Recent Paradise Beach Experience with pay as you go........

[baileybrad]

We visited Cozumel on Wednesday, November 8th. There were 6 ships in port. This was our 5th visit to PB. Two adults (we have visited previously w/our 3 sons but they are now older and none were on this trip. I read before our trip about how PB had gone all-inclusive with the option of pay as you go depending on crowds. I read about other options and just felt like PB (based on four great previous experiences was how we wanted to go). We were not interested in all-inclusive or the water toys.

 

Went to the taxi area and asked about getting a taxi to PB. There appeared to be 2 lines and we were asked by the lady handling the lines if we had reservations @ PB. We said no and she pointed to the line for us to get into. Not sure what that was about. Fare was to be $15 for the two of us. Just the two of us got into the taxi. He started with the questions right away telling us that without an all inclusive reservation that PB was a no go. I got the "look" from my wife. I just shook my head no meaning that I felt that he was wrong. He handed back to her around 4 different placards of other options. When we got to PB he hopped out quickly and started talking in Spanish to someone near the front. We took our time and just went to the entrance finding someone to speak with. Explained that we were multiple time visitors and we just wanted to pay as we went. With no hesitation, he said $10 each and the expectation was that we would order food and drink. We were sort of escorted (we kind of new where we wanted to go on the beach) to the beach area (over on the far right) and decided on four chairs on the end of a row putting our bags on  chairs 1 and 4 with us sitting in chairs 2 and 3 under the umbrella. We paid this gentleman $20.

 

We always arrive around 8:45am to get our choice of seating and this time was no different. The place was not nearly as crowded as in the past. We had no loud folks around us. We actually did not have hardly anyone much at all around us. People came and went in the 6 hours that we were there. A young man introduced himself as our server for the day. Same routine as in the past, he keeps your tab and you pay at the end of the day. We ordered a few rounds of drinks (alcohol and virgin). We both ordered lunch (chicken fajitas for her and chicken quesadillas for me). We find the food here to be a 9 out of 10. It always comes out hot and fresh and this time was no exception. We both brought a large tervis filled with ice from the ship and a couple of bottled waters that we drank while there. Food and drink was $43, gave him a $17 dollar tip so our total was $90. Much better deal than the AI plus a tip. Money was not the deciding factor. We have 5 free drinks each daily on the ship and more food in a day than we eat in a week. What we had was just about perfect.

 

The weather this day was wonderful We went up to the pool for awhile. Music was actually not as loud as in the past. Their bathrooms are very clean. The service was great on the beach. Just hope that they keep pay as you go. We will definitely be back.

Edited November 14, 2023 by baileybrad
missing word

[johnlcruise]

Great Review. I always go to PB. And pay as we go. Never a problem. 

Edited November 14, 2023 by johnlcruise

[c-leg5]

Glad to hear PAYG is still an option, even with that many ships in port. Obviously depends on season but recent reviews seem to indícate numbers are not as high as once reported.

 

When cruising resumed obviously there was a cap by Mexican government on beach club capacity but when then was lifted I was surprised to hear reports that Paradise Beach was often full for PAYG and only AI available.

 

I don’t recall it reaching capacity on a regular basis previously (apart from Spring Break) when it was only PAYG so that seemed surprising. Perhaps levels have settled down now.

 

Your check was much more in line with what we would expect to pay.

Edited November 14, 2023 by c-leg5

[OCSC Mike]

Thanks for sharing the review! Going there for the 1st time in July.

[LHARTWICK]

We love PB!  Haven't been since the restart since we always did PAYG.  A shame people have to insist on the cab drivers to take you there now if you don't have an AI reservation.  Thanks to the OP for this PB experience update.  It really is a great place for a beach day with great food!

[c-leg5]

2 hours ago, LHARTWICK said:

We love PB!  Haven't been since the restart since we always did PAYG.  A shame people have to insist on the cab drivers to take you there now if you don't have an AI reservation.  Thanks to the OP for this PB experience update.  It really is a great place for a beach day with great food!

Obviously Paradise are no longer making it lucrative for the taxi drivers unless they bring AI guests.

 

I am not sure what the deal was with two lines at dispatch, that sounds strange.

[baileybrad]

On 11/16/2023 at 7:01 PM, c-leg5 said:

Obviously Paradise are no longer making it lucrative for the taxi drivers unless they bring AI guests.

 

I am not sure what the deal was with two lines at dispatch, that sounds strange.

We felt it was strange, also. Had never experienced that or heard that mentioned on our previous taxi experiences. Didn't matter in the long run other than the attempt to sway us to another location by the driver which we politely listened to but still had him take us where we wanted to go.

[dianelevene]

Glad to hear that Pay As You Go is an option.  I was just searching for this information because their website only indicates the all inclusive option.  We are not drinkers but we definitely get cold drinks and food while we are there.  We've been there about a half dozen times over the years and always enjoy it so much.  If the weather is good when we are in port, we will be heading there again.  This is usually the only place my husband will agree to go to the beach.

[c-leg5]

4 minutes ago, dianelevene said:

Glad to hear that Pay As You Go is an option.  I was just searching for this information because their website only indicates the all inclusive option.  We are not drinkers but we definitely get cold drinks and food while we are there.  We've been there about a half dozen times over the years and always enjoy it so much.  If the weather is good when we are in port, we will be heading there again.  This is usually the only place my husband will agree to go to the beach.

The website has full details for pricing for PAYG still.  Including pricing for PAYG menu.

 

You just are unable to book this option in advance so you are on space available.