Focus on Cozumel – Mexico’s Fun Island!

Cozumel is one of the most-visited ports in the Western Caribbean; some cruise ships visit the island every 5 days or so!  So what makes this place so special?

The climate is an obvious factor; but you can always visit the breezy east coast of the island if you need a refreshing break from the heat of the sun.  The Mexican people are also welcoming and friendly, and everything is reasonably-priced.  Everything is also within easy reach, the island is small enough to explore fully within the one day most people have to play with.

Jungle, Mayan ruins, beaches, snorkelling, scuba-diving, shopping, lively and fun bars; Cozumel has whatever most people might seem to want on their’ holiday.  The commercial centre of the island, San Miguel Town, is only a few miles away from the international cruise docks.

So what should you do with your one full day in Cozumel?  I suggest spending the morning on a snorkelling tour (or diving, if qualified).  You can ride the ‘Liquid Lamborghini’, a fast current that sweeps through the narrow channel between the Yucatan peninsula and the west coast of Cozumel.  you can cover a huge stretch of coral reef in only 45 minutes, and the reefs are shallow enough in many places to appreciate in full from the surface, without the need for  scuba equipment.  For the afternoon, I suggest either a lazy beach session, or hiring a moped and circumnavigating the island.  You can always finish-up in the pretty town of San Miguel for a bit of shopping or a couple of beers at Carlos and Charlie’s bar, before heading back to the ship for sail-away and, of course, dinner.

When I worked on cruise ships in the Caribbean, I had the pleasure of visiting Cozumel once every 2 weeks.  Do I miss it?  Definitely YES!