Last nite I asked for suggestions about vacations and got some good info

[Demonaut]

So we've decided on Cozumel, I wanted Cancun (whipped? maybe)but I'm not too familiar with Cozumel, any good info? Anyone been there?

[amazona]

1. been there a few years back

It's a nice area, a little touristy, but you'll have a good time.

Here's a link:

http://www.islacozumel.com.mx/homeing.asp

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[tigereye]

2. a good friend of mine went several times

it sounded pretty touristy, but safe and fairly accessible to other attractions.

[radwriter0555]

3. Yep LOVELY. Virtually all american or european, great beaches,

great food, very, very sweet.

Cancun is just a bit too "canned." Cozumel is more real.

[yellowdogintexas]

4. were are you staying? If you can get lucky and get a cheap air

only, I heartily recommend Alicia's Bed and Breakfast.

It is NOT on the beach, so if you want beach front don't bother. BUT the ocean/snorkeling/beach/etc is only a 10 minute cab ride away and cabs are cheap.

We stayed with Alicia and Chuco about 4 years ago; three of us. $35 per night with full breakfast every day. Small, impeccably clean, delightful hosts, camraderie with the other guests (max capacity is abou 13). Our own bath, AC, dog to pet, and plenty of good local advice about stuff to do.

There are several nice Bed/Breakfast places around the town.

Now there are many nice beachfront hotels, which are part of packages offered by various tour companies. Prices range ..we were going to stay at CasaDelMar until we found the aironly and went with the B&B instead.
It is just south of town, across the street from the beach and its sister hotel is on the beach. There is a tunnel under the road so you can go over to the other hotel where you have use of their facilities.


While you are there, you must go snorkeling. There are a zillion dive outfits, all are good. We went out with Dive Palancar and had a fabulous trip which departs from the Allegro.. We also snorkeled for free at Xul-ha, went out with an individual guide and also spent a day at Chakkanab, a local beach park which is very nice.

Also, get thee to the east beaches:



Plenty of good food, busy town square, shopping. Stay away from downtown when the cruise ships come in, and that is posted all over the place downtown. The heavy cruise days are the best days to go to the east side of the island. Native items and crafts are cheaper as you go deeper into town and real cheap on the east beach.

There are some neat ruins in the center of the island. We went to the ruins, then on to the east beach in the same day. Wonderful. Just be sure to take some bottles of water with you on the tour of the ruins, it is HOT.

You can ferry over to the Mainland to Playa del Carmen, Tulum (more ruins), but I warn you, Cozumel will lure you in and make you want to stay.

[Demonaut]

7. thnkas for the info, we'll be staying at the Melia

kinda expensive but it's all inclusive

[Scout1071]

5. I was very near there last week. My advice is to entirely skip Cancun

and go for Playa del Carmen. Both are a relatively short taxi - $25 - from Cozumel.

Cancun is too Americanized, cheezy, etc.

Are you going for an all-inclusive? I just stayed at the Paradisus Riviera, only about 5 miles from Cozumel and in between Cancun and Playa. The biggest difference with Playa was that the shopping was nicer, the restaurants better, etc. If you go to Cancun, you will see Domino's, Papa John's, Home Depot, Sam's, Wal-Mart, etc.

[Scout1071]

6. I'd also recommend checking out Xelha.

I didn't get a chance to go myself, but alot of people in our group said this was a fun way to see the ruins. Chichen Itza is abouy 2.5 hrs each way from Cozumel and I hear that Tulum is hot as hell. With Xelha you can intertube down a river towards the ruins, lay around on hammock island, etc.

[kwassa]

8. We honeymooned at Playa del Carmen

which looks east across the water towards the island of Cozumel.

Inexpenxive all-inclusive, mostly European tourists rather than Americans.

Took a side trip to the amazing Chichen Itza Mayan ruins, which were the highlight of the trip, also Tolum and Xelha for the snorkeling.


here is a picture of Tolum