Costa Maya Welcomes First Ship Since Hurricane

When Holland America's Westerdam pulled into port at Costa Maya last week, it was cause for celebration for both passengers and area residents alike. Westerdam is the first cruise ship to visit Costa Maya -- which lies on Mexico's southern Caribbean coast, near Belize -- since the port was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Dean in 2007.

Prior to the storm, Costa Maya, which serves as a gateway to the Caribbean and was carved out of the jungle to serve cruise travelers, was increasingly popular. Its deep-water dock handled ships of all sizes, and its onsite facilities featured open-air restaurants and bars, pools and a private beach, and duty free shops. Water sports options -- from scuba diving to kayaking -- along with opportunities to visit Mayan ruins, helped to cement its appeal.

Costa Maya's developers also created a beach club facility for shore tours, complete with water sports and restaurants. Majahual, a charming village of 200 people about 10 minutes away, was also a prime destination for dining, beach massages, water sports and shopping.