Chankanaab or Mr. Sanchos?

[Wendybird63]

We're going on the 11/22 Magic. My family loves snorkeling, but my DS7 is too young to go out on the reef expeditions. I've heard the snorkeling at Chankanaab Pk is good, but that there is so much to do at Mr. Sanchos that the kids would have a riot. Is there snorkeling at Mr. Sanchos? Do I have time to do both, not be rushed, and get back to the ship in time for late seating?
Everybody here has been such a huge help with everything, I'd appreciate any help you have on the question.

Thanks,
Wendy

 

[CVW]

Don't try to do both. One of the dirty little secrets of the ports on DCL is that you've got to hustle if you want to relax. That's why Castaway Cay is so nice...you hop off the boat and saunter over the beach. You can even amble if you prefer. (I typically lope.)

We went to Mr. Sancho's. There's great snorkeling if you're interested in underwater sand formations. Otherwise, stick with the swimming, water trampoline, horeseback riding, waverunners, swimming pool, and ATV's.

I thought the food was good. Others have said it was overpriced, I thought it was quite reasonable.

Overall, we had a blast. We actually preferred the beach itself over Castaway Cay. (Nice waves to splash on your feet...Castaway Cay has a reef offshore which makes the water rather placid.)

I avoided Chankanaab because of my vowel allergy. Any word with that many "a" 's gives me a raaash.

 

[Jillie]

We loved Mr Sanchos so much. We were a group of 25 or so and went and had a blast. The activities were so much fun and the food was delicious and very reasonably priced. We used the waverunner and banana boat, the ATV. The water trampoline was broken(April2003).

 

[webray]

Don't know about Chankaanab...but, Mr. Sancho's is wonderful. We spent 3-4 hours there right when we left the ship. Had lunch...visited with cruisers from other ships. We could have stayed longer..it was our first time to the Island and we wanted to check out the shopping area. Next time we will stay longer.

You can check it out at mrsanchos.com.

The food is delicious...the best guacomole ever.

 

[mitcam]

What is this? How can I find out more? Is it a good place for kids ages 7 & 5?

Thanks for any info.

Carolyn

 

[BAKAROMA]

Wendybird63

You have asked the perfect question for me. We will have a 5, 6, and 8 year olds with us and are trying decide the same. I want to know the quality of the beach at Chankanaab. I am not afraid of the raaash either. If the weather were to be cooler would Chankanaab be a better choice due to more non wet activities?

Keith

 

[inkkognito]

We did Chankanaab on our own via taxi. There are definitely some good activities there for cooler weather, such as the sea lion show (extra charge, but it was cute in a corny way and they bring our birds too) and walking paths & a little village re-creation with a woman making fresh tortillas. There was a shallow beach area that would be great for little kids, although it got deep if you went out past the rocks. The bathrooms were in much more decent shape than I thought they would be. We don't have kids, but we had an absolutely great time there.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[BAKAROMA]

How about the quality of the beach sand at Chankanaab?

 

[MarkLem]

We are doing Chankanaab (jan 3, 7 day) to do the dolphins with the kids. Would you recommend just staing afterwards on that beach or going to Sanchos?

 

[mmouse37]

We have been to Mr. Sanchose twice on our Western DCL cruises...

We love it there!!!

Here are some pics so you can check it out. Also checkout www.mrsanchos.com

http://community.webshots.com/photo/48196942/48731748MEQBsU

http://community.webshots.com/photo/48196942/48731769GUvVJS

http://community.webshots.com/photo/48196942/48731832LAtsFR

MJ

 

[Wendybird63]

MJ,
The pictures were great. It looks like so much fun! I can't wait!
Wendy

 

[mitcam]

Is this a DCL excursion? I cant find out any info about this on the DCL site, books etc. and it is not in Passporter book - At least I can't find it!

It looks like a great place but is it to wild for ages 7 & 5?

How much did it cost to go there? what is the admission price per person?

I am still researching so please get back to me we leave in just 3 weeks

Thanks,
Carolyn

by the way, the pictures were awesome!

 

[Tluvs2talk]

mitcam,
WE did Chankanaab on our own, it was a quick taxi ride from the pier. Below is a link for Chankanaab.


http://www.cozguide.net/chankan.html

 

[mitcam]

I am looking for info about this beach destination.

Anyone - how did you get there? Was/Is it a Disney Excursion? What do they call it? Is it to wild for kids 7 & 5? Did you use the Margarita/Ice Cream coupon online?

How crowded?

thanks

 

[CVW]

Mr. Sancho's is definitely not too wild. That's just a misleading impression that their web designer made. There's a bar, but otherwise very family friendly. There was one young woman who took her top off while she was sunbathing. I didn't mind. I really, really didn't mind.

Sorry. Lost my train of thought for a minute.

The consistency of the sand is a tad rougher than the powdered sugar you might see around Destin, Florida. But still very tolerable, even to my little kids' bare feet. It's loaded with tiny seashells, which the kids enjoyed collecting.

It's not a Disney excursion, therefore, the beach is far less crowded. Just grab a cab at the port and ask to go to Mr. Sancho's.

 

[webray]

Mr Sancho's is definately family friendly....plenty of couples with kids of all ages when we were there. Everyone we talked with loved it.

As you already read above...we loved it. I forgot to use the coupons, but I am sure there would be no problem with them.

The servers are great!

 

[mitcam]

Mr. Sanchos it is! I am going to start my planner tomorrow
*sometimes I am so type A, I frighten myself!

Anyone know if the kids can be passengers on the waverunner or skidoos? They do have them there right?

Anyways, thanks to all for their imput, almost less than 3 weeks.

Carolyn

 

[jlawall]

I have a question.....we went on the Fury Catarmaran .....was one of these beaches near where the Fury dropped you off? We had a great experience in this area if it was the same place!

 

[mike2beach]

How much is it for Mr. Sanchos? Is it all inclusive? The web site dosn't tell you too much. It looks like most of the activities are included except the wave runners.

 

[Redmic]

Does anyone know how much it is for the horseback riding and what the minimum age is? Thanks!