Playa Palancar

The beach offers a lovely expanse of soft sand, but unfortunately lacks the vibrant marine life that one might hope to encounter. Those seeking a comfortable spot to relax can rent two chairs and an umbrella for a reasonable $12. However, we were taken aback when the parking attendant solicited tips from us before we even entered the premises. Despite this initial discomfort, we ultimately tipped him a few dollars. Although the beach was not our intended destination during our 12-mile, 70-minute bike trip, it proved to be a pleasant pit stop. After spending an hour here, we biked another hour back to our cruise ship.

The beach offers of stunning views and pristine waters that are crystal clear. Admission to the beach is complimentary, but visitors are required to order food from the restaurant, with a minimum order of $10 per person. We indulged in some delicious food and found it to be quite satisfying. However, we did notice that the parking attendant expected a gratuity, and the beach beds came with an additional fee. Despite these minor inconveniences, we thoroughly enjoyed our time at the beach and would highly recommend it to others.

The beach deserves a 5-star rating. I visited during the seaweed season and was pleasantly surprised to find that this beach was free from seaweed and had crystal clear waters. However, the food and drinks were not up to par. My wife and I both ordered fish, but were disappointed with the taste. The beach is a decent spot for snorkeling, as evidenced by the pictures I took. Out of all the beaches I visited during my 6-day cruise, this one was definitely the best. The price for two chairs and an umbrella was only $10, but the cost for a taxi ride from the ship to the beach was $25 each way, making the total cost $50.

During our cruise, we decided to spend a day at this stunning beach. The sand was pristine white and the water was a mesmerizing shade of green. We opted to rent an umbrella for a reasonable fee of $10 and were pleasantly surprised to find out that there was no entrance fee. The service provided was top-notch and we had a much more enjoyable experience compared to the overpriced all-inclusive options available at nearby beach clubs.

My thoughts on this beach are quite mixed. To get here from the port of Cozumel, it costs $25 each way by taxi, so make sure to arrange a pick-up time with your driver as it is about a 20-minute drive. On the positive side, the rentals are quite affordable at only $10 for comfortable chairs and an umbrella. The view is absolutely stunning and the beach is not too crowded, which is a plus. I also had the pleasure of trying the chips, guacamole, and salsa, which were all delicious! However, there were a few downsides that I couldn't ignore. I was quite taken aback by the sheer number of raccoons I saw - up to 15 in total - and even spotted cats on the table. It made me wonder about the cleanliness of the kitchen area. Additionally, the beach itself is quite rocky, so I would highly recommend wearing water shoes.