Help with Beach Please

[Sles23]

Hi.  Hoping someone can provide some guidance and advice.  We're looking to go to a beach for the day.  However, we don't need food or drinks included.  Are there any beaches we can go to that aren't all inclusive and won't cost $50+ per person to go to?  Can I find a taxi in the cruise port to take me to a specific beach?  Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you in advance.  

[volk904]

Krazy Lobster is free to get in including Lounge chairs but they expect you to spend some money on food and drinks.  It is not all inclusive. You could probably spend about $20.  The all inclusive places are in the same area. They have a little more sand in their beach .  We had a great time last week and it was a bargain. 
 

[crewsweeper]

Just about very beach club along the malecon will offer free loungers and use of beach but expect you to spend $ on food and drink.   It's possible you can find an open spot toward the north end  nearer the lighthouse or south past Malecon21.  But you'll need a towel to lay on.  You can use the small man-made beach at the port, though.

[Longford]

24 minutes ago, crewsweeper said:

Just about very beach club along the malecon will offer free loungers and use of beach but expect you to spend $ on food and drink.   It's possible you can find an open spot toward the north end  nearer the lighthouse or south past Malecon21.  But you'll need a towel to lay on.  You can use the small man-made beach at the port, though.

Of the 4 ports my ship visited last week, the port area at Costa Maya was, IMO, the best.  The shops, restaurants/bars and water feature are laid-out well and with two ships in port that day the water area was well patronized.  If someone doesn't want to venture far from the pier and just chill out for a while off-ship, I think this area may be a good choice.

[crewsweeper]

Not to hijack the thread, but port areas, IMO, are the worst spots to be.  Overpriced chachi, drinks, and food.  Same ole same ole rip off jewelry stores. 

What's sad about Costa Maya is the area just outside the port ( old Las Casitas/now Nuevo Mahahual) has never taken off as a development.  Last time we drove through even the hotel looked run down.  And while the malecon had its share of closed places, it was thriving.  No longer that little sleepy fishing village with the Cat's Meow, Nacional Beach Club  and 40 Canones holding  court along the sand.  Seems to rebound, hurricane after hurricane after COVID.

[Longford]

See photo for a view, one view of the port area at the end of the pier.  Sorry for not taking additional photos of that area.