Weezie57 Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 Going on a five day cruise with stops in these two ports. Thinking of visiting a beach in one port and shopping in the other. Which of these would have the clearest water and better beach? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bean79 Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 I believe Cozumel has the better beach but I haven't been there in years. I will be there on the Jewell in April and booked Maya Chan in costa maya. Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 Cozumel beach day for sure. Check out one of the beach clubs (Paradise, Nachi Cocum or Mr Sanchos). Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan79 Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 Costa Maya for a day at Maya Chan! Hands down. FLTraveler, Weezie57 and Floski 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 37 minutes ago, Ryan79 said: Costa Maya for a day at Maya Chan! Hands down. Never left the port swimming area but maybe we should check this out! Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan79 Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 29 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said: Never left the port swimming area but maybe we should check this out! Just make sure to make reservations WELL in advance as they sell out all the time. People were turned away at the meeting place outside the port area who thought they could go on a whim. The look on their face was like someone slapped their momma! Bean79, tonyfsu21 and Weezie57 1 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChessE4 Posted March 30, 2023 Report Share Posted March 30, 2023 Cozumel has more shopping. Costa Maya has, well, Mayan pyramids. CM also has Lake Bacalar, which offers water activities, but the village of Mahahual tends to have a lot of seaweed unless you get a day pass for a resort that cleans the beach. Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 23 hours ago, Weezie57 said: Going on a five day cruise with stops in these two ports. Thinking of visiting a beach in one port and shopping in the other. Which of these would have the clearest water and better beach? costa maya is beautiful, a little more rustic/wild in nature and the staff at maya chan are really wonderful. in full transparency, the water was not very clear when we went there, but the team was grooming the sargassum/sea grass all day and the lunch and hospitality are PHENOMENAL. cozumel probably has clearer water overall but i don't think there is direct beach access right off the port because it is so rocky, so you will likely need to rent a day pass or take an excursion somewhere. we snorkeled once at chakkanub and it was crystal clear and beautiful. there are also some beach resorts you can stay at for the day -- mr sanchos and nachi cocum are two that many here have visited and left reviews on in this forum, if you are looking for more info Weezie57 and ChessE4 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezie57 Posted March 31, 2023 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Thanks to everyone for your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyfsu21 Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 22 minutes ago, Weezie57 said: Thanks to everyone for your input. The Cozumel beach clubs are all next door to each other and a 15 minute cab ride from the port. The beaches are perfection and I can personally speak for the service being top notch level at Paradise beach club as well as Nachi Cocum. You can’t go wrong with either. Cozumel also has “the most spectacular diving and snorkeling in the world” according to Jacques Cousteau (I’m pretty sure this guy knew a good spot when he saw one). Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne Elise Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 I would say in Cozumel it's very easy to do your own thing, be it beach or shopping or both in the same day. Cabs or even renting a car/scooter/dune buggy. The beaches on the "wild side" are beautiful and we enjoyed the less touristy vibe there. (Rougher surf though) I have not been to CM, but my relative was just there and it's a more rural area and I would think you might find more call for having some sort of organized excursion there. She did a combo of cenotes and a mayan ruin tour through a local vendor. Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted March 31, 2023 Report Share Posted March 31, 2023 Beach club in Cozumel. Shopping along the strip in the little village in Costa Maya with a stop at the Crazy Lobster for food & drinks. The Fox and Weezie57 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoomSlayer Posted April 1, 2023 Report Share Posted April 1, 2023 Costa Maya is an odd port to do much. The actual terminal is good and has an ok swimming pool area close to the ship, but excursions are limited. Mayan ruins are probably the most popular excursion. Beach access is nonexistent at the pier itself, but you can go to the beach in town. The beach is lined with restaurants and bars which you will have to buy something at if you want a seat on the beach. Shopping at Costa Maya is not too exciting either but can be fun if you just want to walk around a little. Cozumel is by far better in my opinion on both beach quality and shopping variety. Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezie57 Posted April 2, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 2, 2023 Appears RCL has a beach excursion in Cozumel at Chankanaab. Anyone familiar with this place? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted April 3, 2023 Report Share Posted April 3, 2023 chankanaab is a national park (or the equivalent of?) in cozumel and is beautiful. we did an excursion there, pre pandemic and went snorkeling and saw the dolphin show. not sure if this was the excursion sponsored by RCCL or my family elected to purchase the pass outside of the cruise planner -- but we had a good time. that was years ago, so i can't speak to prices or the experience now -- but from what i've seen here and there on the forums, everyone seems to have a great time. Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weezie57 Posted April 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2023 After all the excellent advice here and tons of reviews and YouTube videos, we have decided to just do a little shopping in Costa Maya and go to Paradise Beach in Cozumel. Can’t wait to go just 68 more days. Again, thank you all for providing your insights. DoomSlayer, WAAAYTOOO and tonyfsu21 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suzanne Elise Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 On 4/2/2023 at 6:33 AM, Weezie57 said: Appears RCL has a beach excursion in Cozumel at Chankanaab. Anyone familiar with this place? In Cozumel all the beach clubs are pretty close to the port on the side with the calmer water. Honestly you can save a bunch of money by just taking a cab and paying at the door or online. People on my cruise were bummed because they paid for a full all inclusive day and then it rained. if you do your own thing you can stay as long as you want and then go shopping. I think all the beach clubs are nice but that one I think had a lagoon and some cool features. Weezie57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babsy47 Posted April 21, 2023 Report Share Posted April 21, 2023 Also, Cozumel does not have a seaweed problem. Depending on time of year, Costa Maya beaches can be unusable because of seaweed; this does not happen in Cozumel. Suzanne Elise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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