COZUMEL FAMILY VACATIONS
by Paula Hughes Court
Cozumel, which lies 11 miles off the mainland,is the largest inhabited
island in Mexico. During the past few years, Cozumel has become the
most popular cruise port in the Caribbean. More than 2.5 million cruise
passengers are expected to visit this year. Cozumel vacationss offer great
beaches, snorkeling, duty-free shopping and an exciting nightlife.
COZUMEL MEXICO LANGUAGE AND CURRENCY
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken. U.S.
dollars and credit cards are accepted by most establishments.
SAN MIGUEL
In San Miguel, you'll find a large selection of duty-free shops, jewelry
stores, and shops offering Mexican crafts, blankets, and other tourist
items. Nearly all stores in San Miguel accept dollars and credit cards. The
new mall across from Punta Langosta Pier offers tourist shops of every
variety, several jewelry stores, Senor Frogs and the not-to-be-missed
Carlos and Charlie's.
COZUMEL VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
CHANKANAAB MARINE PARK
Chankanaab, located ten minutes from downtown, is a wonderful place to
spend the day. Snorkeling is available inches from shore, so its a good
spot for young swimmers to try snorkeling for the first time. Scuba diving
and snuba (walking submerged on the ocean floor with an air helmet on)
is also available. The most popular activity at the park is the dolphin
interaction program through Dolphin Discovery. Another interesting activity
is the sea lion swim, also through Dolphin Discovery. On a recent cruise
to Cozumel, my family voted the sea lion swim as our cruise highlight. The
park also contains large, free-roaming iguanas, replicas of Mayan stone
art and a botanical garden. The parks charges a $10 admission fee.
www.dolphindiscovery.com
PLAYA SOL BEACH
Playa Sol Beach is a private beach very popular with the cruise lines. Be
forewarned-it might be crowded! The entrance fee of $6 covers use of a
fresh-water swimming pool, showers, restrooms, kayaks, peddle boats,
water trampolines, entrance to the small zoo and children's playground.
There is a full-service restaurant and three bars. Taxi rides from the piers
to Playa Sol run approximately $14 each way ( 4 passengers per taxi).
CARLOS AND CHARLIE'S
Located at the shopping mall across from the Punta Lagosta Pier, Carlos
and Charlie's has become an institution in Cozumel. Rumor has it that
many cruise passengers miss their ship in Cozumel due to this bar, and
the late (11 pm) departure time of some lines.
FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS:
THE DOCK
There are three docks in Cozumel: Punta Langosta Pier, which is within
walking district of San Miguel's shopping district , the International Pier,
which is ten minutes south of town, and Puerto Maya Pier located just
past the International Pier.
COZUMEL VACATION SAFETY TIPS
Cruise ships discourage their passengers from renting mopeds because
of the risk of danger involved.
by Paula Hughes Court
Cozumel, which lies 11 miles off the mainland,is the largest inhabited
island in Mexico. During the past few years, Cozumel has become the
most popular cruise port in the Caribbean. More than 2.5 million cruise
passengers are expected to visit this year. Cozumel vacationss offer great
beaches, snorkeling, duty-free shopping and an exciting nightlife.
COZUMEL MEXICO LANGUAGE AND CURRENCY
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely spoken. U.S.
dollars and credit cards are accepted by most establishments.
SAN MIGUEL
In San Miguel, you'll find a large selection of duty-free shops, jewelry
stores, and shops offering Mexican crafts, blankets, and other tourist
items. Nearly all stores in San Miguel accept dollars and credit cards. The
new mall across from Punta Langosta Pier offers tourist shops of every
variety, several jewelry stores, Senor Frogs and the not-to-be-missed
Carlos and Charlie's.
COZUMEL VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
CHANKANAAB MARINE PARK
Chankanaab, located ten minutes from downtown, is a wonderful place to
spend the day. Snorkeling is available inches from shore, so its a good
spot for young swimmers to try snorkeling for the first time. Scuba diving
and snuba (walking submerged on the ocean floor with an air helmet on)
is also available. The most popular activity at the park is the dolphin
interaction program through Dolphin Discovery. Another interesting activity
is the sea lion swim, also through Dolphin Discovery. On a recent cruise
to Cozumel, my family voted the sea lion swim as our cruise highlight. The
park also contains large, free-roaming iguanas, replicas of Mayan stone
art and a botanical garden. The parks charges a $10 admission fee.
www.dolphindiscovery.com
PLAYA SOL BEACH
Playa Sol Beach is a private beach very popular with the cruise lines. Be
forewarned-it might be crowded! The entrance fee of $6 covers use of a
fresh-water swimming pool, showers, restrooms, kayaks, peddle boats,
water trampolines, entrance to the small zoo and children's playground.
There is a full-service restaurant and three bars. Taxi rides from the piers
to Playa Sol run approximately $14 each way ( 4 passengers per taxi).
CARLOS AND CHARLIE'S
Located at the shopping mall across from the Punta Lagosta Pier, Carlos
and Charlie's has become an institution in Cozumel. Rumor has it that
many cruise passengers miss their ship in Cozumel due to this bar, and
the late (11 pm) departure time of some lines.
FOR CRUISE SHIP PASSENGERS:
THE DOCK
There are three docks in Cozumel: Punta Langosta Pier, which is within
walking district of San Miguel's shopping district , the International Pier,
which is ten minutes south of town, and Puerto Maya Pier located just
past the International Pier.
COZUMEL VACATION SAFETY TIPS
Cruise ships discourage their passengers from renting mopeds because
of the risk of danger involved.
FAMILY TRAVEL FUN.COM
COZUMEL MEXICO
COZUMEL MEXICO
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