Puerta Maya Cruise Port: Stay-at-the-Port Guide for Cruisers
When you sail from the Port of Galveston, most likely you’ll have Cozumel as one of your port destinations and either Puerta Maya, International, or Punta Langosta as your cruise port terminal.
I have to admit, I like Cozumel, and I’m sure you will too, because you can enjoy Cozumel without excursions!.
There is a lot to see and do in Cozumel, even if you don’t officially book excursions on your own or with the cruise ship.
As a Certified Galveston Island Pro and Caribbean Destination Specialist, I am going to share an in-depth guide for Galveston cruise travelers visiting the Western Caribbean who want to stay within the Puerta Maya cruise center without booking excursions.
I’ll also provide options near the Puerta Maya cruise port, just in case you choose to visit one of Cozumel’s private beach clubs.
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Where is the Puerta Maya Cruise Port in Cozumel?
If you are familiar with downtown San Miguel, the Puerta Maya cruise port is about a 15-minute taxi ride away.
The unique and convenient part about having Puerta Maya on your cruise itinerary is that when you arrive, you are close to shops and restaurants, so no excursions are needed!
You are literally situated right in the middle of a gated cruise village with excursion-free entertainment on the southwestern coast of Cozumel.
My recent cruise with Regal Princess docked here overnight as our first port stop, but don’t worry, if you cruise from Galveston with Carnival Cruises, MSC, and Norwegian (NCL), you’ll likely dock here too (check your itinerary for how long, though).
Even Royal Caribbean might dock here if the International Cruise Port is full.
Why the Puerta Maya Cruise Port is Ideal if You Skip Excursions
I enjoyed Puerta Maya because many other cruise ports require additional transportation (to get to shops, activities, restaurants, and even to get ashore (think tender boats, etc.).
Not so with Puerta Maya!
Here’s why:
- You can to everything in the cruise center
- No need for additional travel arrangements
- Modern and clean
- Gated, so it’s a safe environment for cruisers
- Ideal for all types of travelers (solo, seniors, families, and first-time cruisers)
- Close to the cruise ship (be back on time for “all aboard”)
Designed for Walkable, Stress-Free Port Days
When you leave the gangway to disembark (exit your cruise ship), you’ll see pedicabs that travel up and down the pier to transport cruisers (for a tip – USD cash accepted).
You’ll decide whether you want to walk the pier or ride a pedicab to the DuFry (duty-free store).
After walking through the DuFry, you’ll see the Puerta Maya cruise center (village), and that:
- No taxis are needed (unless you choose to go to beach clubs or excursions near the Puerta Maya Cruise Port).
- There are wheelchair friendly walkways
- You’ll find rest areas with benches and shade.
- Walkways are paved, flat, shaded, and stroller-friendly (comfortable shoes are still a must, because, believe me, you will walk a lot!).
- There are signs (in Cozumel, Spanish and English are spoken and written). So, you’ll know where you’re going, what you’re doing, what you’re paying, what you’re eating, and where the restrooms are.
This is especially important and appeals to:
- Older travelers
- First-time cruisers
- Solo cruisers
- Families of all sizes and ages, including those with multi-generational family members
- Anyone who has mobility challenges or concerns
The Puerta Maya cruise port is perfect for cruises with overnight port calls because you can easily come and go to and from the ship without having to plan transportation back to the pier.
Puerta Maya Cruise Port Layout and What to Expect
After you exit the DuFry, you’ll see and appreciate that the cruise center has an open-air shopping plaza layout with walkways that are wide enough for wheelchairs, strollers, mobility scooters, and large crowds.
Because of the open-air concept, you’ll be able to see beautiful ocean views with lots of opportunities to take pictures and selfies.
A popular spot for pictures and selfies alike is the Puerta Maya Cozumel sign, which is to the far left of the port, and has cruise ship(s) in the background.
You’ll also see that some of the best pictures will be of the Mayan Ruins replica in the cruise center. They look authentically like Mayan Ruins.
There are local Mayan dancers and Mariachi bands that are equally great opportunities to snap photos of, but be aware that if you ask one of the cruise center workers to take a photo for you or of you, you may be expected to tip for the service.
Shops, Restaurants, Seating, and Shade
You’ll find:
- Dozens of shops with jewelry and souvenirs
- Restaurants to relax and sit, and for casual dining
- Shaded areas for sitting
- Frozen drink stands
Restrooms, Wi-Fi, and Accessibility
- At the Puerta Maya cruise center, the restrooms are clean and well-maintained
- There are free and paid Wi-Fi areas in shops, restaurants, and cafes
- If you have accessibility needs, the paved walkways are spacious and are also great for strollers.
Shopping at the Puerta Maya Cruise Port
The Puerta Maya cruise center is made for shopping, and if you don’t want to spend any money…window shopping as well.
What to Buy
There are some popular tourist items and souvenirs that you can buy.
Things like:
- Mexican blown glass
- Ceramics that are hand-painted
- Talavera pottery
- Mexican silver jewelry
- Leather goods, like handbags and belts
- T-shirts, hats, beachwear, and other apparel
- Vanilla
- Chocolate
Prices, Bargaining, and Payment Tips
While you are window shopping, shopping, and purchasing, keep in mind:
- U.S. dollars are widely accepted
- Credit cards are commonly used
- Light and polite bargaining is welcomed and accepted in smaller shops
Galveston cruiser tip: Prices are negotiable and can be politely bargained. If you want the best price, try midday. Usually, after the disembarkation rush from the ship clears, you can lightly price-bargain in the non-chain shops.
Restaurants and Food at the Puerta Maya Cruise Port
Another great thing about staying at the port is that you don’t need an excursion in order to enjoy great food in Cozumel, and the Puerta Maya cruise center proves that.
Best Menu Items to Try:
If you choose to eat in the Puerta Maya cruise center, here are some of the best menu items to try:
- Pozole is a traditional, mildly seasoned hominy-made soup, usually with chicken or pork. It’s served with onion, shredded cabbage, chiles, radishes, and can either have a white, green, or red soup base, and is topped with limes, diced avocado, and sour cream.
- Ceviche can be made with either fish or shrimp and is cooked in lime juice and other seasonings. It is served chilled.
- Cochinita Pibil is slow-roasted pork, cooked until tender, and is served in either a taco or torta, often plated with rice and beans.
- Aguas Frescas is served chilled and is non-alcoholic, made from fruits that are unfiltered and blended with water, sugar, and other flavors.
Lunch vs Dinner (Overnight Stay Tips)
If you’re on a cruise and you’re docked late or overnight, the Puerta Maya cruise center starts to wind down a bit and gets quieter in the afternoon, which would be ideal if you want to have a relaxed, early dinner before you head back to the ship.
Again, most restaurants will widely accept major credit cards if you’d prefer not to pay in U.S. dollars or don’t have Mexican pesos.
Safety Tips for Staying at the Puerta Maya Cruise Port
Staying at the Puerta Maya cruise center is one of the best and safest ways to enjoy Cozumel independently as a solo cruiser, or as a way to break away from your travel party.
Because you’re so close to the ship, if the weather changes, it’ll be easy to return to the ship early.
Helpful Safety Tips:
- Stay hydrated (bring and keep a refillable water bottle handy) or drink bottled water
- Keep your valuables secure
- Keep small bills for tipping and purchasing
- Not only do you want to be safe, you want marine life to be safe and conserved as well, so use mineral-free, reef-safe sunscreen
- Keep an eye on your ship’s all-aboard time to prevent missing boarding or the unexpected when trying to stay on schedule. Even though you are close to the ship and staying at the port, time flies when you’re having fun, and you could still easily miss returning to the ship on time.
Best Time of Day to Enjoy the Puerta Maya Cruise Port
Morning: Typically, it’s quieter, the weather is cooler, and there tend to be fewer crowds
Midday: The atmosphere is livelier than in the morning because more people have disembarked from the ship, but you can find the best shopping deals because the initial disembarking crowd (usually around mid-morning) has dwindled down a bit.
Late Afternoon: Because it’s a little more relaxed since most cruisers are settled, disembarked, and on adventures, you can easily enjoy the cruise center and reboard with fewer crowds.
Insider Tip: If your cruise ship itinerary is docking early in Puerta Maya and you want to have an early day schedule, think about enjoying the cruise center first, and then coming back to the ship for lunch onboard. If you decide that you want to explore a little more, another alternative could be to split your time and go back out after an onboard lunch so that you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon ashore.
Sample No-Excursion Puerta Maya Cruise Port Day Itinerary
- Disembark, take pictures, explore shops, and window shop
- Enjoy lunch and aguas frescas
- Relax and watch live entertainment
- Browse for and purchase souvenirs
- Return to the ship
This is a flexible and excursion-free alternative for Galveston cruisers on Western Caribbean cruises who want to enjoy the port without planning additional activities.
Taxi vs. Staying Inside the Puerta Maya Cruise Port
There’s so much flexibility at the Puerta Maya Cruise Port.
If you choose to take a last-minute excursion, there are vendors right in the cruise port center (just look for the signs immediately when you exit the DuFry)
You can use the quick comparison charts and information in the following sections to decide what works best for you while at the port.
Staying Inside the Puerta Maya Cruise Port
It can be hard to decide exactly what to see and do once you realize how beautiful Cozumel is, all it has to offer, and what could be potentially outside the cruise center gates.
Choose to stay inside the cruise center if you:
- Don’t want to take a taxi
- Want to stay close to the cruise ship
- Want the flexibility and convenience of returning onboard anytime
- Have mobility concerns
- Are cruising with children or seniors
What you’ll enjoy:
- Shopping, souvenirs, live entertainment, and local artistry and crafts
- Safe, gate cruise-only environment
- Restaurants that are close to the ship
- Shaded seating with ocean views
- Clean restrooms and the ease of reboarding if you prefer your stateroom restroom
Keep in mind:
- There are no sandy swimmable beach clubs at the cruise center
- Although rocky, the shoreline has beautiful views
- You are free from transportation requirements, as there are plenty of things to do at the Cozumel cruise center
Best for: overnight port stays, relaxed port days, senior cruisers, first-time cruisers, solo cruisers, and cruisers with children.
Taking a Taxi to a Cozumel Beach Club
When you get to the cruise center and you’ve explored a bit, you may decide you want to book an excursion after all. If you’re still undecided…
Choose to take a taxi to a Cozumel beach club if you:
- Want to sit and relax in a lounger, or under a beach umbrella, or enjoy a sandy beach
- Don’t mind taking a short taxi ride to and from the cruise port
- Plan on staying ashore for more than a few hours
- Want to enjoy water activities, pools, and beach park amenities
What to expect:
- There are entry rates for beach club passes, or in some cases, like the Money Bar Beach Club, it’s generally expected that food or beverage is purchased while enjoying snorkeling privileges.
- Taxi rides to the nearest beach club are about 15-20 minutes from the cruise port
- The cost is a flat one–way rate per taxi (not per passenger), but there may be a limit posted on the number of passengers per taxi.
Important to know:
❌ Please remember, there are no swimmable beach clubs within walking distance from Puerta Maya.
❌ If you choose to leave the cruise port, please manage your time to include transportation to and from and the excursion(s) themselves so that you can return to the ship at least 90 minutes to 2 hours before “all aboard” time.
Best for: beach lovers, swimmers, and cruisers who plan to stay ashore for more than a few hours.
Quick Decision Guide Chart for Galveston Cruisers
Good to know: If you leave the Puerta Maya cruise center, you’ll see there are some nearby ironshore swim clubs. This means there is a rocky shoreline, and the ocean access is by ladders.
That being said, the Del Mar Latino and El Cid La Ceiba are within walking distance of Puerta May, but these two locations do not offer traditional sandy beaches and are considered swim clubs.
| Location | Walkable | Sandy Beach | Best Described As |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Cid La Ceiba | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No | Resort pool + ocean ladder |
| Del Mar Latino | ✔️ Yes | ❌ No | Ironshore swim club |
| Paradise / Playa Mia | ❌ No | ✔️ Yes | Taxi-only beach clubs |
Puerta Maya Cruise Port FAQs
Deciding to stay at the Puerta Maya cruise port can be a great way to explore the overall atmosphere of Cozumel without leaving the gated cruise village. Here are some answers to some frequently asked questions that you may have missed while reading the blog post.
Is the Puerta Maya Cruise Port walkable?
Yes. It’s walkable, stroller-friendly, and wheelchair accessible because the walkways are wide enough to accommodate accessibility needs.
The walkways are flat and paved. Decide on wearing comfortable shoes. If you choose to rest, there are shaded areas and benches.
Can I stay at Puerta Maya without an excursion?
Yes. That’s what makes this cruise port so great! You can see and do so much without an excursion.
Is the Puerta Maya Cruise Port safe?
Yes. It’s a gated area that is considered cruise-friendly because it’s monitored by staff who will ask for your cruise card (or medallion for Princess cruisers) as you enter the terminal. Technically, this keeps the area strictly for cruise passengers rather than being publicly accessible.
Are U.S. dollars accepted?
Yes, and credit cards. You do not need to have pesos, but peso bills and coins can be helpful if you have them.
How far is Puerta Maya from the ship?
It’s just a pier walk or pedicab transport away. I’ve included my YouTube video below of the entire Pedicab transport so that you can see that cruise passengers can be picked up right at the gangway or while walking along the pier and transported directly in front of the DuFry.
Final Thoughts for Galveston Cruise Travelers
The Puerta Maya Cruise Port is considered one of the most enjoyable cruise ports because of its convenience when cruisers want to enjoy Cozumel without booking excursions.
It’s also a flexible port because you can still book excursions within the cruise center if you decide that you want to explore more of Cozumel.
I enjoyed that I could easily walk or ride in a pedicab to get to the cruise center, and that once I got beyond the DuFry, I could enjoy Cozumel without excursions.
Literally, there’s food, shopping, exploring, and plenty of opportunities to take pictures and all at your own pace, while remaining close to the cruise ship.
If you’re a Galveston cruiser, like I am, you’ll find that the Puerta Maya cruise center is one of the most enjoyable ports in the Western Caribbean!
👉 For more Galveston-focused cruise guides, packing tips, port strategies, and pre- and post-cruise Galveston travel, explore GalvestonCruiseDestinations.com and cruise with confidence.
