This video is close-captioned. THE DO'S AND DON'TS OF VISITING COZUMEL Mexico
The islands throughout the Caribbean Sea are prime vacation locations, and Cozumel ranks
near the top of many itineraries. Cozumel offers white-sand beaches,
coral reefs,nature parks, and Mayan ruins. Like any place in the world, vacation destination,
or hometown, there are things to be aware of before traveling. I'm here to lighten
your research burden! As a local living here in Cancun, I've compiled a list of do's and don'ts
for your next trip to Cozumel. I hope this list will make your travel more accessible, safer,
and more enjoyable. If you're interested in other travel tips,
make sure to subscribe to my channel - I post two times a week on various travel topics.
Without further ado, let's dive into all the things you should do while in Cozumel, Mexico.
Do rent an electric bike. Not everything is easily accessible by motor vehicle, so renting an
electric bike is a great alternative. Car rentals are available in Cozumel and are a good choice,
but local transportation or biking along the island's coast is best accomplished with an
electric bike or a scooter; but if you want to tour around the whole island, I would recommend
renting a car or a buggy we have tried it on a scooter, and the journey is just too long and
uncomfortable you are better off in the buggy. Use reef-safe sunscreen.
Biodegradable sunscreen is the only type of sunscreen that is allowed in Cozumel.
In a collective effort to preserve the beautiful coral reefs and marine life in Mexico, any
scuba diving tour, snorkeling tour, or any other water sports activity inside Cozumel's protected
marine park will require you to use that type of sunscreen ONLY, and trust me this law is enforced.
So do yourself a favor and bring some with you as it is expensive to buy them here in Cozumel.
Do go on a tequila tour. Tequila is synonymous with Mexico. Many local tour operators, such as
Mi Mexico Lindo Cozumel Tours, offer group tours where you learn about the tequila making process,
try several varieties of tequila, and are often paired with food, the beach, or both.
Do pack a rain jacket and dry bag or box. Given the tropical location of Cozumel,
warm and sometimes unexpected rain can pelt the area. There are two rainy seasons:
October to January and April through July. That's 75 percent of the year that rain can be a factor.
Afternoon thunderstorms are common during the rainy season, usually lasting for an hour or two
maximum. So having a light rain jacket that you can throw on quickly is a lifesaver. Don't stop
there - think about your delicate electronics, documents, and other items you want to stay
dry. Packing these items in a dry bag will ensure they stay safe when a deluge hits.
Take a local cooking class. Sampling a few local spots might not be enough for those
looking to immerse themselves in the local cuisine. That's where classes like Josefina's
Cocina Con Alma bridge the gap. The intricacies blending Mayan, Aztecan, Spanish, and French
cuisines is a nuanced and flavorful journey best aided by a guide. Classes like Josefina's offer
local market shopping trips and an introduction to specialty tools such as the tortilla press,
comal, and molcajetes - lessons you won't gain sitting at a restaurant.
Do craft your own chocolate. The KaoKao Chocolate Factory tour is another culinary experience
not to be missed. A tour of this factory includes a history lesson on the origins of cacao, how
chocolate is made, a sample of a traditional Mayan chocolate drink, and wrap up your tour by making
your own Mexican chocolate from the bean. Visit the beaches on the west side. East coast
beaches are very rocky, so the west side is generally favored for lounging, snorkeling,
and diving. Several beaches are available, some walking distance from the main tourist hubs,
and some require a bike or car to access. One of the many beautiful beaches is Punta Sur
Del Cielo Beachclub. It's usually quieter here, as cruise ships don't hit this spot. And if you
love wildlife, it's next to a bird and crocodile sanctuary inside the Punta Sur Eco Park, with
Mayan ruins and two of the best quiet beach clubs on the island away from the crowds. Also, El Cielo
Snorkeling Tour is a must-do tour in Cozumel. Do take water shoes. Remember how I mentioned the
need for a rain jacket and dry bag? Think about your feet carrying you everywhere! Water shoes
will make walking the shoreline a breeze, and you won't need to spend time worrying
about walking on the rocky shoreline. Go for functionality in a place where
the priority is exploration and activity. Be the early bird. In Cozumel, most of the year
sees sunrise at around five o'clock. To maximize all hours of daylight, you'll want to be up early.
And if capturing and enjoying the sunset is a must, be mindful that sunset is close to 7
PM. So plan to alter your sleep schedule accordingly to maximize your trip.
Plan at least one day trip. If you want to see the jungle, Mayan ruins, or even see a
working pearl farm, you'll need to plan at least one full-day excursion. It will get you away
from the port crowds, but you'll get a deeper look at the culture and history of the area,
or a peek into how locals support their economy. I recommend staying 3-4 days to get the best
experience of this dream island. Now that we've covered some of the things you
should do, let's get into the best-avoided things. Whether for safety reasons, or social etiquette,
these tips will help you navigate and blend with the local crowd.
Don't rent a moto scooter. While you might see a lot of scooters around the island and think it's
a great way to get around, think again. There are semi-regular accidents caused by locals and
tourists alike - especially after drinking. If you want something motorized to get you around,
consider a buggy or renting a car, although biking is still my preferred method for getting around
downtown, as discussed early in the video. Don't spend all your time on Rafael Melgar Avenue.
This is the main tourist street in the city, also called Malecon or boardwalk. Moreover, it's the
main area that cruise ship passengers explore in their limited shore time when docked in Cozumel.
While there are plenty of shopping opportunities here, savvy travelers benefit from getting off the
beaten path. The 'other' downtown on Avenidas 15, 20, and 25 are packed with mouth-watering
taco stands and neighborhood markets that are a lot cheaper than at this prime tourist location.
This area offers a whole other side of Cozumel for those who know where to look.
Don't buy tours or rent cars at the port. Be careful when taking the ferry to Cozumel
from Playa del Carmen. You will be approached by many vendors trying to sell you something,
from excursions to rental cars to VIP ferry crossings. I would steer clear of these guys
to reduce your risk of being scammed here. Everything you need in Cozumel,
you can book directly online with reputable tour companies. Also, steer clear of the same touts and
vendors when exiting the ferry at Cozumel port same panorama there, my advice would be to get
out from the main square fast everything there is overpriced, and anyone offering
you something is making a commission on you. Don't stay in town when cruise ships are docked.
During the busy season - November to April - Cozumel will see around 35 cruise ships each week.
That's an influx of about 100,000 guests. So it's no surprise that the port areas of Cozumel
are a nightmare to navigate and nearly impossible to enjoy when all cruise passengers are in port.
This is a great time to rent a car and cruise the eastern coast or explore where
quieter shopping and eating are available for locals or adventurers in the know.
Don't drink tap water. This advice goes for anywhere in the Yucatan peninsula,
even luxury resorts. Taking this a step further, consider using bottled water to brush your teeth
and wash your face. While showering is fine, anything you can do to avoid water entering
your mouth or nose will reduce the chances of a water-borne digestive issue during your trip.
Don't enter a taxi until a price is confirmed. This should go for most services - not partaking
in service until you understand the financial burden and what is included for the price,
but this is especially true for taxis in Cozumel. Although taxi fares are regulated,
and even some are posted at main taxi stands, it can get confusing and more expensive, If you look
like a tourist, you will always get quoted tourist prices another trick is the driver is taking the
longest route possible somewhere, or maybe telling you that your destination establishment is closed
and wanting to take you somewhere else where they get a kickback for bringing tourists, etc.
so be careful with that. Don't be rude to service staff,
locals, or tourists. This should be standard practice everywhere - in your hometown,
domestic and international travel. One easy way to avoid this is to understand
some cultural differences. For example, sitting down to a meal, you might have
excellent service until you expect a final bill that never arrives. Where some countries,
particularly the United States, are focused on turning tables, wait staff in Cozumel will bring
your bill once you've asked for it. They would never presume to imply that a customer should
pay up and leave. Understanding this small but essential difference in customer service
can save a lot of headaches and potential arguments with service professionals.
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