Wanting a good beach area - book an excursion or go on our own?

[luvmyguys]

This will be our first time to Costa Maya, and we're really just looking for a decent stretch of beach so the kids can play (9 and almost 7). Should I spend for one of the excursions or just find it ourselves?

 

On our first cruise, we lucked out in Cozumel - we got into a cab and said "take us to the beach", and they were great and took us to Paradise Beach. I'd like to not trust luck quite so much this time.

 

Suggestions???

 

Thanks!

[iluvmahahual]

You should take a cab to town to stroll the new boardwalk. However, that's where most of the crowds congregate so I would suggest taking a cab from their to a quieter beach further south of town. There are several restaurants/beaches along the road south of town but you'll notice the waters are dark from the runoff from the mangroves. Keep travelling south and the beaches are beautiful and the water is clear. There is one hotel with a small pool about 10 km south of town called Maya Palms where your family can chill for the day. Another gem of a beach is the small quaint hotel/restaurant (at 11 km south of town) called the Castillo. They have a bar/restaurant on the beach and great beach lounger chairs, hammocks, beach volleyball, etc - no charges for the loungers or amenities if you are having lunch and want to spend the day on their beautiful beach. Swimming is great and their are no rocks. You can walk the beach for miles without running into others. Their website is www.hotel-castillo.com

 

Enjoy your cruise!