I Belize in MAGIC! MITSUGIRLY revisits the Western Route. My Novel.

[mitsugirly]

PARADISE BEACH

 

We left The Money Bar at 12:16pm in the pouring rain. We arrived at Paradise 8 minutes later at 12:24. I had in my notes that it would cost $10 for "us" to get from the MB to Paradise. Once adding on the rest of the family...he told us $30 for the 8 minute trip. Hmmm, I think we were over charged but what could we do. I reality, it should have been maybe $20-25.

 

Amazingly, it had stopped pouring down by the time we got there. So, everything was just wet.

 

 

 

Now Paradise was a place that I have wanted to come to every time we have been to Cozumel. But, as always, something else would spark my interest and we would go there instead. I have read good things about Paradise and a lot of people seem to like it here. From the pictures I have seen online, it looked like a beautiful and amazing place. Well, I was about to find out if I felt the same way as others.

 

Entrance:

 

 

So far it looked beautiful and everything was nicely landscaped.

 

 

 

 

Above is the first place you come to and it is the pool bar. Behind that is a HUGE pool and it was really nice!

 

 

We picked a table under the palapa at the bar area and put our things down and instantly the kids ran for the pool. The sun came out and it looked beautiful.

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

Of course it was still cloudy, so we'd have sun and clouds off and on the rest of the day...mixed with more rain of course. But for now, it was nice out.

 

The pool had ledges in certain spots, all the way around it, that would be a great place for smaller children to play and they had lounge chairs in the water. I thought that was pretty awesome myself.

 

 

 

Steps into the pool:

 

 

I love this ledge all the way around. There were several places to get in and out of the pool too. That made it nice.

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

I kept hearing some loud sounds. It sounded like birds off in the distance. I decided to go check it out.

 

I went down this brick path and headed toward the beach area.

 

 

 

Here were the noise makers. They were very loud! I heard someone say one of their names is Rico but I can't remember the other.

 

 

The birds were located at yet another bar/restaurant area. It was huge and really nice.

 

I decided that I wanted to head out to the beach and check things out.

 

 

 

It was a beautiful area and beach. There is plenty of shade here and plenty of chairs as well. There just wasn't anyone here.

 

 

The beach area kinda reminded me of Playa Mia.

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

I headed on back to the pool area because before I left, we had ordered food.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[13cheermom]

Actually I am sick...have been since the cruise and about 90% of our roll call got sick. But I must press on. My work already says I take too many vacations. I only work about 2-3 hours a day so I guess that's enough time off as it is. ;p

 

Oh no :') do you think you picked up something from the cruise? We were on this same cruise, felt great the whole week, came home and husband ended up with the flu and pneumonia :eek:. I have some kind of crud (sore throat, runny nose, etc.) Hate to have such a great time and come home to be sick. Never had this happen before, both relatively healthy people, but theres always a first lol.

[momof4girls]

So curious as to what you think of Paradise Beach. I love it there, and have a hard time trying anyplace else, although I’ve been to Chankanaab.

[Mutumbojimbo]

For anyone who hasn't been here, the Nacho Volcano Supremo will feed your family. We love Paradise Beach. It's been a great destination both times we went there.

 

What a fun review (as always)!

[mitsugirly]

I ended up getting some type of plate that had a lot of different things on it. When we're in the REAL Mexico, I like to try different REAL Mexican food. I ended up with the Mexican Platter.

 

 

Everything was SO GOOD! It was also SO MUCH. I couldn't eat it all.

 

The hubby got a burrito and couldn't stop talking about how good it was.

 

 

 

So I was telling Sakari about the birds and wanted to go show her. I knew she would be excited about it. Off we went to go find them.

 

 

 

 

Only we didn't see them where they were last time. But, we could hear them. We kept looking around and they were on the roof now.

 

 

The other one was in the tree.

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Another look at the beach area.

 

 

 

 

 

Such a beautiful place.

 

 

 

They also had a gift shop off to the side of the restaurant (seen on the left hand side in the pic).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Checking out the birds one last time.

 

 

 

Then back to the pool area.

 

 

When we returned, Sakari started yelling "It's a vulture! Look at it".

 

 

 

Personally, I thought it was fake. It stood there like that forever. Then I spotted another one over by the restrooms.

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

More of the area. These are the outdoor showers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

A few more of the beach area since it was sunny and I was at the opposite end.

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

 

 

 

 

 

The water toys

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

Dolphin sculptures in the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The snorkel rental area. I think the prices were outrageous! I'm not sure where there is to snorkel here unless they are taking you out by boat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

A little shower here as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mindy2]

No entrance fee.

 

It is polite to buy some food and/or drinks in order to use the facilities (tables, chairs, loungers, restrooms) but we have been there when cruisers have used the tables and chairs, brought in their own rum and coke and played their own music:mad:.

Wow! That's just plain rude, disrespectful and downright cheap.

 

Really enjoying your trip report Mitsugirly. Pictures are fantastic. I'll be doing this cruise in January so love all the information.

[c-leg5]

Dolphin sculptures in the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The snorkel rental area. I think the prices were outrageous! I'm not sure where there is to snorkel here unless they are taking you out by boat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The snorkel prices say “deposit” and implies these are replacement costs although I always thought snorkel equipment was part of the water toy package?

[Mutumbojimbo]

I'm pretty sure that the snorkel "prices" at Paradise Beach are replacement costs if you lose something. If you buy a wristband to use the water toys, you can use snorkel stuff too, and maybe kayaks. I just had to give my driver's license as collateral and my son was able to snorkel and kayak. I'm pretty certain I didn't pay any extra. I think the wristband was $12. I stayed on my lounger, drank tropical drinks and enjoyed the nachos. I love that Paradise Beach is ala carte so I'm not paying for food the boys aren't eating (they stay in the water) or for ocean toys I'm not using. It's really a fun place to spend a day.

Edited November 29, 2017 by Mutumbojimbo
clarified post.

[mitsugirly]

Wow! That's just plain rude, disrespectful and downright cheap.

 

Really enjoying your trip report Mitsugirly. Pictures are fantastic. I'll be doing this cruise in January so love all the information.

 

Thanks and glad you are enjoying it. Have a great cruise in January.

 

The snorkel prices say “deposit” and implies these are replacement costs although I always thought snorkel equipment was part of the water toy package?

 

It said $20 deposit then listed different prices for the various equipment, which made it seem as if you pay for each piece that was needed. I also have my own equipment, so I never really check these rentals out. I just thought it seemed pretty expensive.

 

I'm pretty sure that the snorkel "prices" at Paradise Beach are replacement costs if you lose something. If you buy a wristband to use the water toys, you can use snorkel stuff too, and maybe kayaks. I just had to give my driver's license as collateral and my son was able to snorkel and kayak. I'm pretty certain I didn't pay any extra. I think the wristband was $12. I stayed on my lounger, drank tropical drinks and enjoyed the nachos. I love that Paradise Beach is ala carte so I'm not paying for food the boys aren't eating (they stay in the water) or for ocean toys I'm not using. It's really a fun place to spend a day.

 

If that's the case, they should probably state it is replacement costs otherwise people will think this is the rental cost (like I did). It could deter from business and people renting equipment if so.

 

The wristband for the water toys is $18, I do know that. We would learn this later on in the day. I love the ala carte as well.

[mitsugirly]

Back to the pool we went for a little bit of fun. The water was so warm and felt so good and the sun was shining.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The guys kinda hung out at the bar most of the day. Prior to leaving for this cruise (a week) the guys went in on a business together and it was very hectic the week before leaving. They were on their phones a lot and making sure that their new business they left behind was running smoothly. Us girls...well we were busy just being on vacation and enjoying every minute of it.

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

 

Above-below...I love trying to accomplish these. They are very hard to do, especially when the water is moving...which is always. It may take me 25 pictures just to get one decent one. But when I do...aha ha ha aha ha! I'm thrilled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mitsugirly]

After awhile, we all decided we wanted to spend a little time at the beach. We had been at the pool area since we arrived (other than just checking out the beach for a short period for pictures).

We all gathered our things and headed down to the beach.

Along the way the birds had moved again.

 

 

The water was a little "refreshing" to say the least, but we tackled it. I tried to put my goggles on and see if anything was under the water, but the water was so stirred up there was nothing to see.

 

 

When we checked in, they told us it was a $3 admission per person. They told us it was complete use of their facilities. So...there were water toys. I do know that I had read that it was extra to use the water toys, but thought maybe since there really wasn't anyone here that day that they were allowing people to use them. I honestly had no idea but they said complete use of their facilities so....

The kids (and adults) started playing on them. There was maybe another 5 people out there. They do have a guy that stands on the beach and watches everyone and tells them to stop if something is being done wrong I suppose.

 

 

They watched everyone play on the water toys and didn't say a word. For a LONG time.

 

 

 

 

Kam was actually getting used to the water...and even salt water. I was so proud of her.

[mitsugirly]

Now anyone that follows my reviews knows that Billy does NOT get in the ocean. He went in once in Bermuda and swears he was bitten by a fish (he actually did come out of the water bleeding). He has quickly walked out in the water here and there to cool off and ran right back.

Well.....he actually came out and played in the water A LOT!

 

 

 

It was hilarious trying to watch them climb on this blow up. They just couldn't do it! They would fall off every time. Kendra was laughing so hard she was actually crying. Like tears coming down her face laughing.

 

 

 

The hubby really wanted to jump down and "sky" him, but it wasn't happening.

 

 

 

They had a bit of an audience with a few people on the beach watching and laughing and the "life guard" watching as well and laughing with every roll off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[KatEnz]

Fabulous pictures and review! Loving it as always. Subscribed.

 

We were just at Paradise beach on the 10th with NCL Pearl. It was pretty empty because it was a Sunday and many places were closed in Cozumel. We paid $3pp to enter. We also used the toys and nobody said anything. I had thought that the toys were extra too, but figured since it was slow and a Sunday they didn't care. What I didn't know was about the snorkeling gear. They charged DH $20 for fins. We thought it was ridiculous too but I told DH to just pay it. I guess in essence we paid for the use of the toys that way. Either way, it was a great day, cloudy and all.

 

Thanks for sharing your experience with us!

[funinthesun1964]

 

I noticed that we didn't have an ice bucket. What is going on here. We started out with ice buckets full out ice in the room. Then another cruise we got an empty ice bucket and had to ask for ice. Now...no buckets? I immediately called to ask for a bucket and they said they would deliver it and ask if I wanted ice daily. Absolutely! I had to have something to make my pop cold because the fridge/cooler isn't going to cut it.

 

I had most of our clothes and items put away when my ice bucket arrived...

 

 

 

Seriously? I don't even get an ice bucket with a lid to keep it cool? They have resorted to just a plastic pail? I'm kinda shocked. Like what did they do with all the ice buckets that they used to have in the rooms? Where are the tongs to pick up the ice? I would have to resort to using my hands? This is super weird.

 

We also did not have 3 pool towels (and only had 2). I'm pretty sure they know how many people will be staying in the room for that week. Most of the other times we have the correct amount so that tells me they must know ahead of time. Right?

 

We were on the same cruise.

You must have had a bum room steward. We had an ice bucket with ice and the tongs. We didn't even ask for ice, but received it twice daily. Who did you call for ice, your room steward or room service? Just wondering.