- In June, July and August: it is very hot and humid, with generally more sargassum
- In August, September and October, rainfall is higher with the risk of hurricanes.
That being said, this is just a general rule. I was in Mahahual in October and the temperature was very pleasant, without a drop of rain.
The best time to visit Mahahual is from November to March. The months of April and May are also to be considered, but it is already much warmer. Up to you!
Mahahual Tourist Map
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