Where to find Paradise Beach information?

[boobear]

I've been reading alot about Paradise Beach on these boards but I can't find an actually web site and tells me anything about this place. Anybody have a web site? This is our first cruise and we will be spending the entire day at Cozmel (9-10) and then another day at Playa Del Carmen (7-4). I have a 14 yr old who wants to try snorkeling, but not sure where the best place to go is to do this PLUS give the other 2 kids plenty to do (ages 11 & 6). Should we do beach excursion at just one of these ports or both? Is one better that another? I'm also considering Xcaret at PDC. Any ideas or suggestions?

[Kay129]

http://paradise-beach-cozumel.net/

hope that helps :)

[Kay129]

also, i'm a first time cruiser stopping in the same two ports as you. we've decided to do xcaret while we're in pdc/calica b/c it seems as if that's the best thing we could do - there's a lot to do there. in cozumel, we plan to head to paradise beach, maybe jet ski or parasail (there's a stand nearby), then wash up and head to los cinqo soles for some shopping and pancho's backyard for some munchies.

here's websites for xcaret and los cinqo soles:

 

http://www.xcaret.com/

 

http://www.loscincosoles.com/mainwelcome.htm

[bruce-r]

Don't do the ship's excursion at either port if all you want to do is snorkel and/or go to the beach, IMO. You can do pretty much the same or better for less $ on your own.

 

Cozumelinsider.com has a good listing of all the beaches" http://www.cozumelinsider.com/beaches/

 

Cozumelmycozumel.com also has excellent beach information: http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Pages/BeachClubs.htm

 

If you want to let your 14y/o try snorkeling, PB would be OK for a first time, but he won't see all that Cozumel has to offer underwater. PB has a nice sandy beach that goes out into the water which is nice for people to play on, but sand doesn't support much marine life. Corals and sponges need a hard surface to grow on and these are what attract fish, so you will find the better snorkeling at places that have a rock shoreline.

 

You could first go to a place that has good snorkeling, like Dzul Ha, which is free and on the way to PB. Let your 14 y/o try out the snorkeling there. If you don't have the gear, you can rent it there. The people there would also appreciate it if you bought some food/drinks too. Unfortunately I don't think that there is much there for the younger kids unless you let them get in the water too.

 

After some snorkeling, then you could move on to one of the beach clubs where there is more family friendly fun, but less enjoyable snorkeling. Or you could do this in reverse order.

 

I don't know what Playa Del Carmen has to offer as far as beaches go, but I do know that since you are on the mainland, you are much closer to some of the more interesting Mayan ruins. You might consider this in your planning.