Where do I even begin with Cozumel? What a port! I have only been once, but I am due to go back in February 2016 and I can’t wait!
Cozumel is one of the best ports in the world, and one of the busiest! During my visit I think we were one of 8 ships that day and it looks pretty much the same for our call next year – but that’s OK because there are so many places to go and there is so much to do that you’ll hardly notice the several thousand other tourists wandering around.
There are some gorgeous beaches in Cozumel and a beach day here is always highly recommended. My friend and I booked space at Nachi Cocom and it was ideal. You paid one price and it included day use of the beach and facilities including a pool, all drinks and a rather large and delicious lunch. The weather wasn’t fantastic when we were at Nachi Cocom, but it didn’t spoil the day and I would definitely go back. If you want to do a beach day here, then my advice would be to do some research. Check out some reviews and book online as far in advance as possible. Like I said, Cozumel is one of the world’s busiest ports and all of the beach clubs fill up very quickly. We booked our day about 5 months in advance. Some to consider are Mr Sanchos Beach Club, Paradise Beach, Buccanos Grill & Beach Club and Playa Azul.
Cozumel is also great for shopping and after our morning at the beach we went back to the ship, changed and then headed ashore for some retail therapy. Usually your call in Cozumel is quite long because of some of the tours offered, so you can always fit in a few different things. We were docked right in the heart of downtown, so it was a few minute stroll into the heart of the city. There were stores selling just about every item that you could think of and there was also a small market set-up with local vendors selling handmade crafts, sugar skulls and t-shirts. The whole place was bustling and I just loved it.
If you want to a hit a few bars during your cruise then Cozumel is definitely the place to do it. Here you will find Fat Tuesday’s, Hard Rock Café, Senor Frogs, Margaritaville and many more – basically, you can’t go far without coming across an energetic cocktail venue.
Cozumel is also the perfect place from which to explore many of the ancient Inca ruins and one of the most popular shore excursions offered from the port is a day trip to Tulum – one of the best preserved coastal Maya sites. I have yet to visit, but it is certainly something I would very much like to do one day. The ruins sit on the rugged coastline and even this is absolutely beautiful – turquoise waters like you have never been seen, so I am told. To give you a little bit of history, Tulum is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Cobá and the ruins are situated along the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Tulum was one of the last cities inhabited and built by the Mayas; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. A visit to Tulum is a long day, usually around 8 or 9 hours as there is quite a journey to get there from Cozumel. Another popular site is Chichen Itza, which again a lot of cruise lines offer tours to.
Whatever you decide to do during your stay in Cozumel I know you will have a great time! It’s one of those places where everyone is happy and carefree. As soon as you leave your ship, your worries disappear!
Maybe I will see you in Fat Tuesday’s one day! Until then, enjoy exploring Cozumel via cruise ship.
Images sourced via Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: Hannes Rada, LarryJay99, internautapix.
