c-leg5

Are you on Royal or NCL? Why would you choose to take the resort’s water taxi? Just curious I thought Carnival also used to have their own transport but not up to date on that situation.

LOL, that’s some power walking, crew! I think I would allow a little longer but maybe not quite as much as 30 minutes. I have never actually timed it but it feels longer! There are several factors to consider - your mobility, knowing where you are going and actual pick up location. Taxis do stop just inside the exit to the port now but I am not sure you can arrange pick-ups there. There was a recent discussion about Hayhu and I believe the person said they were picked up just out outside the port despite some confusion on the website. @gamblimon, let us know how it goes - I am still trying to get to Hayhu.

Yes, that was Snr Frogs. You can see the lighthouse in the photo on that site and on the map. I am surprised you didn’t stop at it if it was a cruise line excursion - there are few notable landmarks in Costa Maya and the lighthouse and Mahahual sign are definitely one of them!

It seems to have been really windy recently with many ships unable to dock at Costa Maya as well. Mahogany Bay has been notorious for ships being unable to dock ever since it was built due to its geographic location as @crewsweeper says. Other cruiselines are able to dock at Coxen Hole even when ships are unable to dock at Mahogany Bay.

I am surprised the reports so far haven’t been worse. Photos and reports i have seen recently haven’t been that bad.

Was this “escape” at the old Snr Frogs close to the lighthouse? I take it there was no sargassum since you said it was a beautiful beach front?

I think they are usually on FB, or sometimes a banner on the website. I haven’t heard anyone mention them since cruising resumed.

Sounds like a good day glad you enjoyed. Thanks for reporting back. we like Punta Morena, away from the main building. Not the cheapest of places but certainly good to get away from the crowds providing not sargassum season.

Have you been to Maya Chan yet? After numerous posts prior to visiting I haven’t seen any feedback from you regarding facilities, transport or sargassum? I am sure people are anxious to hear about the sargassum situation. I don’t remember if you had long port hours because that has been our biggest problem recently.

You will definitely have more space at Nachi but not much for your 18 year olds to do. You would have to make that decision since you know them best. It really depends how active they would want to be. Perhaps they would like to do the boat snorkel? Maybe look at some of the day passes to resort hotels and see if they have any activities they may like - paddle boards, kayaks, gym? They will almost certainly be quieter than Sanchos but there are very few places with inflatables if they want those.

Not sure why a Houston meteorologist (from your other thread) would post a photo of Maya Chan particularly, unless they were reporting on recent visit? The photo is not at all clear and I agree with @rjm11 - there are no distinguishing features that would confirm Maya Chan - difficult to tell from a photo taken out of context with no location or time stamp verification. However, in May there is a high possibility of sargassum especially at Costa Maya and Mahahaul in general as stated. I have also been at Maya Chan with various levels of sargassum and although they try to clean it the smell can be overwhelming. Not sure how old your grandchildren are? There is a small pool at Maya Chan and kayaks and paddle boards. There is a large pool and an aviary at the port.

Are you sure it doesn’t include taxi transport? Generally it just means you aren’t in a fixed schedule. As I said from Royal the transport included taxi van.

Do they require a pool, actual beach, water sports, snorkeling? Have they been before?

Yes, independently or through the ship. There has been an increase in assassinations in the last couple of years but they are targeted, not aimed at tourists. Of course just like anywhere you can get caught in the crossfire Cruise ship excursions to Chankanaab are generally via a group taxi van. We have been both ways. Sometimes it is cheaper to take ship’s excursion when they are offering a sale.

You would possibly get more replies on the Cozumel board but I am curious to know why those that don’t want to do the cigar class would even book and pay for that part? I doubt they would be forced to endure it but they should tell the excursion leader so that they don’t waste time looking for them. Why not just get a beach break for them with or without alcohol/food package, through the cruise line or independently, and meet up after the class?

Try looking at photos for Bacalar Lagoon resort? They have cruise line excursions.

Crowds will depend on number of ships in port. They have been trying to dock 4 quite often which is a lot if people but many ships seem to have been unable to dock due to winds recently. If you use search engine for Blue Key or light house you may find some reviews from people who stopped just to the north. I wouldn’t recommend a taxi to out of town because unless you are at an official location you wouldn’t get a taxi back. You could rent a golf cart and possibly find somewhere but there is a limit as to the distance they will service in case of difficulty. I don’t usually recommend the golf carts but in your case it may give you flexibility. or you could find a quiet area at the port for free. Since this is off-topic to OP original question you should direct further conversation to your original thread.

Apologies I didn’t see you quoted @nascartimand thought you said YOU had booked Maya Chan. i answered your question above as to where to try. ACCESS to Mexican beaches has to he public, as I understand, so hotels/bars etc cannot block access but you need to make a purchase if you want to use any facilities including restrooms and many bars along the malecon have adopted an AI/cover charge model However if you have never been to Mahahual I would suggest you take a virtual walk along the beach/malecon on google maps or equivalent to get a feel for the area. Beach bars are elbow to elbow - personally, I think it would be difficult to put a beach towel on an occupied lot without it feeling awkward or someone becoming confrontational YMMV. Mahahaul is not a “lie in the sand” and quietly read a book type of beach - you will be regularly bombarded by vendors every few minutes but you have a better chance of being undisturbed away from the beach bars and certainly away from the central malecon area.

Not wanting to be Debbie Downer but I would say chances of sargassum in Mahahual in July are very high. I hope you are lucky but I would have a Plan B and it certainly wouldn’t be going to a an undeveloped beach area.

Too early to tell how it will be in a couple of weeks and unfortunately the two webcams in Mahahual were down last time I checked which would actually give you a real time answer- Maya Chan and Pez Quadro, if they come back up. I thought you were looking for a no cost beach on another thread? I can tell you Maya Chan will work hard to remove sargassum but we have been there when it was overwhelming as sell as just OK. Seagrass is almost always present in the ocean. They used to have sargassum photos for the day at the meeting point and allow you to cancel.

If there is sargassum it is likely to affect all beaches. There are some baffles installed offshore on the main area and some bars have additional barriers and people cleaning the beach collecting sargassum. If you are wanting to go somewhere with no facilities there will be no protection or cleaning in operation. When sargassum is severe the smell is overwhelming. However, I believe there are open beach areas available just north of the lighthouse at the beginning of the malecon and south of town beyond the malecon on the unpaved road. Whether they are “nice” beaches is subjective. Depending on severity and whether sargassum is in patches you can swim through/beyond but the sargassum can contain lice and jellyfish which can cause rashes and blisters.

Easy enough to go back and forth but quite a walk and cabanas are creeping back to pre-Covid prices.

@bguppies I think you were asking about sargassum at Almaplena last year? I knew there had been reviews previously on TA but not many cruisers seem to go these days so not many reviews on CC.

it looks to be on the road to the lighthouse before you get to the town.

What was the problem with Almaplena other than the sargassum? Did you booked the above excursion at the port after you had returned or I guess through the ship? I understand it is relatively new? I am wondering if it is owned by the port operators.