Maya Chan Hits it Out of the Park!

[kbnovak]

This was our second visit to Costa Maya on cruise stops.  We tried to book Maya Chan on our first visit but it was full, we were able to get a reservation for this trip and man, were we ever glad!
We've done similar beach clubs on other islands with mixed results, but this one hit it out of the park!
It's about a 30-minute taxi ride (included in your cost) to the beach club, some of which was over bumpy, dirt roads--so you kind of get one of those 4x4 adventures with it!
We were greeted by David, one of the owners, who gave us a quick overview and tour of the club, then we were led to our cabana.  Quite frankly, we were expecting just some chairs and an umbrella, like at other locations, but we were really impressed with the two, padded Adirondack chairs, a padded lounger, and a hammock, all in the shade of a thatched-roof hut!  Repeat visitors even have their hut marked by a chalkboard sign with their names!
The service was fast, friendly and efficient.  Snacks and drinks were served just moments after we ordered them throughout the day.
Lunch was absolutely delicious, with the meats and tortillas freshly grilled.   The food just had a fresh taste about it.
A variety of water activities are included: stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, floating chairs, and snorkel gear.
The only thing not included in the price is a massage.  We were solicited only once for a massage, but we declined.
During your visit, one of the staff members comes around to explain the return taxi ride details and lets you pick your desired departure time.  About 10 minutes prior to our ride, they came by to notify us, as they promised, and the taxi arrived promptly to take us back to the ship.
We will most certainly visit again--just so we get greeted by one of those signs.  😁

[ransrider]

Great review of Maya Chan. We were there for our 3rd time in February. I agree totally with your review and might also recommend Jane Ostrow's book about how Maya Chan was born. It's a great read. Jane autographed it for me when we last visited. There was the presence of sea grass the last time we visited and we were given the option to cancel. We went and still enjoyed our day. Can't go wrong in choosing Maya Chan for your beach day when in Costa Maya. 

[sunsetme]

how was the beach and the water?

[JT1962]

11 minutes ago, jdechter said:

how was the beach and the water?

I was there last Friday. There was quite a bit of sea grass, but they kept it raked fairly well. The wind was blowing directly towards the beach, so it was a constant battle for them. The water in that part of Mexico is not the tropical crystal clear or blue you see in areas with mainly a sandy bottom. But the food, drinks and service more than make up for the lack of a perfect beach and water. 

[kbnovak]

19 hours ago, jdechter said:

how was the beach and the water?

I echo what JT1962 said. The beach sand is a little coarse--but you get an exfoliating foot scrub along with your walk along the beach.  😃  The water was wonderfully warm.  The sea grass is just the nature of a beach in that location, they were raking it out the whole time we were there.

[c-leg5]

23 hours ago, JT1962 said:

I was there last Friday. There was quite a bit of sea grass, but they kept it raked fairly well. The wind was blowing directly towards the beach, so it was a constant battle for them. The water in that part of Mexico is not the tropical crystal clear or blue you see in areas with mainly a sandy bottom. But the food, drinks and service more than make up for the lack of a perfect beach and water. 

 

There is always seagrass. Your photos don't show much evidence of sargassum which is the real problem that people complain about. It can certainly be much worse than that when the winds and currents bring it in.

[jean-lynd]

11 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

 

There is always seagrass. Your photos don't show much evidence of sargassum which is the real problem that people complain about. It can certainly be much worse than that when the winds and currents bring it in.

Yep - this is what it looked like the day we were there in February.

[c-leg5]

2 hours ago, jean-lynd said:

Yep - this is what it looked like the day we were there in February.

 

What a difference!

 

That was similar to our experience last time we were there.

[BNBR]

13 hours ago, c-leg5 said:

 

What a difference!

 

That was similar to our experience last time we were there.

 

That's what it looked like in Florida last weekend, and we have tractors. Still couldn't keep up.  Man o wars, too. It's just the way beaches are. Hit or miss. 

 

Last Maya Chan visit was pretty bad with the seaweed, but I just embrace it for the natural feel of the location.  We stepped through it and went in the water anyways, which was perfectly nice. 

[ajtraveler66]

We are considering going to MC in February 2020.  Our ship is at port only from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.   A little concerned that that might not be an ample amount of time to allow for complete relaxing.....considering the travel logistics.

 

Thoughts appreciated.

[JT1962]

Realistically you would have 4 to 4 1/2 hours there allowing for about an hour travel time to / from your ship each way to be safe.  You will need to decide if that is worth it. You may want to try Blue Kay or one of the other clubs closer to the port.

[kris816]

Do those that have been there before recommend water shoes? 

[BNBR]

4 minutes ago, kris816 said:

Do those that have been there before recommend water shoes? 

 

No need for water shoes. 

[Itchy&Scratchy]

Blue Kay's water was a whole lot better the first week of April and the week before Christmas...

The dark spots were live grass (not a dead floater) and had a ton of fish in it. And even a tiny stingray. This picture was taken at about 8 am when the workers were hauling beached seaweed away, hence, a small pile of it in the center.

 

 

Edited April 18, 2019 by Itchy&Scratchy

[c-leg5]

29 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

Blue Kay's water was a whole lot better the first week of April and the week before Christmas...

The dark spots were live grass (not a dead floater) and had a ton of fish in it. And even a tiny stingray. This picture was taken at about 8 am when the workers were hauling beached seaweed away, hence, a small pile of it in the center.

 

 

 

It can vary from week to week. When it is bad they will all be bad.

 

we had a clear day in Costa Maya in December and a bad day in February.

[mickeychicky]

On ‎4‎/‎17‎/‎2019 at 7:58 AM, kris816 said:

Do those that have been there before recommend water shoes? 

You don't need them...not rocky

[mickeychicky]

Have never done and would never do anything else other than Maya Chan when in Costa Maya.  Seaweed is just part of nature and there are other things to do if you don't like the seaweed.  Beach games, massages, food, drinks, food, more food, more drinks, socializing with David and/or Mark & Jane if they are there. 

[BNBR]

3 hours ago, mickeychicky said:

Have never done and would never do anything else other than Maya Chan when in Costa Maya.  Seaweed is just part of nature and there are other things to do if you don't like the seaweed.  Beach games, massages, food, drinks, food, more food, more drinks, socializing with David and/or Mark & Jane if they are there. 

 

Yes, thank you! Maya Chan is next level. Such a special place that is hard to explain until you go.

[3Blessings]

What is the cost?

 

On 4/6/2019 at 5:19 PM, kbnovak said:

This was our second visit to Costa Maya on cruise stops.  We tried to book Maya Chan on our first visit but it was full, we were able to get a reservation for this trip and man, were we ever glad!
We've done similar beach clubs on other islands with mixed results, but this one hit it out of the park!
It's about a 30-minute taxi ride (included in your cost) to the beach club, some of which was over bumpy, dirt roads--so you kind of get one of those 4x4 adventures with it!
We were greeted by David, one of the owners, who gave us a quick overview and tour of the club, then we were led to our cabana.  Quite frankly, we were expecting just some chairs and an umbrella, like at other locations, but we were really impressed with the two, padded Adirondack chairs, a padded lounger, and a hammock, all in the shade of a thatched-roof hut!  Repeat visitors even have their hut marked by a chalkboard sign with their names!
The service was fast, friendly and efficient.  Snacks and drinks were served just moments after we ordered them throughout the day.
Lunch was absolutely delicious, with the meats and tortillas freshly grilled.   The food just had a fresh taste about it.
A variety of water activities are included: stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, floating chairs, and snorkel gear.
The only thing not included in the price is a massage.  We were solicited only once for a massage, but we declined.
During your visit, one of the staff members comes around to explain the return taxi ride details and lets you pick your desired departure time.  About 10 minutes prior to our ride, they came by to notify us, as they promised, and the taxi arrived promptly to take us back to the ship.
We will most certainly visit again--just so we get greeted by one of those signs.  😁

 

[kbnovak]

$59/pp.