At Tropicante mid Dec-Questions Anyone?

[wolfde53]

I will be at Tropicante on 12/17/14 if anyone would like info on something specific. Send me your questions.

[Kellyfkrc]

Getting to and from the ship? Can you post pics of the menu? Did he have the chairs reserved like he said he was going to?

 

 

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Edited December 13, 2014 by Kellyfkrc

[cherylandtk]

I was there Tuesday. Take the taxi outside the port gates directly to Tropicante, $2 pp. Same way to return. Yes, chairs were reserved and held for two hours after ship arrival. We were met at the taxi dropoff by an employee with our name on a chalkboard since we reserved. Menu is listed online at

http://www.sandalsandskis.com/Menu.html

[willtravel8090]

We are going for first time in March. Would love to see pics. Also would like to know if he can still set up paddle boarding?

 

 

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[Kellyfkrc]

I was there Tuesday. Take the taxi outside the port gates directly to Tropicante, $2 pp. Same way to return. Yes, chairs were reserved and held for two hours after ship arrival. We were met at the taxi dropoff by an employee with our name on a chalkboard since we reserved. Menu is listed online at

http://www.sandalsandskis.com/Menu.html

 

Thank you! I never saw the menu!

[Kellyfkrc]

I will be at Tropicante on 12/17/14 if anyone would like info on something specific. Send me your questions.

 

What did you eat and drink?

[wolfde53]

As Cherylandtk posted, taxi was easy to get to outside of tourist compound and just $2 per person. We were also met at the drop off and escorted to our beach front lounge chairs. Steve spoke with us at length-very friendly & personable guy-and checked on us often.

 

Waiters were attentive but not pushy. We tried the Iguana Eggs (stuffed jalapeños) which were large and very good but hot. We enjoyed a local beer called Leon. I also purchased a bag of plantain "banana" chips from a vender walking the beach which were also good.

 

Lots of vendors walk the beach selling their wares. A simple "No" with a smile will send them on their way.

 

Husband wanted to snorkel and equipment was obtained by waiter who could also arrange all other beach activities. I saw people kayaking, paddle boarding and riding a banana boat.

 

Total bill at Tropicante for 5 beers, 1 diet Coke, iguana eggs and mask/snorkel/fins rental: $37...a great deal!

 

No problem getting a taxi for the return trip and you can be dropped off inside the tourist compound. The driver will just need you to show your ship card to the guard at the entrance.

 

Check out the website for pics and email Steve directly with specific questions. He always answered my emails within 24 hours. http://sandalsandskis.com/English_Home.html

 

Enjoy!

[Kellyfkrc]

Thanks soooo much!

 

 

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[flashcruise]

We have been to Tropicante several times. Steve is fabulous-he treats you like family. We were impressed how he went from chair to chair and got to know them. The food is fabulous and the drinks and massages were inexpensive. Because of our experiences, Costa Maya is always a port we look forward to.

[Kellyfkrc]

Just got back. Tropicante was awesome! Steve was great! Messages were deep tissue, so beware. $60 altogether.

 

 

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[chesterka]

I will be at Tropicante on 12/17/14 if anyone would like info on something specific. Send me your questions.

 

We will be in Cost Maya in July with a group of 16 people. Our port times are from 7:00-2:00. We are torn between an all-inclusive resort and going to Tropicante. I saw where Pez Quadro offered an all-inclusive rate for $35 which included nachos and beverages. For a family of 4 that is $140. All travelers are over 18, but not all will drink more than two or three drinks. In your opinion, are there enough activities to keep the non-drinkers busy? Do you remember the rates to rent kayaks, paddle boards, etc?

[mitsugirly]

We will be in Cost Maya in July with a group of 16 people. Our port times are from 7:00-2:00. We are torn between an all-inclusive resort and going to Tropicante. I saw where Pez Quadro offered an all-inclusive rate for $35 which included nachos and beverages. For a family of 4 that is $140. All travelers are over 18, but not all will drink more than two or three drinks. In your opinion, are there enough activities to keep the non-drinkers busy? Do you remember the rates to rent kayaks, paddle boards, etc?

 

 

Just a thought...take a look at my Blue Kay review (listed in my signature line). It has TONS of pictures and the place is beautiful. It's right there at the Malecon and is the first stop they drop you at. The place is FREE!!! All you have to do is buy your drinks and food from them. There was 3 of us and we spent every last minute there and only spent $48 with eating and drinking all day. The water is crystal clear blue, VERY long beach (compared to any of the others on the Malecon), the grounds are beautiful, plenty of sun or shade, massages (for a fee), great food and drinks, great service and even snorkeling if you like that. You can't beat it.

 

I just thought I would give you another option...with 16 people, money adds up quickly with an AI. :)

[1gail1]

Just a thought...take a look at my Blue Kay review (listed in my signature line). It has TONS of pictures and the place is beautiful. It's right there at the Malecon and is the first stop they drop you at. The place is FREE!!! All you have to do is buy your drinks and food from them. There was 3 of us and we spent every last minute there and only spent $48 with eating and drinking all day. The water is crystal clear blue, VERY long beach (compared to any of the others on the Malecon), the grounds are beautiful, plenty of sun or shade, massages (for a fee), great food and drinks, great service and even snorkeling if you like that. You can't beat it.

 

I just thought I would give you another option...with 16 people, money adds up quickly with an AI. :)

 

Just looked over your review of Blue Kay and I thing you have change my mind and will be going there. Love all your pictures and comments on the place. there will be 7 women (our girls cruise) and this place looks wonderful. Have you been to the Tropicana? would like to know the difference between them.

[mitsugirly]

Just looked over your review of Blue Kay and I thing you have change my mind and will be going there. Love all your pictures and comments on the place. there will be 7 women (our girls cruise) and this place looks wonderful. Have you been to the Tropicana? would like to know the difference between them.

 

 

I'm sorry, I have not personally been to Tropicana, but have been right down from it at Nohoch Kay. The only thing I can tell you about "most" of the malecon was that there seemed to be a lot of the sea grass down that way and especially at the end of the malecon. The water also wasn't very deep at all. My husband walked WAY out and it was still only up around his ankles. We watched people "try" to get in a canoe to take a ride and didn't go anywhere because it bottomed out. While it was quite hilarious to watch, I'm sure they didn't think so and gave up after about a 1/2 hour or so. :p

 

I can tell you that Tropicante is a little small establishment (that many people on here love to go to) and it's pretty much set up like Nohoch Kay. There's a small building on one side of the malecon and then on the other is the beach. Also, when I was searching for a different place to go, the only other place that I had thought about was Tropicante simply because when looking on google earth, the area right in front of it showed not a lot of sea grass (and not that I don't like the sea grass because when snorkeling you can find some interesting things in it, but when the entire place is loaded with it, it makes for some ugly water IMO).

 

While I believe I'm probably one of the first to ever visit Blue Kay on here, it's going to be hard to find someone that has visited both places to do a comparison. Since I have been right down from Tropicante and to this place, I can only compare those two. I can tell you the beach at Blue Kay is long and huge compared to any of the places you will find along the malecon. :)

[A&Jfamily]

Has anyone been snorkeling at Tropicante recently? I have seen some say the water was shallow, but from Google Earth pictures it looks clear, and no loaded with sea grass as reported in other areas.

[gurglegargle]

A&J, we were just there on 1/2. We had a great time at Tropicante, but the weather was miserable! We snorkeled a little, but didn't see too much, and because of the weather, the sea grass was all over the place. They did open us a path to get in and out of the water without having to walk through the stuff. The water is pretty shallow for the most part, but gets deeper the further out you go.

Steve, the owner, was great, have us a free shot of the house tequila, and when the rain was coming down hard, let us all go upstairs and had chairs brought up for us. I will see if I can find some pictures for you.

[gurglegargle]

A&J, we were just there on 1/2. We had a great time at Tropicante, but the weather was miserable! We snorkeled a little, but didn't see too much, and because of the weather, the sea grass was all over the place. They did open us a path to get in and out of the water without having to walk through the stuff. The water is pretty shallow for the most part, but gets deeper the further out you go.

Steve, the owner, was great, have us a free shot of the house tequila, and when the rain was coming down hard, let us all go upstairs and had chairs brought up for us. I will see if I can find some pictures for you.

 

[sun~]

I was at the Tropicante last Tuesday.

 

Tips: get a taxi, don't take a shuttle. The shuttle will stop at every beach club and someone will try to sell you on their club. It got annoying. Take a taxi, it is cheap. If the port isn't busy, you don't have to reserve. Just walk up. If they are booked, no worries the beach clubs are all in a row.

 

Steve was very nice and we had a nice chat about the local economy, business, housing and the Costa Maya area. He really caters to the day cruise ship visitor.

 

The food and water were safe here and the bathroom was clean.

 

Steve told me that sea grass has been an issue, but his staff clean it up every day. The beach was completely clear last week. By late afternoon it was starting to drift in. He said they scoop it up and make like a big compost pile. The water was clear and shallow. I didn't have to go too far to get to deeper water, but then again I am 4'10.5"!

 

I would go again to the Tropicante in a heartbeat. I was alone that day, my hubby and friends went on an excursion. I felt safe and wasn't hassled by the beach vendors.

 

Have fun!

Edited January 27, 2015 by sun~

[griz400]

what all is at the tropicante ??? other places close . ?? souvenir shop ?? are you bothered alot if you walk up and down the maleacon ?? we will be there 1st week of march .. :)

Edited January 28, 2015 by griz400

[mitsugirly]

what all is at the tropicante ??? other places close . ?? souvenir shop ?? are you bothered alot if you walk up and down the maleacon ?? we will be there 1st week of march .. :)

 

 

Hi Griz! :D I don't remember if you got a chance to read all of my review from our Sun cruise. I know you posted some here and there. I did a review on Blue Kay, which is where we went when we were on the Sun with you guys and we loved it there. It's a lot bigger area than Tropicante. You should check the place out. :)

[griz400]

Hi Griz! :D I don't remember if you got a chance to read all of my review from our Sun cruise. I know you posted some here and there. I did a review on Blue Kay, which is where we went when we were on the Sun with you guys and we loved it there. It's a lot bigger area than Tropicante. You should check the place out. :)

 

We are doing Mr Sanchos the first day in Cozumel, then i was looking at trip adviser and the Tropicante I see is rated 1 for Mexican food and that's what i'm looking for, maybe later i guess we could actually go to Blue Kay and then go back to port ...

Living in Florida over 30 years, I really love real Mexican food, there is a small park (baseball) in plant city fl. where alot of mexican people set up nearly every weekend and sell for a small fee, also in a church near riverview fl and they do the same thing .. real mcoy .. lol :)

[mitsugirly]

We are doing Mr Sanchos the first day in Cozumel, then i was looking at trip adviser and the Tropicante I see is rated 1 for Mexican food and that's what i'm looking for, maybe later i guess we could actually go to Blue Kay and then go back to port ...

Living in Florida over 30 years, I really love real Mexican food, there is a small park (baseball) in plant city fl. where alot of mexican people set up nearly every weekend and sell for a small fee, also in a church near riverview fl and they do the same thing .. real mcoy .. lol :)

 

I completely understand...but I can say that I haven't been to a place yet in Mexico (either Cozumel or Costa Maya) that didn't have real Mexican food. :D Some of the best food we have had was in Costa Maya. The guacamole at Maya Chan is to die for and I vowed I could probably just live off of it. :p

[sun~]

what all is at the tropicante ??? other places close . ?? souvenir shop ?? are you bothered alot if you walk up and down the maleacon ?? we will be there 1st week of march .. :)

 

There are loungers, tables and chairs on the beach. There is a sit down restaurant with a small gift/book shop. There is a strip of small shops as well. The vendors seemed pretty mild, you just need to say a polite "no thanks".

[griz400]

Yes, we emailed and they emailed back (same day), we have a shaded table reserved .. loungers are full, which, is ok with us .. he also stated in email that there are all kind of souvenir shops, etc (the wife had me ask ) lol...

We will be there, also looks like you can walk to different parts of beach ..