Cozumel, Mexico is a great place for a beach vacation. There is a wide variety of accommodations, including all-inclusive resorts, rental villas, bed and breakfasts and budget hotels. Depending on what interests you most, you can choose what part of town to stay in and what kind of lodging you prefer. There are some specific travel tips to note while in Cozumel, such as where not to park and what to tip.
The northern zone is a quiet area with all-inclusive resorts, beachfront rentals, high-rise condos and plenty of hotels, such as Club del Sol and Coral Princess. Ocean currents are strong so keep that in mind when venturing into the water.
San Miguel's El Centro District is the oldest section of town. If you don't want to drive, stay here. There are cheap rooms for $25 and more expensive hotel rooms. Mid-town San Miguel is safe and mostly residential. Here you will find smaller vacation rentals and bed and breakfasts with good prices. You'll need a rental car for beaches. The Corpus Christi area has a couple of small hotels, including a Days Inn and vacation villas.
The south zone that is closest to town is a high-traffic area close to cruise ship docks. This area is full of moderately priced small hotels that cater to divers; CaribBlu and Villa Blanca are among the hotels. Roads are congested.
Farther south you can find the El Presidente, with its well known beach and snorkeling. This is a great place to snorkel, but the hotels are somewhat isolated so plan on a rental car or taxis.
The southern zone's middle section is fairly quiet area and offers several beachfront rentals. The all-inclusive Reef Club is in this area. Good snorkeling is a short drive and many of the rentals have excellent views. At the far southern end, you will find nothing but all-inclusive resorts, including the Allegro and the Occidental Grande. It is near some of the Cozumel's best reefs, so it is a good pick for divers. This is best for those who want a quiet beach stay.
Cozumel is a great place to go if you like spending time in the water or on the beach. Diving, snorkeling, swimming and lazing on the beach are ideal in Cozumel. There are also ruins to see, shopping and plenty of places to sample the local cuisine.
There are several things to keep in mind when visiting Cozumel. Spanish is the first language, but buying and ordering food should be easy enough in English. For anything else, you'll want to learn some Spanish.
Exchange money at hotels, banks or money exchange booths. Best rates are usually at banks. Tip 10 to 15 percent in restaurants. Tipping taxi drivers is optional. Tip your boat captain, the maid at the end of your stay and dive masters.
Follow local traffic laws. Watch for taxis, scooters and bicyclists. Signaling isn't common. Red lines on the street mean no parking.
Newer hotels will have three-pronged electrical outlets but older hotels and rentals may not. You can buy adapters in Cozumel.
