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Playa Chen Rio

4.4 (20 reviews)

Playa Chen Rio Photos

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Tyler L.

This is one of the beaches along the eastern coast of Cozumel. Like the other ones we saw on the drive down the coast, there were very few people there. As a result, we found this white sand beach to be a nice and laid back. There is a small lagoon too surrounded by some rocks that protects you from strong waves.

XX Lagers ($60 MN)
Elena N.

When at a beach, a drink is necessary. While here, we sat down at Chen Rio Restaurant & Beach. The six of us arrived on Friday, December 7th around 3:15pm. We sat at a table in the sand and ordered two XX Lagers ($60 MN each) and a Coco Natural ($80 MN). The beach itself is very seaweed ridden. Not the white sand beaches you see in all the pictures. But it was still fun just hanging out and drinking. Service was weird. Our server quoted us our total in USD. I can't remember the total, but I think the beers were $5 each and the coconut was $6? Something along the lines of that. I told him I had pesos and paid with those. He then took the bills and kept looking at them at all angles and in the sun. Did he think they were fake?! I don't know. It was just very off putting. Not a bad beach bar, but the unwelcoming service knocked it down a star. Note: I think paying in pesos is cheaper, so if you have MN, use it!

View from restaurant
Scott A.

Had a seafood platter with lobsters, shrimp, red snapper octopus and broiled fish, all this was only 65 people. The platter for 4 served 5 of us. The atmosphere is just as spectacular as the food. Worth the trip. Meal also served with chips, bread, and corn tortillas.

Beautiful beach!
Victor H.

Definitely a great place to come for clean and clear water beach. The beach view is superb. The sun at that day was very strong. I had to put lots of sun lotion. I was able to see my feet inside the water and the sand underneath. The waves were a bit strong. But it was more stronger in other area. I saw some surfers in the area with stronger waves.

Beach
Melody K.

This is why we've been coming to Cozumel for 20+ years. Beaches are beautiful. Chen Rio is gorgeous, not crowed at all, you can just layout on the powder beach and swim in the crystal blue water. There is a Beach Bar that we haven't tried yet and I hear good reviews about the food. Next year!

Rocks and ocean view

O. M. G. If you are looking for an amazing white sand beach with views for dayssssss this is the place! My husband and I have ventured over the "otro lado" (other size) twice in our two stays on Cozumel and have not been disappointed either time. Playa Chen Rio is absolutely breathtaking - the turquoise waters, super fine white sand, picturesque rocks, and the purest water that you can see fish swimming beneath you without snorkel gear. Although we did not venture to the bar and grill, we did try to sit on the beach chairs. Be aware they charge about $20 US for use of their beach chairs. We decided to pull up some towels and sit in the sand, which was just fine for us!

View from the beach.
Gerry B.

We rented a car and went to visit the other side of the island.We were told that you could not swim on the other side due to rip tides, well that's where we discovered Chen Rio.Not only can you swim there but the food is pretty good as well.We had nacho chips to start which were home made not from a bag with homemade salsa. 3 dishes of hot sauce were on the table one green one red and one yellow each one had a similar taste and varied in heat with the red being the hottest.We then had octopus ceviche in which we were pleasantly surprised, a great lime acid base with only a few harder pieces in it.And of course you wash it down with a few cold beer.Chen Rio located about half away across the island on the other side.

The best seafood platter in the entire world!!

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3 years ago

Beach for kids, too many people, many seaweed, waves, dangerous rocks

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Review Highlights - Playa Chen Rio

“instead there are beautiful animals, gentle waves, white sand, turquoise water and relaxation!”

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Mr. Sancho's Beach Club

Mr. Sancho's Beach Club

4.6(537 reviews)
15.1 km
‱$

Mr. Sanchos is a great place to eat, drink, and get your toes in the sand. We've spent several
read morecruise visits here. It's a quick $20 cab ride and check in is quick. This week Hilario took great care of us and took time to talk to us. Every visit has been great and each time the attendants were exceptional. We will be back for sure!

We visited Mr. Sancho's Beach Club in Cozumel during a cruise stop and had a fantastic experience
read more The beach club is about a 15-20 minute taxi ride from the cruise port where the ships dock. When we got off the ship there was a line of taxis ready to go and the ride cost $20 for two people one way. When we arrived, the staff greeted us and guided us to the front desk where we checked in for our reservation. I highly recommend making a reservation ahead of time because it definitely helps expedite your entrance. One thing worth noting is that when we booked online it didn't show cabanas available, but when we arrived the host checked and was able to get us into one. I highly recommend getting a cabana if one is available because it gives you a nice private area to relax. That said, there are also plenty of tables with covered umbrellas that provide shade from the sun. What really stood out about this place was the level of service. It was incredibly attentive. I honestly don't think we ever waited more than a few minutes before someone came by asking if we needed another drink or more food. Our servers were Juan and Pops/Eric and both of them were fantastic. It felt like every time I turned my head one of them was checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. They offer all-inclusive food and you can either go up to the buffet or order directly from the menu and have it delivered to your table or cabana. The property also has multiple pools, massage services, swim-up areas, and gift shops around the resort. At one point what appeared to be a manager came by and asked how we heard about the place and checked in on how our experience was going. That really reinforced how focused they are on service. The location is right on the beach so you get beautiful ocean views while enjoying unlimited food and drinks throughout the day. Overall Mr. Sancho's delivers a great beach day experience with excellent service and it's definitely a place I would visit again when returning to Cozumel.

Photos
Mr. Sancho's Beach Club
Mr. Sancho's Beach Club
Mr. Sancho's Beach Club

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Lido - Margaritaaaa

Lido

4.4(83 reviews)
33.9 km‱Centro
‱$

Location 5/5, Service 5/5, Food 4/5, Drinks 5/5, Clientele
read more2/5 *more on that below* This spot has one of the best beachside settings in Playa del Carmen. The entire restaurant, including the bar, is literally set in the sand, with tables right on the water just a few feet from the ocean. It's barefoot, toes in the sand dining done right, and the atmosphere alone makes it worth the visit. We did have one hiccup in the evening due to a rowdy group from a drone company that was extremely intoxicated and invasive of our space. Their belongings kept ending up on our table, and there were drunk men taking their shirts off and doing shots just a few feet away. Not sure if they didn't have enough tables or what, but we had made a reservation to celebrate a special event months in advanced, so it was a bit irritating. The servers eventually handled it and intervened multiple times, but at no point were they asked to move or relocate. Once that group settled down, the night became a much more enjoyable experience. We were a party of 12, and every single person raved about both their food and drinks. For drinks we had: Prickly Pear: Made with Orange Blossom Condesa Gin, St Germain, fresh lemon juice, rosemary syrup, mint, and strawberry. Bright and refreshing, though it came with more foam on top than expected. Coco Loco: A fresh whole coconut with Patrón Silver tequila, vodka, rum, gin, pineapple juice, and coconut cream. A true showstopper. Don't be intimidated by the mix of liquor, it is smooth, refreshing, and dangerously easy to drink. No hangovers were had. Espresso Martini: Simple and clean with a light foam. Well executed, but not a signature cocktail compared to the others. For food we had: We were surprised with an amuse bouche of huitlacoche, often called Mexican truffle. It's a corn fungus with a rich, earthy flavor and this small bite was outstanding and set the tone for the meal. Queso Fundido: Oaxaca cheese with chorizo and flour tortillas. Great flavor, but very thick, making it a bit messy and difficult to serve. Guacamole: Prepared with tomato, onion, cilantro, and cotija cheese. Perfectly seasoned, fresh, and especially enjoyable paired with the queso fundido. Brisket: Served in chileatole sauce with huitlacoche truffle, carrots, and cotija cheese. Comforting, rich, and deeply flavorful. Robalo Guayaba: Guava sea bass served in guava sauce with chiltepín chili. Beautifully cooked with just a little too much sweetness and citrus. It would have benefited from a little bit of heat, or a vegetable or side to pair it with, as it is not served with anything other than a cooked slices of lemon. Creme Brulee Mexicano: A rice pudding infused crÚme brûlée with caramel and vanilla ice cream. A thoughtful twist on the classic, with the rice pudding adding depth and warmth to the dessert. Knocked down to 4 stars due to the rowdiness of some surrounding guests. We were seated on the sand and needed to walk through the entirety of the restaurant, but people without tables or reservations were standing in the middle of walkways and sitting on the steps down to the beach, many too intoxicated to stand up. I'm hopeful this is not the usual clientele, and I would return for the quality of the food, drinks, and the gorgeous setting.

Great vibes and atmosphere. True beach spot. Garden like entrance that opens to the water. Service
read morewas great. Drinks were phenomenal. Good was good. Really enjoyed the coconut shrimp. Great spot for a special dinner.

Photos
Lido - Beach table view (from someone whose back is facing the ocean)

Beach table view (from someone whose back is facing the ocean)

Lido - Pura Vida (Passion fruit, mango, orange juice and coconut water) frozen with Tequila

Pura Vida (Passion fruit, mango, orange juice and coconut water) frozen with Tequila

Lido - Gorgeous table view

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Gorgeous table view

Playa Chen Rio - beaches - Updated June 2026

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