| The island of Cozumel is only 12 miles (19 km) off the | | | | Most of the hotels and resorts are south of San Miguel |
| Mexican Yucatan Peninsula's east coast and 44 miles | | | | and are not within walking distance. However, there |
| (71 km) south of Cancun. For years, Cozumel was a | | | | are numerous white taxicabs that are readily available. |
| quiet sleepy island that didn't get many visitors until | | | | The larger and more luxurious resorts tend to be even |
| Jacques Cousteau did a documentary on it after | | | | further south of town along the southwestern shores. |
| discovering the world class scuba diving at the | | | | This is actually not surprising since most of the best |
| Palancar Reefs nearby. Since 1961, Cozumel has been | | | | scuba diving sites are southwest of the island. An |
| known as one of the best scuba diving destinations in | | | | easy way to see the 33 mile (53 km) by 9 mile (14 |
| the world. In fact for decades since that time, the only | | | | km) island is by renting a scooter or a 4x4. I once |
| tourists visiting the island have been primarily scuba | | | | rented a scooter and zigzagged along most of San |
| divers. Mainstream tourists went to the resort intensive | | | | Miguel's streets to see the neighborhoods. Then I went |
| Cancun in the mainland instead. However, Cozumel | | | | on the main road leaving town and went south. After |
| became a regular cruise ship port of call in recent | | | | passing by the larger resorts and going around the |
| years and today it is one of the busiest with two | | | | southern tip of the island, I found the beaches along the |
| separate terminals. It is common to have five or even | | | | southeastern shores. The shores near San Miguel |
| six different cruise ships at port on any given day. I've | | | | along the crowded west coast are not known for |
| been to Cozumel twice, the first time staying several | | | | beaches but the southeast part here have some really |
| days on a scuba diving vacation and the second time | | | | spectacular ones. Even better is that there is very little |
| for a day via cruise ship (also scuba dived during my | | | | traffic here so the beaches are pretty quiet. |
| second visit). | | | | Sometimes people can park their scooters and enjoy |
| As a result of the cruise ship boom, there has been | | | | a beach all for themselves. There are a few stops |
| lots of retail development along the main waterfront | | | | with refreshments and more souvenirs at prices even |
| road of Avenida Rafael Melgar in the island's only | | | | better than in San Miguel. After traveling north again, |
| town of San Miguel de Cozumel. There are countless | | | | there is a road about halfway up the island that goes |
| jewelry and t-shirt shops most with staff standing in | | | | across and takes you back to San Miguel entering the |
| the entrances enticing visitors to enter their stores. | | | | town's east side. My scooter tour of the island took |
| Both silver and liquor can be good bargains here. | | | | just over 2 hours and cost $25 US for the rental. |
| There are also some nice Mexican crafts shops too. | | | | Cozumel has several ancient Mayan ruins but they are |
| The one problem that we found was that after about | | | | not nearly as large or spectacular as the ones on the |
| 4 jewelry shops, they all started to look the same. It | | | | mainland. After seeing some photos of them in |
| was almost a retail overload. For those who came for | | | | advance of my trip, I didn't even bother to see the |
| a wilder time, there are some bars such as Carlos 'n' | | | | ruins. |
| Charlie. The town's main outdoor square, Plaza del Sol, | | | | Cozumel is a nice port of call for cruise ships as there |
| is just opposite the main ferry dock to the mainland. | | | | are many shopping opportunities. Passengers who |
| There are usually street vendors and artists in the | | | | scuba dive or snorkel can easily book directly with the |
| Plaza as well local entertainment during some | | | | many dive shops in San Miguel without going through |
| evenings. The artists do some amazing artwork with | | | | their cruise ships which will cost much more. For cruise |
| spray paints and their prices are very reasonable. San | | | | ship tourists who do not intend to do any water sports |
| Miguel's main tourist area can be very busy during the | | | | and have some time after shopping, it is highly |
| day when the cruise ship passengers are in town but | | | | recommended to rent a scooter or 4x4 to tour the |
| since most ships depart at dinnertime, the evenings are | | | | island. This is also a nice way to spend the last day of |
| actually very quiet. The only tourists left at night tend to | | | | a scuba dive vacation in Cozumel. |
| be the scuba divers staying in Cozumel. | | | | |