EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Embark on a vibrant journey to discover the profound significance of corn in Mexican culture and daily life. Begin your adventure with a sacred Nahual Blessing Ceremony, a magical experience that brings harmony to your spirit. Uncover the rich versatility of corn as you learn various cooking techniques, transforming the same ingredients into distinct flavors. Pick fresh vegetables and chiles, from Shaman’s Garden, then craft traditional dishes like “Esquites,” hand-pressed tortillas for quesadillas and huaraches, and homemade red and green salsas. Get ready to immerse your hands in authentic Mexican culinary traditions!

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn traditional cooking with the corner stone of Mexican cuisine.
• Participate in a traditional Nahual chaman welcoming ceremony.
• Learn to prepare several traditional Mexican dishes in a hands-on experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a leisurely day in the low-key village of Mahahual with plenty of time to relax on its magnificent golden beach. Once a fishing village known mostly to locals, Mahahual has grown to become a much more popular seaside destination, yet it hasn’t lost its casual appeal. As you will discover, the soaring white lighthouse is wonderfully photogenic, especially with the large colorful letters spelling “MAHAHUAL” as a backdrop. You will also stop at Tequila Hacienda for a tasting of Mexico’s national drink. As the bartender will explain, tequila can only be made from Blue Weber agave, a succulent plant with sharp blue-green leaves. You might sample a white tequila, an amber añejo tequila and a caramel-flavored reposado aged in oak barrels. Free time at the beach follows, during which you can do most anything you please. The water is typically calm and crystal-clear, which makes a refreshing swim even more inviting.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the village of Mahahual, which is known for its casual ambiance.
• Snap photos at the lighthouse and enjoy a tasting of several characteristic tequilas.
• Spend time relaxing at the golden beach that rims Mahahual.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel, hat and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Do you want to learn to make authentic Mexican salsas and guacamole? Learn how to Salsa dance? Relax on a beautiful beach and drink margaritas? Then this is the tour for you! Travel to a beachfront restaurant with beautiful views of the Caribbean and participate in some of Mexico’s most beloved traditions. Your guide will take you through the steps of making authentic Mexican salsas and guacamole during a hands-on cooking class. Slice and dice your fresh ingredients then taste your creations with tortilla chips.

You’ll be given the recipes to take home with you. Quench your thirst with complimentary margaritas, Mexican beer, or flavored waters. Afterwards, your guide will show you how to step, sway, and get into the groove of Latin America’s most famous dance - the Salsa! Follow step-by step instructions and you’ll soon be ready for the dance floor. After your dance class, you’ll have free time to relax in the sun, swim in the sea and enjoy the beach facilities. You will be transported to the ship once the tour ends.

A must for nature lovers, this adventure presents the natural wonders within the Bacalar Lagoon; spectacularly picturesque and full of wildlife. Your exploration will begin aboard a four-person raft that the guide will navigate through the freshwater Bacalar Lagoon. Protected on all sides by thick mangrove forest, the waters of the pristine lagoon are typically as smooth as glass and every imaginable shade of blue and green. The ever-changing hues are so captivating that the waterway is known as the Lagoon of Seven Colors. The setting is also extraordinarily serene, as no motorized boats are permitted on the lagoon. As you glide along, you can expect to see all sorts of wildlife, especially water birds. In time, you will stop for lunch and enjoy free time to wander about on your own. The water doesn't just look inviting, it is wonderfully refreshing and ideal for swimming. Lunch includes a delicious Mexican lunch: one panucho, one salbute, and one empanada per guest. One glass of sparkling wine during the ride.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise around the glass-smooth Bacalar Lagoon in a four-person raft.
• Take in the gorgeous scenery, as the guide points out the flora and fauna.
• Stop for lunch and a refreshing swim during free time.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring a swimsuit, towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Costa Maya is home to the 2nd largest coral reef system in the world and offers much to explore beneath the surface of the sea. A short transfer from the pier you’ll find the colorful Mayan fishing village of Mahahual and a beautiful beach where you will begin your adventure. Board your glass-bottom boat and head out over the iridescent waters of the Caribbean. Take in the panoramic view of colorful coral reef formations and tropical fish as you travel over a beautiful reef area.

Once you admire the reef from above, jump in and follow your certified guide past colorful fish and coral formations on an inspiring snorkel tour. The small group size ensures personal attention so you can relax and discover the wonders of the underwater world with your helpful guides nearby. Afterwards you will have time to enjoy on the beach before returning to the ship.

Drive a Jeep Renegade through Costa Maya’s roads to discover the perfect combination of lush jungle, turquoise blue sea, isolated terrain and white sand beaches where you’ll enjoy a Mexican lunch. Hop into your Jeep (4 per car) and caravan through the quiet fishing village of Mahahual to see to see for yourself the striking natural beauty and character of the area! Hold on to your hats as you head along the coast on a bumpy off-road adventure. You will encounter endless stretches of beach spotted with small fishing villages and view a side of the Caribbean that most visitors never get to see. After an hour drive down the coastline you’ll arrive at Explora Beach. The white powder sand and the isolated atmosphere make it a perfect spot to relax and forget the world you’ve left behind. Enjoy a Mexican lunch prepared especially for you then swim in the clear blue water, stroll down the shore Drive back through the exotic terrain until you reach the pier. Tour includes bottled water, soda and lunch on the beach. All Jeeps are automatic. There will be 4 guests per Jeep. Please note that certain medical / age restrictions apply on this tour.

Kayak through the crystal-clear waters off the fishing village of Mahahual and then relax at a private beach club that sits on a spectacular stretch of sugar-white sand.

After departing from the pier, you will soon arrive at a beach club in Mahahual, a small fishing village rimmed by sugary, white sand beaches and clear turquoise seas. It’s an ideal, laid-back setting for the leisurely kayaking experience that awaits you.

Upon boarding the two-person kayak, you will head out into the crystal-clear water and enjoy a unique perspective of the coastline and the wonders below through the kayak’s clear bottom. Feel free to paddle along at your own pace, taking in the sights that interest you the most.

Looking back from the typically calm sea, you will gaze out over an idyllic tropical landscape, huge stretches of pristine sand, and coconut palms swaying in the breeze. This is Mexico at its purest, a natural paradise where nothing more ambitious than relaxing is expected of you.

Following your kayaking adventure, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the white sands of the beach club. A complimentary plate of fresh fruit and an icy beverage will provide a great welcome, after which you may relax however your please.

You might take a refreshing swim in the Caribbean, meander along the beach, lie in the sun and admire the tropical scenery or simply sit in the shade with a good book. You may even spend some time shopping before returning to the pier.