port review of Costa Maya-internet, golf cart, etc.

[Brianinidaho]

I posted the following in my review of the Carnival Miracle on the cruise review part of this site. Hope this information may be helpful.

Wednesday was a day at Costa Maya. This is a unique port essentially built by the cruise ship companies. Three ships were in town when we were there. As ships pull in, they close the pier for around 20 minutes for safety while docking takes place. So we had to wait to exit the Miracle as another ship was pulling in. The long pier (there was a trolley hauling people who did not want to walk) leads to a plaza of shops, a small sandy beach area, and swimming pool, and an amphitheatre. The internet café there was $3 for 30 minutes. Calls to the US were $1.50 per minute. We left the plaza area and around back rented a golf cart for $15 for an hour and left the gated and guarded plaza area. Upon return, you have to show your sign and sail card to the guard at the facilities gate to get into the plaza, which tells you a little about how safe the region is. We headed south toward Mahal (sp?) and actually felt a little nervous, as the golf carts’ slow speed made us a sitting target for some thug (rich tourist slowly going down a desolate road). There is a huge amount of building going on but we found the locals, workers, and people we passed to be the most unfriendly we met on the trip. We waived and said hi to everyone we passed and frowns were returned. My wife said these folks need to learn that tourists are the lifeblood of the growth and the livelihoods of many of the people, and tourists appreciate friendly locals. We did pass a small local police or military outpost with people walking around carrying machine guns. Again, no smiles or waves returned.

 

The prices of things in the plaza were very high compared to the prices down in Mahal. The merchants at Mahal were friendlier, and we went from brick road, to highway, to very bumpy mud roads, but it was a ton of fun! An hour was enough time to make the trip, but only 10 minutes or so to shop and look around. Back massages on the beach were offered everywhere and appeared to be quite popular. They were running $20 for 30 minutes. (U.S. money, that is).

[gregvb]

We were there last week (Thursday) and rented two golf carts for the eight of us (2 adults and 6 kids) and didn't feel any bad vibes at all. We spent three hours goofing around in town and had a great time. A number of people, both locals, and tourists ( a couple from Paraguay staying at Uncle Phils?) spent a bunch of time chatting, not trying to sell or anything, just hanging out. We have travelled in Mexico a number of times so the dodgem-car style of driving etc didn't wig us out at all.

Hope it was just a bad vibe. Nothing actually happened to give you the heebi-jeebies did it?

 

cheers,

Greg.

[banderboo]

We were there last week as well and would have to say that it was the best port. I didn't care that much for the area directly off the pier (prices to high) but we loved going to the little town. The people were very friendly and we not pushy at all. We ate lunch at the TAPAS bar which had very good food.

 

TIP for getting cheap beer - there is a grocery store at the very beginning of town (just ask and they will point it out). DH found most beers for $1 - $1.50 and they will open them for you.

[Brianinidaho]

We were there last week (Thursday) and rented two golf carts for the eight of us (2 adults and 6 kids) and didn't feel any bad vibes at all. We spent three hours goofing around in town and had a great time. A number of people, both locals, and tourists ( a couple from Paraguay staying at Uncle Phils?) spent a bunch of time chatting, not trying to sell or anything, just hanging out. We have travelled in Mexico a number of times so the dodgem-car style of driving etc didn't wig us out at all.

Hope it was just a bad vibe. Nothing actually happened to give you the heebi-jeebies did it?

 

cheers,

Greg.

Nothing really happened, but we noticed all new buildings (houses, etc.) a block or two off the road all had bars on the windows. The non-shop owners did not seem at all friendly, and we found ourselves alone on that first long desloate brick road going realitively slow with a fair amount of cash. But once we got closer to the town we felt 100% safe.