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Do I need a passport? Effective Jan. 23, 2007, all U.S. citizens traveling by air to and from Mexico will be required to have a valid passport to enter the U.S. This is a change from prior travel requirements, which in many cases allowed travel with a driver's license or birth certificate. See www.CozumelParadise.com/airlines.htm for more information. Is Cozumel safe? It is generally recognized as the safest Caribbean island -- that's one
reason we like it so much! I never worry about my wife Alison walking
by herself, day or night. Here's what www.tripadvisor.com says: Crime: Luckily, crime is almost non-existent in Cozumel, which is not true of many Mexican vacation spots. Violent crime is rare and travelers don’t need to worry about it at all. Pick pocketing and purse snatching are slightly more common so normal precautions should be taken, including carrying very little cash, keeping wallets in front pockets and remaining aware of your surroundings. Still, there is very little to fear in Cozumel. Driving: Driving on Cozumel is as easy as back home, but be careful to keep your distance from the cars ahead of you. Taxi drivers especially like to follow too close then make sudden stops or turns without signaling and cause most of the accidents. Stop signs and traffic lights are often just taken under advisement by natives and not necessarily obeyed, so be sure to be defensive in your driving when approaching intersections, even if you don't have the stop sign and the other street does. If you want to rent a vehicle, it's much safer to rent a car if you can afford it instead of a scooter or moped. It's also much dryer and less dusty if it rains or you're on a dirt road. Eating and Drinking: Everyone knows that “you don’t drink the water in Mexico” and that’s probably a good rule to follow in Cozumel, but that's not enough. Be very careful when eating buffet style food (especially at all-inclusive resorts) that you eat the food as soon as the servers put it out on the steam tables. It's very easy to get food poisoning from these buffets because the foods are not kept at the right temperatures and spoil quickly. Some places will also mix leftover foods with fresh made foods, and that spells disaster for the tummy. Bottled water is an absolute must, even for brushing your teeth. It is also suggested that you eat at restaurants which use bottled water to prepare their food, as well as purified water used in their ice cubes. Here's part of an article from a local Cozumel newspaper: "The marches against violence in Mexico City are a wake-up call to authorities in major urban areas in Mexico; fortunately Cozumel enjoys a security that is envied by many other entities in the country. According to a recent survey, 93% of tourists to the island said they planned to return and 100% said they thought Cozumel was a safe place to visit. "Cozumel Police Chief Rudy Erosa Navarrete informed that as of today they have not registered a single public murder, bank robbery or kidnapping, making Cozumel one of the safest cities in the country. "Police commander Victor Alvear Martínez informed that the principal crime here on the island is motorcycle theft. This month a total of 8 thefts were reported, however, the police have recovered all but two." (Cozumel News in English www.CozumelMyCozumel.com) Is this a good place for children? Children are warmly welcomed, and there's lots for them to do on their own right on the property: swimming in the large freshwater pool, in the ocean, snorkeling, the beach, etc. They can walk across the street to the multiplex cinema (stadium seating, Dolby surround), shopping mall and brand-new bowling alley. For the older ones, the museum, locals disco and limited American-style nightlife (TGI Friday's, Carlos 'n Charlies, Senior Frog) is walking distance. Horseback riding and tennis are options as well. We have several TVs in the units with Dish Network and a library of DVDs, plus board games, playing cards, books, magazines, etc. Children under 5 are not permitted in Casa Phoenix because there are four balconies and it's on the 7th floor. If you have young children Casa Del Mar is the best choice; they can walk right out to the beach. Access to the beach from the other units is by the elevator and through the garage. Should we fly into Cancun or Cozumel? It's much more convenient to fly directly into Cozumel International
Airport. Our representative will meet you there and escort you to the
airport van (we pay for the tickets). See http://www.cozumelparadise.com/airlines.htm for information about airlines, visa, etc. What is the configuration of the bedrooms? Each unit has four bedrooms. Each bedroom has an attached private bathroom with sink, vanity, commode and shower. Casa Del Mar has three king beds and one queen. Casa Phoenix and Casa Manaña each have three kings and two queens. Of course, linens, pillows, towels, etc. are furnished. See htty://www.CozumelParadise.com/interiorphotos.htm How many people can stay in the condo? Casa Phoenix has 3 bedrooms with one king bed each and one bedroom with
two queen bed. Is there a washer & dryer in the unit? Hair dryers? A safe? There is a washer and dryer, but only the maid has access to it. She
will be glad to do your laundry -- please give her an extra gratuity (we
suggest $2.00 per load). Or you can use the coin-operated units in the
building or go directly across the street to the laundry/dry cleaners. There are hair dryers below the sink in each bathroom. There are digital safes in several of the bedrooms. Are towels, linens, beach towels, soap, dishes, silverware, glasses, pots and pans, etc. provided? Yes, all of the above and more. Does the "Mexican Super Wal-Mart" across the street have items we will be familiar with, or will there be mostly Mexican products? There are quite a few U.S. and other familiar brands. However, if you have a favorite food or drink you should bring it with you. If you want to cook there’s plenty to choose from across the street.
They also have a pharmacy, deli, bakery, fresh fish, imported gourmet
items, liquor, a pretty extensive wine selection from around the world,
beer, toiletries, clothing, etc.. Everything is safe to eat, but get some
iodine solution (they sell it in the produce dept.) and wash all fresh
produce. Do we need shots before going to Mexico? Everyone should be immunized against Hepatitis A, which is present in the U.S., too. You are more likely to experience Montezuma's Revenge. Here's information from webmd.com: "40 percent of visitors to Mexico experience traveler's diarrhea and it can wreck a trip. Being careful what one eats and drinks and being prepared for illness if it occurs are the keys." So be sure to take anti-diarrhea medicine. If you forget, pick some up at the pharmacy across the street from Casa Phoenix. www.webmd.com says "The medication in Mexico should be as safe as the equivalent product in the U.S." "One of the things...about travel to a developing place like Mexico is the regard for public safety that we are accustomed to in the U.S. is missing. There won't be guardrails, there will be huge holes in the sidewalk, wires stretched between buildings at eye level...So the first thing I say to people is exercise extreme caution, because accidents continue to be the most serious problems we see in travelers." (webmd.com) Speaking of safety: DO NOT RENT A SCOOTER!! They are extremely dangerous in Cozumel for a variety of reasons: the insane traffic, the road conditions, the aggressive auto and taxi drivers, and the poor rental scooter maintenance (such as bald tires). The numbers of tourists who rent scooters and end up in hospitals if not sent home by Medivac are legendary. Is it safe to drink the tap water? Yes, in the condo. But never anywhere else. Even locals don't unless they are very poor. Everyone drinks bottled water. That's what you'll get in restaurants when you ask for agua (water). It's also what the ice is made from. However, there are no guarantees of any of this if you decide to try a place out of the tourist areas. If you do, it's best to get a soft drink or beer and drink out of the bottle. The tap water in our building goes through an extensive filtering process and is also exposed to UV light which is supposed to kill everything. We brush our teeth with it, some people (including the builder) drink it. We prefer to err on the safe side, so we've installed a reverse osmosis system (R.O.) in the kitchen for drinking. There's a spigot on the sink. Do most people speak English? Despite the huge growth in tourism and the fact that the tourists are almost all English-speaking, quirky little Cozumel remains charmingly Mexican and Spanish-speaking. The exceptions are in the main tourist area right around the Plaza, where, unfortunately, timeshare salesmen and store hawkers have found it pays to know English. Most taxi drivers and waiters in restaurants that cater to tourists know a smattering of English. But take your English-Spanish dictionary to the grocery store across the street and anywhere out of the tourist area. Our assistant manager/concierge Claudia and her employees are fluent in English, and our builder/manager Albert, who has lived on the island for 25+ years, is American. What time of year is the best? Summer in the tropics is very hot and humid (of course, the condos have
central air conditioning -- 2 zones, in fact). But it's less crowded and
cheaper then, and you may get (somewhat) used to the heat. Plus, the days
are longest in the summer. The coolest time of the year is October - April.
From November - February, days are usually in the 60s - 70s°F and
nights in the 60s°F or sometimes even a bit cooler. Winter is the
driest season. Spring brings warmer weather, moderate humidity and pleasant
cool nights. Our favorite time of year in Cozumel is Fall. It's low season
and the weather is delightful. Hurricane season is June through November.
Historically it's unlikely a hurricane will hit even then, but FYI. See
http://www.cozumelparadise.com/weather.htm Do you have a beach? Yes, but it is not the wide beach that gently slopes into a long shallow sandy bottom. Cozumel has few beaches like that, and they are all miles from anywhere. You can't have both great fish life for snorkeling/diving and a beach sloping into long shallow sandy bottom. They just don't go together. Sandy bottoms are not conducive to coral formations and fish life. If the traditional sloping sandy beach is of primary importance to you, and you are not that interested in great diving or snorkeling, I recommend Puerto Aventuras on the mainland. Our beach in Cozumel is all topside. It is built on a seawall that is on almost gin-clear water perfect for snorkeling, swimming and scuba diving, but there is no surf to play in. The beach is white sand with palapas (large thatch umbrellas), a large (50' x 25') freshwater pool, flagstone sundeck, plenty of beach furniture, etc., built on a seawall; basically, it's a huge sandbox. We do have a small natural rocky/sand cove where you can enter the water in the traditional beach way. Or you can use the swim ladders, or just jump in (it's 10 feet at the end of the dock). Here's a picture of part of the beach: http://www.cozumelparadise.com/beach.htm Will we need to rent a car? No. That's one of the main reasons to stay at Casa Phoenix, Casa Del Mar or Casa Manaña. You are pretty much in the middle of everything and you will save money because you won't need a rental car or taxis. Restaurants and shopping are right in the neighborhood. The main plaza and ferry dock is about a 15 minute walk along the oceanfront promenade. Bit if you don't feel like walking, taxis are plentiful and almost anywhere is a short ride. But it's great fun to rent a car for a day or two and explore the island (see the q&a below under "other recommendations"). Driving around town is a challenge (make sure you get the insurance), but when you get out of town it's no problem. Here's a tip from a discussion at www.CozumelMy Cozumel.com: "One thing I did was to rent a (non-motorized) bike for the entire time I was there. Probably one of the best things I have ever done in Cozumel. It allowed me to tour all the different neighborhoods at a leisurely pace and to pick up various groceries from the small markets and juice shops." Should we rent a moped/scooter? NO!!! The injury and death rate is horrible, even among people who know how to operate them. Combine unfamiliar traffic laws and Cozumel drivers on Cozumel and you have a recipe for disaster. See: http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=16321&mode=full How easy it is to get a taxi? Are they expensive? The taxis fight for your business. You can get to the Plaza from our condo for about $3.00 - $4.00, the airport for about $8.00 - $10.00. Set the fare BEFORE you go. The fares are supposed to be standardized, but we've found that some drivers get creative with their prices. A tip: You'll save a few bucks if you aren't picked up or dropped off right in front of our building, the grocery store across the street, or at any tourist attraction. The taxis charge more for trips from and to hotels, tourist attractions, grocery stores, malls and condos. Walk half a block down the street from the condo and get a taxi, and have them drop you at the Palacio Municipal (City Hall), across the street from our building. Are there cars for rent? Do you have reserved parking? All the major U.S. car rental companies have offices in Cozumel, and there are some local companies as well. Our manager can arrange to have you picked up by one of them. You can park it in our underground garage in the reserved space. Check with your insurance agent at home. BTW, I have found that Avis in Cozumel usually has the best rates. But
don't wait until you get here -- book on-line for the best deal. What is it like driving in Cozumel? In town, it's a...challenge. You'd better be a good driver, because nobody else is. Almost all of the streets, except the major ones, are one-way, and they don't always have signs that tell you that. Many of the streets, especially downtown, are narrow, and people don't always obey the stop signs (there are few traffic lights). Sight lines at corners are usually obscured. The challenges are compounded by the numerous scooters driven by locals. They don't seem to notice that there are cars on the road. Again, your U.S. car insurance is no good in Mexico. See above. Bottom line: Unless you are very confident in your driving and have experience driving in Mexico, don't drive in the downtown area -- walk or get a taxi. That said, DO rent a car and drive around the island. Go up north to the golf course and hotel zone, south to the beaches, Punta Sur park, lighthouse, around the southern tip and up the deserted wild east coast. Or go straight across the cross-island (east-west) road. Stop along the way for pictures, the great beaches on the east side (don't go in the water -- very treacherous undertow), and have a libation and lunch at Mescalito's, where the east side road meets the cross-island road. Sit on the beach or under the big palapa on the sand, watch the waves come crashing in, and enjoy the very best Margarita on the island. An another local tip: If you are stopped by a policeman for a minor traffic violation, give him 50 pesos ($5.00). Yes, that's bribery, and it is the system. George Washington Plunkett, the boss of New York's Tammany Hall in the 19th century, called such a system "honest graft." The police are paid very little, even by Mexican standards, and this is how they are (unofficially, of course) expected to supplement their income. I wish we had that "user fee" system in the U.S. -- it would keep our taxes down! Do you have any restaurant recommendations? These are our favorites (updated 9/28/07). Cozumel has a huge number
of restaurants, and there are many we haven't tried. Most have full bar
service. You'll need a taxi. At Ave. 65 between 13 and 15, local phone 872-5888. La Choza for Yucatan cuisine and seafood. Ask for the whole red
snapper (big enough for two) -- it's not on the menu. Here are some customer
reviews. Prima for USDA Prime steaks, fresh local seafood, Northern Italian
dishes, homemade pasta, American veal, bruschetta, salads, etc. We've
been going there since 1989. The fresh silver grouper and red snapper
is wonderful. Insider tip: Ask if they have king crab today. It's never
on the menu because it is hit-or-miss, and they only get a few when they
get them. BTW, one serving is plenty for two. Prima has one of the most
extensive wine lists (imported and domestic) on the island. The fettucini
Alfredo with lobster is amazing. Incredible blue cheese salad (that's
the name of it). Steak Prima is great. Steamed mussels. We are there every
few days when we’re in Cozumel and have never had a bad meal there.
Caution: In high season you may have to wait for a table. Ask our management
to make a reservation for you. Prima is owned by Al Dannerman, builder
of our condos and owner of the management company for Casa Phoenix. Here's
what Frommer's
travel guide says about Prima. Here are some customer
reviews. The restaurant upstairs at the Museum -- great oceanfront spot
for breakfast or lunch. Coffee Bean -- local gringo hangout that serves a variety of American
and European coffees, espresso, cappucino and yummy desserts. No bar. Hog Town Cafe -- Claims to have the best burger on the island. Maybe so! Great spot for casual American food and a beer. Outside and inside tables. Not fancy, but good. Half a mile or so south of our condo, next to Villablanca Hotel. Owned by Mike and Margaret Gerus, originally from Ontario, Canada, who also own Papa Hog's Scuba Emporium. http://www.cozumel.tc/cozumel-general-information/scuba-diving-cozumel.html Mescalito's on the deserted east side. A beach bar with the best
Margaritas on the island (maybe it's the atmosphere), good burgers, great
shrimp dishes, Mexican food. Outside the tourist area are many real hole-in-the-wall places. Thanks to having a close friend who is Mexican and lives in Cozumel, we've eaten at many of them that few tourists ever see. Part (most?) of the fun is discovering these places yourself or, better, with a local friend who knows them and who will steer you away from places that leave a lot to be desired in the areas of good food and sanitation. If you decide to venture outside the tourist area in search of the "real" Cozumel dining experience, do so at your own risk. Don't misunderstand -- the risk is not to you externally (crime is virtually nonexistent), it's internally. Also see http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Pages/Food&DrinkIndex.htm Any other recommendations? The Plaza, or town square, is a 15 minute walk from the condo (or a 5 minute taxi ride) and steps away from the ferry docks. You MUST spend some time there. When, is another story. When the cruise ships are in port, the Plaza is jumping. If you are into being surrounded by people and hawked at every 10 seconds by street salesmen, go for it when you see the ships disembarking. If you would rather visit another time, then do so when the ships have left. Some of the stores will be closed, though. Sunday evening is a very special time downtown. All the ships are gone and the locals come out for the free concert in the Plaza bandshell. You won't see many gringos, and you will find the people are very friendly and welcoming. Rent a car and drive straight east to the undeveloped east side of the island. Stop and see the San Gervasio Mayan ruins (don't expect Chichen Itza -- it's pretty small, but it's still an authentic Mayan ruin), the roadside shops and tour the Tequila Factory. Have a libation or two at Mescalito's right on the beach (the best Margaritas on the island, but expensive by Cozumel standards). Then drive south along the coast (the road north is unpaved and for 4-wheel drive vehicles only -- no services if you break down, and it's a L-O-N-G walk back to civilization). You'll be going along the east coast of the island, which is the windward, wild side. Don't worry about getting lost -- there's only one road! The beaches on the east side of the island are great, but the water is
very dangerous, with strong ripping cross-currents, so look but don't
go in. You can't do everything in one day, of course. Pick and choose or keep the car for a few days. You can park it in our underground garage in the reserved space. More ideas: www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Pages/ThingsToDoIndex.htm Our on-site manager can give you a lot more ideas. These are just some of our favorites. WORDS FROM THE LOCAL POLICE CHIEF ABOUT TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS and "Courtesy
Tickets" However,The Commandante added, if the tourist who has commited such an
infraction comes in and acknowledges his mistake, there is a good possibility
that the ticket will be cancelled. And this is an attitude encouraged
by top management in the police department.
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