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Costa Maya Profile
Costa Maya begins where the major tourist areas of Cancun and Playa del Carmen end on the Yucatan Peninsula. Until very recently, Costa Maya was almost entirely overlooked by travelers and was dotted by a handful of small fishing villages.
The sleepy Costa Maya of old is still there, but the landscape is being rapidly transformed by the development of tourism and real estate. The construction of a deep-water cruise ship pier at Majahual in 2000 was a pivotal turning point. The influx of cruise ship passengers fueled the growth of Majahual (also spelled "Mahahual") and created opportunities for local tour operators. At the same time, investors and retirees began buying property in the area for vacation homes. Majahual is still a far cry from resort destinations up the coast, but development is gaining momentum.
In addition to lush tropical beauty, Costa Maya's two principle attractions are the spectacular coral reefs just offshore and some of the most accessible and well-preserved Mayan ruins in the region. The reefs near Majahual are an extension of the reef system that snakes along the coast of Central America beginning in Honduras. Scuba divers have enjoyed the reefs for decades, but the expansion of tourism has meant more divers, snorkelers, and sightseers.
Likewise, archaeologists were once the main visitors to the Mayan ruins at Chacchoben and Kohunlich. Today, however, both sites host thousands of tourists each year. Fortunately, Mexico takes the preservation of its Mayan past seriously. While tourists have ample access to the ruins, precautions have been taken to safeguard the ancient structures.
The development of Chacchoben is particularly fascinating. The excavation and restoration of the ruins was pushed forward largely by a single individual, Serviliano Cohuo. Of Mayan ancestry, Cohuo began farming around Chacchoben in the 1940s and devoted much of his life to protecting the complex. After his death, the National Institute of Anthropology and History undertook an extensive excavation effort. In 2002, Chacchoben was officially opened to the public under the protection of the government. Today, Cohuo's children continue their father's legacy, serving as leaders in the field of Mayan cultural preservation and historical tourism.
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