You can rent dune buggies for a few hours and take off on your own, or sign up for a package with a tour guide who will lead groups of 15 to 20 people around the island. If you are comfortable driving an all-terrain vehicle with standard transmission and have some experience on the island, going off by yourself is less expensive and you can sight see at your own pace. Group tours offer the security of a guide and help if you get into trouble, plus a guide will be able to point out obscure points of interest you might otherwise miss.
Your travel agent can help you book a dune buggy tour before you reach Cozumel, or you can do it yourself online with a credit card. Expect to spend about $70-$100 per person for a five-hour tour with a travel guide. Price variations are a factor of trip length and whether unlimited drinks are included in the package. A dozen insured companies offer dune buggy tours on the island. Prices are competitive and there is no real cost savings by choosing one company over another, so you can evaluate consumer reviews of different companies or base your decision on what each company offers.
For a package tour with a guide, you can expect to depart around 10:30 a.m. (Central time), travelling around the island at a moderate speed in dune buggies that can accommodate up to four people each. Frequent stops along the journey will give you time to observe the island's natural beauty and wildlife.
Most tours include a midday break for snorkling in the cobalt-blue waters of the Caribbean, which is a highlight of any Cozumel trip--an experience on par with swimming in your own vast, saltwater aquarium among a remarkable variety of fish that radiate color. During your swim, the tour guide and assistants set up grills on the beach where they prepare lunch--typically grilled chicken with lime, cilantro, and roasted vegetables, and fresh guacamole. The lead dune buggies are equipped with coolers stocked with ice water, sodas and bottled Mexican beer. Lunch and unlimited beverages may be included in the package price; find out in advance.
Customizable dune buggy trips are also available for divers and birdwatchers.
