Mahahual alternatives

Mahahual is a small fishing village in the south of the state of Quintana Roo. Tourism here is still alternative, far from the giant hotels of Cancun. Here are some Mahahual alternatives.

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 pools and a section reserved for children (mini slides and pool). Perfect to spend half a day there!  Open from 8am to 5pm 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. It’s a 5 min walk from the Costa Maya port.

Mahahual alternatives: Going fishing

There really is something for everyone, from casting, to trolling, to deep sea and inshore fishing. The best way to enjoy fishing in Mahahual is to rent a boat with a certified guide for a half-day or a full day. You will find mostly mahi mahi, barracuda, amberjack, grouper, snapper and king mackerel. Don’t forget your sunscreen! Some trips include refreshments and snacks, others do not.

Rancho Km5

On the way from Chetumal airport to Mahahual, Gabriel, our cab driver, recommended us to make a short stop at Rancho Km5. This is a family business that started 10 years ago. They dry their peppers on the spot and prepare a dozen different sauces based on chile habanero.  Now everyone knows them in the region because their products are very good!

Bacalar

One hour and 15 minutes from Mahahual is Bacalar, a small town known for its beautiful freshwater lagoon called the Lagoon of the 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 one day from Mahahual.

If you plan to spend a day in Bacalar, take the catamaran excursion on the Lagoon of the 7 Colors in the morning (departure at 11am, lasts about 3 hours), then take a day pass to have access to the lagoon the rest of the day. You could also do the opposite by starting with the day pass and then taking the 3pm catamaran trip.

Mahahual alternatives: Xcalak

If you like off-the-beaten-track places, 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.

You can do sport fishing (only no-kill), snorkeling and diving for all levels at the Arrecifes de Xcalak National Park, which is part of the Mesoamerican coral reef.  Or take a kayak tour 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 area or just enjoy the beach.