Grupo Vidanta
Reviews and Complaints

My experience with the Mayan Palace timeshares has been horrible... From today back to day one, 10 years, and I receive bogus calls from agents wanting me to list it with them on a regular basis... Enjoy the stay, but don't buy... You will regret it as most folks I know that own do... If you're old, have plenty of money and wish to trade around, that's great - but the hoopla about how much money you save as a family vaca over the years is a real stretch. Do Not Buy Into Their Logic... Once you are in, it is impossible to get out:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

I'm so frustrated with this criminals. I've been in communication with Craig Silva, he has not been helpful at all, contacting Mayan Palace is as helpful as not contacting them. As an example Craig Silva in his last communication said "I am sorry that you purchased for the wrong reasons and lack the vision and foresight that the rest of our happy owners have. "

He is not sorry for the misrepresentations, for the lies and for the scam I suffered but because I purchased for the wrong reasons?
I'M SORRY THAT I TRUST IN MAYAN PALACE.

I've emailed carlosgorozpe@vidasales.com twice, as I reply I just get an automatic response saying he is out of the office and will contact me within 48 hrs but he doesn't. I'm running out of patience.

I agree with you. My husband and I were blatantly lied to about the membership benefits. We discovered later and have since been trying to get out of the contract; but they don’t seem to care at all if the sales people has lied or has given wrongful information; we have stressed this out to their service department but they simply do not care. All they want is to force us to stay.

You should try to contact Carlos Gorozpee; he is nice and friendly, we have not been able to negotiate with him our contract cancellation but he responds to emails promptly. His address is carlosgorozpe@vidasales.com

Let me know if you are able to make any progress.

It doesn't really surprise me to read these type of complaints about Mayan Palace, they are indeed very high-pressure and a fraudulent company. In Mexico however, you have 5 business days to cancel the contract. I'm sorry you fell for this scam, but at least now you don't have any attachments to the resort. You should read this article on how most of the mayan palace timeshare scams are being committed:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

Common Complaints:

The salesperson will claim that they can resell the client's previously owned timeshare for a large sum of money and the purchase of the Mayan timeshare will be covered by this resale.
Salesperson offers an equity exchange or trade-in program.
The salesperson says that they will rent out their Mayan weeks for a large profit and issue a check to the client within a few months so that they can pay off the timeshare with the rental income.
Many clients have complained that when they go to cancel within the 5 day period, they tell them that their deposit is non-refundable, and they are then persuaded into a downgraded membership

Mayan Palace sales tactics are hardcore and they will tell you anything you want to hear to get you into the contract and keep you in contract with them. It is too common for the sales representative to offer you an upgrade if you already own a timeshare with them.

/complaint has been removed at the request of the author/

On April 17, 2013, while in Puerto Vallarta, my wife and l toured the Mayan Palace timeshare resort. We were in PV staying at another timeshare exchange resort. We were given the whole sales pitch including how they would take our existing three timeshares in a very excellent trade-in deal. They first gave us a price on a unit and vacation time. When we were ready to leave, a miracle happened, a foreclosure suddenly appeared at greatly reduced price. We cancelled the deal on the 20th, notified Visa and also the resort itself to stop the charge. We have been in contact with numerous persons from the organization but no one seems to be in charge. We have gotten communications from the resort: "Let's make a deal." We are still waiting but not holding our breath. According to Profeco, you have five business days to cancel a transaction in Mexico. We are well within the timeframe allowed. Beautiful place, but buyer beware. No deal. This is a good article on how Mayan Palace works:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

On every bad review there's a "Mayan Palace timeshare customer support representative" that apologizes. Shortly after the bad reviewer "rescinds any bad words" and all of their issues are magically resolved. So, are they paying people off to stop telling people how bad they are, and if that's the case wouldn't it make sense that they're paying people to write "good" reviews? This place is too sketchy-no matter how good the deal is. I'll stay away:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

Do not get trapped by this scam. We arrived at the airport in Cozumel looking for our transportation representative to take us to the Cozumel Palace (no relation to Mayan Palace!) A man approached us wearing a white collared shirt that said "Tourist Advisory" and asked where we were headed. We told him the Cozumel Palace and he said "This way" and acted like he was our transportation contact. We followed him and he gave us a paper map of the island of Cozumel and pointed out points of interest. He then said he would rent us a jeep for our time here (Thursday afternoon to Sunday morning) for $120, including insurance. We agreed to this since we knew we would spend one day exploring the island and paid the man (Jesus) in cash. Jesus wrote the invoice up and marked it "Paid in full" and "no balance due". He then asked us if we would visit the Mayan Palace being built on Cancun. Jesus said he would cover the ferry ride to and from Cozumel and we could have either a free breakfast or lunch at the Mayan Palace. All we had to do was listen to their 1 hour speech on timeshares. Then we could leave and go shopping or go to the beaches of Cancun and he would get a commission. We said we would probably do that but not sure when we could fit it in so Jesus gave us his cell number. Well, we didn't end up going to Cancun in this short visit but when we got back to the airport on Sunday morning to leave, Jesus told us we had to pay a balance of $180 since we didn't go listen to the speech at the Mayan Palace! We were appalled! We asked Jesus what he was talking about and he said we should have paid $300 for the rental car but he gave us a deal because we were going to go listen to the timeshare speech. We informed Jesus he NEVER told us that. But he outright LIED and said he did. We looked at his paperwork and it had been changed from "paid in full" to "balance due $180". Jesus brought a man over and said he was his supervisor and the supervisor outright lied and said he heard Jesus tell us about the "discounted rate" in exchange for visiting the Mayan Palace. Now that little supervisor man was NOWHERE near us at any point when we arrived at the airport the previous Thursday! The supervisor pointed out to some fineprint on the invoice that said we agreed to visit the Mayan Palace or pay the full price BUT THE SPACE NEXT TO THIS DISCLAIMER WHERE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO INITIAL WAS BLANK! Jesus had neither informed us of this disclaimer nor had he obtained our initials to show we were informed of it and understood it. Jesus then said he would call the police if we didn't pay the $180. Well, we had two children to get back to and certainly did not want to miss our flight so we reluctantly paid the $180 EXTRA. Another gentleman came up to us and told us that the day before Jesus had pulled the same scam on him! But that gentleman contacted his credit card company and is getting a refund. So, we will do the same and pursue a refund for our $180 but we warn everyone... stay away from Jesus Alfredo Hernandez and the Mayan Palace!

PROFECO (Mexican's Consumer Protection Agency) recently announced a list with the most fraudulent timeshare companies in Mexico, and Mayan Palace is one of them. Actually, this is a really good article about Mayan Palace Timeshare scams:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

has anybody actually gotten there money back? I have lost all hope.

Looking for a great deal in Mazatlan?

this is your opportunity, visit our website and discover that there is no need to own a timeshare to enjoy your holiday. Instead of paying a high maintenance fee every year, we invite you to see there are great places to stay at for an affordable price.

Check it out at:
http://www.greatdeals2mazatlan.com
**For the moment our website is under maintenance but within the next weeks places would be ready to be shown to people interested in local rentals.

Sincerely, Mazatlan Vacation Rentals.
"Renting with the locals, vacationing as one".

Dear "mcfly",

We have been alerted about your comment.

If you have pending concerns with us, we have confidence they can be addressed as soon as we are contacted to continue this dialogue. It is through hard work and dedication that we keep our members happy and we would like you to be a satisfied member as well.

Being that said, the only way to assure that we get your message and follow-up is to contact us at grupomayanblog@grupovidanta.com.

We truly appreciate your time.

Sincerely,
Karen Rose
Customer Support Representative.

DO NOT DO THE MAYAN PALACE TIMESHARE PRESENTATION! We tried to say no until we were so tired of it we agreed to a 90 minute presentation for $100 USD per couple and 10% off of our charges for the week. The 90 minutes became 150 minutes. Each time they were ready to let us leave a different person prevented us from leaving. Very rude and dishonest. I had to express anger at the fifth person before they showed us the door. This left a sour taste in our mouths for the last few days:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

Where can I get in touch with you, Remy?

Thank you so much for the heads-up, i know Mayan Palace sales tactics are hardcore and they will tell you anything you want to hear to get you into the contract and keep you in contract with them. This is actually a good article on how most of the mayan palace timeshare scams are being committed:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

Do NOT do the Mayan Palace Timeshare presentation! We tried to say no until we were so tired of it we agreed to a 90 minute presentation for $100 USD per couple and 10% off of our charges for the week. The 90 minutes became 150 minutes. Each time they were ready to let us leave a different person prevented us from leaving. Very rude and dishonest. I had to express anger at the fifth person before they showed us the door. This left a sour taste in our mouths for the last few days. This is a good article about Mayan Palace:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

My mother and I have received an "offer of settlement" (viewable at this link http://tinyurl.com/k3mggkf) that would obligate us to lie about our experience with these people who have identified themselves to us as Bliss Resorts, Bliss Vacation Club, Vida Vacation Club International Sales, Grupo Vida Vacation, Mayan Resorts, Riviera Maya, et al.

First, this offer purports to create a contractual relationship between us and another company, to wit: Premium International Vacations S.A. de C.V. We are trying to sever ties with the authors of this unpleasant chapter of our lives, not expand the list of characters.

Second, this offer purports to have us surrender our free speech rights, and goes further by obliging us to participate in marketing activities, such as posting positive comments, on behalf of the Premium International Vacations S.A. de C.V. and its unidentified "Affiliates, " for no consideration other than the return of our own money.

Third, this offer demands our silence, requiring us to keep these terms a secret, and never to speak about it, under threat. Meanwhile, we are suppose to trust that the "Person Offering Settlement" noted on this offer with an office at the Riviera Maya (a) has the authority to make this offer, and (b) will eventually refund our downpayment.

Who are these people? And why would any reputable hotel or resort allow them on their property to take our money? More importantly, why hasn't any of THESE hotels and resorts contacted us to resolve this?

Beware of Vacation Class S.A. de C.V. (advertising The Bliss Resorts, Bliss Vacation Club, Grand Mayan, Vida Vacations, VidaSales and more).
My mother and I traveled to Mexico to celebrate my graduation from college. After about seven hours traveling we were met at the airport in Cancun by some saleswoman misrepresenting her intention. The next day we were at their Grand Mayan where we were subjected to five hours of high-pressure sales tactics before we relented signing an English-only document purporting to be selling "lodging rights and services."

After getting away, we learned more about whom we had been picked up by from websites like tripadvisor, timesharescam, complaintsboard, scam, mescam, pissedconsumer, independenttraveler, and fodors, to name a few (all ending dot com). We notified the sales office that we cancel and asked for our downpayment back. They pretend to be confused and refuse.

We learned that Mexican law protects consumers under PROFECO; that all contracts regarding property in Mexico, including timeshares, must be in Spanish and bear certification by a Notario--neither of which was true for us; and that we can file a complaint in at any Mexican Consulate.

Our lawyer is putting together copies of their responses to share with you the names (and taunting words) of these sales people and the additional aliases they use. We hope that this post reaches you before you travel to Mexico, so you know to stay away from these people when they try to get you at the airport.

We were also scammed. They claim they don't misrepresent themselves. Yet the promises and the drinks ease you into signing. Once you've done that, you are screwed. Through all the other initials on your contract, you realize you initialled, that they don't misrepresent themselves. Now you are up the creek. We had 2 timeshares they claimed that Alliance marketing would sell for us in 3 months max. We would recoup the money we paid at the Grand Luxxe and would net out ahead of the game. Well 15 months later, I am out $30k and I still have the original timeshares. I have also not heard a word from Alliance marketing in several months. Plus I found out they are a marketing group, thus not legally allowed to sell. I have had to take a 2nd mortgage out on my house. All the answers I have seen from the Mayan on various websites show they are not at all interested in helping out. Do they not have a concious? Fortunately, we could get out of our Mayan Palace Timeshare contract, I recommend you to read this article on how to do so:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

sorry to hear you got sucked into a timeshare. They are expensive and not worth the money after all you have to pay fees for upkeep every week you are there. Hopefully you can get it all sorted out.

It is the same old story with the Mayan Palace timeshare resorts (owner David Chavez) who does not care about what fraud he perpetrates on timeshare buyers. The same old adage applies, with regard to rental fees applicable, etc. It is fraud and there is right of rescission in Mexico no matter what program you buy, no matter what the horror show salespeople tell you. Heve not met one semi-honest one representing the mayan chain yet. Yes, we got scammed and bought, never again. These are the worst operators in the business. The name of the programs, Mayan Regency, The Dream, Mayan Palace, Grand Mayan, Bliss, Grupo Luxxe change with regard to what they wish to charge. The upshot is if you are down the line in their program name game list you lose benefits. The tiger does not change its stripes. Beware:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

I'm not gonna deny that the resorts are beutiful, but the practices they use to sell timeshares are the worst. Mayan Palace salespeople always offer a trade-In, letting the buyer believe that Mayan Palace is going to take their other timeshare and sell them for them and deducting the cost of their new timeshare with Mayan Palace, but at the end you end up owning two timeshares and payments due for Mayan Palace turning it into in a double scam. I suggest you to read this article about Mayan Palace timeshare scams:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

I'm glad that your issue was resolved. Mine is now resolved too, but what a hassle it was to get a final solution. They completely lied in the presentation, then when we tried to cancel, they were uncooperative, unresponsive and downright rude. I finally had to hire representation (see www.timesharescam.com) to help me out of this nightmare. They were able to cancel my contract, and now I can enjoy vacations where and when I want. I highly recommend them. Mayan Palace needs to be stopped!

We were also scammed with a Mayan Palace Timeshare. They claim they don't misrepresent themselves. Yet the promises and the drinks ease you into signing. Once you've done that, you are screwed. Through all the other initials on your contract, you realize you initialled, that they don't misrepresent themselves. Now you are up the creek. We had 2 timeshares they claimed that Alliance marketing would sell for us in 3 months max. We would recoup the money we paid at the Grand Luxxe and would net out ahead of the game. Well 15 months later, I am out $30k and I still have the original timeshares. I have also not heard a word from Alliance marketing in several months. Plus I found out they are a marketing group, thus not legally allowed to sell. I have had to take a 2nd mortgage out on my house. All the answers I have seen from the Mayan on various websites show they are not at all interested in helping out. Do they not have a concious? You should read this article about Mayan Palace:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

Mayan Palace timeshare sales tactics are hardcore and they will tell you anything you want to hear to get you into the contract and keep you in contract with them. The worst part is that dealing with Mayan Palace after the purchase of your timeshare can be a little frustrated. Especially because customer service won’t get you the answers you expect to get when it comes on how to use your timeshare or trying to Book your next vacations, lucky if you are able to do book anything. I recommend you to read this article on how most of the Mayan Palace timeshare scams are being committed and how to get out of them:

http://www.timesharescam.com/blog/51-mayan-palace-timeshare-scam/

Hello Sandra,

Isn´t it exhausting having to deal with these kinds of situations? A similar situation happened to my husband and I, we were invited to a timeshare presentation and after 4 hours we decided not to buy. When we arrived home, we decided to investigate about it on the Internet and found hundreds of similar histories. Besides we found these interesting articles that I would like to share with the users of the forum, to avoid these situations.

http://www.timesharescam.com/timeshare-cancel/a_desayuno_gratis_-5/

As a mayan sales manager once said, "If we were doing this in the U.S.A we would all be in jail.

I received twice last four months about renting my condo. I have 16 weeks too rent.I called the they gave me,[protected] many times, and got no one too answer the call. Is this a SCAM,its no way too treat owner for about twenty years. My e-mail address is mbwean@aol.com, or phone number is [protected]. Thanks UNHAPPY OWNER.

You are one lucky family that you didn't buy! God bless you.