The jewel-shaped island lies just 12 miles off the Yucatan Coast, and measures just 28 miles long and 10 miles wide. The entire island lies a mere 8 feet above sea level. With its dense growths of lush vegetation, the island is fringed with miles of white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters which range from stunning turquoise to aquamarine, to deep indigo. Click HERE for more!
Following a 1961 documentary by Jacques Cousteau, Cozumel earned a world-wide following of divers who rank it one of the top five dive sites on the planet. Much of Cozumel's coastline is fringed by coral reefs, the sea teeming with undersea life, colorful reefs, and the slumbering hulls of Spanish galleons. The second largest coral reef in the world starts at Cozumel (the exotic black coral, Palancar reef.) Padi Nasds, Naui, Ymca, SSI and Cmas facilities as well as certification and courses are available.
The island's attractions include over 35 archaeological sites and the town of San Migel (population 50,000) is a hodgepodge of cafés, restaurants, and attractive boutiques. And now, for the fun! Experience the many wonderful restaurants from quaint and authentic eateries to fine dining - you'll find it all in Cozumel, including the ever so popular Carlos 'n' Charlie's. Click This to get you into the mood! Imagine having a dude squirt a stream of wine from a bota 12' across the room onto your tongue - I think you get the idea..
Lets start with a Map of the island. Leave this on your desktop!
Click HERE for a general overview and hotel prices
We will start with the Mary-Carmen. This is a favorite of mine. Close to the beach and all the amenities of the town such as Restaurants, Discos, etc. etc. Cost: $45 US per night for 2. Phone: 0-11-52-987 2-05-81 Suites Elizabeth. Also nice.. Downtown: Cost $50 for 2. Phone: 0-11-52-987 2-03-30 I've stayed at both of the above. If these aren't available try these: AQUILAR: Cost $40 for 2. Phone: 0-11-52-987 2-03-07 PEPITA: Very basic! Good Reviews however. Cost up to $40 for 2. Phone: 0-11-52-987-2-00-98
Price is $250 a week! except for Christmas/New Years. Email him, or Phone: 011-52-987-23309 to get the price and availability.
The island, although very small has some excellent sight-seeing opportunites. Here are some pics of my past adventures you can check out. Jump on the moto (remember this?) and check it out. The western beaches are very cool - big time surf and secluded.
One of my favorite pastimes is "Hotel Surfing". North of San Miguel are a string of hotels which offer different types of beaches, and interesting events, foods, etc. Nice place to catch some rays and swim in a very calm shallow ocean. Make sure you catch the marimbas in the palapa at the El Presidente.
If you do get a dose of Montezumas Revenge, rush to the pharmacia and get some "Buscapina Sulfato", or forgeting this, point to your stomach and grimace. They will catch on and most likely give you the above. The universal sulfa drug! Nothing works as fast or well, including the usual US pharmaceuticals. Believe Me!! And now for a comment on my favorite. SEAFOOD! It's all good and caught that day. One of my favorite afternoon snacks is "ceveche", which is a seafood cocktail made of bits of all sorts of goodies from the sea. Ask your waiter to explain what things are if you cannot figure all of the exotic names. (for instance: Pulpo is Octupuss, a favorite item in ceveche!) The quickest way to get a good response is to preface your question with Que es esto? - what is this? - or if you want an spanish name for something Como se Dice? (Komo say Deesay) - how do you say this? en engles? (een eenglays) - you can figure this one. These are the most valuable set of words I learned in my travels in Mexico...! The idea is this: we are visitors in their country and they really dig it if you are interested in their culture; and nine times out of ten will bend over backwards to help you with anything you want to know, if you treat them with a dose of respect!
About the Nightlife. There is something for everyone. Disco's - Still big-time in Mexico! - and where the locals hangout whether it's super crowded or not. Great Hot spots like Carlos & Charlie's - food and fun! Wander around and you will find that the evenings entertainment is just around the corner. Pick up one of those small tourist giveaway booklets and check it out. You can find just about everything in those little books...
If you want to check out the local population of Cozumel, go to the plaza on Sunday evenings. Outdoor dancing with the local band - traditional, btw - young and old mixing.
Last but not least, what about MONEY? I recommend that you transfer US dollars to pesos. Preferably at one of the Bancos - but a real pain - Open 10-2 and long lines to get the best exchange rates. If you can find a credit card money machine, the best rates should be available here also, and you most likely will get pesos also.
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