boca chica beach

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by Rocky

Dang, when were those photos taken?
Recently?

The photos are an accurate representation of BC today, although some of them look better than reality. Good photos.

[nlove88]

Another thing I saw with Boca Chica is it seemed to be much more of a "locals" beach rather than a beach with locals but tons of tourists. I really liked that aspect.

[Ricardo900]

Boca Chica serves its purpose for the locals from the Capital and the AI tourists have their own personal section of the beach. It all works out well.

[jruane44]

The beach is much cleaner in front of the hotels than in the public area. Having two kids I like Boca Chica. You don't have to worry about them all the time. The public area could get pretty dirty on a busy weekend.

[jrzyguy]

here is my take on boca chica (The beach not the nightlife)

Ok..its not the prettiest beach in the world...especialy with that big new port or whatever it is towards the east. But the beach itself and the water are clean. THey comb the beach every evening...so what little trash is gone. THis is not true once you get past the parking lot area that the locals use. THe parking lot area is clean...but once you get past it it gets pretty funky. I have never really hung out on that part....but walked thru a few times just out of curiosity.

Yes..the beach is surrounded by a big reef..and one can wade for quite a long time....and then you can swim out (takes about 10 mins) to a little mangrove island to snorkle. (again...perhaps not the BEST snorkeling....but it aint bad)

IF you really want ocean swimming or boogie boarding etc...there are beaches that are very close by...playa carribe, juan dolio etc...(has anyone heard of embasy beach? i did somewhere...cant find it).

So...what is nice about BC...it is an easy flight from many places. It is really close to the capital.so if you need a break from the beach...you can go in and walk around the colonial zone and the malecon...if you are an avid swimmer or snorkerler...there are other beaches near by.. IT is also very close to the airport...and it is VERY affordable..

Dont miss sunday if you are in BC....everyone comes out from SD durring the day and have a great party....and then leave promply at sundown.

Unfortunately...for a traveler...there just isnt much to DO in BC at night. IF you do your reasearch here...they have pretty much closed down the main strip at night (to get rid of the working girls)....but nothing has actualy replaced that...and its kinda dull at night.

oh...one last tip on the beach in BC....rent a chair from the guys one before the last guy before the beach turnes public (or better yet...bring a blanket and sit closer to the locals...and save some $$)....they are great guys and always take care of me.

Sure...there are better spots to go to....but BC aint bad when u are on a budget.

[twenty20]

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

rent a chair from the guys one before the last guy before the beach turnes public .

i dont understand this part?

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

Unfortunately...for a traveler...there just isnt much to DO in BC at night. IF you do your reasearch here...they have pretty much closed down the main strip at night (to get rid of the working girls)....but nothing has actualy replaced that...and its kinda dull at night.

Most of the places have reopened (or are in the process of reopening). The Bar Austria has reopened. It looks like they have the pool tables from the old Route 66; which has also reopened albeit it seems to be more of a disco type environment than before. The old Mad House is in the process of reopening, but it looks like they are completely enclosing it. The only things still closed is Cosmos disco and the place next door. There is a new place called, "The American Bar" that is appears to be attached the Hotel Europa.

The only thing missing are the tourists. I've been told, the working girls are still around, just not on Duarte.

[expatsooner]

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

IF you really want ocean swimming or boogie boarding etc...there are beaches that are very close by...playa carribe, juan dolio etc...(has anyone heard of embasy beach? i did somewhere...cant find it).

Playa Caribe is the beach formerly known as Embassy beach. The name was changed a few years ago because of the business next to it, Caribbean Sun I think is the name of the hotel or restaurant. It is a great beach with good waves for boogie boarding but the undertow is too much for most little kids.

[jrzyguy]

some good news at last! glad things are finaly re-opening again!!!!!

My recommendation was to rent a chair/table from the 2nd to last set of table/chair renters (is there a term for them?). there is costalunga beach club...(green umbrellas)...and they aer very nice and trustworthy.....but i like the dude that has some chairs right next to costalunga....the chairs are a bit weather worn....but he's really good people. I like that side of the beach....most of the euro tourists crowd up the other end near the hamaca. Just make sure to ask how much the fee is for he chair before you sit down!!!

This year i just plan on bringing a big sheet and sitting next to all the beach chairs.

cool info about playa caribe/embasy beach!!! i had asked about embasy...never found it...and i didnt know i had been going there for the past 4 years! LOL. great tiny beach...HUGE waves for boogie boarding...and NO VENDORS!!!

Any other recommendations for other beaches and good snorkeling spots near BC would be great. I found a RT from Newark to SDQ RT 188!! i am so there in february

[rellosk]

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

...there is costalunga beach club...(green umbrellas)...and they aer very nice and trustworthy.....but i like the dude that has some chairs right next to costalunga....

Strange as it sounds, even though the chairs say "Costalunga Beach Club", there is no Costalunga Beach Club. The guy who owns the Costalunga Hotel, which is a bout 5 blocks from the beach, at one time had an idea for a beach club. It didn't work out, and he sold the chairs.

Originally Posted by jrzyguy

I found a RT from Newark to SDQ RT 188!! i am so there in february

The $188US doesn't include taxes. A few months ago Continental changed their website and now they don't add in some of the taxes until you complete your itinerary. With taxes, the price is $303US, which is still a good deal.

Have fun!