December 31 – Costa Maya, Mexico

we are here

Weather

Chacchoben pyramid 

– 28º, humid, but less than I expected

Steps – 12,004 (before midnight!)

The area was generally undeveloped until a cruise ship port was recently built. There is a very touristy cruise ship port complete with a beach, and pool with swim-up bar. Is this a good thing? According to our guide Daniel Jr it is a very good thing. He and many other guides come from far away for work - he drives 2 hrs from Chetmal to guide, and Alexander the driver travelled 5 hrs from Cancun.

Today’s tour started with an hour’s drive into the Mexican jungle. We are headed

Daniel Jr

Chacchoben pyramid 

to visit the Mayan ruins of Chacchoben. These ruins weren’t discovered until the 1940s and excavation didn’t start until the 80s. We’ve visited a handful of Mayan ruins over our visits to Mexico, but to me, the Chacchoben ruins are the most charming. 

Chacchoben is set in the middle of a dense jungle. It is hot, but not too humid or at all oppressively hot as I expected. During the hour’s drive to get here, Daniel Jr our guide explained what we will see and the history surrounding this

archeological site.

climbing

We wandered behind Daniel Jr for about an hour while he pointed out the various pyramids and the history. The dense jungle setting provided ample shade and added to the atmosphere of ancient times.

Although we were a group of 44 (waaaaay too big in my opinion) Daniel Jr did a great job herding us. We were able to hear his detailed explanations and ask questions. It also helped

G-clef duo

that none of the 44 needed much minding. I still think the group was too big, but Chris and I had our own seat on the
bus with is really all we every want.

I have discovered Mexican buses are very comfortable. We’ve been on many, MANY tour buses all over the world and these are some of the best – roomy and well ACed.

New Year Celebrations!

At the end of the tour, we climbed one of the Chacchoben pyramids. We climbed the Chichén Itzá ruins about 25 years ago which you are no longer allowed to do. I remember them being steep and a bit treacherous – these were not as high, but still as treacherous. Once at the top there was yet another pyramid to visit. The ancient Mayans build pyramids on top of pyramids.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We topped off our visit with a beer and a snack before the hour’s drive back to the port.

A quick pool grill lunch was followed by an afternoon on the balcony, then a nap before the New Year’s festivities.

This is our third New Year on this boat. Each year’s celebrations are slightly different. Last year there were parties in each of the lounges, but this year everything was in the ship’s theatre. At first, we weren’t sure, but in the end, it was a good location. There was lots of room. There was dancing on a dance floor, but also in all of the aisles – we didn’t need to go down a level but danced right near where we were sitting. It was fun!!