Costa Maya

Costa Maya is the cruise-line-built port that doesn't try to hide what it is — a purpose-built shopping and excursion complex on the otherwise undeveloped coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. There's a pool, duty-free shops, and a beach area, all within a walled compound. It's fine, if unexciting.

The real draw here is what's outside the port: the ancient Mayan ruins of Chacchoben are 90 minutes away, and the Bacalar Lagoon (the "Lagoon of Seven Colors") is one of Mexico's best-kept secrets. But both require an excursion or a taxi, and you'll need to budget $60-120 per person.

Safety-wise, the port compound is completely secure. Outside it, you're in rural Mexico — generally safe but with limited infrastructure. The State Department's Level 2 advisory for Mexico applies here more in theory than practice. This isn't Acapulco; it's a small coastal community that exists mainly because of cruise ships.