Michael:
We've spent 31 days on Cozumel; rented a villa, went to the beaches, scuba dived, many trips for evening meals (often with 5-9 people). For the most part, things went fine until we got shook down by a bar owner and the police. Evidently, pumping over $10k into
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Cozumel Beach © steews4 |
Overview The island of Cozumel is Mexico's largest island and popular
destination with holidaymakers. Located 12 miles (19km) off the
Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, opposite the resort Playa
del Carmen, it has exceptional coral gardens and spectacular reef
drop-offs offering legendary snorkelling and the best diving in
Mexico, ranking as one of the top five dive destinations in the
world. The west coast of the island is where the majority of
development has taken place and is where the town of San Miguel is
situated. Due to the island's popularity with wealthy day visitors
from the passing cruise ships, the town is packed with pricey
shops, restaurants and bars, as well as the dozens of dive shops.
Cozumel is a favourite holiday destination for divers and
non-divers alike, offering some good beaches, crystal clear water
and plenty of sunshine. Its ease of access to the mainland also
makes day excursions to some of the popular Mayan sites, like
Chichén Itzá, possible.
Shopping San Miguel is a duty-free zone, and there are hundreds of stores
selling most things. The cruise ship passenger terminal at Punta
Langosta Pier has a variety of shops, but these are among the
islands most expensive, catering to day visitors with little time
and lots of money. Prices decrease the further away from the docks
one ventures. The waterfront shopping zone stretches to La Plaza
behind which there is a craft market. For groceries, there are a
few food stores, as well as the Cozumel Market on Adolfo Rosado
Salas where holidaymakers can buy fresh seafood, spices and fruit
and vegetables.
Restaurants Cozumel offers food of every kind from local Mexican, to
international and fast food franchises like Burger King -
holidaymakers and visitors will not be disappointed. Casa Denis is
one of the oldest and most popular restaurants in town featuring a
variety of Mexican cuisine, and La Choza Restaurant and El Turix
are other authentic Mexican food favourites. For seafood try
Conchita, Shrimp Bucket and Acuario Restaurant, which is on the
water, or Guido's and Alfredo di Roma for Italian. Fresh gourmet
French cuisine can be had at Especias Restaurant on 5 Street.
Nightlife Although there is a wide variety of night time entertainment for
holidaymakers to enjoy, things tend to begin and end earlier in
Cozumel compared to the rest of Mexico. The most popular disco is
Neptuno, while Carlos´n Charlie´s is popular with party
animals. Lounge bars include Tequila Lounge and Ambar Lounge where
drinks can be enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere.
Activities Diving and snorkelling are Cozumel's main tourist attractions
and its surrounding reefs and clear waters have earned it the
reputation as one of the top dive destinations in the world. Hotels
offer a variety of watersports, and activities such as deep sea
fishing and swimming with dolphins are also available. Tours to the
Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá and Tulum on the mainland
are also popular.
Negatives Cozumel is a cruise ship destination, and is popular with
wealthy day visitors, which has driven the prices of shops,
restaurants and bars to among the highest on the Yucatan Peninsula.
The island becomes swamped daily by day visitors from passing
cruise ships and San Miguel can be quite crowded.
Nearby Attractions
Chichén Itzá
The Mayan people are most well known for their advanced
knowledge and brilliance regarding astrology, as well as for their
incredible resilience. The stone remnants of their civilisation can
be found spread throughout Mexico and Central America.
Chichén Itzá, with its famous pyramids and...
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