By John Sage

Home to some of the most wheelchair accessible Mayan ruins that you’ll find anywhere, the Costa Maya cruise port is a welcome destination for disabled cruise passengers.

Costa Maya wheelchair access is fairly good because the buildings are so new and the region is flat.  The challenge is that because everything is so new (the cruise pier was only built in 2001), accessibility services are not well-developed.  Specifically there are no wheelchair accessible vans in the region.

I gave Costa Maya disabled access a 3 Star Sage Accessibility Rating because there is step-free access to exit the pier and exit the port.  It did not get a higher rating because there is no wheelchair accessible transportation and the main tourist attractions are not within walking/rolling distance.

View Costa Maya accessible shore excursions

Best Aspects of Costa Maya Disabled Access

Accessible cruise pier – Although it received hurricane damage in the past, the Costa Maya cruise pier has been rebuilt, and there is step-free access to exit the pier and exit the port.

Flat Terrain – Unlike Jamaica, St. Thomas, San Juan, and St. Maarten, this port contains no hills or steep ramps.

Can view ancient ruins, wildlife & nature, and local culture in a single day – In many Caribbean ports, you need to choose your interests because long distances separate the attractions and activities.  In Costa Maya, it’s possible to book a Costa Maya accessible shore excursion that visits all of these.

Accessible Mayan ruins – The Chacchoben Mayan ruins are more wheelchair friendly than the more famous Tulum ruins near Cozumel. Grass and dirt paths without steps (shown below) lead through most of the site.

Wheelchair friendly promenade in town of Majahual – While there is a beach close to the cruise pier (shown on the left), Costa Maya Mexico disabled access is better in the town of Majahual where a flat, smooth promenade runs along the sand (shown on the right).

Worst Aspects of Costa Maya Disabled Access

Trolley on pier is not accessible – Exiting the pier requires walking/rolling 600 meters because the trolley provided by the cruise lines (shown on the right) is not wheelchair accessible.

Tourist trap commercial port – The Costa Maya cruise port is a 10 acre commercial venture owned by the cruise lines. Many people feel it is an artificial Mexican experiences and overpriced (e.g. Carlos & Charlie’s with waiters blowing whistles trying to get you to take $11 shots).  My recommendation is that you spend time outside of the commercial port to experience the beaches and accessible Mayan ruins.

No wheelchair accessible vans in the town or port – There is no public transportation or private transportation with a wheelchair ramp in the region.

Bumpy ground inside port area – Inside the port, the ground is flat but is not entirely smooth.  There are large concrete blocks that are joined by some rough spots (shown on the right).

Transportation or long walk to private tours – The cruise lines don’t offer any accessible shore excursions and they don’t let private shore excursions pick up in the cruise port.  If you book a tour with us, we can get permission for the vehicle to pick you up at the cruise port gate eliminating a 600 yard walk/roll (shown in the photos below).

Transportation required to beach clubs– Costa Maya disabled access requires transportation to reachthe beach clubs.  Otherwise the accessible walk/roll route is 2.5 miles long (shown below).

View Costa Maya accessible shore excursions