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We just wanted a hammock. I didnt want to compare or bargain or haggle...some people are good about that, I'm horrible at it. But I really wanted one. so we looked, on the beach street for some hammocks from the vendors. One big enough for two.....ends up the big enough ones are nylon and I don't want nylon. So he nice, really nice man points to the cotton ones, which ARE a bit smaller...for 30 dolllars. I wanted a bigger one, so I wanted to look more. He came down to 25 and I told him 'muchas gracias, yo quiero algo mas grande" and then he made an easy sale to me for 20 dollars. We both COULD fit, but for one person, ummmmmmmm heaven!
Updated Ocrober 2007. most of the shops are still closed after Hurricane dean, but there is still a little shopping.
Updated Nov 15, 2007
Address: Right on the beach road-across from the beach
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Ask anyone and they'll tell you the beach road is is bad shape. Actually we found it much nicer than expected. You have to drive slow due to some potholes, narrow roads and bends in the road, but if you want to see some beauty, all you have to do is take a drive
Updated 2007. after hurricane dean the beach road is in great shape. a drive now can show you what is left of the damage and how quickly nature can recover.
Updated Nov 15, 2007
Mahahual is a top destination in Quintana Roo Mexico. It lies 400m away paralel to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef (The second biggest barrier reef in the planet) it is one of the most beautiful and better conserved reef ecosystems. Scuba diving here is great and u wont be able to visit every dive site. If u are not certified either learn to scuba or just snorkel but do not miss the opportunity of doing it. There are several dive operators that will take u on this sport trip.
Enjoy it!
Raf
Written May 3, 2007
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Although we found the town of Xcalak to look a bit deserted, when you hit the beach, the coast line is stunning and the people are friendly. This is an amazing place for beauty, scuba, access to the Chinchorro Reef by charter, and fantastic seclusion.
XTC dive center in Xcalak has been doing what they do for years--what a beatiful place.
Updated Apr 8, 2007
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On our way back, I spot a young girl, alone, her long raven hair floating, walking her feet in the water. I take a picture. Further away, a little barge, half-broken, is abandoned but in a frame of palm trees… We are also looking for seashells and corals. They will be our souvenirs. Back at Costa Maya, I am forcing myself to take a look at the shops but don’t buy anything. After taking a look at the beach (which is very small and didn‘t look inviting), we decided it was time to go back to the ship, just on time for the ice cream buffet.
Written Jan 29, 2005
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At the door of the Costa Maya complex, we are greeted by someone dressed as a Mayan warrior. That is where I begin having serious suspicion. Once inside, it is confirmed: we are in the ultimate tourist trap. The whole thing is modeled on a resort with shops (and luring vendors), restaurants, bars, a swimming pool and a small artificial beach. It may be ok with tourists (and I am sure they will be satisfied by what they can find at Costa Maya) but not for us. I find it heartbreaking in fact and cannot wait to get out of there. So, we will walk to Majahual.
The road to Majahual is a whole lot of nothing but it’s also quite exciting. You feel like being an explorer. A narrow path of yellow dirt (sand) is waving between the vegetation and the sea. It is deserted, although men are not far away (and there is a road not far away), almost halfway there, we come across a Mexican Navy base, it seems almost abandoned. The coast is lovely but I would not say unspoiled since you can find plastic bags or a plastic bottle. It’s a shame, but the clean places are lovely and have a rugged charm that is so hard to find in most popular port-of-calls.
The locals are working very hard to keep the place clean so, be considerate and keep this piece of paradise beautiful.
Written Jan 29, 2005
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After a nice 25 minutes walk, we arrive at Majahual (or Mahahual, spelling varies). Guys, it is not Cancun. It is a tiny fishermen village with one dirt main road, a couple of snack-bars-restaurant, the inevitable Beetle car… It is the real Mexico, poor but trying to get by. Some fellow cruisers sit on terraces and sip a Corona. Villagers are taking advantage of Costa Maya… even if it’s hard for most cruisers to walk all the way there. Vendors are selling jewelry and are not too pushy. They hopefully haven’t learnt the way of their big cities counterparts. I wish we could sit and have a drink, I’d rather spend my money here than in Costa Maya but Justin feels uncomfortable. He will admit he doesn’t feel at ease around poverty. I can’t blame him. It’s always a bit uneasy the first times. But I am glad we made the walk all the way there.
Written Jan 29, 2005
That morning, as I go on deck to get my breakfast, I am faced with an awesome view. We are at Costa Maya, a brand new pier on the Riviera Maya. We are in the middle of nowhere! There is a stretch of...
Much more than a cruise stop-MUCH more
don't be afraid to visit---the road to recovery after Hurricane Dean is is full swing! Great progress--and the water is still amazing. We had been meaning to go to Mahahual for a while, but kept...
There is a large cruise ship pier at Puerto Costa Maya replete with tourist shops at the end, but if you choose to take a taxi into town, you will find a sand road through the jungle along the coast...
Build your own Majahual page
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