Day 11: Costa Maya - Cold Morning!

We sail into Costa Maya 30 minutes behind schedule and dock around 7:30am.  The Captain makes an announcement since we arrived 30 minutes late, that he would extend our stay here by 30 minutes.  We have to be back on the ship by 5pm.  No problem.

Costa Maya:  Located on the Mexican Caribbean coast of the state of Quintana Roo, an hour north of Belize and 200 miles south of Cancun.  The language is Spanish with varying degrees of English spoken.  The currency is Mexican Peso (MXN).  US Dollar is widely accepted in the port complex.  During the summer, Costa Maya is hot and tropical with average high temps in the 80s.  Between December and February, the temperature can dip to the 60s during the day.

Do you see that part about 60 degrees?  Well that’s the temperature this morning as we arrived into port.  It was a chilly morning.  Many folks were leaving the ship with their jackets on.  Hubby decides to wear his as well.  We decide to wait an hour.  Let the majority of the cruising crowd leave before us and wait for the temperatures to get 1 degree warmer.

We leave the ship and it takes a few minutes to walk along the dock and get to the terminal.  My goal is to walk a quickly along the pier and then get into sunshine.  Along the way, a young couple asks me to take their picture for them.  Yes, I can.  Six snaps later (because I want them to happy with the beautiful background), they are happy with the results and go their merry way.

Did I mention that the average age on this 6-day cruise is remarkably lower than the previous 8-day cruise?  Like way below our age?  Lots of younger couples, young families with kids (we’re seeing a lot of munchkins on the ship), and young single folks.

For those of you who stumble into the water, the pier has a few of these rings ready for you.  Love the wood stand:


Here we are at the Costa Maya cruise terminal.  Young fellow cruisers figuring out where to go and what to do on this beautiful island:


Some cruisers were taking advantage of a photo op.  Pretty scary folks:


There’s plenty of hats to be found here.  Also serapes for the cold temperature we’re experiencing right now:


Don’t forget the touristy gifts for folks back home in the US:


Now I know what they do with cars and trucks that do not run anymore…use them for store fronts:


If you are tired of eating the ship’s food, there are plenty of places to catch a meal here:


If you are thirsty, this place sells coconut water.  See the coconuts on their counter?  Stick a straw in and you are good to go:


Interesting decorations along the way:


Plenty of loungers and sand:


A huge pool with swim up bar:


A huge wall of various brands and age of Tequila:


Eventually, you will come across some wildlife other than fellow cruisers…pink flamingos:


Another dining venue near the pool:


It’s been a year since we were in Costa Maya.  Within 12 months, the owner has made many improvements to the cruise terminal.  For the better.

Next up?  The beach town of Mahahual!