Jenny<32Zihua , We recently stayed at the Catalina for two nights and asked the very question in question for after our stay . The bartender and the man at recepcion both said that walk in business was welcome if palapas were available . New beach friends sat there most days at Christmas without leaving hotel guests short . Beers were only 25 pesos and guacamole , as an example , was a reasonable cost for beach delivery service .

We've walked by there so many times not realizing the beach seating was a reasonable shaded option for us . We had been for sunset margaritas upstairs previously but just hadn't considered the beach seating .

An interesting beach population density pattern became more apparent this Christmas season and the pattern is no doubt repeated in all holiday surges . The bus travellers swamp the south end of the beach , nearest the bus parking leaving the Intra West end seeming quite empty . Oddly there didn't even seem to be a late afternoon surge local families at the north end as usual , maybe busy working .

We too are Rossy fans but since you like the Catalina , I think you will be extra welcome .

Thank you for taking the time to replay with details. I'm feeling more confident about finding a nice place to relax, eat, drink, and lounge.

We've walked by there so many times not realizing the beach seating was a reasonable shaded option for us . We had been for sunset margaritas upstairs previously but just hadn't considered the beach seating .

An interesting beach population density pattern became more apparent this Christmas season and the pattern is no doubt repeated in all holiday surges . The bus travellers swamp the south end of the beach , nearest the bus parking leaving the Intra West end seeming quite empty . Oddly there didn't even seem to be a late afternoon surge local families at the north end as usual , maybe busy working .

We too are Rossy fans but since you like the Catalina , I think you will be extra welcome .

Rossy's is the place. Very attentive waiters, fair prices, good food. My son loves their burgers. I've been a customer there since 1987.

Thank you. I remember their ceviche being delicious.

I believe the way it works at Catalina is that if the hotel isn't full they rent palapas. I thought it was a purchase thing rather than just a rental. Spend so much on drinks and/or lunch and the palapa came with it. I could be mistaken. Asking Samuel would be definitive.

Elvira's palapas seem quite fine. No matter where you park, I think you are expected to buy something.

I will see Samuel, thank you. Just like in the US, I wouldn't dream of taking up space if I wasn't ordering/tipping. Serving got me through my undergrad.

Agreed Rob, we haven't found much difference between any of the eating/drinking establishments on La Ropa
as far as quality of food and service. Prices may vary slightly between one or the other and I know some people swear by one place over another but for us, all of them
allows us to have our toes in the sand, someone serving us cold drinks and food, how can you go wrong with any of them? Our experience has been as you said, treat the wait staff with respect, tip them reasonably and they will
make sure you are happy and enjoy your time there.

This is good to know. We've only lounged around at the Catalina. Glad we have options. As a former servers and bartenders, we always tip and order well.

Elvira's palapas seem quite fine. No matter where you park, I think you are expected to buy something.

And all have bar services as well. Patys does not charge for chairs but the regulars are there early claiming their perch. La perl a was 150 for a whole kit i think. Umbrella 2 beach chairs, table and 2 sit style chairs. Rossy is great but not a lot of umbrellas as I recall.

Paty's Mar y Mar has recently begun imposing a minimum 150 peso charge for occupying a lounge chair, much to the consternation of several of the regulars. Hopefully that will be a temporary thing, about to end now that the Christmas/New Year rush is over.

Thank you. Is that with ordering food and drink too? Do you know if that 150 Pesos will be in addition to what we spend or go towards our bar tab? Is the 150 pesos per chair or per set with palapa? Thanks for any additional info.

That's the minimum. They aren't sticklers. Just be respectful and consume your drinks and food there and they will treat you like royalty.

Awesome, thank you. Michael keeps a steady buzz on Pacificos. They'll be pleased.

And all have bar services as well. Patys does not charge for chairs but the regulars are there early claiming their perch. La perl a was 150 for a whole kit i think. Umbrella 2 beach chairs, table and 2 sit style chairs. Rossy is great but not a lot of umbrellas as I recall.

Perfect thank you. I don't want to do that whole staking my spot thing. I am hoping to find a place and give them some money for the week to hold/reserve/interject-correct-verb our spot.

Next to the Catalina is Elvira on on the right and Paty's on the left as you walk toward the bay. I prefer Elvira, the food at Patys is nothing special. The waiters will bring you drinks while you relax on the beach in a lounge. They will also move the umbrellas around if you need.

I like that, thank you. I don't need the umbrella but the rest of my party does. They'll be happy. I think it was Elvira's chiliquillas (sp?) that helped me gain those couple of pounds last trip- so good.

The really nice Tommy Bahama beach chairs and umbrellas are about $35US each at Comercial. You can likely sell them for something before you leave-they are very popular.
Yes, Rossys is at the south end of La Ropa with an upstairs. Elvira is the first restaurant south of Catalina with Pattys right next to it.

I think Rob should do a chair exchange for a nominal fee and our undying gratitude. On the Disney boards we do one with Christmas trees.

I don't think I'll go the buy route but thank you. Those are the chairs we have here, love them. They are low to the ground and light.

I can't believe I got a location correct! Haha! I'm having a heck of a time with landmarks.

I think it was Elvira we ate at quite a it then. Wanting to try it all. So little time.

Thank you. Is that with ordering food and drink too? Do you know if that 150 Pesos will be in addition to what we spend or go towards our bar tab? Is the 150 pesos per chair or per set with palapa? Thanks for any additional info.

That's the minimum. They aren't sticklers. Just be respectful and consume your drinks and food there and they will treat you like royalty.

Our favorite is La Perla.
I just messaged with Celso, who works at the front desk at Catalina, and he told me that it is possible to use the hotel's palapas and chairs for 150 pesos per day. Go to the beach bar and ask for Samuel. (We'll be trying that in march, since we're staying elsewhere this year, too!)

Thank you. Is that with ordering food and drink too? Do you know if that 150 Pesos will be in addition to what we spend or go towards our bar tab? Is the 150 pesos per chair or per set with palapa? Thanks for any additional info.

Patys is my first go to. El Vira's ,La Perla Rossy, El Pirata all are good to. I'd also recommend (depending on duration) picking up some nice foldable beach chairs and Umbrella and just chill. You can hit any restaurant for lunch and return to your own chairs when you want to. I know sunday morning I'll have my toes in the sand at Patys for breakfast!

Our condo comes with two chairs and an umbrella but there are four of us. I don't really want to buy 2 chairs just to leave them unless they're really inexpensive.

Thanks for the ideas. Do the places you mention all have bar service? Rossy is on the end of La Ropa right? With an upstairs too? If not which place is that?

Which restaurant is right next to the Catalina? We had many breakfasts there, toes in the sand. Heaven.

Thanks!