The Westin, however, does provide access to Club Regina's private beach club "Villa Vera" about 40 minutes north of town. Access for hotel guests is discounted to about $US 9.60. The (public) bus ride up is very comfortable and can be had right across from the marina entrance.

As for the Villa Vera beach itself, definitely not the best in the world, but nothing to complain about either. There is an adult and a kid pool as well as a restaurant and "lounge-chair" service. When we were there, six-foot swells were coming in off the ocean -- really fun to do wave jumping through! Swim at your own risk, though, no lifeguard... and avoid the shrimp cocktail -- we had some bad punishment later that night for ordering that, if you know what I mean.