Villa Linda Mar, January 20th to present

[sjbird]

Beaches - some decent beach in front of villa coral to villa Linda mar
But (as always was a case) there are rocks in the water, and when there is a surf, it is pretty challenging to get in and out.
Beach is front of memories and starfish is almost gone. Pretty big surf.
Punta mie tempo to sirena is gorgeous

Nudity - there is a designated nudist section in front of memories / starfish. And this "section" is in the middle and takes most of what's left of the beach there. Pretty much 50/50 mixed crowd in the section.
Walk from puente mie tempo to paraiso is spectacular. What's strange, almost no nude people. And playa paraiso was 100% textile to my surprise.
Some minor nudity on both sides of playa sirena.

Scooter
Ca$25 electric, ca$30 gas, ca$45 ATV/quatro. But the only place open is at memories, and they chronically low on stock. Show up at 7am in a hope to score anything.
Taxis are ca$5 for two

Hotels:
Memories and starfish are open. Villa Linda mar is open with about 60 guests when we were there.
Villa Soledad and Villa coral closed and not being renovated.
Villa natura and vla caprice have some guests, but hard to tell how many (we went through one early morning)

Diving:
Prices are as listed.
Dive center asks to go with them directly, instead of sunwing rep. It is same price, but sunwing just skimps 25% "booking fee"

Everything (scuba, scooters) are to be paid by credit card only (initially at least). But then negotiate a follow up cash price.

[coughlinkelly]

Thanks for the review! We are heading to Villa Linda Mar hopefully Feb. 4-11. I read that shuttles to beaches are "free" but taxis cost $$$? Is it really free shuttles?

[sjbird]

The shuttle on a fixed schedule is free
From villa Linda mar 10:00 11:00 14:30
Back 13:30 15:30 17:00

But one can opt for a taxi. Anywhere on the island is us$2 per person or ca$5 for two people
Workers leave sirena about 6:30, make sure to leave with them, or better arrange pick up with any of the drivers during the day (plenty of taxis during day time)

Seating on the free shuttle is not guaranteed though. Yet, two times they called a regular taxi van (for free) from Linda mar in lieu of shuttle. But there 8s no substitute on the way back. If shuttle is full, it is either taxi or walk

[Vlad95]

Thank you for very successful report. It is very interesting get information about this resort that was not available to everyone before.
What about nudity on the Linda Mar beach? It is allowed or not? Or need stay just on Sol or Pelicano nude section?

[sjbird]

No official nude beach at Linda mar.
But it is pretty laid back with very little people.
There are usually between 0 and 5 people on a beach, and not uncommon to see other nude people sunbathing, swimming or walking. But majority is clothed.
With Soledad, coral closed, Linda mar is a bit isolated, surrounded by rocky shores hard to walk, not getting much through traffic.

[sjbird]

A new thing this year - the restaurant at playa sirena is included with all hotels.
Great option - go to Sirena and have lunch there at nonextra cost.
And no bracelets - free roaming

[sjbird]

Scooter saga
Camped in front 9fnthe office at 6:40 - was first there. 6:50 someone else joined me in line. Shortly before 7 there was a crowd, and shortly after office opened. They had one functioning ATV/quad available none of gas scooters and bunch (4?) of electric
Riding ATV was fun. They are in despair, tires are bold, but still we managed to make quite a way to the east side, past "pine forest" until sand became too soft, we stuck twice and turned back.

Villa Caprice
Larer checked out the pool daytime, about 10-15 people, almost everyone is nude. It is pity the hotel doesn't have any beach. We did not see anyone roaming the grounds nude, probably people would use a wrap. It is hard to imagine villa caprice a nudist resort because the road is splitting right through with cottages on both sides right by the road

Very good snorkeling off punta mie tempo. Quite surge, but reef is close by. Saw lobster and were surprised by a nursing shark.