Cruising, Pyramids, and Port Shops

 

Cruising, Pyramids, and Port Shops

Last March we booked a seven-night cruise to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean. We’re not really the cruising type, or so we like to say, but this was with family and friends, and we knew it would be an enjoyable getaway. We boarded the MSC Seashore on Sunday August 31 and set sail for MSC Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, a private island owned by the cruise line. 

We were there for two days and I finally got that swim in the ocean that I have been yearning for. 

There is just something about swimming in the ocean that revives my soul. I feel at one with nature while floating in the ocean, free from the cares and weight of the world.

 I become almost childlike as I frolic on the beach and dive into the warm waters of the Caribbean. We spent two days on Ocean Cay walking the beaches, swimming in the lagoon, taking many pictures and videos, and enjoying food from the buffet which is provided by the cruise line. Once our time was up here it was time for a day at sea, skirting the coast of Cuba as we made our way to the Yucatan Peninsula.

We arrived in Costa Maya around 8 a.m. and met our tour guide Carlos at the port. I had booked an excursion with a company called Toucan Tours and they would be taking me, Susan, and Susan’s cousin Jennifer to the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins. We were taken by golf cart to the tour company, which is located outside the port area. While we waited were offered Tequila, Cerveza, Soft Drinks, and water. As it was just a little past 8 a.m. I politely declined the tequila and cerveza, opting for a bottle of water instead. In the spirit of honesty, I did let Carlos know that I’d be having that beer that he offered me once we were headed back to port. We loaded into a van, fifteen of us, plus our guide Carlos, and the driver. We left the port area on what was probably the roughest road I have ever encountered before turning onto the highway that took us for an hour-long ride through the Mexican countryside. We saw a lot of poverty and damage from recent tropical storms that swept over the Yucatan in 2024 and 2025. The poverty and property damage was heart breaking but there were also many roadside markets and taverns which added to the charm of the area.

Once we arrived at the Chacchoben Mayan Archeological Zone we took a few minutes to have some refreshments, stretch our legs, and browse the souvenir shops. I took this opportunity to purchase a permit which allowed me to shoot video of our tour and with permit in hand we were off. As we walked the pathways towards the ruins Carlos gave us the history of the area, its’ indigenous peoples, and the history of the Mayan pyramids, going into great detail about the construction as well as the lore behind the “coloring” of the pyramids, red from the blood of thousands of human sacrifices. We also learned about daily life of the Mayans and their use of local plants and herbs, which were used as medications. We chewed the leaves of clove trees and experiences their mouth numbing effect. We were guided to one of the lesser pyramids and had a few photo opportunities before making our way to the much larger pyramid at that site.

 I was able to climb the massive stone steps which, believe or not, were just the base upon which the larger pyramid was built.  It was neat exploring the area around the large pyramid, imagining what it must have been like to see it being constructed. I shot a little video of myself wandering the site, looking for monkeys, and scanning the horizon for natives. Before long it was time to meet up with my fellow travelers and make our way back to the bus for our cerveza and the trip back to port.

While we were on our way back to Costa Maya, we passed many roadside markets where locals were selling fresh pineapples, dragon fruit, mangoes, and freshly baked cakes. I think that every one of us on the bus bought some fruit and a few of us bought the cakes as well. Everything that we tasted from the roadside vendor was delicious!

Once we arrived back in Costa Maya we detoured to the Mahahual Ocean-side resort where Susan, Jennifer, and I enjoyed lunch while people watching. The resort area is very nice with boat rentals, scuba diving, sunbathing, and many bars and eateries. I took a short walk down the beach ans shot a few pictures before heading back to our departure point, arriving just as they were about to leave without me!

After a short ride back down that wash-board road to the port we exited the bus, thanking our guide and driver for the great time that we all had. And now for the part of the port excursion that was not a thrill for me. Many people never leave the port, opting instead to spend the day drinking at the many bars, dining at the local restaurants, or shopping. Yes, I said shopping. The entire port of Costa Maya was constructed solely as a port for cruise ships and someone figured out early on that there were no better customers than captive cruise ship passengers. The cruise lines even have seminars the day before arriving in port to give you shopping tips, pass out discount coupons, and sign you up for personal trips to the diamond merchants with a shopping advocate. When we arrived back at the port we were herded through what seemed to be endless diamond shops, facial cream dealers, and souvenir vendors. If there was a way to get back to the ship without being herded through retail hell I did not see it. As we walked through the endless shopping opportunities sales people would run up to us to ask what the strange fruits were that we carrying. After the third time that this happened I figured out that was just a way to get us to stop and talk, giving them an opportunity to lure us into their stores because after all, they obviously knew what the fruit was that we were carrying as they no doubt saw it hundreds of times a week, if not a day.

Well, we finally made our way through the many shops and arrived back at the ship where we had a well deserved nap before making our way to the upper deck to watch our good ship MSC Seashore depart the port of Costa Maya. Next stop, Cozumel.The morning after leaving Costa Maya, we woke to Cozumel rising out of the turquoise water. The port looked lively even from the ship—brightly painted buildings, the thrum of music carrying across the harbor, and vendors already setting up for the day.

Cozumel is one of those ports that feels like it was made for travelers. The island itself is rich in history and beauty, but the moment you step off the ship, you’re swept up in a kind of carnival atmosphere, street performers, guides calling out excursions, the scent of grilled food wafting through the salty air, and, of course, the diamond merchants, facial cream, and souvenir sellers beckoning at every step.

We had a little more freedom here than in Costa Maya, and that suited me fine. Our plan was simple: explore, find a free beach so that I could swim, maybe grab some of the local food, and soak in the island. We wandered through the waterfront, dodging mopeds and bicycles, taking in the color and energy. Every corner seemed to offer something—handmade crafts, silver jewelry, street food, and, of course, the ever-present tequila tastings.

What struck me most was the contrast between the bustling port, and the quieter stretches just a few blocks away. Step off the main drag and you find narrow streets shaded by bougainvillea, local families sitting outside their homes, children chasing a ball barefoot in the dust. It reminded me that Cozumel, for all its cruise traffic, is still a community of people living their lives, raising families, and doing their best to thrive.

We skipped lunch and after not finding a suitable beach we walked back toward the waterfront and spent some time just people-watching, the ocean glittering behind it all. Cozumel is a place that seems to hum with energy, and while I enjoyed the sights and sounds, I also found myself grateful for the steadying rhythm of the sea waiting back at the ship.

That evening, as the Seashore pulled away from the island, I stood at the rail again, watching the last bits of land fade. The sky turned shades of orange and purple, and I thought about how travel always leaves me torn—part of me wanting to stay and soak up more, part of me eager to see what’s next.