The Perfect Spring Break Retreat - This was the perfect Princess Cruise Line excursion for our group of 21. The food was exemplary and the ambience was breathtaking. The host was so kind and accommodating and went beyond our expectations. We enjoyed our yoga class and all of the amenities and facilities were immaculate. This was truly an A+ getaway.

A true hidden gem - This property is so gorgeous and the vibe is immaculate. You can sit by the pool, do yoga, telework, dip in the beach, etc. the host is a true gem, the staff are so professional and kind. I plan on coming back very soon. I recommend this as a shore thing OR a retreat. Treat yourself and enjoy!

Amazing day at Mahai - As an Acupuncturist, I am very sensitive to the energy of a place — and Mahai truly feels special. From the moment we arrived, there was a sense of calm and intentionality. The property is beautifully designed, eco-conscious, and impeccably clean. What stood out to me most was how peaceful and uncrowded it felt. Unlike the busy beach clubs near the port, Mahai offers a true retreat experience. We spent the morning paddleboarding in calm, clear water and later relaxed in hammocks under the palms. The staff was warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. If you are looking for something restorative and authentic rather than commercial, this is it. It felt like a sanctuary — not just a beach stop. I would absolutely return and highly recommend it for anyone wanting a meaningful wellness experience in Costa Maya.

Seriously! A perfect day! - I went to Mahai with a group of girlfriends and did their Wellness day pass (plus I got a massage from Barry, the magical massage magician). Mahai is basically paradise. I don't know how this place exists in Mahahual - it's definitely a trek to get there, but it is sooooo worth it. You have to travel a bit to get somewhere that private. We basically had our own resort for the day. No one bothers you. You have a private dock. A private pool. The most amazing vegetarian meals -People need to know food without meat can taste that good. The water was silky. The paddle boards were easy to use. I absolutely loved it and am singing this little jewels praises from the rooftops.

Relaxing Beach Escape at Mahai Retreat - I booked the Beachfront Wellness Experience at Mahai (at Costa Maya) and it was one of the highlights of my cruise. I upgraded my experience on-site with a massage, tea bath, and paddle boarding – highly recommended. Pickup: I was a bit nervous about the pickup (traveling alone), but directions were straight forward. I was picked up about 100 yards from the port, very easy to navigate (there’s only one road), obvious reference points (pyramid in the middle of a round-about!), and plenty of English-speaking folks around. Transport: I was transported in a taxi van, the driver spoke English, someone from Mahai (Kunti) accompanied me to Mahai. The drive was about 20 minutes, and Kunti pointed out landmarks and points of interest along the way. Mahahual is an interesting looking village, probably worth coming back to explore over a few days. Arrival: I was greeted with a welcome drink (cucumber juice-based green drink) and given a short orientation and tour (where I upgraded). Then I was shown to the beach club (my word, not theirs!). Also, they gave me some reef-friendly sunscreen and all-natural mosquito spray. Beach Club: The club is beautiful, it’s basically a three-story building with an observation deck on the top, a yoga room on the second floor, and a lounge on the ground floor. Connected to the club is a kidney bean-shaped pool, a large wooden deck, ten loungers, two queen-size day beds, two showers, and two bathrooms. I was given a towel, picked my lounger (very nice cushions on those loungers, I gotta say), was given a cold beverage there was a spread of fresh fruit, yoghurt, granola, and other treats - I almost immediately felt my stress begin to melt away. The Beach: The beach is well-maintained, there is a rock wall that runs almost the length of the shore but there is a 50-ish foot wooden dock that allows direct access to the water. Alternatively, there is water-access at the edge of the beach. The water was surprisingly chilly and clear once you get twenty or thirty yards off shore. There are rocks in the water, so it is necessary to wear shoes (I learned this the hard way). Paddle Board: After lounging around for about half an hour, I headed out on the paddle board. The weather was great and the water was very calm. The Meso-American Reef is about 750 yards off the shore, it took me about twenty minutes to paddle out there. There are two buoys you can tie up to and snorkel. The reef is maybe ten to fifteen feet below the water and is filled with brilliantly-colored fish. I’m not an experienced diver, so I didn’t explore much underwater. I did see a few small lobsters and a skate. I didn’t have a water-proof phone case – would halve probably been a good idea. Massage: My therapist was named Barry, an American whose temporarily relocated to Mahahual. He does a great job talking about areas of focus, overall health, and what to expect during the massage. He was great, I felt like a million bucks afterwards – couldn’t have been better. There was a female therapist there as well, so they provide options if you have a preference (male vs. female). Tea Bath: This was a unique experience I couldn’t pass up. Basically, I selected the ingredients for the tea bath and the Mahai staff prepped it for me. They served me fresh fruit and cold drinks while I relaxed in my warm, tea bath in a private palapa on the beach, facing the ocean – it was perfection. Also, they frequently swung by to add more water to adjust the temperature or provide refills. Drop-Off: The staff did a good job wrangling folks and getting them loaded into the shuttle. We arrived at the dock with plenty of time to spare. If you’re traveling in a group or make friends there, Mahai has some board games, playing cards, and puzzles. They also have a lending library, so if you don’t have a book you can pick one up there (they also welcome book donations). Things I would pack next time: - Waterproof phone case if paddleboarding - Water bottle - Sunglasses/baseball cap - Extra pair of shoes (if getting in the water) - Book - Headphones/airpods I didn’t realize how much I needed to relax and reset on shore. I had only been on the ship for two days, but Royal Caribbean cruises are a non-stop party and an all-out assault on the senses. Getting off the boat and spending some quiet time on the beach was exactly what the doctor ordered.