Chac-Chi: Resort next to Costa Maya Pier (merged)

[Eliot Ness]

....Good news from Joaquin..He will meet you at the fence and escort you in!!......

That is great news! I posted this on our Roll Call so hopefully some more folks will join us when we head over to Chac-Chi on June 30th.

....Is it the allure that draws people or is it really worth it.......

5forcruise, in post #141 of our Roll Call I gave several links that describe the resort and many of them have pictures and/or links to pictures. All of the posts came from this thread, but since it is so large, I selected a few so members on our Roll Call could get an idea about the place. The resort has been reported as a great place with a cleaner beach than Mahahual along with good food and drink prices.

 

I think Joaquin will increase his business by meeting people at the fence. We at Cruise Critic could be instrumental in getting him a lot of cruisers over to his resort if can we report back that it is now easier to gain entry without the worry of a guard or taxi driver blocking the way.

 

John

[5forcruise]

Thanks for the link John, I had skimmed through this post but missed a lot of the pic's. This will be perfect for us, and I love that we can do it without cabfare! I hope in October the owners are still willing to meet us at the hole, my DH is a little leary of hunting out a hole in the fence while guards and cab drivers harass us, especially with our 3 kids along. :rolleyes:

[Starz723]

I really feel bad for this guy. His resort was there way before any pier was built and he lacks the funds to fight off that bully.

 

When I wrote to him and told him that people were being scared off by guards and taxis blocking the hole, I asked him if he could send someone to the fence and escort us. Hence, the letter he sent back to me. So this is to his benefit to do this. I would much rather spend my money at his establishment. You can see that they are trying to squeeze this guy into eventually selling his property. They know he has a goldmine there. Its perfect actually, you walk off the ship and sit at a nice beach, take a swim, have a few drinks and eat lunch. That is a relaxing day and not much money spent.

 

I also told him that we at cruisecritic.com are talking about his property and spreading the word to other cruisers.

 

Before I leave on July 9 on the Carnival Valor I will let him know my approximate arrival time. Im going to try to get as many people from my meet & greet to come with me. Strength in numbers!! and if not, then its just us 3.

[KJPG]

I've added a link to this thread, a basic story and picture links to our roll call thread. I also asked if there was anyone else who wanted to join my family in "sticking it to the man". ;)

 

We currently have over 100 people on the roll call, with half of those agreeing to a meet and greet after muster drill on Saturday. Hopefully we can get a decent amount of people over there next Wednesday.... :D

[Eliot Ness]

......I also told him that we at cruisecritic.com are talking about his property and spreading the word to other cruisers.

 

Before I leave on July 9 on the Carnival Valor I will let him know my approximate arrival time. Im going to try to get as many people from my meet & greet to come with me. Strength in numbers!! and if not, then its just us 3.

I told him the about same thing in an e-mail I sent to him last night.... that we at Cruise Critic are trying to promote his resort.

 

So far we have a total of 8 from our Roll Call going, and hopefully some more will sign on with us. We might be able to recruit some more at our Meet n' Greet on the ship and perhaps find some other pax on the ship who will want to join us.

 

I do want to see his business increase or fear he will eventually have to sell out. And that is a gold mine sitting there. Imagine if he ever got a legal gate installed in that fence with some nice signs and a clear path/road to his resort.

 

A few years from now maybe we'll be able to post about how "back in the day" we used to sneak through a hole in the fence to get there.

 

John

[78Nole]

I emailed Joaquin at Chac-Chi and got the same email back, he will send someone to meet us at the fence. We are docking at 830, will go with David and Ivan on the Ruins tour, and should be to the resort around 1pm. According to cruise cal, we should be the only ship in port that day.

 

I'll post the results when we return!

[zackiedawg]

I will make it my absolute mission any time I end up in Costa Maya to get over to Chac Chi resort.

 

I saw it last time I was there, but never went there. I didn't like the pier facility because of how it felt so much like a vast money pit to take advantage of cruise passengers...Mahajual was at least a part of Mexico.

 

But now, with word of this struggle, and this deceipt, corruption, and underhandedness in trying to crush a small resort by cutting off access to cruise passengers by lying and strongarming both the resort and passengers - I will join all of those who absolutely refuse to offer so much as a dollar to a single part of the pier facilities, and to support the resort next door in every possible way.

 

Go Joaquin! Keep fighting...you've got the support of the masses. Don't let this type of behavior win. How deceitful to post signs warning of Private Property, making cruise passengers think the resort on the other end of the fence doesn't want cruise passengers to get in (that's the implied message)...when in fact the sign is posted by pier owners who don't want you to go to a public place, openly inviting you to come.

 

Fences? Security guards? Taxis getting in on the strong-arming to try to artificially boost their profits off cruise passengers? I never would have thought that getting off on the Costa Maya pier would be like entering communist U.S.S.R. Nope...I won't buy a tic tac from that pier. and unless I'm threatened with arrest, I'll defy any fence, sign, taxi driver, or rent-a-cop security that tries to tell me I can't go to a public place where I'm invited.

[Annieeee]

I am so sorry that we did not get to go to this resort when we were there in November of last year. I hope that everyone spreads the word about this great place. I think that Joquin should sell t shirts to promote his place and maybe even to help start a fund for legal representation. Perhaps the t shirts could rad something like- Official Member - Hole in the Fence Gang! lol Buy a t shirt then stroll over to the tourist trap and make others aware of how unfair the port owner is.

I have a question. This fence that has the hole in it, does it belong to the Cha Chi resort or to the the owner of the port? If it belongs to Joquin, maybe he sould cut a larger hole. If it belongs to the meany are we subject to arrest for going thru it?

Annieeee

[zydecocruiser]

I imagine a pair of these might help the cause...

 

 

Available at most Sears stores. :D

[Annieeee]

I just thought of something else, why hasn't the resort owner put a sign on his side of the fence, that says, Welcome Cruiseline Guests! Come on over and have a drink and relax on our lovely beach.

 

Why won't the taxi's go there? I would give them a half of a $20 bill and tell them to take me there and that I would lgive them the other half if ther return in 3 hours (or whatever) for me. Unles the peir owner owns allthe cabs in town. Also why can't we rent a golf cart and drive to the resort? Is it that far that the golf cart will run out of gas or power?

 

Annieeeee

[Starz723]

Zackiedawg, now thats the spirit. I feel the same way!!!

 

Its called Intimidation and corruption Its used all the time by people, countries, etc with any type of power. The Mafia is a typical example. People with money, like the pier owner(s) can bribe and/or intimidate. Im sure if Joaquin put up a sign, it would be ripped down. He doesnt have the money or the muscle to fight. Keep in mind this is not America. This is blatant intimidation and bullying, but money can talk bigtime in a area that has alot of poverty. Mexico has alot of poverty. Money talks.

 

Im not sure who the fence belongs to, but according to Joaquin the beach is public. Just like many of the beaches on St Thomas. Even though there may be a resort there, anyone can use the beach it is public property.

 

I would truly like to see this man get the business he deserves.

[Eliot Ness]

I will make it my absolute mission any time I end up in Costa Maya to get over to Chac Chi resort........

 

.......Go Joaquin! Keep fighting...you've got the support of the masses. Don't let this type of behavior win.........

 

Fences? Security guards? Taxis getting in on the strong-arming to try to artificially boost their profits off cruise passengers? I never would have thought that getting off on the Costa Maya pier would be like entering communist U.S.S.R. Nope...I won't buy a tic tac from that pier. and unless I'm threatened with arrest, I'll defy any fence, sign, taxi driver, or rent-a-cop security that tries to tell me I can't go to a public place where I'm invited.

That's the spirit zackiedawg! My hope is this thread will bring Chac-Chi more business and an easier way to gain entry. Each time a member reports back how they gained entry and what a nice time they had it will prompt more members to go when they visit Costa Maya.

......I just thought of something else, why hasn't the resort owner put a sign on his side of the fence, that says, Welcome Cruiseline Guests! Come on over and have a drink and relax on our lovely beach......

Annieeee, if you look at the first picture in post#90 you'll see that they do have a billboard posted where you can see it from the dock. As for a sign on the other side of the fence, I suspect, like Starz723, it might just be taken down if he put one up.... but I will mention that to him when we go there on June 30th.

 

I'm not sure of the taxi situation with Chac-Chi, how to get there with a golf cart, or if the main entrance is too far. I will, however, try to find answers to some of those questions when we go there.

 

Right now I think to best way to make sure you can get in is to have them meet you at the fence, and the more poeple we can bring with us the better! Many thanks to Starz723 (Marge) who thought of asking Joaquin to do that for us!

 

John

[ginag]

I love this thread! You can bet your boots I'll be there in November! We have a group that plans on going to Chac-Chi. Lets ban together and spread the word! :)

[flapr]

I have been following this thread very closely and contacted Joaquin several months ago. While I agree that the man is getting a raw deal, don't know that I would risk engaging in some sort of confrontation with either a Mexican policeman/soldier or even a "rent-a-cop." If "greasing the palm" doesn't work, I would leave it at that. It is very obvious that whoever own the pier, is very well-connected with the local authorities, and is handing out lots of graft to lots of local folks to be able to get away with this. As ilegal at that may be, this is an accepted practice in Mexico and Latin America.

 

One can argue that the beaches in Mexico are public -- which they are -- that passengers should not be denied access to Joaquin's resort, that the man has a right to make a living operating his business, that the fence and sign are not legal, that CM port prices are a rip-off, but let's remember that we are visitors in a foreign country well known not to always abide by legal due process as we know it.

 

I wouldn't risk being detained and held at will by the local authorities and risk missing the ship.

[aubesmom]

Not sure if this is possible or not, have never been to this port before. But would it be possible to rent a car and then drive to the main entrance to go to this resort? I would really like to do this, but am not sure my DD would be able to walk there and back and of course play on the beach. Since the taxi's won't take you, I thought it would be nice if we could rent a car. Anyone know if this is possible?

[SunnieD]

Very disappointed when we arrived there on Wednesday and there was no one there. The bar was closed nad the only live thing there was a magy mut. I felt the same way as to spend my money there instead of at the pier. So we rented a golf cart and went all of the way down the road as far as you can go with the cart to Susies place. The best day of our cruise. We sat on her porch, drank beer, and bought some of her wonderful merchandise. My son climbed a tree and got a cocnut. John, Susie's man. used a machetti to open and she made me a Coco Loco on the spot. What a wonderful day away from the crowds. If you go tell her Dyan and family sent you.

 

One last thing, I enjoyed many of those beers with the Policia on her porch. They just drink them in red cups and call it Vitamins.

[39august]

Is Susie's place the name of the establishment? and is it in Majahual?

[SunnieD]

Yes that is the name of it. You pass the fishing village and keep going. The guys at the Golf Cart place can show you on the map they give you exactly where it is. Worth the visit.

[anniedreamin]

Suzie's Place is located someplace else & they are the "Very Best" & so is John" also. Wonderful, kind, caring people & they treat "all of their customers, with such great care, courtesy & respect. Yes, they do welcome & wish for many guests/port cruisers to visit them, via Taxi, on Golf carts, etc. everyone is welcome in their place. The beer is cheap & the Company is great as well, they love to have many tourists visit their place "South of Majahual" through the fishing village & just keep driving for a few short miles/ you'll see it on the right hand side of the road. "Suzie's Jungle Wear". This place is not near Cha Chi's & Cha Chi's is great as well"........ ":) :D Enjoy"

[SunnieD]

Anniedreamin,

You are so right. They are wonderful. We have great pics from there. One correction, they are on your left when going down that road.

[anniedreamin]

Thank you SunnieD for that correction. "Yes", you are 100% correct, Suzie & John are located on the "left hand side of the road heading South" out of the Majahual Fishing Village. You'll see their "sign & clothing" blowing in the wind through the driveway as you go in. Beautiful "hand made Jewelry as well as clothing, excellent quality, nicely made.

[angelkisses]

Very disappointed when we arrived there on Wednesday and there was no one there. The bar was closed nad the only live thing there was a magy mut.

 

Sorry, I'm lost here. What was closed? Was it Chac-Chi?

[Eliot Ness]

Sorry, I'm lost here. What was closed? Was it Chac-Chi?

We're going to the Chac-Chi resort next Friday, June 30. I have e-mailed Joaquin and he will have someone there to meet us at the fence. I'll be sure to post back if we were able to get in and how it was.

 

John

[KJPG]

We were in Costa Maya yesterday. Walked through the port and out the gate. Found the street with the white store. Saw two holes in the fence, as well as a large bit of open construction at the end of the street. No taxis, no guards.

 

We went in a fence hole, down a path and through another fence hole. Found the resort. There was an older man clearing tables in the restaurant area. We sat at the beach cove and went back to the restaurant area about 30 minutes later. The man was gone and tables were empty. We stayed over 2 hours (10 am - 12:00 pm) and saw someone at the end who did say they were closed. Saw several groups of crew members who appeared surprised that they were not open.

 

The beach area was very nice - lots of chairs, clean sand etc. Crew talked about how good the food was.

 

I took several photos of the route to get there. I'll post pictures when we get home Saturday. Even though we didn't get to do anything but the beach, it was wonderful - no crowds, no music etc. My daughter did have fun with the dog (not mangy in the least...) We walked right back to the ship - no money was spent at the port. I'd go back again - hopefully to get food as well as a relaxing time.

[Starz723]

This is what I plan to do, go to Chac-Chi. I want a relaxing beach day with not alot of people.

 

I work in Times Square, NYC and entertain the masses on the weekend. So a sparsley populated beach by the ship is right up my alley.

 

Remember, you can always get a sandwich from room service to bring off the ship.

 

Im so excited..we are under 2 weeks now.

 

Dont forget our meet & greet. Day of Sailing at 5pm, Atrium Lobby bar, 5pm and Monday-Day at sea, 3pm Atrium Lobby Bar.