Making the most of Calica
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Calica offers docks for two ships at a time and is one of only two spots on the Yucatan Peninsula where ships can actually dock without long tender rides. If more than 2 ships, you will be tendered.
The port at Calica, about 3 miles south of the town of Playa del Carmen. Taxi is $10 for the short ride.
The Calica port itself has little or no services or hotels. Just north of the port is the "ecological theme park" of Xcaret, a Mayan tourist destination, archaeological site, and beach.
Sightseeing
Without question, you will want to explore the Xcaret Park that is located less than a mile from the ship. Either take the ship's transfer and tour or grab a taxi to the park entrance. Be sure to bring your bathing suit and mask and snorkel as well. Xcaret is an ecological park and offers many attractions including floating down an underground river as it winds through caves and meanders throughout the park before terminating before emptying into the ocean.
Aktun-Chen (Indiana Joes). Aktun Chen is an amazing natural park with fantastic cenotes and caves. Aktun-chen, a Mayan word that means "natural well inside a cave" in Mayan and is located 25 minutes from Playa del Carmen, in the heart of the Riviera Maya, 2.5 miles south of Akumal. Enjoy the famous Indiana Joe's Tour. This tour begins with a walk through a spectacular cave of over 5 million years old that features a great variety of stalactites, stalagmites, and columns. Fly over a kilometer (0.62 miles) through 10 zip lines and two suspension bridges; contemplate tropical trees, plants, and flowers.
Getting around
Car rental is available at the dock. A good option if you do not want to partake in an organized excursion.
Nearby places
Take a taxi to Playa Del Carmen for some shopping. Situated right in the heart of the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen is the region’s top destination for shopping, dining, and nightlife. There’s plenty to keep you occupied here, plus Playa serves as an ideal base for exploring the rest of the Riviera Maya and the local beach. Tulum is on the Yucatan Peninsula, in Mexico. It is one of the earliest resorts in Mexico, offering a place of worship and solitude for the Mayan Kings, clergy, and Gods in early times. The tropical beach backdrop is the main attraction of this picturesque, much-visited small ruin on the shore of the Caribbean Sea.
Money
The currency of Mexico is the peso (MXN). The symbol for pesos is the same as for US dollars, which can be slightly confusing. Prices in dollars (in tourist areas) are labeled "US$" or sport an S with a double stroke. There is about 17 peso to 1US$.
US dollars are widely accepted in the far north and in tourist locales elsewhere.
Credit cards are not as widely accepted as in Europe or the USA. Some companies make an extra charge of around 5% on such transactions.