Audiobooks at Sea Ports of Call
Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico
Beginning where the Mayan Riviera ends, the Costa Maya stretches along the coastline up to Belize. The Costa Maya is the last remaining section of coastal properties yet to be exploited and there are acres of coastal land with absolutely no development. The odd fishing village spots the landscape but not much beyond that. Flying along the coastline you encounter numerous cenotes and you can still see the outlines and impressions of villages that were there centuries ago.
Check out the Mayan Pavilion Park, which has everything: Mayan handicraft centers, swim-up bars, great traditional restaurants, saltwater pools, a 650-seat amphitheater, Mayan art and architecture, amazing water sports and great shopping. For more adventures, explore the many surrounding Mayan cities like Chinchorro, Chacchoben, Bacalar, Chetumal and more. Take a break, relax and soak up the famous Mayan sun at Uvero Beach, complete with beach chairs, bar, restaurant, paddle boats, snorkeling and so much more. Take an exciting Unimog excursion right through the heart of the jungle.
Cozumel, Mexico
Amid the largest coral reef in the West, this Caribbean island lures anglers, divers, snorkelers, and beachgoers. Fish the flats or head out to blue water to hunt for big game—mahi-mahi, marlin, sailfish, and more. Bring your dive card with you on your cruise to Cozumel and witness all the natural wonders waiting below the surface, like neon tropical fish, swaying sea fans, and vibrant coral colonies. Or go snorkeling to see the show without a dive card. Curl up on the beach in a hammock with a cold one. At Playa Mia, you can even fly down Twin Twister waterslides.
Go cruise shopping for beautiful Mexican silver, amber, and other artisanal gifts in San Miguel. Or hop a ferry to charming Playa del Carmen, on the mainland, and stroll along la Quinta Avenida for more inviting restaurants, bars, and shops. Down the coast from Playa, you can explore the ancient Maya city of Tulum, perched impressively on a cliff, overlooking the brilliant sea and powdery beach below. Cozumel cuisine means fresh seafood. Savor the catch of the day served on a banana leaf, or enjoy it marinated in lime juice, cilantro, onion, and tomato. Of course, this is the place for Mexican classics like tacos, guacamole—and margaritas.
Belize City, Belize
Belize is neatly wedged between Mexico and Guatemala, and sports a coastline on the Caribbean Sea. Here you’ll find a wealth of Belize City shore excursions that offer incredible land and sea adventures, including guided tours to the spectacular Mayan ruins of Belize.
Combine water-sport fun with active adventuring on Belize City cruise excursions that offer a chance to soar above the verdant Belize rainforest canopy on a zip-line course. See tropical birds and Howler monkeys at eye level as you fly from platform to platform. Then, explore the mysterious and magnificent Crystal Caves, admiring the stalagmites and stalactites as you drift through the caves in your personal inner tube.
For great beach-day escapes, book Belize City shore excursions that will take you to a secluded barrier island to swim with sharks and stingrays. Set within the Belize Barrier Reef, which is the world’s second-largest, you’ll visit the delightful fishing village of Caye Caulker. With professional marine guides, gear up to snorkel and swim among the sharks and gentle stingrays while on your cruise to Belize. Learn about the ecological importance of the reefs as you admire the intricate coral formations. Afterward, sink your toes in the soft white sand as you enjoy basking in the sun. For carefree day of pure sun, fun, and Caribbean calypso music, choose a private island getaway where you can swim in clear blue Caribbean waters and soak up the sun and the laid-back beach vibe.
Day trips to the country’s exciting archeological sites and spectacular Mayan ruins are among the most popular Belize City shore excursions. Take a ferry ride to the ruins of Xunantunich, the most important archeological site in Belize, and climb to the temple of El Castillo while your guide shares tales of the ancient Mayan culture. Take a riverboat safari to the Mayan ruins of Lamanai, which may have been occupied as early as 1500 B.C., and climb to the top of one of the tallest ceremonial temples in Mesoamerica. Or you can cruise down the River Wallace to the Mayan site Altun Ha, the most visited Mayan ruin in Belize. In a lush rainforest setting, you’ll see the jade head carving of the sun god Kinich Ahau, believed to be carved from a single piece of jade and thought to be the largest jade artifact ever to be discovered.