Big Mama — Restaurant in Quintana Roo

AVOID THIS PLACE AT ALL COSTS. By the time we left we felt like we had been completely scammed.

The scam starts with the taxi drivers. We got in a cab and asked to be taken to a specific hotel that had been recommended to us. The cab driver told us we would need a reservation but recommended an alternative - Big Mama. He told us what a great deal it was compared to what they were charging for an all inclusive beach club at the port. I'm sure the taxi drivers get a kick back because Big Mama was the busiest place on the beach by far and there were much nicer places all along the beach.

We were asked to pay $10 for each beach chair, which we originally didn't have an issue with.

The service was very attentive and the food and drinks were decent, but the waiter was a scam artist. We asked to see a menu and were given one, but we didn't get charged the prices that were on the menu. I ordered a drink and the waiter said that the $7 price on the menu was for a small drink - it would be $10 for the larger size. I asked for a small and he brought me a large anyway. I was able to overlook this because I thought he just made a mistake - no big deal. Given our overall experience I would bet this is a 'mistake' that happens pretty much every time someone orders a drink.

We were also charged 16% tax. I thought this was unusual in Mexico but when I returned home I looked up the tax rate in Mexico and it seems there is a 16% sales tax so I can accept the tax. After reading other reviews, it seems like the application of 'tax' is inconsistent - some were charged 10%, some 6%, etc.

When we got the bill the total was $63 for 2 beers, a soft drink, a frozen drink and a plate of nachos. I thought it seemed high and even questioned it but when the server showed me the bill a quickly checked the number of items and it seemed OK and I figured with the addition of tax it was OK. It wasn't until we left that I realized that their math didn't add up. 2 beers = $10 1 soft drink = $3 Frozen drink = $10 Nachos = $15 Total with 16% tax should have been about $44.08, not $63.

I know on the bill they charged us what we expected for the drinks but I didn't notice what they charged us for the nachos. I wanted to go back and question it but my husband said the server would just tell us that he gave us the 'large' nachos and the price was different than what we saw on the menu. He is probably right. The worst part is that we still tipped this scammer.

The beach here isn't awesome. They cram in as many people as they can and we were sitting right next to a pile of seaweed that smelled like rotting fish. We were also constantly harassed by people trying to sell us stuff. I walked down the beach and there are many other places that looked to be much nicer. Not sure what all of the other places charge, but when we got back to our ship and talked to some fellow passengers, we learned that they went to the Krazy Lobster. They did not have to pay for chairs, the food was really good and much...

Would not recommend. The lady at the port directing taxis really sold us on this place with all of its amenities. Obviously she's getting a kick back from the resorts she recommends. The small beach area was really crammed with tables\chairs and people, so crammed that you had to be careful where you pulled your chair out to not be in another tables chair space. The beach fronts further down the road were much more open. We were told it was private therefore we wouldn't be bombarded with salesman - nope there was a constant stream of salesman making their pitch. If there were good deals it might have been a little different but the prices are triple or more than what you would pay anywhere else. $90 for a standard fleece blanket with a photo printed on it. As time went on the salesman would get more pushy and rude. The food and drinks were way overpriced, a Solo sized drink cup was $15 and the contents were questionable. The waiter was nice enough but you could tell he was getting irritated that we weren't going to order food. It was advertised that they offer free snorkeling gear, kayaks and paddle boards. They had like 2 kaycks that were already taken, didn't see any paddle boards, and in order to use the snorkeling gear that wanted you to purchase a spot on a boat that takes you to another location. The water in front of these (resorts) is roped off on 3 sides in a roughly a 50' x 50' area. Not sure what that's about but it feels like you're livestock on the beach or in the water. Very disappointed that we wasted our money on this place. As others have said it was $15 per person, kids 10 and under free. $4 per person each way for the taxi. The last time we were in Costa Maya someone suggested we go further down the beach, it was paradise compared...

So let me start by warning you that the people at the port with the taxis must be getting some kickback from Big MAMA's. They explain all the spots to you and tell you that this one has the best beach area. If that is what you are looking for you agree to pay the $15 to go there. The taxi fee is 4 dollars each way per person. They tell you that the price includes a free drink. (let me explain what that means) Upon arrival (if you ask for it, because if you don't they will not give it to you) a small 6-ounce cup of a premixed margarita. They will bring you a menu and you can order whatever you like. The prices for drinks are pretty much USA prices which leaves you wondering where you are at. The ceviche was good the nachos were good too. Now for the beach piece.... IT LOOKS ALL THE SAME!! Why pay the extra? $15 beats the hell out of me. The constant people selling stuff will not stop no matter what piece of the beach you are at. Now the massage on the beach...WELL WORTH IT!! This is about as fair as I can be. They will charge you a tax it's about 10-15 extra dollars for what?? God only knows! Also if you pay with a CC it will be an additional 10%. These are some things no one will tell you and you will find out at the end. Crazy Lobster has way better ratings will be checking them out next time. ( based on what people are saying about their...