Charles K
Google
I’m giving Vivo Beach Club two stars, mainly because my experience this year was very different from a positive visit I had here last year.
Last year, I came through an agreement with a nearby hotel whose pool was temporarily closed, and the experience felt clean, well-managed, and worth the visit. Based on that, I decided to return this year while visiting again.
This time around, the biggest issue was pricing transparency. Vivo’s website is currently down, and despite searching online and calling ahead, I kept seeing a $40 daily rate mentioned across multiple sources. When I arrived, the entrance fee was actually $80 per person, with staff explaining that the $40 rate was old. I understand prices change, but with the website down and the phone system not connecting me to anyone at the front desk, this felt confusing and avoidable. As someone who works in web design, even a temporary landing page with updated pricing would go a long way.
The location itself is still a strong point. The beach is sandy, not rocky, and easy to enter without water shoes. That part was great. However, finding a chair as a solo guest was surprisingly difficult. Many chairs were “reserved” with towels, but as I stayed for several hours, it appeared there were far more towels than people. Staff didn’t seem to be actively clearing unused chairs, which made the space feel more crowded than it actually was.
The chairs and loungers themselves were serviceable but noticeably worn, which stood out given the current $80 entrance fee.
In the pool area, there are separate family and adult pools, which is appreciated. However, overall upkeep was lacking. I noticed empty glasses, trash, and wet paper towels left on the ground for long stretches of time. The swim-up bar was also unstaffed during my visit, which made that advertised amenity unusable.
There is ongoing construction near the pool area, which added noise and took away from the atmosphere. While this may be temporary, it’s worth noting for anyone seeking a relaxing day.
On the positive side, the showers had warm water, which I appreciated. However, there was no soap provided in the shower area, and lockers were available but required bringing your own lock. Bathrooms appeared to be in the same condition when I arrived and when I left, suggesting cleaning could be more frequent.
Overall, this wasn’t a terrible experience, but for $80 with no food or drink included, it didn’t feel like good value compared to other beach clubs or resorts in the area. I appreciated the sense of security as a solo traveler versus a public beach, but given the current pricing and condition, I don’t plan to return.
This place may still work for some people, but expectations should be adjusted based on the new pricing and current upkeep.