My heart belongs to Majahual and TAPAS BAR! Photo link within...

[SS Strider]

Hello everyone!

 

I'm a little late, but finally got around to posting my own review of our cruise on Carnival's Sensation April 23, 2005. Costa Maya was our first port; you can read the review here if interested:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=174399&highlight=sensation

 

Our day in Costa Maya was perfect! Sensation was the only ship in port that day, the weather was beautiful, and we had an amazing day. After leaving the ship, we started looking for taxis. It was a little bit confusing, but we finally found a booth to book a cab to Majahual (sp?). It was $3 per person, you had to buy a ticket, and then we rode in a van for ten minutes. After arriving in Majahual, we sought out Tapas, and we were so excited to arrive there!

 

Our waiter was Edgar and he took perfect care of us. Table right on the beach, mango margaritias and Pacifico's! We lunched on the yummiest chicken fajitas and nachos, swam in the clear, warm water (not so great for snorkeling but there are some gorgeous fish there) and watched the world go by. I treated myself to a massage on the beach and the world I left behind melted away.

 

After pulling ourselves away from Tapas (it was difficult!), we wandered the shops in Majahual. It was a slow day for the vendors there, and we loaded up on beach hats and handcrafted knick-knacks. We took our time for about an hour, chatted with the lovely people, took loads of photos, and tried to soak up every little experience for our memories. I hope they endure!

 

Finally, we found a cab driver who took us back to the ship ($2 per person on the way back). He was delightful, and I was practically in tears when we arrived back because I just didn't want our day to end. :(

 

I am so anxious to return to Costa Maya! I fear that in a decade, they'll commercialize it and build it up until it rivals Cancun. In the meantime, get yourself to Majahual and enjoy the quiet serenity and beauty.

 

I've uploaded photos of the cruise, you can view them below. You don't have to sign in, even though you're prompted to. Click on View Photos and then Slideshow. There are lots of photos of Tapas and Majahual!

 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=11ikqke7.13c6f54v&x=0&y=ye1z74

 

Thank you, Tapas Staff, for a beautiful day. Next time I think we'll fly direct and spend a week just with you! I can't talk up your bar enough... cruisers, please leave the pier at Costa Maya and spend your day with Edgar and the staff of TAPAS!!

 

Love and Tapas Memories,

Jennifer/SS Strider

[vppro]

Great review! I am going to Costa Maya in June on the Explorer and have a couple of questions. Is there a pre-set price at Tapas or do you pay for what you use? I know some places charge a fixed price for open bar and beach chair/umbrella. How long did your massage last and what were you charged? Thanks.

[popcorngal]

Thank you so much for the pictures! Costa Maya looks like a little slice of heaven.:D We can't wait!

[SS Strider]

Great review! I am going to Costa Maya in June on the Explorer and have a couple of questions. Is there a pre-set price at Tapas or do you pay for what you use? I know some places charge a fixed price for open bar and beach chair/umbrella. How long did your massage last and what were you charged? Thanks.

 

I'm so jealous that you're going to Costa Maya in June!! I know you'll have an amazing time.

 

There is no pre-set price at Tapas; we asked our waiter, Edgar, to start a tab for us. There is absolutely no charge for the table or chairs, and there are also beach chairs that you can use. I imagine Tapas would just expect you to buy a few drinks or lunch while you're there.

 

We had a margarita each (one frozen and one on-the-rocks), a few bottled waters, and 8 bottles of Pacifico beer. We also had nachos (the most AMAZING salsa, I can still taste it!) and an order of chicken fajitas for lunch. We were at Tapas for about five hours. Our total tab was $38.00 US! We left Edgar a $10 tip.

 

There are two massage tents set up adjacent to Tapas. Both tents charge $20.00 US for a 30-minute full-body massage. However, I waited until the very end of our day to get a massage, and talked my masseusse down to $15.00 US. Left him the full $20.00 with $5.00 as a tip.

 

Worth EVERY PENNY!

 

Also, there was a snorkeling boat in the water right in front of us (you can see it in my photos); the captain was offering snorkeling tours for $20.00 each. Very reasonable, and we were tempted, but decided just to swim off the beach. We did find a few little rocks with gorgeous fish, but if you want to do some real snorkelling, you might want to take him up on his offer.

 

Taxis to Majahual are $3.00 US each. Taxis back to the pier are $2.00 US each. They are plentiful and easy to find.

 

Have a wonderful, wonderful time, and I I do hope you come back here to tell us all about your experience!

 

:-)

Jennifer (SS Strider)

[Lyndylu6]

great review i was on the GRANDUER when it hit the pier we were there 4 days i spent every afternoon at Tapas our waiters Jaun and EMIR took very good care of us had to be 4 of the best days i ever spent on a vacation can not say enough good things about Tapas or the people who took care of us if you get the chance don't pass it up

[DelEaglesFan]

Jen- Nice post. Pictures were insightful also. Tapas sounds nice, but I don't want to sit around and drink all day. I'm disappointed you said the snorkeling isn't that good :(

 

I read somewhere that the reef is 400 yards out. Were people swimming out to that?

[SS Strider]

I read somewhere that the reef is 400 yards out. Were people swimming out to that?

 

The reef seemed farther than 400 yards out. It's far past the first buoys, but people (including me!) were swimming to it. There's a nice floating platform/boat sitting out there; I was surprised and happy to see it! it's easy to rest in between exploring the reef. It's a nice swim and it's gorgeous, but if you want lots of fish, snorkeling is far more spectacular in Cozumel (especially Chankanaab, in my opinion).

 

Majahual is best described as a laid-back beach village with local flavor and no commercialism. These types of beaches are a dying breed, and I'm going to soak them up while I can. There is good snorkeling to be had for $20, boat trip, right there from Tapas, from what I hear. I had every intention of snorkeling that day, but got caught up in the lazy beach vibe. Made up for it the next day at Chankanaab!

 

I don't think you can miss with the area, and I hope you'll give it a shot, DelEagles!

[SS Strider]

His name was Emir, not Edgar. I apologize for the error in previous posts.

 

Thank you, Lyndylu6, for jogging my memory. Emir is a part of my vacation memories, and I'm thankful to you, and very embarrassed for myself, for reminding me of his name!

 

My apologies especially to Emir. I was sure to write his name down in my travel log, but my memory played a trick on me when authoring my post.

[LuvLeLe10]

I absolutely CANNOT wait to go to Majahual! :) Everything sounds so wonderful.

[DelEaglesFan]

SS -

We'll keep that in mind about the potential to swim out.

If its disappointing, the next day, we'll do more snorkeling at Cozumel.

 

The BEST snorkeling we've been involved with, has been at St. John USVI. But its tough to squeeze that in with the ships docking at St. Thomas (requires a taxi and ferry ride to St. John)

[Terri102066]

Can someone give us a price for everything there? I might be interested can you get an open bar? What else is withing walking distance once you are there?

[kjunea]

Can someone give us a price for everything there? I might be interested can you get an open bar? What else is withing walking distance once you are there?

 

I think Pez Quatro, which is just down from Tapas has a set price of $25 unlimited drinks, food extra. Try this link...

 

http://www.costamayacruiseexcursions.com/CostaMayaBeach.htm

 

I did see a link where someone had uploaded the TAPAS menu to their site, but can't remember who did it. Prices were very resonable.

 

June

[SharleneinTexas]

http://www.joephila.org/tapas/tapas.html

 

this is their web site - link for menu is at bottom of page