Afternoon in Costa Maya with young children

[flcruisechick16]

Hello, we are sailing on the Disney Fantasy in October and will be stopping in Costa Maya. We have 2 young children 20 months and 3 1/2. What would you recommend to do in Costa Maya with the little ones. I am concerned about taking a taxi because we won't have car seats. We would love an family friendly beach with clear blue waters. Or any other suggestions. This is our first cruise since having kids so definitely changes our dynamics and willingness to explore. ;) My husband is very cautious too so that makes things more of a challenge. Thanks so much for your help.

 

Caroline

[crewsweeper]

If taxi's area concern, you're not going to find a clear blue water beach. Even the beach/shore along the malecon in Mahahual can be murky and may have an abindance of seagrass.

 

The cruise center itself isn't too bad. Plenty of shops (usual stuff) some places to eat and a pool with a swim up bar. I've seen lots of smaller children playing in the pool in the past. Only a small sand area and the shore line there is rocky.

[bguppies]

Yeah your taxi concerns are pretty much going to kill any dreams of crystal clear beaches at any of the western caribbean ports. (the ships generally don't dock near the prettiest beaches)

 

Everything close to Costa Maya pier is water full of sea grass and at least a short cab ride into town. (or a really long, hot walk)

 

Cozumel won't have much near Punta Langosta where you dock, without at least a mile or so walk.

Most of the nice sandy beach clubs are south of town and require a cab ride.

You could maybe book Isla Passion/Passion Island excursion if it is offered by Disney.

It is just north of town and Disney's pier.

 

If you dock at Roatan you could do the Maya Key excursion through the cruise line if they offer it.

It is a short ferry ride to an island right across from where your ship docks.

 

Otherwise, you need a taxi to other beaches in Roatan also.

 

Good luck to you and the kids...

 

Bill

[mitsugirly]

In Costa Maya, even if you stay at the port, you're not going to find a "beach" there. Yes, they have a very small area that has sand facing the water and facing the ships dock, but it doesn't go off in to the water. There is nothing but rocks there and the "beach" is not a beach, but it's hard and man-made.

 

 

 

 

 

So as you can see, it's not really a place you would want to hang out at with young children.

 

They do have a pool there (and once again they have a man made sandy area with chairs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The pool does have an area (where the fountains are) that is like a big ledge that you can hang around in with the little ones and it's not too deep (but parents still required).

 

Yes, there are plenty of bars and food areas, but from what I have been told, the food is an outrageous amount to purchase it.

 

There's plenty of shopping and the port is big and nice with fountains and a few things for picture opportunities. But other than that, that's about all you are going to get by staying in the port area.

 

[mitsugirly]

If you want crystal blue clear Caribbean water, you are not going to find this at any of the places people usually mention on here (like Nohoch Kay or even the fabulous Maya Chan). The water is the murkier colored water with sea weed.

 

You would have to do an AI at some place like Almaplena. It's a 20 minute drive from the port and absolutely beautiful there. If you want to read up on it or consider it, I have a full review with TONS of pictures in my signature line. Just click on it and it starts around post 173 in the review.

 

I'm sorry, but that's the only way you are going to see the beautiful water you may be looking for...you have to catch a cab to it. ;)

[flcruisechick16]

OK, thank you all so much for the information. How are the cabs? Do they have seatbelts? I would love to go sea those blue water beaches at at least one of the stops. Does anyone have any recommendations for cab ride with young ones? Or are their buses available? Thanks again

 

Caroline

[Canadian Tyler]

It was a short cab ride to Nohoch Kay and my then 3.5 yr old enjoyed it. They had a few sand toys and there were two other little ones there that day that she played with.

[Sparkygirl]

OK, thank you all so much for the information. How are the cabs? Do they have seatbelts? I would love to go sea those blue water beaches at at least one of the stops. Does anyone have any recommendations for cab ride with young ones? Or are their buses available? Thanks again

 

Caroline

 

I understand the concern with no car seats, if you want blue water a taxi is a requirement. It is parental choice to go without the car seats or to bring them along. An option we are using with our 3 year old is the Ride Safer vest system. (Minimum age and weight is 3 years old and 30 lbs) if uses the lap and shoulder belt and is less than 2 lbs of weight to stuff into a backpack when not using it. That would eliminate 1 of the car seats you would be lugging around. http://carseatblog.com/21235/ride-safer-3-travel-vest-review/

 

The other thing would be to consider a wheeled caddy for your 20 month olds seat, Britax makes one that is quite sturdy and is compatible with most manufacturers car seats, you use the latch system to attach the seat to the caddy.

[blue water dude]

You can get into town where all the great beach is by taking taxis from outside the port or shuttle buses from inside. A new company began transport this summer from inside the port and they have very nice smaller buses that take tourist into the town. They have 6 regular stops in town and you can choose which when they stop if you like. They charge $3 US per person but the kids that small ride free. The taxis you must get from an official taxi stand outside the port about 100 yards from the port's only exit. Don't ask anyone inside the port for directions to a taxi because they will not tell you and will insist on sending yoo to their shuttles. Just keep walking away from the ocean and you will eventually find the only exit. The outside taxis charge $2 per person and will drop you any specific spot you ask. They are also faster since they do not make stops like the shuttles. Taxis are run by a local union and do a very good job as well. Either way you go into town is safe, clean and easy. When you return, you must take a taxi as the shuttles can't pick up outside the port. Local taxis are very easy to find to get back to the port.

[mitsugirly]

You can get into town where all the great beach is by taking taxis from outside the port or shuttle buses from inside. A new company began transport this summer from inside the port and they have very nice smaller buses that take tourist into the town. They have 6 regular stops in town and you can choose which when they stop if you like. They charge $3 US per person but the kids that small ride free. The taxis you must get from an official taxi stand outside the port about 100 yards from the port's only exit. Don't ask anyone inside the port for directions to a taxi because they will not tell you and will insist on sending yoo to their shuttles. Just keep walking away from the ocean and you will eventually find the only exit. The outside taxis charge $2 per person and will drop you any specific spot you ask. They are also faster since they do not make stops like the shuttles. Taxis are run by a local union and do a very good job as well. Either way you go into town is safe, clean and easy. When you return, you must take a taxi as the shuttles can't pick up outside the port. Local taxis are very easy to find to get back to the port.

 

 

Excellent description.

 

Shuttle bus passes: