Carlos 'n Charlies Cozumel, Mexico

Carlos 'n Charlies Ripped Us Off!

Be very careful, Carlos 'n Charlies and the police in Cozumel are good at ripping people off! When on a cruise of boomers and oldies music where drinks and gratuities were covered in many places already, meeting at Carlos and Charlies was on the scheduled list of events. We (two) had four coupons for one free marguarita each coupon. Sat down, got the first ones, and as time went on figured we didn't have to use the second two because they gave us the impression the marguaritas were free, with first coupons. Here is how it happened: we were told by employee that a few hundred of those were handed out to our group members, and then non-removable wrist bands were put on us, then when we were ready to order second round, and of course ready to use coupons again, they brought them and didn't ask for any payment. We hadn't expected that, and were thrilled, keeping our 'free' drinks flowing and not using the second two coupons, dancing and drinking with our wrist bands. When we rec'd the last two of our marguaritas, one was left untouched (we figured our limit was reached) and one was close to full, time to go back to cruise ship. After leisurely strolling outside a ways, an employee of Carlos and Charlies chased us down and told us we owed them money for all of the 'free' drinks. I was surprised, but thought, ok, except that I wanted to present him with our two coupons, there was nothing on them that stated one coupon per person, so honoring them would have been legitimate and honest. He refused to honor them, and I was also irked that we had left those untouched drinks that we would not have ordered had we known they were not free. I made him a generous offer, for a good portion of the sum he was requesting, and he not only would not honor our free marguarita coupons, but refused my offer. So I asked for police to intervene. It turns out the policeman in Mexico who arrived was equally as corrupted as the Carlos and Charlies's personnel. So we paid full amt, they 'won', and when my husband said, "This isn't right' to the Mexican cop, he just shrugged and 'stuck' us. Watch out in Mexico, all parts of Mexico, if you are Americans, it's getting worse and worse there! All you are to them is a dollar sign, not a human being!