Mr Sanchos, Chankanaab, Nachi, Paradise Beach ?????

I can not figure out which place would be best. Kids will be 12 and 10...they are part water creatures.

If anyone would like to chime in on a Pros/Cons list of the place you have visited I would greatly appreciate it I am looking at....

cost of AI vs PAYG and what is or isn't allowed. (AI not allowed on PAYG side and what am I missing out on then sorta thing)

Food and drink quality

Crowds - I will be there in August.

From International Pier I do not think they are too far apart from each other, but correct me if I am wrong please.

Snorkeling

I know the motorized stuff is extra fee and I am fine with that. Yes I am looking and researching early, I have never been to Cozumel...

I would like to get to one of these places early then have a cab drive us by a ruin before going back to the ship, so I need to see what ruin is close to the one I pick. We are docked 7am-4pm

THANK YOU

We just returned yesterday from the Dream. Before leaving we reserved Mr. Sanchos for Cozumel and were really happy with it! My son turned 11 on this cruise. He really enjoyed the water toys. We did the AI side and the water toys are $12 extra.

The food was really good as were the drinks - not at all watered down. We took a cab ($20 including tip) from Punta Lagosta (sp?). When we got there it was a little hectic as there were so many checking in. We paid the remaining balance, got our wrist bands, a quick show of where the bathrooms, lockers, buffet, etc were and were escorted to a table right on the beach. Our waiter was perfect! He kept checking in with us to see what we needed. You can order food from the menu or get it from the buffet. We did both. For us I feel the cost of AI was well worth it as we ate and drank plenty! He even handed us bottled waters when we were leaving.

The water toys are closer to the PAYG side but we were still able to see our son from where we were sitting (closer to the other end of the AI side). We did not use the kayaks or lockers or snorkel equipment, but they are included with a refundable deposit. We also didn't use the pool but it looked nice. There is a pool on the PAYG side also.

My husband and son snorkeled and saw some fish and lobsters. They have some type of concrete blocks under water inside the roped off area -and that's about as far as my son went - but it kept him busy for quite a while.

As for crowds - I have heard they only allow so many people. When we were there I think there were 5 ships in port but it did not seem crowded at all. Of course it's October and not a lot of kids were sailing either. I would imagine that August may be a bit different.

I was very happy that we chose Sanchos and would definitely go again!

I can't comment on the ruins as we stayed at Sanchos until time to re-board the ship.

Nachi is only AI ($55 each) and has no water toys - your son will be bored, especially when he sees the water toys at Mr. Sanchos down the beach. :(

Chank has a nice beach, dolphin shows, etc. plus a separate snorkel area, but also comes with a $20 admission fee. :(

Paradise Beach and Mr. Sanchos will both cost about $17+tip each way. PB comes with a $3 per person admission fee and offers great facilities, a nice beach, and a HUGE pool. :D

Mr. S offers both PAYG (no admission fee ;)) and AI ($50/each) - they keep the two sides apart to prevent AI customers from sharing their free drinks with other customers.

Both PB and Mr. S offer water toys for an extra fee. If you are interested in AI I would go to Mr. S - otherwise PB is the superior PAYG beach club IMHO. :cool:

The ruins on Coz are very small and not very impressive compared to those on the mainland. Your call.

sungifts - thank you for your response, thats so much more than i got off their website!!

John thank you for the comparisons and your honest opinion.

You have both helped me narrow it down now I just have to decide how much i want to spend and spend on what...

You are also the 3rd person to say that about the Coz ruins...may have to re-consider them and book a cruise that hits the mainland another time.

Thank you!!

I have been to Mr Sanchos, Chankanaab (twice) and Nachi of the ones you have listed. I have complete reviews in my signature line with TONS of pictures if you are interested. If you have any questions, please let me know.

They are all fairly close to each other. Here's a map to help you out.

Mist your reviews helped...but can I ask which was your favorite and why? I don't think I will like Nacho so much now...seems more geared to adults and older teens who want to sun worship...i have 2 active kids, they expect mum to keep up and play with them, i only have so many years like this left i will enjoy every once i have with them now!!! lol

thanks

Mist your reviews helped...but can I ask which was your favorite and why? I don't think I will like Nacho so much now...seems more geared to adults and older teens who want to sun worship...i have 2 active kids, they expect mum to keep up and play with them, i only have so many years like this left i will enjoy every once i have with them now!!! lol

 

thanks

My absolute favorite is Chankanaab (which is why you'll see we went twice before trying something different). There's just so much there to do and see since it's a National Park. With Chankanaab, you have awesome snorkeling, the beach area, the pool, the free sea lion shows, the part you walk around looking at the "history ruins/statue", the lagoon with iguana's and now they have the new alligator exhibit that (from what I understand) you walk across on a swinging type bridge?? Then they have the zip lining and the human ball thing. There's just so much to see and do there and well worth it to me. The place is huge. :)

OHHHH, i didn't know it had all that...hmmm, just might call it an easy one and do that!

Thanks for your insight!

OHHHH, i didn't know it had all that...hmmm, just might call it an easy one and do that!

 

Thanks for your insight!

It also comes with an admission fee of about $20 each. :(

It also comes with an admission fee of about $20 each. :(

True, but IMO well worth it. Plus with the admission fee and our "tab" of yummy food and drinks usually run no more than$15-20 pp, it's still cheaper than paying for Nachi or Mr Sanchos. So well worth it IMO.

Also, don't forget you can get a $2 off coupon online, good for each person in your party to save a little. http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/chankanaab.cfm

love coupons!!! thanks

I expect to pay some sort of fee at most places, so this isnt a shocker to me

We were at Chankanaab Oct 29th and loved it. 5 or 6 ship in port and the place almost looked deserted. We swam w/ Dolphins and snorkeled.

The only drawback is it only has a small area of sandy beach, but the good snorkeling right at the rocky shore more than made up for that.

This place was awesome. We have to go back for all the other activities.

ETA; Thanks mitsugirly for convincing us with your thorough reviews. :D

Nachi is only AI ($55 each) and has no water toys - your son will be bored, especially when he sees the water toys at Mr. Sanchos down the beach. :(

 

Chank has a nice beach, dolphin shows, etc. plus a separate snorkel area, but also comes with a $20 admission fee. :(

 

Paradise Beach and Mr. Sanchos will both cost about $17+tip each way. PB comes with a $3 per person admission fee and offers great facilities, a nice beach, and a HUGE pool. :D

 

Mr. S offers both PAYG (no admission fee ;)) and AI ($50/each) - they keep the two sides apart to prevent AI customers from sharing their free drinks with other customers.

 

Both PB and Mr. S offer water toys for an extra fee. If you are interested in AI I would go to Mr. S - otherwise PB is the superior PAYG beach club IMHO. :cool:

 

The ruins on Coz are very small and not very impressive compared to those on the mainland. Your call.

This comparison really helped me decide where we should go, so thank you!

Now I haven't read through the entire thread, but could you (or anyone) advise on how to get from the cruise pier to Paradise Beach? If we do this on our own and NOT through the cruise line, will we have any issues getting transportation back in time to get on board? Or is there a company we can reserve round trip transportation based on our itinerary so we don't have to worry about this? (Bernards in St. Maarten was great, they set the bar high!)

Getting to any of these resorts on your own is very easy. The hardest part is weaving your way through all of the vendors in port, but you can do it. Make your way to the port exit and grab a cab - there will be posted fares and a gentleman at the front of the line helping keep things moving.

On the way back there are plenty of cabs waiting at Nachi and Paradise Beach (know that from experience). I feel confident that the same goes at the others. Bartender can always call you one should there be the off chance, on is not waiting.

Finally to plug it again - we loved Paradise Beach with 3 kids (9,7,5). I recommend it, but am considering a trip to Chakanaab (sp?).:rolleyes:

The only problem we had with Chankanaab was the loungers. Unless they've changed them in the last couple of years they were the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE loungers we've ever had. Hard wooden slats with no cushion. We left early just because of them.

If that wouldn't be a problem for you it's a beautiful area.

The only problem we had with Chankanaab was the loungers. Unless they've changed them in the last couple of years they were the MOST UNCOMFORTABLE loungers we've ever had. Hard wooden slats with no cushion. We left early just because of them.

 

If that wouldn't be a problem for you it's a beautiful area.

I was there last week, the chairs are just as you stated. They did have a few plastic white type chairs that we just as uncomfortable and hard to sit on. Other than that, the park was great with a lot to see and do.

Our vote goes for Mr. Sanchos (check for CWS or Cozumel Mexico Tours online deals at $45) or Papitos Beach!

We want to go to Mr Sanchos for the AI but we are not drinkers so we really wont be be getting anything we cant get at Paradise Beach. The water toys and floatables look really fun for the kiddos. Dec 14th -----Paradise Beach he we come :)

We have reserved Mr. Sanchos. Will it be easy and quick to return to the ship?

How long to get a cab back?? Thanks for any advice!:)

We have reserved Mr. Sanchos. Will it be easy and quick to return to the ship?

How long to get a cab back?? Thanks for any advice!:)

Super easy to get back. Let your server or someone at the front know you are ready to leave and they'll call a cab (usually takes less than 15 minutes). It's about a 10-15 minute ride back to the ship depending on which port you are at.

:)

Thanks so much!

We really enjoyed Paradise Beach. We were there in January 2012 and the ocean was a little cool/rough. Having a nice big pool for our then 6 year old daughter turned out to be a huge plus.

Our check ran about $60 for admission, food, and a few drinks. The service was attentive without being pushy, the bathrooms were very clean. We would go back there in a heartbeat and probably will this coming April unless we try Chankanaab instead. The big water toy thing is not for us and AI is a waste as well.

We are looking to walk the beaches and was wondering if we could walk from bar to bar starting at Paradise Beach. Does the layout of the beach and the facilities allow for this?

Are there other bars along the way other than Paradise Beach, Sanchos and Nachi?

How far do you think it is from PB to Nachi?

Thanks

OP- there is a fabricated Mayan village at Chankanaab. If it's your first time to Cozumel, this option gives you so much to do as other pp have mentioned. You just walk off the ship and take a 10-15 min cab there. Select the pay option you want (usually one of the lowest ones- we did buy the one with the basic t-shirt included and they are still washing and wearing well!). Even the bathroom here at the entrance after you pay and enter is cool, built to look like it's inside a waterfall. There is a nice -small- sheltered swimming area if the waters are rough that is usually for little ones just off to your right as you walk thru. The snorkeling is fantastic along the edge of the main area but you must enter thru slippery steps with sometimes aggressive wave action. You will need a life jacket or be a good swimmer to do the snorkeling here, but it is worth it. There is snorkeling gear and scuba rental on site if you decide later to do those activities, and there are submerged sculptures and a roped-off area if you want a real work-out and swim the whole distance around. There are massage tents, the Mayan village walk-thru, a pond with iguanas all around it, the sea lions and dolphins and an extensive gift-shop. The bar and restaurant are great and there are more bathrooms with showers on the far side. Taxis WILL be there waiting when you are ready to go back to the ship. Also, if you hit it right, they have costumed dancers, including a fire dancer, on the beach. PB is also nice, but I vote for Chankanaab for anyone's first time.

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We've been to Paradise Beach twice and loved it. Kids 10 & 6 love the pool.

We will be there next Monday.

We are not big drinker so the AI isn't worth it for us.

I think we will try the jetskis next week.

Very clean facilities