COZUMEL, MEXICO
COZUMEL, MEXICO Comments are by CruiseCritic.com members & friends collected by DarryDFL & ‘PegEggFL’. 1 Click on any blue, underlined text to go to its link. Amazing Cozumel Race Bar Hop Tour Beaches Bushwacker (Drink) Cash & Currency Chankanaab Park Clear Kayak & Snorkel Adventure Cocktail, Best Cuisine Workshop Culture Currency El Cid Resort Forum Getting Around Glass-bottom Boat Language Nachi Cocum Overview Paradise Beach Bar Phones Piers Pier-side Playa del CarmenPunta Sur Restaurants San Gervasio (Mayan Ruins) San Miguel SCUBA Diving Self-guided Tours Shopping Shore Excursions Sian Ka’an Reserve Souvenir, Best Sub-Ocean View Taxi Tucan Sailing Adventure Tulum Weather Websites Xel-Ha OVERVIEW by Magna, Aug/29/2010: Before I’d even taken my first cruise — never mind sailed in the Western Caribbean — I had a pre-conception of Cozumel as being a shopper’s paradise that just so happened to be in Mexico. I knew who’d been there came back with nothing but pictures of them shopping — and of course, the things they bought. 1 Permission for reproduction in whole or in part is granted to individuals and to organizations for internal, non-profit use provided credit is given to the author along with the copyright notice: Article reprinted with permission. Copyright © 2007-2013 Darry D Eggleston, http://DarryD.com. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 1 of 18 COZUMEL Indeed, Cozumel offers darn good deals on jewelry, Mexican handicrafts, T-shirts and other souvenirs, mostly in the only town of San Miguel. But what was pleasing to discover is that there’s much more to Cozumel than duty-free shopping. This small island (measuring just 28 miles long and 10 miles wide) lies just off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, and offers incredibly diverse options for water sports’ lovers, due partly to its proximity to spectacular coral reefs. And along with snorkeling, beach bumming and boating are popular activities, scuba diving is one of the biggest draws here. Cozumel also has a rich enough background to satiate any history buff’s appetite. In fact, the island derives its name from the Mayan civilization that settled there approximately 2,000 years ago. According to Mayan legend, Cozumel was the home of Ixchel, the goddess of love and fertility. It’s said that when religious temples were dedicated to her, she sent her favorite bird — the swallow — as a sign of her gratitude. For this reason, the people coined the island “Cuzamil” — Mayan for “Land of the Swallows.” There are several important Mayan sites on the island (such as San Gervasio and El Cedral) and even better preserved ones on the (fairly) easily accessible mainland — Chichen Itza and Tulum are hot numbers as far as day trips and shore excursions are concerned. Although Cozumel is Mexico’s largest and most populated island, it wasn’t until the 1960s that this once-sleepy fishing village became a tourist attraction in its own right, following a documentary in which Jacques Cousteau declared it one of the most beautiful scuba diving areas in the world. These days, Cozumel is a major cruise port welcoming more than one million cruise passengers each year, and as many as eight ships per day. But even with all this progress, Cozumel has held onto its non-touristy side; only one-third of the island has been developed, leaving large stretches of pristine jungle and sandy beach basically untouched. AMAZING COZUMEL RACE (RACE FANTASTIQUE) www.racefantastique.com ' SixGun8, Jun/24/2008: OK, we did the race. It was a blast and no, you do not go into areas that are unsafe. We NEVER felt like we were in danger. The game is what you make it. If you wanna walk around and complain about things, then well you probably don’t like your cruise either. The hosts were fantastic. They truly care about their product and they work hard to keep you For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 2 of 18 COZUMEL all having the most fun. Plus, if you ever get to a point where you think you have strayed into trouble, you use the little cell phone they give you and you can call and cry for help. You get to see parts of Coz that you probably would not see unless you do the race. Yes, it is only a Carnival excursion, but it is NOT run by Carnival. All I can say is that the HOSTS really, really care about their product, they were super fun to deal with. Very personable if you get a chance to sit with them at the end of the race. It was a blast, we did rush through things at times simply because we are competitive, but we didn’t feel like we missed anything. We enjoyed every minute. There is a clue hidden in the water, but it doesn’t need to be brought up. It can simply be viewed and then passed on to those in the boat. Only one person needs to swim or in our case since the waves were a bit rough, we had a glass bottom boat that we took out. NO problems. Last I heard it was ONLY Carnival. They are still pretty new just over a year old. They originally contracted with Carnival and were able to provide for the fun ships only. They got their contract renewed and are working with the entire Carnival line, but are still private to that label. BAR HOP TOUR ' KoolBeans, Sep/3/2009: There is an excursion that takes you on a airconditioned bus all around the island stopping at several different beach bars, with a free shot at each one if interested, and takes us to the East side of the island, shopping, etc. It is a 5-hour tour and is $49 per person with great reviews. There is a minimum number of people to book or they won’t do the tour. By no means is drinking required, only by choice. It will be a great tour. http://www.cozumelbarhop.com/ ' INeedAShot, Jun/2/2010: Bar Hop in Cozumel that takes you to the other side of the island. Looks like too much fun! http://www.cozumelbarhop.com/ BEACHES ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: The best beaches for swimming, snorkeling or lounging under the sun are on the western side of the island, where the winds are light and waters usually calm. Don’t forget plenty of sunscreen unless you want to be fried a bright shade of lobster red. The surf on the eastern side of the island tends to be much rougher. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Best Beaches for Water Sports: Chankanaab Park and Reef, is terrific for snorkeling, scuba diving, beach bumming and eating. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 3 of 18 COZUMEL Paradise Beach offers an excellent and wide variety of water sports rentals along with a restaurant and two bars. Playa San Francisco is another good choice. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Best Secluded Beach: Playa Escondida may have few amenities, but that keeps the crowds away. Another peaceful option is Playa Chen Rio, on the eastern side of the island. BUSHWACKER ' Marcel8004, Sep/2/2009: It comes from the “19th Hole” in St. Thomas (now closed). Go ahead and indulge but don’t drive, please don’t drive. * The Bushwacker recipe is in the “Drink Recipes” fact sheet: http://darryd.com/CC/Recipes.pdf . CASH & CURRENCY ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Local currency is the peso. However, most stores prefer dollars, so it’s not necessary to change money. ' DarryDFL, Nov/20/2009: Usually, carry about $40 (in small bills) and a major credit card. Trust me, every shop will accept a credit card, but sometimes you’ll find a vendor where you just want to pay cash and move on. We’re not big shoppers because we don’t need any more “dust collectors” than we already have cluttering our home. ' DarryDFL, Dec/17/2009: We visited the shops closest to the northern pier. The prices were higher than downtown, but all stores were air-conditioned. Clerks tend to be pushy, but prices are negotiable. The plaza has a beautiful garden and the plaza has a sand-filled beach. There were four ships at our pier, so it was crowded. However, everyone was courteous. If you need a photo of the two of you, just ask any tourist. Unarmed security personnel were very visible. The Men’s Room was very clean, but uses well water which one can smell. T-shirts average 3/$10 (in Belize, they are $10 each). CHANKANAAB NATIONAL PARK ' Radio, Aug/10/2009: It is about 5 miles south of the pier. I have heard that they have rebuilt the whole park since it was destroyed by the hurricane a few years ago. We printed some discount coupons in advance. The cab ride was only $10 each way. It was a quick ride as well (only 4 miles south of the terminal). When we arrived, we each paid for the Combo Admission. It was For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 4 of 18 COZUMEL only $19, that included entrance to the park, a T-shirt, and a can of beer or soda. I love the way that park was rebuilt. There is a huge Dolphin Discovery area there that people can watch and view the people who are doing the Dolphin Adventure. You can really get a feel for what the Adventure is all about. We walked down past the fresh water pool, and the children’s salt water lagoon. When we arrived at the snorkel, swim, and dive area, we needed to get wet so we jumped in and cooled off. The water there sparkles so much. It is a great snorkel location. They will rent a snorkel package for you, or you can bring your own. There were thousands of tropical fish is the water, and a couple of statues that were placed there to attract fish. There are lifeguards, changing rooms, restrooms, and showers. There are also a few restaurants and several beach bars. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Another fascinating day trip is to one of the island’s nature preserves such as Chankanaab National Park. There’s a beachfront area with bar and grill, botanical garden and archaeological park on-site. The park’s Dolphin Discovery program features captive dolphins that visitors are permitted to swim with for a fee. CLEAR KAYAK & SNORKEL ADVENTURE ' SandS0817, Jun/2010: The first port was Cozumel, Mexico. We did the Clear Kayak & Snorkel Adventure. The kayak was canceled however due to the strong winds that day. We still enjoyed the snorkeling with Roman. He was excellent. I got some absolutely excellent underwater pics, and a picture of me with a parrot on my head and iguana in my hand for a fee of $5. BEST COCKTAIL ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: No drink can beat the luscious margaritas served at Pancho’s Backyard in San Miguel. Although, the margaritas at Nachi-Cocom Cozumel Beach Club are right there. Another tasty libation imbibed in many bars is the “michilada” (beer mixed with lime juice). CUISINE (MEXICAN) WORKSHOP & TASTING ' Luvs2CruzGA, Aug/16/2009: Jody and I got to learn to cook a 3-course Mexican meal (mini Huaraches, Fish Filet at Veracruz style, and a Rice pudding tower). It was so much fun and the food turned out so good. We got served what we cooked afterwards. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 5 of 18 COZUMEL The tour started at 12:00 and ended at 5:00. We finished cooking and eating around 2:30 and then got to use all of the facilities at the Playa Mia resort. They even had some stores to shop in. I will do it again the next time I am in Cozumel. My pictures include the grounds of the resort (pool, hammocks, beach, etc.) where the cooking school was. You had a little over two hours to spend at the resort after the cooking class. You were instructed to bring a beach towel with you. Photos on Webshots: http://tinyurl.com/kvt3am ' ChefPeg, Aug/17/2009: I agree... it was a lot of fun. And I would and will do that again. The food we made was yummy!! Do they still offer the photo and frame while you are eating? Did you buy the photo they offered? We did and it’s one of my favorite photos. I love the cute frame they put it in. So Mexican and foodie in one! ' Luvs2CruzGA, Aug/23/2009: The price for the Mexican Cuisine Workshop was $79 on RCCL but I noticed that they describe the same kind of excursion on Carnival for $83 or $84. CULTURE Although Cozumel is not a haven for culture vultures, there are some interesting exhibits on underwater life and the ecosystem of the surrounding reefs, as well as displays on Mayan and colonial life at the Museum of the Island of Cozumel, located three blocks from the San Miguel ferry dock. While the bestpreserved Mayan ruins are located on the mainland, there are several smaller Mayan sites scattered around Cozumel. The best of the local sites is at San Gervasio, located approximately seven miles from San Miguel. During its heyday, San Gervasio served as a ceremonial center dedicated to the fertility goddess Ixchel. The oldest site is El Cedral, about three miles from San Miguel, though little remains here except for a Mayan arch and a few small ruins. CURRENCY ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Local currency is the peso. However, most stores prefer dollars, so it’s not necessary to change money. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 6 of 18 COZUMEL EL CID RESORT ' Radio, Aug/7/2009: We went over to El Cid Resort (La Cieba) and had a great, local cooked meal. The resort seems to be very nice. I purchased a day pass there several years ago for $42, but the price is now $75 per-person. Our lunch was reasonable: $28 total for both. FORUM ' DarryDFL, Oct/16/2009: The Forum has the jeweler, International Diamond Exchange, and other shops. A taxi will take you there for $7. We found the salespeople using more high pressure tactics than we found in Jamaica. The bathroom, according to its sign, has archaic plumbing so any toilet paper used is placed into a trash can — not the toilet. GETTING AROUND ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: On Foot: Depending on your pace, downtown San Miguel is about a 30- to 45-minute walk from the International Pier (there are sidewalks). Since it can get very hot en route, most passengers opt to take a taxi into town. Once there, downtown San Miguel is very walkable, with most shops, bars and restaurants clustered around the waterfront. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Taxis: Taxis line up at the entrances to the piers and cost about $5 per ride. Rates to the beaches can cost $10 to $15; to avoid being ripped off be sure to settle on a fare before departing. Word to the wise: Some drivers aim to overcharge for longer trips, so bargain carefully and don’t be taken for a ride. Also, if you decide to give the walk a go and then decide midway that you’ve made a mistake, it is easy to grab a cab — just wave when the driver toots his horn. And again, be sure to settle on a fare before he takes his foot off the brake. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Rental Car: Some passengers who don’t take one of the shore excursions and want to travel on their own may want to rent a Jeep or four-wheel-drive vehicle. Rates begin at about $45 per day and can go as high as $80, plus additional charges for insurance and gas. Hertz (three Locations: 800-654-3131) and Avis (six Locations: 011-52-987-872-1923) are among those open for business. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Moped: This is a popular and inexpensive way ($35 per day) for one or two people to get around Cozumel, although many cruise ships warn against doing so because of the dangers of an accident due to For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 7 of 18 COZUMEL reckless drivers, hidden stop signs and stretches of severely potholed roads. I once rented a moped that broke down halfway around the island. It took me most of the afternoon to get in touch with someone to come and repair it. As a result, that was the first and last time I rented a moped on Cozumel. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Fun Car or Scoot Car: These automatic-transmission buggies resembling souped-up golf carts are another possible option. Able to reach speeds of 45 miles per hour, they cost $35 for the first hour and another $10 for each additional hour, or $85 for the whole day. Look for the rental booth on the ground floor of the Punta Langosta shopping arcade. GLASS-BOTTOM BOAT ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Glass-bottom boat tours provide a glimpse of the reefs for aqua-phobics and others who prefer to stay dry; some of these tours also stop occasionally for snorkeling breaks. LANGUAGE ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Spanish, though nearly all shops and eateries have English-speaking personnel. NACHI COCUM ' 2013CruiseBride, Apr 2013: For Cozumel we are doing Nachi Cocom. It is a private beach that for $55/person includes food & drink & is supposed to be super deserted & exclusive. John & I are looking for something relaxing & just for us (without our families) for the day after the wedding! ' MischievousSmile, May 2010: When we were in Cozumel in April, we went to the resort with a whole gang that we met from cruise critic and had a blast! I’d love to do both of these so hoping that at least some of our “Dream Girls’” will be interested in these too! ' JudyBlu, Aug 2010: We did Nachi last year and highly recommend it. The people there give great service. There is a swimming pool with a swim-up bar. The eating area is covered from the sun and lots of palm trees. ' INeedAShot, Aug 2010: I have been twice. Food was excellent but I found service to be way slow both times unless you were at the swim-up bar. ' MasterBaker, Aug 2010: We were not impressed with Nachi. They seemed very understaffed for the number of people they had reservations for the day we were there. Both food & bar service were very slow. That was also the For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 8 of 18 COZUMEL night that his Donna & I both needed Imodium. The food tasted good, but it had revenge on us later. [Imodium (Loperamide) is used to control diarrhea. It is available with or without a prescription.] ' NeatoKimmo, Aug/22/2010: It is $49 per person. PARADISE BEACH IN THE PLAZA COZUMEL ' DarthGrady, Sep/2/2009: Try the Bushwacker on Paradise Island. ' o _hi_o_lady, Sep/2/2009: Try the “Drunken Parrot”. Hard to stand up after that one! Kinda like a margarita on steroids! ' smc0320, Nov/16/2009: We went to Paradise Beach in Cozumel last year and had the BEST time. The cab ride was $15 round-trip I think and the beach is free unless you want to play on all the floating water toys, but those are $10 for the whole day. The food was good & not terribly over-priced, drinks were reasonable. I hate the touristy shopping in Cozumel. PIERS ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Cozumel has three piers, all of which are found on the built-up, western side of the island. Punta Langosta is ideally situated right in downtown San Miguel. The International Pier, the oldest cruise ship pier on the island, is located about 1.5 miles from San Miguel (walkable). Carnival Corp.’s Puerta Maya, located about five miles from San Miguel, was built to be somewhat of a stand-alone destination, with restaurants, jewelry stores, local craft carts and a beach. PIER-SIDE ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Adjacent to the Punta Langosta pier is one of Cozumel’s best jewelry stores: Rachat & Romero at Avenida Melgar 101. An especially good store for Mexican handicrafts is Viva Mexico at the intersection of Avenida Melegar and Adolfo Rosado. PLAYA DEL CARMEN ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Accessible via fast ferry, this mainland resort town is a fantastically bustling place that’s chock-a-block with shops (some of the tacky touristy variety; others, particularly in a new-ish conclave just off the ferry dock, much more upscale) and cafés. It actually is better known to For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 9 of 18 COZUMEL Europeans, so there’s an indefinably foreign air — and you’ll feel a million miles away from Cozumel. The “Mexico Water Jet” ferries passengers back and forth between Playa del Carmen on the Yucatan peninsula and Cozumel. The ferry operates continuously, and the crossing takes approximately 40 minutes; depending on sea conditions, the ride can range from super-smooth to extremely bumpy. The ride costs about $9 (you can also pay in pesos but be prepared to pay in cash) each way. Info: CozumelMyCozumel.com. Playa del Carmen is also the jumping-off point for the region’s bestknown Mayan sites. Try a day trip to the ruins of Chichen Itza, the Yucatan’s most renowned, which contains a mix of temples, pyramids and carvings dating back to the 7th and 8th centuries. Other Mayan ruins are located at Tulum, situated on the coast 35 miles south of Playa del Carmen. The site features several Mayan temples — including a stunning temple right on the coastline — government buildings and a beach below the ruins. Day trips to both Mayan sites can be booked through local tour operators. Three of the most reputable tour operators that offer day trips to Chichen Itza and Tulum are Caribe Tours (from the U.S. phone 011-52-987-872-3100), Intermar Caribe (011-52-987-872-1535) and Turismo Aviomar (011-52-987-872-5445). Editor’s note: Independent travelers should know that an excursion to Chichen Itza spells a long day — about a three-hour bus ride in each direction; don’t forget to factor in the ferry ride from Cozumel. This is one of the times we actually recommend taking this trip as part of your ship’s shore excursion program because the logistics are so complicated. PHONES ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: The Calling Station (Plaza Orbi — Local 1, Av. Rafael E. Melgar 27) is open Monday through Saturday and offers Internet connections and e-mail, faxing services, cell phone rentals, money exchange and more. PUNTA SUR ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Another eco-tourist park for visitors interested in learning about Cozumel’s native flora and fauna. The park encompasses mangrove jungles, white sand beaches and reef formations. There is also an information center where visitors can watch a 20-minute video and learn For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 10 of 18 COZUMEL about the different ecosystems, reefs and native birds, along with other wildlife inhabiting the area such as turtles and alligators. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 11 of 18 COZUMEL RESTAURANTS ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Pancho’s Backyard (Av. Rafael Melgar 27 between calles 8 and 10, Monday–Friday from 11 a.m., closed on Sunday) is a great place for margaritas and wonderful Mexican specialties. Here, you can sit inside on the terrace and cool off beneath whirring ceiling fans while listening to the soothing sounds of trickling fountains. Pancho’s is attached to one of the best shopping venues on the island. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Guido’s (Av. Rafael Melgar No. 23 between calles 6 and 8, Monday–Saturday from 11 a.m., closed Sunday) is considered the island’s best Italian restaurant. Choice tables are located on the patio out back. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: For atmosphere and tradition, don’t miss Casa Denis (open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.), which has been here since 1945 and has some amazing historic photos on the walls, including a young Fidel Castro. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Some of Cozumel’s best home-cooked cuisine is served up daily at La Choza (Rosada Salas 198 at Av. 10 Sur from 7 a.m.), a family-run restaurant where specialties include pozole (corn soup), pollo en relleno negro (chicken in blackened sauce) and their signature avocado pie. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Carlos ‘n Charlie’s (Av. Rafael Melgar #11 on the waterfront, open daily from 10 a.m.) is the island’s cornball, always-crowded tourism hot spot which specializes in ridiculously huge tropical drinks and bar food. Many tourists apparently like the raucous frat-party atmosphere, and after more than one libation you’ll be lucky to stagger back to your ship. ' Remarcm, Dec/2012: Pancho’s is a great place. ' WaterBugOhio, Dec/2012: We did Paradise Beach last Nov. It was a very, very nice beach area. It is just $2 to get in & then they asked you to spend $10 pp at the bar/restaurant. Very nice pool area also. SAN GERVASIO MAYAN RUINS ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: The biggest archaeological site on the island, it was a strategic point for the commercial and political development of its era and also a sacred Mayan center. Inhabited from 200 A.D. until the Spanish conquest, San Gervasio was a sanctuary of the Goddess Ix Chel, the fertility goddess, drawing pilgrims from the entire Mayan world to worship her. Visit http://tinyurl.com/ybvsqrk and http://www.cozumelparks.com o Open daily from 7 AM – 4 PM For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 12 of 18 COZUMEL o Cost: $5.50 per adult; free for children under 8-years-old. o Offers: bilingual guides, snack bar, bookstore, handcrafts, souvenir stores, restrooms and parking. th ' 10 Anniversary, Aug/19/2009: Located on Cozumel Island in the center and just a short cab ride from the pier. We got a cab right outside the pier area who took us on a small island “history” tour (showing us the police station, city hall, university, airport, churches, how homes are built, where people work, etc.) and took us out to San Gervasio. He waited for us while we toured the area on our own (about 2 hours) and took us back to the pier. The charge was only $15-per-person and we tipped him well. We really enjoyed our day, and he was great about showing us around, answering questions and sharing info with us. This trip our kids are going so they can experience the culture and history of the ruins. ' 10th Anniversary, Oct/28/2009: In Cozumel, we took a taxi from the port to the Ruins and into town for shopping and then a taxi back to port. There are plenty of taxis available and you never have to worry about getting around. The taxi waited on us while we visited the Ruins. SAN MIGUEL ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Don’t miss Cozumel’s one and only “big” city (some refer to it as a large town) literally owes its economic well-being to the growth of the cruise industry, which has transformed this once-sleepy fishing village into a tourist outpost, crammed with stores selling every imaginable souvenir as well as handicrafts and jewelry. While many restaurants offer Mexican fare, there are others geared toward American tastes, with several U.S. fast-food chains represented, along with such notable names as the Hard Rock Cafe. Most shops stay open until at 5:30 or 6 p.m. (or when the last cruise ship departs). San Miguel revolves around its two landmarks: the “zocalo” (town square), known as Plaza del Sol, and the downtown pier. Easily the most distinctive and fabulous store on Cozumel is Los Cinco Soles (we’ve easily lost a whole day here!), which sells gorgeous Mexican crafts (plenty of the unusual along with more common items), silver jewelry and fashions. There’s a tequila bar, and the shop wraps around the wonderful Pancho’s Backyard restaurant. Also of interest to shoppers: Adjacent to the Plaza del Sol is the modern Villa Mar Complex, an air-conditioned mall with several good silver For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 13 of 18 COZUMEL shops (be sure to look for the 925 stamp indicating quality silver); among the best buys in the mall are hand-woven hammocks, shell and black coral jewelry, and local handicrafts. There are also many duty-free items for sale such as perfumes and watches. SCUBA DIVING ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Scuba diving and snorkeling are the top priority for many visitors. Along with Grand Cayman, Roatan and Belize, Cozumel offers the best diving and snorkeling sites in the Caribbean. In some areas, visibility reaches 250 feet, and prime sites for “divehards” include Palancar Reef (the second longest reef system in the world), Chankanaab Caves and La Ceiba Reef. At La Ceiba, the underwater universe contains a sunken airplane that came to rest here after being blown up for a Mexican disaster movie. A word to the wise: Be sure to keep an eye out for dive operators that post C.A.D.O. stickers in their windows; these are considered the island’s most reputable dive establishments. TOURS ' DarryDFL, Oct/16/2009: We took a taxi to the Forum, which contains jewelry stores. Then we wandered down the road, looking at the various shops. Although there were men outside most of the stores urging us to enter, there was no high pressure efforts. ' Haganwood, Nov/17/2009: [In February/2009,] we rented a scooter in Cozumel and rode around the eastern half of the island a went to the ruins as well. It was a blast! [On the December 13/2009 cruise, we are going to do the Amazing Cozumel Race this time in Cozumel. SHOPPING ' MomJen, Jun/2010: After lunch, we went shopping in the port area. My son found a snow globe for his collection (by the way, don’t try to take these on the airplane in your carry-on) & my daughter got her magnet. I also found tshirts 6 for $20. Yay! I have 6 nieces & nephews. Found a gorgeous Alexandrite ring & a dolphin ring for my daughter. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 14 of 18 COZUMEL SHORE EXCURSIONS o Note: Prices are approximations from a big-ship line as of January 1, 2010. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Best Choice for Divers: Experienced divers can take advantage of the opportunity to dive with one of Mexico’s best dive operators; a two-tank dive includes one dive at famed Palencar Reef. Duration four hours; price $89. There is also a beginner’s scuba diving program lasting two and a half hours for $79. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Best Choice for Non-Divers Who Want to “Go Deep”: A journey to a maximum depth of 100 feet below the surface in an Atlantis submarine for a narrated tour of Cozumel’s spectacular underwater environment. This well-designed vehicle is air conditioned and equipped with large viewing ports. Duration 75 minutes; price $105. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Best Choice for Soft Adventurers & Snorkelers: The Ocoee & Snorkel Tour combines traveling around Cozumel in a Jeep convoy with a visit to Punta Sur Nature Preserve and some quality time snorkeling in the Caribbean. Along the way you may also see saltwater crocodiles; all snorkeling equipment is provided. Duration: five hours; price $69. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Best for Snorkelers: An excursion via a 65-foot catamaran to some choice snorkeling sites. The catamaran has a spacious sundeck, there are snorkeling instructors accompanying each excursion and equipment is provided — all you need to bring is sunscreen, a towel, a bathing suit and a camera. After snorkeling there is a beach party with free beer, margaritas and soda. Duration: 3.5 hours; price $65. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Best Choice for Snorkelers & Dolphin Lovers: This unique excursion takes you to Chankanaab Park where you can enjoy some of Cozumel’s best snorkeling and also spend approximately 30 minutes in the water with dolphins and dolphin trainers who guide you through the experience. (Minimum age for this excursion is six.) Duration three hours; price $155. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Best For History Buffs: Tours to the ruins at either Chichen Itza or Tulum, the two prime Mayan sites on the Yucatan. Duration seven to 10 hours; price $75. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 15 of 18 COZUMEL SIAN KA’AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve lies on a limestone flat just south of Tulum. The 1.3-million-acre reserve is home to endangered manatees, crocodiles, jaguars and turtles and features more than 1,000 varieties of plants, 350 species of birds and 70 different mammals. More than 1,000 Maya live within the reserve. SOUVENIR, BEST ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Mexican arts and crafts, like hammocks and leather goods, make great souvenirs. Tequila is also a popular take-home item; though the prices might not be the lowest on the island, selection of premium tequilas at Los Cinco Soles is impressive. ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Remember this about the sale of black coral, which is an endangered species: Though there are dealers wielding governmentissued permits to sell the stuff, coral jewelry is listed on the U.S. Department of State’s list of “wildlife and wildlife products” to avoid — at the risk of confiscation and possible fine. SUB-OCEAN VIEW ' MomJen, Jun/2010: We did the Sub-Ocean View excursion through Carnival. It was exactly what we wanted. We saw coral, sponges, tons of fish including a large barracuda, & a sea turtle. We were amazed at how close our boat got to the snorklers & divers. TAXI ' DarryDFL, Oct/16/2009: Our taxi driver says there are 250 registered taxi in Cozumel, and competition is fierce. When you exit the southern pier, there is a large sign with the cost of taxi plainly listed in English. While tipping is encouraged, we found no one who complained of any high-pressure by drivers to elicit such tips. ' 10th Anniversary, Oct/28/2009: In Cozumel, we took a taxi from the port to the Ruins and into town for shopping and then a taxi back to port. There are plenty of taxis available and you never have to worry about getting around. The taxi waited on us while we visited the Ruins. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 16 of 18 COZUMEL TUSCAN SAILING ADVENTURE ' MetroAlto’s photos: http://www.cozumelsailing.com/adventure.html TULUM ' Sky616: Tulum is a 45-min ferry ride and then about an hour by bus. Tulum is the site of a Pre-Columbian Mayan walled city serving as a major port for Cobá. The ruins are located on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, it is today a popular site for tourists. At http://tinyurl.com/29jsljx, view a zoomify image which means you can pan and zoom to see the full resolution of this incredible aerial picture of Tulum. WEATHER ' MasterBaker, Jul/16/2010: November – February is rainy season: o Roatan: 16 inches or rain over 15 days in November. o Cozumel: 4 inches average over 5 days in November. o Belize: 7 inches o Costa Maya: 2 inches Think of it as ‘island air conditioning’. The humidity level is practically liquid and the average temps are in the mid-80's in the region. The rain is a relief in that heat and humidity. Pick clothing to wear ashore that is lightweight and dry quickly; you are going to be wet either from sweat or rain. ' JudyBlu, Jul/16/2010: We have been to Cozumel at various times of the year and have enjoyed the rain showers. They have never last very long just enough to get everything wet and move on. It is refreshing on a hot, humid day. WEBSITES o Arrecifes de Cozumel (a reef south of Cozumel): http://tinyurl.com/28f5fps. Click and drag on the image to see a 360o view. n Shore Excursions. http://tinyurl.com/27ury5a For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 17 of 18 COZUMEL XEL-HA ' Magna, Aug/29/2010: Just a short ride from Tulum is Xel-Ha, a lagoon that was considered sacred by the Maya. It has been converted into an underwater park featuring an aquarium and areas for swimming, snorkeling, sunning and dining. For more lessons, visit http://DarryD.com (April 30, 2013) page 18 of 18
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