Maya Chan Beach Resort?

[Friscorays]

I just got back from our day at Maya Chan last week and want to add to the chorus of excellent reviews.

 

Mark has expanded slightly and was able to accomodate our entire group of forty (we reserved the entire resort). There was more than enough room for forty people, everyone could easily spread out and relax.

 

The meeting point is at the Mayan Museum (still under construction) just outside of the very touristy area built by the cruise lines, perhaps a 10 minute walk from the ship. The Maya Chan representative was there to meet us and help us into the awaiting cabs / vans.

 

The drive to the resort is about 20-25 minutes on a fairly rudimentary road (lots of potholes force the cabs to go slow). When we arrived, another Maya Chan representative was waiting for us at the resort entrance. He gave the cab driver the fare (included in the price) and then gave us a tour of the resort.

 

They have lockers, two showers, a male and female restroom (both very clean), open bar (with just about every alcoholic and non-alcoholic drink you could desire), computer with internet access, bike tour, glass-bottom kayaks, snorkeling gear and ocean floaties. The also have a variety of shaded and non-shaded seating areas.

 

We were given a welcome rum punch followed shortly thereafter by some very tasty tortilla chips, guacamole and tomato salsa. The lunch served later in the day was delicious as well.

 

I scuba dive and Mark arranged for a dive boat to pick me up right at the beach. It was a few minute ride to a very nice reef and I was able to do a two tank dive.

 

My wife had a massage while I dove and enjoyed it immensely. The charge was $25 for 30 minutes and $45 for 60 minutes. She spent the rest of the day relaxing in the shade with a book. Others in our group enjoyed all of the other activites offered.

 

The day was wonderfully relaxing, truely a little oasis. When it came time to return to the ship, many people did not want to leave! We are very pleased to have the opportunity to return again this June as it is a fantastic place. I can easily give it my strongest recommendation.

 

I'll attach some pictures.....

[Friscorays]

Walkway from resort entrance to beach. Shower and locker area. Bar and dining area. Additional area with hammocks to sit in.

[Friscorays]

Various beach shots.

[Name Of The Game]

Thanks for sharing - really looking forward to going here!

[mariaw8889]

friscorays, thanks for the info. How was the diving? I will be diving from here in april. should I bring any of my own gear?

[Friscorays]

mariaw8889,

 

Here is a "review" I posted over on the scuba and snorkeling section:

 

In Costa Maya, I dove with Blue Ocean Safari:

 

http://www.blueoceansafari.com/

 

I did the dive throught the Maya Chan Beach Resort but you could also get to the dive shop by cab, $10 per cab each way and around a 20 minute drive.

 

It was a smalll boat with captain, dive guide and two other divers besides myself (who were doing a land-based trip). The reef was quite nice and just a few minutes from shore.

 

First dive was 85 feet for 59 minutes and second dive was 45 feet for 46 minutes. Entry was by back roll.

 

I enjoyed the reef, interesting topography kind of like canyons. No wow type wildlife was seen but you never know what might pop up on any given dive. The dives were easy with no current.

 

I bring my own equipment as I am comfortable with it but I am sure they offer rental equuipment as well.

[AtlantaAlly]

Thank you all so much for posting pictures. My grandmother owns the property right nextdoor (The red house and the other house right near the water) And I love looking through the pictures to see how her property is looking... so thanks for sharing!

[vafatboy]

Just got back from out cruise. We were at Maya Chan on March 3rd and loved the place. The people that run things are awsome. Zak kept our drinks coming all day.

 

Well worth the money. Since they only take a limited number of people each day, did not feel crowded. There were several people that came walking up. They just told them they were booked and did not let them in. Most places would have just taken there money and let them in. We did Playa Mia in cozomel, it was nice, but packed.

 

Maya chan is our number one stop after 8 carribean cruises.

 

Robert

[FinelyCruising]

Can someone bring me up to speed...how far from the cruise ship pier(s) is Maya Chan? Thanks!

[Friscorays]

Can someone bring me up to speed...how far from the cruise ship pier(s) is Maya Chan? Thanks!

 

....The meeting point is at the Mayan Museum (still under construction) just outside of the very touristy area built by the cruise lines, perhaps a 10 minute walk from the ship. The Maya Chan representative was there to meet us and help us into the awaiting cabs / vans.

 

The drive to the resort is about 20-25 minutes on a fairly rudimentary road (lots of potholes force the cabs to go slow). When we arrived, another Maya Chan representative was waiting for us at the resort entrance. He gave the cab driver the fare (included in the price) and then gave us a tour of the resort.....

 

I hope this helps.

[FinelyCruising]

It does. Thank you very much!:)

[vinman13]

Friscorays I was wondering did the dive shop pick you up as soon as you got to the resort? How long did you have at the beach when you got back from diving? We have a day booked for a resort dive. Then the rest of the day at the beach.

[Friscorays]

vinman 13,

 

The schedule with the dive shop seemed a little free form. We docked at 8 am. I was told to make it to Maya Chan early and I was in the first group to arrive, taxi left port at 9 am and we were at the resort around 9:30 am. I think I must have just missed the dive companies first set of dives for the day because I was not picked up by the dive boat until sometime around noon. After my two dives, I was dropped off back at Maya Chan around 2:30 pm. We took a cab back to the ship at 3:45 but probably could have stayed an extra hour as our all-aboard was not until 5:30 pm.

[vinman13]

Did Mark set the dive up for you? if he did did he charge you a dive price and resort price and was it worth it did you get your moneys worth at the resort?

[Friscorays]

Mark made the arrangement with the dive shop. I feel we got more than our moneys worth for our day at Maya Chan.

 

The price for my dives was $85. The price on the Blue Ocean Safari site is $75 so I viewed the $10 difference as Mark's service fee for setting everything up for me.

 

I've already booked another day with Maya Chan, including two more dives with Blue Ocean Safari, in May 2010.

[vinman13]

What did he charge you for the rest of the day at the resort?

[Friscorays]

We had special group pricing for our group of 40, $45 per person. I think this price may no longer be available and that the lowest rate depending on group size is now $49 per person. Of course, I would confirm pricing directly with Mark / Maya Chan.

[vinman13]

Mark has been great. Thank you for your quick replies. I can't wait less then 30 days till Maya Chan!!!!!

[mjyanne]

I just book for my Nov/Dec 2010 trip. Here is Mark's response to my reservation:

 

"I will add you to the Oasis list and thank you for the post. We have a previous guest rate which is $ 5.00 less than the group rate. If you want, let call the group Oasis12/2 Group. I have one other party of 6 already on deposit for that date. We are now booking into 2011."

 

Based on the fact he is booking into 2011, I'd recommend booking early to ensure you get in. Can't wait to go in June.

[Copper49]

We just returned from our cruise and we booked Maya Chan when we were in Costa Maya. I would love to keep this hidden jewel a secret from everyone ;) !!!!! We were welcomed by Mark when we arrived and he showed us around. It is small and intimate. We had a great time!!!! We were the only ones from our ship there, and others showed up from another ship a while later. The service was excellent and so was the food, which was sooo fresh!!! There were maybe 20 or so people there total!! I will definitely go back!!! There is a great group of people that work there! Very attentive and nice! It was my favorite part of the entire cruise!

[LJLB6]

Copper49, you and I must have been on the same itinerary last week--I noticed on the Cozumel boards that we both had the same issues/experience at Nachi Cocum.

 

We were at Maya Chen on Tuesday last week, and I have to say, this was the absolute highlight of our cruise. The price they quote you is totally inclusive, with the exception of any tips for your servers and $25 for a 30 min. beach massage---they have a tip box sitting out, and the tips are divided among all of those employees working that day--no one ever mentioned tips to us and there is no pressure--the box is just sitting there.

 

When we got off our ship, we exited the terminal area and found the rep holding the Mayan Chen sign. She immediately got us a taxi and paid him prior to our departure. On arrival to Maya Chen, we were greeted with breakfast punch---nonalcoholic or rum punch. We were escorted to our private palapa (thatched umbrella), which included chairs and a cushioned chaise lounge. Some people were under palapas whereas others were under beach umbrellas---but everyone was in their own separate area.

 

Shortly after arrival, someone came around with a cup of fresh fruit. A young man also came around to see if anyone was interested in bike riding or snorkeling. They have 4 bikes, and he will take you on an easy bike ride up to a secluded rocky beach where you can collect cora/shells/rocksl. They also have glass bottomed ocean kayaks--free of charge--which my husband and daughter just loved (I slept on the chaise lounge while they kayaked). They had a snorkeling tour (free of charge) where you kayak about 15 minutes out to the perimeter of a reef---unfortunately, the water was choppy and visibility poor. The staff was wonderful---my daughter really wanted to do the snorkeling, and they were more than willing to take her out even though the visibility was poor. She ended up changing her mind.

 

Halfway through the morning, they brought around baskets of tortilla chips, guacamole, and salsa---we went through 3 baskets--the guacamole was incredible. Later in the afternoon, lunch consisted of fish, beef, and chicken fajitas and bean soup--food was great and plentiful. They have a laptop set up at the bar (free of charge) in case you need to check email, or whatever.

 

The beach is very clean--Mark (owner) said that by law, they can only rake up the sea grass that washes up on the beach---they cannot remove any grass that is in the water. The beach was raked and immaculate when we arrived---and later, someone did rake up some grass that had washed up onto the beach in the afternoon.

 

We had a great time sitting at the bar and talking to other cruisers and the owner, Mark. The staff is very friendly and accomodating. The drinks are great---am craving a mango daiquiri as I write this.

 

Toward the end of the day, someone came around to ask us what time we wanted to leave---we had a taxi waiting for us at that time, and it was prepaid (taxi fees are included in the price).

 

If you are looking for a relaxing day on a secluded beach, this is the place for you---they only accept 40 reservations.

[jbpinkie]

I booked today before seeing this thread, and am now sooooo excited, and feel very lucky!! Mom, Grandma and I are going next month and were able to get in. So remember it doesn't hurt to ask, especially if you have a small roll call, which ours is.

 

I can't wait to go!!!

[Jewelfine]

We LOVED our day on Maya Chan - our roll call for our cruise booked together so we got it for $49 a person - and it was worth it!

 

Here is my review:

http://www.excellent-vacation-ideas.com/costa-maya-mexico.html of it.

 

They really treat you well and keep the numbers limited so it never feels crowded.

 

Enjoy!

Melanie

[klg94msn]

Absolutely the best day of our vacation! The folks at Maya Chan were great. I miss my palapa!

 

Here are some random Maya Chan shots:

[libbysdad]

My family and I spent the day at Maya Chan on March 23rd. We had a blast and I would not hesitate to recommend the resort. Here is the review that I've posted on Trip Advisor and CC. It is obviously getting very popular by word of mouth and will likely start booking well in advance.

 

First port was Costa Maya. We had booked a day for the family at Maya Chan Beach Resort based on some comments and reviews from both Cruise Critic and Trip Advisor. Wow, did this exceed our expectations. Maya Chan is a small resort located about 30 minutes from the cruise port. We were met and greeted by a lovely young lady in the exact location we had been instructed. She promptly guided us to a taxi and off we went. Maya Chan was recently built and opened in October 2009. Maya Chan is all inclusive and includes all your food and drinks for the day. Just show up with your sunscreen and towel. It is owned and operated by an American family from San Diego. After many years of cruising and visiting resorts all over the Caribbean, they decided that they wanted to build and operate their own resort based on the things they liked from their own travels and personal experiences. They keep daily guests to 40 max per day and really offer amazing personal service. Focus is on couples and families. No wild or loud spring break crowds and no beach vendors to constantly hassle you to buy something. We were impressed by the whole staff, the great lunch and activities (biking, kayaks, snorkeling) included. Transportation to and from your ship is also included. We didn’t have a great weather day (very windy and some clouds) so snorkeling didn’t happen, but we had no regrets. My family LOVED it! Should our travels ever bring us back to Costa Maya, we will definitely have this on our list. These guys felt like family by the end of the day and we had a big smile on our face all the way back home. We arrived back at the cruise port with enough time to purchase a couple of trinkets and make our departure time. Highly recommended!