Buccanos Beach Club Bar & Grill
I have been to Buccanos for breakfast and luncheon meetings, to entertain out of Town Company, and even held a bowling luncheon there one year. I fell in love with the architecture of the building, the decor, and the scenery. The design of the place is genius with easy access to the swimming pool and the sea, the sand and palm trees; it is impressive. There is a sea wall there that adds to the ambiance, you can easily close your eyes and imagine yourself back in time.
Buccanos is a beach club that is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As advertised, they are rated one of the top beach snorkeling sites in Cozumel with a natural sand walk-in beach, ocean view swimming pool and seaside restaurant with bar. They have umbrellas & palapas, showers & lockers, and poolside internet. There is also beach massage available, snorkel equipment & kayak rental and wave runners and parasailing. There is a tequila tour on the property, as well as a repel/rock climbing facility. There is ample seating available and you can enjoy the sun or shade both indoors and outdoors.
If you live in Cozumel, Buccanos is in a gated community and a guard will ask for $100 pesos per person deposit on your visit. This deposit goes 100% towards your tab and well worth it, considering the beach club privileges it comes with. The cruise ship package is $10 and includes free snorkel equipment rental.
Then, there is the food. It is reasonably priced for the quality and service. The taste lives up to the expectation of the beautiful presentation. Over the years I have tasted most of the breakfast and lunch menu and have never been disappointed. Their portions are very generous, come with an appetite or be prepared to take food home.
During the busy tourist season, Buccanos is bustling with activity as staff caters to groups of guests; it is fun to be there those days if you like to people watch and meet new people. During what we call the slow tourist season, it is fun to be the first one there and make believe it is all yours! (I can dream, can’t I?)
The best way to describe how I feel at Buccanos is “Happy.” Strange word for a restaurant review, but at Buccanos, I can’t help but take in everything around me and smile. Perhaps it is the aura created by the story of the family that owns and operates Buccanos. It is both a love story and a labor of love.
Owner and Chef Ines Falkenberg arrived in Cozumel in 1985 and met her husband Juan the very first day she arrived. She was born in Canada to German parents. Her relatives are spread between Germany and Switzerland which gives her a reason to travel there each year.
Juan was born in Mérida, Mexico. He is an avid sport fisherman responsible for the nautical theme in the restaurant and the fresh fish on the menu. He is also passionate about music and is credited with the excellent music selections we are treated to.
Bosco, their son, just completed his training at the university and is working both in the day as well as the evening. He shares his mother’s passion for food and can be found in the afternoon at her side taste testing in the kitchen.
Carina, their daughter, is an artist who is in her last year at the University studying graphic design. She had a showing in the museum in Cozumel shortly before Christmas. Being the artistic one in the family, she oversees the image and design of Buccanos.
I believe the love, passion, and dedication of this family spills over into Buccanos. That is the “Aura” I feel that makes me smile!
Check out their Menu on their website: http://www.buccanos.com/
