Opinions desired on these four Coz locations:

W

Wilson Family

Guest
24 days and counting...
First I want to thank all those who have provided answers and suggestions
over the past couple of months on our upcoming cruise. This is the first
time to take our teenage boys (13 & 15) along and it changes things. We have
decided not to take any of the ship excursions while in Cozumel and would
like some feedback on the following four locations and keep in mind that snorkeling is a priority with the beach being a close second:
1) Chankanaab
2) Playa Sol
3) Mr. Sanchos
4) Paradise Beach
Pros, cons, feedback, suggestions, opinions...I am listening. Need to shy away from the topless and clothing optional beaches because of kids. Thanx
 
K

kujobie

Guest
We did Chankanaab and Mr.Sanchos on our last trip there and I would not miss either. Here is my post under Victory?cozumel in the Carnival board

"Take a cab, or better yet rent a car and go to Chankanaab park 5 minutes from pier. $10 per person adult, $5 per child, but well worth it, there is a reef right off shore, superb snorkelling. Chairs, umbrellas free, go right away though, it gets crowded. Equipment rental, food, drink, etc. is available on the beach. THere is a dolphin swim there but it's like $120. If you rent a car, continue the same direction and circle the island, it's absolutely beautiful, you'll be pulling over every 5 minutes to take pictures. Most people miss out on this b'cuz they take a ship excursion or just hit one of the beaches and then go to Carlos and Charlies and get plastered. It's well worth renting a car, most major brand names are there-Budget, Hertz, etc. It's only $30-$40 to rent a small car for the day. Here's an interesting tidbit. If you rent a car, you'll probably get a VW Beetle. 90% of the cars on the island are Beetles. So I had to ask, and here's the deal. They stopped selling the old rear engine beetles in the US in the mid-70's but continued producing and selling them in Mexico until a couple years ago. So' if you rent a car, you will be driving a late model Beetle-not the new ones, but the rear engine kind like the one my crazy aunt Sally used to sell dope out of in the 70's. It's like you're in a time warp. This was a thrill for me, but I'm a VW fanatic."

I did not mention Mr. Sanchos in that post, but it is awesome. Free beach access, as most of the beach clubs are, as well as swimming pool, showers, changing areas, etc. The guacamole is awesome! The bar stools are swings. It's too cool! We had 13 and 15 yr olds at the time too. With a group of 4, you MUST follow my advice. It is the best, and cheapest, way to enjoy this island. If/when I go back, I will do the same thing. I have heard a lot of good about Paradise Beach but have never done that. On our first trip there, we just taxied into downtown and shopped and ate at Panco's backyard, very good food as well. But we didn't have the kids then. Have fun. Cozumel is my favorite port, but grand cayman is cool, too. Don't miss swimming with the stingrays if you go there, even if you hafta book thru the ship. Your kids will never forget it. E-mail me at kujobie@yahoo.com if any questions.



Post Edited (02-13-04 10:14)
 
K

kylkay

Guest
I agree! Mr. Sanchos and Chankanaab. We rented waverunners at Mr. Sanchos. VERY FUN!!!!
 
K

kujobie

Guest
It is in the same direction as chankanaab, to the right as you ar leaving the pier. It is about 5-10 minutes past chankanaab. THere is one main road that circles the island, you can't miss it. If you have time, and a car, after leaving there, continue in the same direction. For a while, about 10-15 minutes, you will be driving thru a deserted swamp?scrub? area. Overgrown vegetation on both sides of the road and that's it. boring and slightly creepy. But then, Kapow! You're on the coastline. Be careful as the road just ends and you hafta make a hard left turn, I mean ninety degrees. no stop sign or light. At that turn, there is a small beach bar which I believe is the only topless area on the island. Not sure what the name of it was. They have a sign that says something like, topless only beyond this point. The gimmick is people posing for pictures next to the sign, and, if you want, they will put your picture in their photo album. or you can just look at the album if you're shy. Probably not a great place to take the kids. From there, you will just drive the same direction along some gorgeous coastline. You can pull of on the shoulder and take pics, but most of the beaches on this side are not safe to swim. Huge waves/currents, and mostly rock, not sand. It's hard to describe, but the waves have created pits in the rock, and caverns underneath, so that when a large wave hits, it shoots up like a miniature geyser like 20-30 feet in the air. You can walk out a little bit and stand next to one of these and get great pictures. The mist will cool you off. Awesome.



Post Edited (02-13-04 10:41)
 
N

Nanatravel

Guest
Mr. Sancho's was great ! No entry fee, Mexican lounges are complementary, there is a double water trampoline the teens will love plus rental of water craft is available. The water is absolutely crystal clear on a good day and the sand is white. As mentioned the food and drinks are great plus you can shop for island souvenirs within the many stalls nearby. A taxi is $15 each way so you don't have to worry about the driving on these foreign roads plus the drinking and driving issue. We have also been to Playa del Sol, which now has an entry fee. Paradise Beach Club is fairly new but there is no entry fee either. Chankannab Park does have the snorkeling option but no real beach. However it is well recommended for the low entry fee.
Bon Voyage
 
F

fsucruiser

Guest
My husband and I cruised with our children to the Western Carribean two years ago and took the excursion to Playa Sol, which we greatly enjoyed. The cab drive there is about 10 minutes -- not too bad. We spent the day swimming in the fresh water pool, which has a great swim up bar. We also rented snorkeling gear and snorkeled right off the beach and my husband and son enjoyed renting wave runners. The beach is plentiful if a bit crowded, but by getting to the beach club early enough in the day we claimed a nice spot no problem. There were guided snorkeling excursions that you could take and water recreation featuring a large water trampoline that your kids might enjoy. The kids also enjoyed a pinata game provided by the staff. We did not go into the wildlife park although it was included in the excursion. On the way out, we shopped in some of the local stalls selling t-shirts and local souveniers.

If I remember, Playa Sol has a website that you could check out for information and photos.

This excursion was recommended by some friends who cruised a month before we did and we recommended to some friends who cruised after!

Happy sailing....Cozumel is a great port!
 
S

SassyGirl

Guest
I have been to both Chankanaab and Mr. Sancho's beach. They are 2 of my favorite places in Cozumel. I think if you have kids with you who want lots to do (especially snorkeling), Chankanaab would be a better bet. It is a big nature park right on the beach with snorkeling right off the beach. There are also trails, a small museum, a restaurant, rental equipment (snorkeling), chairs and umbrellas on the beach, lockers. BEAUTIFULLY landscaped park. It's like paradise and there is enough to do there to make everyone happy.

Mr. Sancho's is my favorite beach on Cozumel....laid back, wonderful food and drinks, etc. But I think you'll be better off at Chankanaab with the kids. There isn't much to see at Mr. Sancho's (snorkeling-wise).

Have fun whatever you do!

SassyGirl
 
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