The Mayan Healing Ritual shore excursion in Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico is one that you do not want to miss! You will feel relaxed and rejuvenated after this 80-minute excursion.
You can purchase this activity on your own from the vendor; however, on a day when a cruise is in port, there may be limited spots available. Therefore, I recommend purchasing your excursion through the cruise line. Usually, you can purchase excursions online at a discounted rate, before your sail date. If you have onboard credit, you can usually apply that to your purchase as well. At a discounted rate with Royal Caribbean, I paid $85.99 for this excursion, in December 2025.
You should receive the ticket for your excursion in your stateroom, which contains the meeting time and location. Since ships dock in Puerto Costa Maya, we were instructed to meet at the end of the pier in Zone 4 at our designated time. I recommend limiting the number of items you bring with you as you don’t need much for this excursion. You want to wear your swimsuit and coverup along with comfortable shoes for walking. You are barefoot for the experience, so it is just whatever shoes you would like to walk in to get to the designated meeting location and spa.
I want to take a moment to share with you a great way to record your adventures for years to come. I created an International Travel Log, inspired by dive logs, that allows you to quickly document and reflect on your day’s activities and adventures. This log is great for cruise vacations, and I have used it whether in port or enjoying a day at sea.
We were greeted by our shaman, Christina, at the meeting location. She was very welcoming and provided a wristband and waiver for us to sign. This ritual is not available on the cruise line’s website for anyone over the age of 70 years old. I believe this is due to possible medical conditions and complications with changing temperatures; however, you could inquire privately with the company once at the port. The minimum age to participate is twelve years old. This is not an activity for children. Remember, we are trying to achieve relaxation and rejuvenation!
Once all of the participants arrive, you are led to a port bathroom. There is not a bathroom at the spa, and this is the closest bathroom available. I encourage you to use it, so you can fully relax and enjoy your healing experience.
Upon arrival to the spa, you are led into their tranquil reception area where you will learn more about the healing journey you are about to embark on. You are provided a key for a locker to store your belongings. Everything needs to go in the locker. This is not a time for cell phones, GoPros, etc. My mom and I shared one locker as they were quite large. There is a dressing room available next to the lockers, should you need it.
When ready, you are led into a tranquil room with hot baths ready for the first step of the ritual, Purification, which is a herbal bath. First, you are introduced to the herbs and their healing properties. Herbs like Rosemary, Basil, and Rue. They are brushed all over your body before entering the warm waters and enjoying a herbal head, neck, and shoulder massage from your personal masseuse.
Once fully relaxed and purified, it is on to step two, Transformation. You will enter a Temazcal, a small hut similar to a dry sauna. This is where your shaman performs the healing ceremony who will encourage you to be selfish and heal not only your physical self but your mental and spiritual selves as well. Shaman Christina was encouraging and empowering through this entire ceremony.
Once you have been transformed, you will exit the Temazcal and immediately enter a cold shower as you proceed to step three, Renewal. Here you are given a small amount of Mayan clay to cover your face as you sit and meditate, letting the clay release the bad habits as you embark on a new you.
Rinse away the bad habits and clay before making your way to step four, Renaissance. Here, you enter outdoor, warm coconut baths that face the ocean. Most likely your cruise ship will be in view. You are rejoined by your personal masseuse who will massage your head, neck, and shoulders with essential oils.
Once fully relaxed, you are assisted out of your bath and wrapped in a towel as your masseuse escorts you to the fifth and final step of the process, Harmony. Here, you will lay in a hammock, wrapped in towels, as your masseuse massages your arms, hands, legs, and feet, before laying on mats under your hammock. Here they will proceed with massaging your glutes, and lower and upper back with their feet for approximately ten minutes. Due to the hammock massage, there is a weight limit of 240 pounds for this excursion. The way you are wrapped in towels and the hammock while hanging feels like being wrapped in a cozy cocoon that you don’t want to leave. However, you eventually have to emerge from your cocoon and embrace the rebirth.
The entire healing process is approximately 45 minutes. After your hammock massage, make sure you tip your masseuse and return your locker key. If you would like, you can stay and enjoy the beach and pool. If you choose to leave, there are a variety of shops available in the port area. When ready, you can easily return to your ship on your own, as the spa is located directly inside the cruise terminal.
If interested, you can inquire about other services available as they offer a variety of spa activities. These services would be at an additional fee.
I hope you enjoy this healing ritual as much as I did. This was my first time and my mom’s second. I will definitely return to this experience the next time I am in Puerto Costa Maya.