All-inclusive day pass to Criss & Sands Beach Club in Progreso

Reviews

What travellers say3.5 · 22 total

• shawna_c

  False Advertising – Don’t Fall for It

  This was one of the most deceiving excursions I have encountered. On the day of the trip, it was rainy and cold, but we decided to go assuming it would improve. What followed was a series of issues. We met a representative named Jose in Progreso who directed us to our transportation but failed to give us accurate details about what to expect. We were not taken to the advertised “Criss & Sands Beach Club” but instead dropped off at a restaurant called “Manocos de Chichi,” leaving us questioning if we were in the right place. Things only deteriorated from there. It took half an hour just to receive a beer. Considering we had five children with us, we would not have chosen to spend our day in a restaurant if we had known that’s what the experience entailed. The listing claims an “all-inclusive” option with an open bar, gourmet meals, and a traditional Mexican snack buffet, none of which were delivered. The drink selection was very limited, and the food service was disorganized—staff were unable to clarify what was included, leading us to pay additional costs for supposed package items. There was no beach service or waitstaff; the whole experience felt haphazard and unstructured. Staff appeared to have no understanding of what the “all-inclusive” package entailed. We paid our bill just to leave, hoping for a resolution from the booking company, but we are still awaiting a refund after numerous attempts to communicate. Calling this a “worry-free all-inclusive beach club” is highly misleading. It’s simply a poorly coordinated visit to a restaurant dressed up as something far better. I recommend saving your money and looking for different options.

• Alberta_B

  Avoid This Excursion. I want a refund

  The cruise port is situated in a busy shipyard, requiring a free shuttle from the terminal. We had to seek out the Criss and Sands representative, which was stressful but he eventually located us. After that, we were transferred to a cab that took us to the beach. Upon arrival, we were shown to beach chairs with umbrellas by a man named Jesus, who provided us with snacks and drinks. I felt uneasy about leaving my belongings since there were no lockers available. Jesus offered to keep an eye on our things in a building under construction, but that didn't sit well with me. The constant stream of people asking for money was overwhelming; it was frustrating to have someone approach us playing a drum and soliciting. More than 50 individuals approached us, which was excessive. One vendor even challenged my presence for not buying anything, as if I had a duty to support their economy. This was among the worst excursions I've experienced. I consider myself well-traveled and try to respect other cultures, yet the frequent interruptions made it impossible to relax at the beach. However, we did return on time to the shuttle's pick-up and drop-off point.

• Christine_L

  Not what I expected.

  This isn't an all-inclusive resort as I had anticipated. It's simply a section of a public beach managed by a few guys. You get access to chairs and an umbrella, and one of them will bring you drinks and some snacks from a cooler. On the plus side, it is conveniently located near the pier, and the staff member is very friendly. Just don't go in expecting a full resort experience.

• MikeWhalen

  Progresso beach

  Wonderful beach destination with a convenient location near the cruise pier. The food and drinks were excellent, and the service was very attentive.

• Shawna C

  False Advertising – Don’t Fall for It

  This excursion turned out to be one of the most deceptive experiences I've ever signed up for. On the day of our trip, the weather was cold and rainy. We contemplated canceling, but thought it would improve later, so we proceeded. Unfortunately, that was just one of our many problems. After taking a shuttle to downtown Progreso, we met a representative named Jose, who guided us to our transport. In hindsight, I wish he had been honest about what we would encounter because we would have sought a refund immediately. Instead, we were sent off without any proper explanation. We did not go to the place labeled “Criss & Sands Beach Club” as promised. Instead, we were dropped off at a restaurant named “Manocos de Chichi.” We genuinely believed we had arrived at the wrong spot. Things continued to decline from there. It took an agonizing 30 minutes to get just a beer. With five children in tow, we never would have chosen to spend a day sitting at a restaurant if we had known that was the plan. The listing claimed to offer an “all-inclusive” experience with an open bar, gourmet dining, and a traditional Mexican snack buffet, none of which was delivered. Drink options were disappointingly limited to a short list, hardly an open bar. The food seemed disorganized, and staff struggled to clarify what was included, resulting in extra charges for items we thought were part of the package. There was no beach service or waiter, and the entire experience felt chaotic. The staff appeared to have no idea what this so-called “all-inclusive” package consisted of. It honestly felt like we were left at a random restaurant to fend for ourselves. We ended up paying our full bill just to salvage the day and were hopeful the booking company would rectify the situation. Instead, they have been unresponsive, leaving us still awaiting a refund. To label this a “worry-free all-inclusive beach club” is simply misleading. This is not a true beach club experience; it’s a poorly organized visit to a restaurant marketed as something far better. I strongly recommend saving your money and opting for a different option.

• jenniferrU3759YD

  Beach, drinks and beyond

  Our experience in Progreso was wonderful. The beaches are beautiful, and Carlo provided excellent service. The venue offers transportation to and from the bus terminal, but expect some wait time when returning to the ship. The all-inclusive package covers three hours on a public beach. There were many locals selling various items like baked goods, fruits, electronics, jewelry, and more. If you prefer a quieter environment, this might not be ideal for you. However, for those looking to enjoy good guacamole, drinks, and a beautiful beach while immersing in local culture, Criss and Sands can cater to your needs.

• angelagB9483FX

  Do not recommend

  I had high hopes for this beach club, but my visit was disappointing. The directions to the shuttle were inadequate; I had to ask locals for help to locate the van. Once there, the service was remarkably slow. Even though I arrived early, it didn’t improve, with waiters showing up only every 30-60 minutes. I ended up ordering extra drinks just to avoid long waits. The drinks themselves were very weak; my strawberry margaritas tasted like they had no alcohol at all. After consuming around 10, I was still completely sober. Although the food was decent, it arrived cold. The servers didn't make us feel welcome, lounging around while we needed plates cleared and drinks refilled. I ended up buying an expensive margarita elsewhere just to feel a buzz before heading back on the boat. I'm really let down, especially after reading positive reviews. Perhaps it was just an off day, but I would have been better off at a free beach with my own refreshments. I won’t return.

• C606CNcorys

  Overall disappointing.

  I'm perplexed by the positive reviews for this. We were not greeted at the bus station; instead, we were directed by bus drivers to the correct meeting point. The beach is public, and vendors relentlessly approached us, despite previous refusals. The restroom is located in a restaurant across the street, and the food and drink options were limited. The drinks lacked strength, though tequila shots were offered to enhance them. The food was only lukewarm but quite tasty. The staff was friendly and ensured we returned to the ship promptly. After enjoying an all-inclusive experience at Mr. Sancho's in Cozumel, we had higher expectations for this outing, which ultimately left us disappointed and unlikely to return.

• Journey16280504620

  Beautiful beach, great service , food and drinks on point! For a quiet relaxing time this is the spot!

  Everything went seamlessly. The representatives were ready for us when we arrived, quickly checking us in as we disembarked from the ship's bus. A short drive took us to a beautiful beach with plenty of chairs and umbrellas. The soothing sound of the waves made it a truly relaxing experience. Unlike other beach clubs, this one lacked floating slides, which contributed to its charm. We enjoyed a variety of drink options, and the food we ordered was delicious, with both drinks and meals included. Locals walked the beach selling souvenirs, and we found some lovely handcrafted items at reasonable prices during our limited shopping time before heading back to the ship. I had a wonderfully relaxing day. The beach had a rocky entry, but beyond that, the sand felt warm and soft underfoot, with an abundance of fish swimming around us. Snorkel masks were provided, but we spotted many fish just by wading into the water. The service was excellent, with our orders taken and delivered promptly. Fantastic food and drinks! I can't wait to return. CARNIVAL VALOR April 30th.

• David_M

  Four out of five stars (stick with beer the cocktails sucked)

  The location, beach, and water were excellent, as was the attentive and courteous service. The food was limited but satisfactory. However, the drinks were small, weak, and made with low-grade well brands, prompting me to stick with beer. Overall, it was a lovely day, but the beverage quality needs improvement given the price per person. I appreciate good drinks, not cheap options like everclear or subpar vodka and tequila.

Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.