Coco La Palm

If you're planning a trip to this resort, RUN RUN RUN in the other direction!!!! I just came back a week ago. I went

for 2 weeks and by the 4rth day, I was SO mortified that I moved to a new resort. AVOID at all cost [which by the

way will cost you 2x more than ANY all inclusive resort]. I moved to Point Village [like 2 miles away] and could not

be happier. Here's what you can expect if you decide to stay at Coco La Palm:
1. Harrassment by drug dealers on the beach [which is not private], by people trying to sell you everything from

food to flags. These people do not take NO for an answer.
2. Sexual harrassment from everyone from the locals who come to the resort to sell junk to the staff including the

security guards. Be aware that things as simple as saying "hello" to ANYONE who is not a tourist is cosidered

flirting and they will not leave
you alone. They will persue you, pull on your hands to go with them, and the staff will tell you that tipping [aside

from the 10% they charge on the spot for gratuity] is not only mandatory but they will literally argue you to give

them more because "but there are a lot of us and we split the tips so the $10 you give after paying $65 for 2 omlets

and a fruit cup is just not enough for all of us!" Theroretically, gratuity should be a bonus for the good service but

you are harrassed for not giving tips for ALL employees, even if they never came to your table.
3. IF you leave less than $5 for the maid service every morning, *and I was shocked* DO NOT EXPECT TO GET

ANY SERVICE THE FOLLOWING DAY. they will not show up until you call the lobby, then call again and speak

to the general manager [her name is Esna and she is very nice so ALL inquiries should be reported to her ONLY].
4. Taxi service starts at $10 for a 3-10 minute ride.
5. If you'll visit Rick's Cafe [recommended for nice experience but foll SUCKS!], you're looking at a $30 cab ride if

you hire anyone from the hotel.
VERY IMPORTANT: PAY THE DRIVER AFTER HE PICKS YOU UP AND TAKES YOU BACK TO YOUR

HOTEL!!!!!!

I have a LOT more complaints about this particular hotel but here's the breakdown:

*Expect to be husstled for $ - tourism is their main source of income so you'll get ripped off everywhere

[understandable but to a point].
*Expect toilets and showers that do not work or work so poorly that Motel 6 will look like the Penthouse at the

Hilton.

*Expect to have people try to sell you drugs EVERYWHERE and the security will not try to make them leave you

alone.

*Expect no service if you don't tip EVERYONE at least $5 [even if they did NOTHING for you and you've never seen

them before].

*Expect BED BUGS!!!! in this hotel. I was BITTEN over 87 TIMES!!!! and I was the only one who got bit because I

slept in the same bed in the 4 days I stayed there.

*If $$$ is a concern [and it always is], You're looking at $300-$400 per day [seriously 2 cheeseburgers, 2 drinks

and a salad $85 [tip not included].

***My best recommendation: POINT VILLAGE is a private resort, all inclusive $210 [total] per day for 4 people, all

watersports included[snorkling, kyaking, private beached [no merchants or drug dealers], glass bottom boats, a

whole bunch of stuff] food much better, you get service!!!! Fantastic for kids, even better for couples!!!

I am not trying to promote Point VIllage even though I WISH I would have come there first and avoided Coco La

Palm all together.

Seriously, I was so horrified by my experience at Coco La Palm that I wanted to go home starting the first day and

I was at the point of TEARS thinking abount staying there for 2 weeks!!!

Please HEAR MY WARNING!!! I was lucky because I had some time to get over my experience and leave but

most people go for 1 week and you will NOT ENJOY YOUR VACATION and you will want to go home if you spend

1 day there. I almost did! I even called up the airline and got info on the next flight home until my brother convinced

me to just move to a new hotel.