Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico

“A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking.”

Earl Wilson

Joe and I took a cruise on The Navigator of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) and went to beautiful Mexico in February. The cruise was excellent and the weather couldn't be more perfect. Our cruise stopped at both Costa Maya and Cozumel and they were both beautiful stops. This post is strictly highlighting Mexico's beautiful coast.

When we got to Costa Maya, we took a tour to the Chacchoben Ruins which were spectacular. See my past blog on that as the pictures say it all. After we finished with the tour, they offered to drop us at the coastal town of Mahahual. We still had plenty of time so we decided to go. It was a quaint village right on the ocean that at one time was just a sleepy fishing village. Couldn't you just imagine the fishermen going out in their small boats to catch fish to sell and to feed their families. We strolled down the road in the warm sunlight and looked at all the shops, bars, and restaurants with the nice coastal breeze blowing our way off the ocean. As we walked, the locals prompted us to come in and look around, get a drink, or something to eat. We stopped at a nice restaurant under a covered area up against the ocean and had a nice liquid refreshment and a good seafood lunch. It was interesting watching the waiters running back and forth across the street from the restaurant to the beach where we were being served. It took awhile to get our food, but we didn't care as we were on vacation. Sitting there relaxing, looking over at the beautiful turquoise ocean was so wonderfully perfect. That picture will stay in my mind for a long time.

As we headed to get our cab back to the port, we were walking straight at the Mahahual Lighthouse that looked so amazing being stark white with the brilliant blue sky behind it. This lighthouse stands at the end of the little village of Mahahual and stands 72 feet high. It is the southernmost lighthouse on the Caribbean coast and was built in 2006. Hurricane Dean in 2007, destroyed this area and the lighthouse keeper was killed. So sad to think of this area being desecrated. The lighthouse is now solar powered. What a nice place to stop before heading back to the ship. We hailed a taxi, agreed to a price, and went back to the port.

The port was interesting in that there were more shops to look around and the locals were bargaining like crazy as our ship was leaving soon. We sat and had a drink near the ship and watched to pool with the dolphins. Costa Maya was a great stop.

We also stopped at Cozumel which is where we did a snorkel and star fish gazing tour. They drove us past all the shops in Cozumel and out to the pier where we got our boat. They took us way out to the reef to see some very pretty fish. They guided us where it was good to see the fish. After that we went to see the starfish. It was amazing how many there were and the colors were fabulous. To end that tour they took us to a beach were you could get something to eat and drink and play in the sand. That was nice also. We really enjoyed our trip.

If you were ever thinking of going to Mexico and were not sure, just look at the beauty of their country. What a fabulous trip and we would love to go back. Viva la Mexico.