Popular Beach Clubs In Costa Maya: A Cruiser's Guide

The Costa Maya cruise terminal doesn't have a beach. The port is built on a mangrove channel, so the nearest sand is in Mahahual — a $4–5 taxi ride away, or a free shuttle on some itineraries. That's where most of the beach clubs are, and where most cruisers end up spending their day.

If you want fewer people and a quieter stretch of coast, there are smaller clubs spread south of Mahahual. Go further inland and you reach Bacalar Lagoon — a freshwater lake ringed with beach clubs about an hour from port. Same general vibe as a beach day, but on calm, clear lagoon water instead of the Caribbean.

Here's what's available across all three areas:

What We'll Cover In This Guide:

• How to choose the best Costa Maya beach club
• Best Beach Clubs in Costa Maya
• Mahahual Beach Clubs
• Beach clubs south of Mahahual
• Bacalar Lagoon beach clubs
• More Costa Maya Adventures to Explore
• Planning Your Costa Maya Beach Day

How to choose the best Costa Maya beach club

The main decision is how far you're willing to travel from the port. Mahahual clubs are closest — 10 to 20 minutes — and good if you want to minimize logistics or combine a beach day with a walk around town. The clubs south of Mahahual take 30+ minutes but come with noticeably fewer people, especially mid-week.

Bacalar Lagoon is a different proposition entirely. It's about 75 minutes from port, so you're spending real time on transit — but the lagoon itself (freshwater, multiple shades of turquoise, ringed by jungle) is unlike any Caribbean beach. It rewards the early decision-maker: go in knowing that's your plan, not as a fallback.

Within each area, the main differentiators are:

• All-inclusive vs. à la carte pricing
• Whether transport is included or you arrange separately
• Capacity limits (some clubs cap guests — worth knowing before you show up)
• Activity options beyond lounging (snorkel gear, kayaks, water sports)

Best Beach Clubs in Costa Maya

The best Costa Maya beach clubs are spread along its 60 miles of coastline, so we've split them into three categories:

• Mahahual Beach Clubs: Closest to the cruise port — 10 to 20 minutes by taxi or shuttle.
• Beach Clubs South of Mahahual: More remote, less crowded — around 30 minutes from port.
• Bacalar Lagoon Beach Clubs: Inland on a freshwater lake — about 75 minutes each way.

Mahahual Beach Clubs

Mahahual is the closest town to the Costa Maya cruise port, just a couple of miles away. The beach here is genuinely good — wide, white sand, calm enough for swimming without gear. While you're in the area, the Malecón (the oceanfront boardwalk starting at the lighthouse) is worth a short walk: restaurants, small shops, and a more local atmosphere than you'll find in the port complex itself.

Malecón 21 Beach Club

Malecón 21 Beach Club is right in the center of Mahahual and has some of the best food in town. The vibe leans Tulum — neutral colors, macramé, lampshades made from coconut palms — and it works well with the beach setting. A natural pool formed by the nearby reef and rocks gives you a shaded place to cool off without fighting the surf.

Packages include sunbeds, Wi-Fi, and a food-and-drink allowance. It's a 2022 Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice winner, and reviews consistently mention the food and service over just the beach itself — which is a good sign.

El Faro Beach Club

Located just minutes from the cruise port, El Faro Beach Club is the most convenient all-inclusive option if you want to minimize transit. Guests arrive to a complimentary margarita and have unlimited tropical cocktails, beer, and soft drinks throughout the stay.

The club has comfortable loungers and shaded areas, snorkeling gear, and water sports equipment for the reef just offshore. Wi-Fi and showers are included. For cruisers who want a guaranteed relaxed day without coordinating transport, El Faro is a reliable pick.

Yaya Beach

Another centrally-located Mahahual spot is Yaya Beach Club, easily spotted by the sugar skull on its sign. The food menu is broader than most beach clubs — Mexican, vegetarian, vegan, and some Italian options — which matters if you're traveling with picky eaters.

Beach cabana beds with curtains or standard chairs under palapa shade, both available. The water here is shallow with a gentle current, good for kids and non-swimmers. Standard and deluxe packages available, both including food, drinks, and a lounger.

Ibiza Sunset Beach Club

A short drive from port, Ibiza Sunset Beach Club is an all-inclusive option with an open bar and a restaurant focused on Mexican staples: fish tacos, ceviche, burritos. The service is notably attentive for the size of the place. Good choice if you want something reliable and close without the full commitment of a longer excursion.

Nacional Beach Club

The Nacional Beach Club is distinctive in its design — colorful mosaics, thatched-roof bungalows — and sits in the center of Mahahual, making it easy to combine with a short walk around town before or after settling in.

Once you're on one of the teal-cushioned sun beds with ceviche and cocktails coming to you, it's hard to argue for going anywhere. Kayaks and snorkel gear available. Another 2022 Tripadvisor Traveller's Choice pick. Also worth noting: it's on the smaller side, which keeps the atmosphere manageable even on busy cruise days.

Pez Quadro Beach Club

One of the most popular clubs on the beach, and for good reason. Pez Quadro has relaxed, chic vibes — comfortable loungers on white sand, smooth water, and consistently good food and drinks. You can also arrange a sea fishing trip, snorkeling excursion, or massage on-site.

Located directly on the Mahahual beachfront, the commute from port is short and logistics are simple. Unlimited drinks and lunch included.

Beach clubs south of Mahahual

The coast south of Mahahual is largely undeveloped — the further you go, the more remote the beach. These clubs trade convenience for atmosphere: fewer cruise ship passengers, more personal service, and beaches that actually feel private.

Maya Chan Beach Club

Maya Chan Beach Club is the most talked-about beach club in Costa Maya, and its reputation is earned. The food is prepared by local cooks using fresh ingredients, the cocktails are strong and plentiful, and the setting is as close to a private beach as you'll find this side of a charter boat.

Important logistical note: Maya Chan is reservation-only and fills weeks in advance on popular cruise ship days. If you're on a large ship (Royal Caribbean, Carnival, MSC) and want Maya Chan, book as soon as your itinerary is confirmed — not the week before departure. You can book through our beach excursions page to secure your spot.

Almaplena Beach Resort

The Almaplena Beach Resort is about 30 minutes from port along the main highway. It's primarily a hotel, but opens its beach club to cruise passengers — and deliberately caps day-pass guests at 25 people. If you're looking to genuinely escape the crowds from the ship, this is one of the more effective ways to do it.

Wood-and-palapa cabanas, a shaded restaurant with ocean views, a small pool, and direct access to snorkeling on the Meso-American Barrier Reef. The intimacy of the place means service is attentive in a way that larger beach clubs can't match.

Hayhu Beach Club

About 30 minutes south of port, Hayhu Beach Club sits backed by Mexican jungle with nothing around it but sea and open air. It's intimate, peaceful, and has one of the better kitchens of any beach club in the area — reviewers regularly single out the food.

Kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkel gear available for exploring the reef offshore. Kite boarding lessons can be arranged in advance. Packages available for couples and groups up to ten, including private options worth considering for special occasions or family trips.

Bacalar Lagoon beach clubs

Bacalar Lagoon — sometimes called the "Lake of Seven Colors" — is freshwater, not ocean, which means glassy, very clear water without the salt and currents of the Caribbean coast. The colors do shift depending on depth and light: everything from pale jade in the shallows to deep cobalt in the channel. The beach clubs here have a different atmosphere from the coast — quieter, more laid-back, with a mix of travelers and weekending Mexicans from Chetumal.

It's about 75 minutes each way from the Costa Maya cruise port, so commit to it as a full-day plan. Our Bacalar Lagoon catamaran excursions include transport and make the logistics easy.

Bacalar Beach Club

Bacalar Beach Club is found a couple of miles south of Bacalar town and is the most popular spot on the lake. Modern, sleek facilities: beach chairs, an infinity pool, and direct lagoon access. Food and drinks are à la carte, which keeps the entry price reasonable — figure on paying extra for what you consume.

The DJ nights here make it a real day-to-night venue if your ship's departure allows. Worth checking ahead if you want a specific setup — it can fill up on weekends and popular cruise days.

Bertilla & Luciano Lagoon Beach Club

Nestled along the lagoon, Bertilla & Luciano Lagoon Beach Club is the Italian-run option — overwater cabanas, hammocks, sunbeds, and a restaurant specializing in homemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and fresh seafood. It's a more unusual combination than it sounds: the food is genuinely good, and the overwater cabanas over turquoise lagoon water are hard to beat for the photo and the experience.

Kayak and paddleboard rentals available. Quieter and more personal than the main Bacalar Beach Club, with a distinctly different vibe.

More Costa Maya excursions to consider

If a beach day isn't what you're after — or you have a partner who wants something different — Costa Maya has more options than most Caribbean ports.

For first-time snorkelers or divers, the Costa Maya Discovery Dive puts you on the Meso-American Barrier Reef with a guide — the world's second largest reef system, with coral formations and tropical fish that rival anything in the Caribbean.

For history, the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins excursion is an hour from port and consistently one of the highest-rated shore excursions in Costa Maya. Most first-timers expect Chichen Itza-scale crowds and find something more intimate instead. See our Chacchoben visitor's guide for the full picture.

Planning your Costa Maya beach day

A few practical notes before you go:

• Book Maya Chan and Almaplena early — both cap guests, and popular ship days sell out weeks in advance
• Transport: Mahahual clubs are $4–5 by taxi from the port; some clubs include a shuttle. Confirm before you book
• Bring cash for tips — beach club staff work hard and tips aren't always included even in all-inclusive packages
• Sunscreen: The Mexican sun is genuinely strong. Reef-safe is required at most clubs near the barrier reef
• Pack a bag: Towel, change of clothes if you're swimming, and a dry bag for your phone if you're doing water activities
• Check port departure time carefully — Bacalar Lagoon clubs are an hour away each direction; the math matters