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Walk a short ways from the Cozumel cruise port to Fat Tuesdays, where cold drinks, chips and salsa, fresh ceviche, and a party atmosphere awaits to welcome you to Cozumel. Poke around in a variety of shops, or stop into Wet Wendy’s for margaritas in downtown San Miguel, the largest town of the municipality of Cozumel. Walkable and compact, spend your stop in San Miguel if you need a break from the sun and beaches and instead want a taste of the town.
New Tax Proposed for Cruisers to Most Popular Mexican Ports - Cruise Hive
New Tax Proposed for Cruisers to Most Popular Mexican Ports.
Posted: Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Cozumel Beach Clubs
Opposite from this area is the Mayan Plaza where visitors can shop, eat and even take souvenir photos at the Insta-worthy "Cozumel" sign. The roads that do exist in this particular area can't be accessed by car. Read on for our breakdown of the Cozumel, Mexico cruise port, including address information, cruise line terminals, services and more. The third Cozumel cruise ship pier was built by Carnival Corporation and serves exclusively its brand companies' vessels. Puerta Maya is located 0,5 mi (0,8 km) south of The International Pier. The terminal (aka Little Cozumel) has the most modern and diverse facilities.
Car Rental in Cozumel
It offers beautiful views of the ocean and surrounding areas and a good atmosphere to enjoy your meal in. If you happen to be in Cozumel on a Sunday, then you should definitely visit the town square. From beauty pageants, musical performances to entertaining dance festivals. Most of the shops in the mall take the US dollar or the Mexican pesos. You might find a few that accept credit cards, but you are better off carrying cash in small denominations of $1, $5 and $10.
Visit Punta Sur Eco Beach Park
The mall hosts Big names such as Diamond International, Del Sol, Cariloha, and others. With all these features which present the perfect activity for every kind of adventurer. See our full list of things to do in Cozumel on a cruise here. Tourists can also find local cuisine options such as tacos, ceviche, and guacamole. It is recommended to try the local cuisine for an authentic taste of Mexico.
RCI-Royal Caribbean to open second Royal Beach Club in Cozumel, Mexico
The island has a strong police presence and a low crime rate when compared to other places in Mexico. In Cozumel, you can swim in the ocean on the western side of the island. However, it’s not advisable to swim on the eastern side due to the rough seas. If you want to learn more about the history of Cozumel, consider visiting the Cozumel Museum. The museum is located along the shore of San Miguel and was previously a luxury hotel. Remember, while the freedom of a rented car is unparalleled, time is of the essence.
Time Zone
You’ll see colorful tiny tropical fish swimming right up to the shoreline. But go snorkeling at the reefs, and you’ll be astounded at the variety of underwater activities and beauty. Be sure to leave some time to taste the local flavors from some of the best restaurants in the area, sip a cold margarita while you relax on some of the Caribbean’s best beaches. Visit as soon as you dock or while you’re waiting to board after your day ashore. This area is full of big-name shops but also local Mexican vendors as well as a pharmacy. If you’re looking for a quieter place to relax and enjoy a good book without interruption, try visiting one of these options on the “other” side of the island.
Things To Do in Cozumel, Mexico
Those that want to pay a bit more can swim with dolphins and take a zipline. Moving south on the western side of Cozumel, you’ll come to another beachy spot called Chankanaab Adventure Beach Park. Chichén Itzá is a little bit further, so tours are not always offered. If you are there long enough, you can opt to take Norwegian Cruise Line's 9 hour "Chichén Itzá Mayan Ruins" tour for $185 per adult and $149 per child. Popular free beaches near Cozumel include Playa Caletita, Playa El Cielo, Playa Corona, Playa las Rocas and Chen Rio Beach. You don’t have to pay for the privilege of enjoying a public beach, but you’ll want to bring cash for things like food and drinks.
El Cielo Lounge Bar
Rafael E. Melgar and is lined with shops all the way to the Forum shopping mall (over 1 mile from Punta Langosta). In short, if you’re waiting a full-fledge beach day with all the extras, then Playa Mia is a good option only about 15 minutes from the cruise ships. Just a five-minute taxi ride from the cruise piers, Money Bar Beach Club is a great option if looking for something close by. The spot features a full-service restaurant, bar, live music, and spa, all sitting right alongside the water. Top-rated beach clubs include Mr. Sanchos Beach Club, Paradise Beach, The Money Bar Beach Club and Buccanos Grill & Beach Club Cozumel. Please note that you’ll want to arrange transport to and from the cruise port to access beach clubs quickly and easily especially if you're cruising with the whole family.
Sometimes, ships will have to anchor just offshore if it’s a very busy day with 7 or 8 cruise ships coming in. In these cases the ships will tender passengers to some of the smaller piers near Puerta Maya. There’s a reason it’s one of the most visited cruise ports in the world. Some of the restaurants you will find at the port will become a hive of activity as cruise ship passengers come and go while the ships are docked in Cozumel, Mexico. You can grab a meal at either one of these places or take a cab to San Miguel town for a more local cuisine.
One highway circumvents the island and along the way are many different points of interest, from beach clubs to Mayan ruins to the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park. Around lunchtime, we received menus listing all of the meal options. We were able to choose four courses from the menu, which offers Mexican and American specialties. While I opted for seafood, including ceviche and grilled fish, my kids were happy to have more familiar American options. During our Royal Caribbean cruise this winter, we decided to book a day at Nachi Cocom Beach Club and Water Sports Center.
If you're feeling especially adventurous, hop on a speedboat to visit the neighboring island of Isla Pasion. This island is a small strip of land and lacks amenities, but could be the perfect off-the-beaten-path beach excursion. Santa Rosa Wall is a drop-off with a depth of 50 to 120 feet located on the southwest part of the island, offering up a myriad of below-the-surface natural marvels. Located at the Punta Langosta pier downtown, there are jewelry stores, high quality souvenir shops, clothing stores as well as Senor Frogs, Hard Rock Cafe, Hooters and Starbucks. For an island that's only 185 square miles, there are a surprising number of ways to get there. The easiest way to reach Cozumel is to fly directly into its airport (CZM).
The largest town in Cozumel is San Miguel, which is also the island’s commercial and cultural hub. Here, you’ll find a bustling waterfront promenade filled with shops, restaurants, and bars. The vibrant atmosphere of San Miguel is a fantastic place to savor the local cuisine, including fresh seafood and traditional Mexican dishes. The pier is approx 1,5 mi / 2,5 km from downtown San Miguel (to the south). The distance is easily walkable (~30 min), and most pleasant as it is along the waterfront promenade.
Around 3 miles south of San Miguel, are the other two cruise terminals - the International Cruise Terminal aka as TMM and Puerta Maya cruise terminal - just a few hundred years apart. Just a half-mile down the beach from the San Francisco Beach Club is Playa Mia. If you want a beach spot with more to do than just lounge or you are traveling with kids, then it’s ideal. There are all the expected beach activities, including snorkeling, swimming, sunbathing, volleyball, and more. There are also a number of exhibitions, including a Mayan art walk through the jungle, the crocodile pen, and a sea lion show.
Entry is only $4, plus you’ll catch views of the waterfront from the rooftop restaurant. You can’t see all of Mexico during your cruise, but this little stop will allow you to at least feel like you did. The tour at Discover Mexico Park will allow you to experience the taste, culture, history, heritage, art, and music of Mexico. There are miniature scale models of famous sites from around Mexico and a tour guide will talk you through some of this country’s most important landmarks.
