Best ideas for Cozumel?

[kaykels]

I've heard different feedback in various posts and I don't remember what was what. I did a search and got a million threads. That's WAY too much to read. So I figured I'd ask... what is your favorite thing to do here? I remember hearing one of the beaches smelled like a sewer. I'd like to skip that one. Should we just do a beach day here? I don't have a ton of money for expensive excursions. I'm traveling with a big family. Unless there is a "must do".

 

[banderson]

See this recent post of mine: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=757883

 

[vossjemi]

We rented a car for the day and checked out all the beaches on the east side. Had a blast! Of course that was an adult only cruise for us (left the kids at home). But, you should check out www.cozumelinsider.com. It has a great chart of all the beaches (location/amenities/cost). Many beaches are free, so all you need to do is take a taxi there.

 

[kaykels]

Banderson, thanks for you reply. It looks like you all really enjoyed it. I wish I could do it but it's out of our budget and my 4 year old has the attention span of a flea. Oh well, maybe another time.

 

[kaykels]

Voss.. that's a GREAT website. Thanks!

 

[banderson]

At 4, your child would be too young for this anyway, but you might want to add it to your list of things to see/do in your lifetime. You never know...we didn't have the budget for that kind of thing either 4 or 5 years ago when our kids were that young, but things change.

Chichen Itza was on our "lifetime to-do list" and it was great to check it off. Last year, we flew over an active volcano and that was also on our list. This lifetime list started very small and it just grew. It includes such crazy things as bungee jumping (we did that on my 27th birthday before we "grew up" and had kids of our own), swimming in as many different oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, etc.) as we can and smaller things like sharing our love of scuba diving with our kids and taking a boatride on The Lady of the Mist in Niagara Falls.

It's all about having dreams, no matter how big or small, and inspiring your kids to aim for the impossible. Think about the list. I promise you that it's quite a legacy to leave your children. Start with one or two things that are doable in the next 2-3 year timeframe based on your budget and go from there.

Cheers!

 

[Wavegirl]

If you are looking for a great beach break here is a great one at Nachi Cocom: Nachi Cocom All Inclusive Beach Break

Its a really nice beach, pool, jacuzzi, beautiful sand and water, great service and its $32 for adults and includes all drinks and a buffet lunch. They treated us wonderfully the price even included use of the kayaks and floaty mats or snorkeling equipment.

 

[banderson]

One thing I know some couples do is go to the nicest hotel in the area visited and ask how much the hotel charges for a day pass (access to pools, hotel's private beach, loungers, sometimes even the buffet). This can get you a very nice day at a location you might not otherwise be able to afford to stay. I've heard of people getting deals like US$35-45, which is really not bad if it includes food too.

The fun thing with this is you can do a lot of homework upfront via email at no cost. Check out the PRESIDENTE INTERCONTINENTAL COZUMEL RESORT & SPA and see what they offer. It may not be listed though, so I would just send an email inquiry.

 

[kaykels]

Thanks for the input. And kudos on your list. Great idea!

 

[kaykels]

wavegirl, what hotel was this at? Was it really nice? Since we're a party of 9, it's a little pricey, but not bad considering it includes so much for the entire day. Thanks for the tip!

 

[KKB]

I dunno, maybe $10 cab from downtown (I think that is where Disney docked)
LOVELY beach, free, $5 wristband gets you snorkel gear (w/ deposit), raft, kayak. Also had water rock wall, water tramp.
Great food & service.
Henna, massages, (CHEAP & wonderful!)
Jet skis next to.
Wish we had gone first thing, though Carlos & Charlies is a hoot!
Kristin

 

[kaykels]

Kristen, what is the name of this place that your talking about? IT sounds wonderful, and the price is right! That's what we did in Nassau... went to Cable Beach and used their facilities. It was great.

 

[needawdwtrip]

Just laughing about your posting you have a 4 year old with the attention span of a flea. I'm hoping my DS almost 3 will have worked his way up to the attention span of a flea by the time we go on our cruise May 2006. He'll be four by then. Let us know how that Cozumel excursion goes and have a great trip.

 

[KKB]

It is right down the main road from downtown, next to Playa San Francisco (where they charge for beach chairs...hammocks...)
We sure loved it!
Kristin
OK, Paradise Beach...I'm dying to go back!

 

[christinou]

We just came back from the 26 western and did Paradise Beach, it was $13 one way for the cab, $5 per person for the use of all water activities, snorkel, climbing iceberg, trampoline, sea kayaks, we just loved it and felt very safe, they had very clean bathrooms, and fresh water shower, we spend about $20 in food and soft drink. I highly recommend it.....

 

[laujac]

Two years in a row we have done the Disney Playa Mia excursion. It costs $49 for adults and $39 for kids. It includes beach front access with chairs and umbrellas, a pool area, open bar and buffet. You are transported there by air conditioned motor coaches. You can also do this by yourself by taking a taxi from the pier. I do not know how much the taxi charges are... but I did notice that the posted fees at this resort were $12 per person for entry alone to the resort and $25 if you wanted the open bar. (We choose to take the excursion for the transportation... we have fallen victim to the having to wait 40 minutes to fill the bus/taxi from the pier in the past). The beach and pool area at Playa Mia are very clean and we felt very safe. They also have extremely clean bathrooms and shower areas as well as lockers. Also, as you walked in there were many local merchants selling all the usual tourist items...so could kill two birds with one stone and do any shopping that you may need to do.

 

[jollytammy]

We did the miniture golf thing in the morning--two kids 9 and 13--then went back to the ship for lunch--cause it's free!!--then got a cab and went to Paradies Beach---loved the beach, clean, clean, clean bathrooms, water trampoline, kayaks, floating iceberg--the kids had a blast--and all we had to do was buy a drink to use the beach (our cab driver gave us 2 for 1 coupons!). I was worried about getting a ride back to town, but the driver waited for us until we were done. He then drove us to the grocery store where the vanilla was $2.00 for a very big bottle! I bought 8 bottles and gave away as gifts. The cab driver was so nice--when we couldn't understand anyone in the grocery store, he went in with us, and even offered to buy the vanilla when they acted unsure about taking our american dollars.

LOVED Cozumel!!!! Have a blast!

 

[goofyshell]

Great ideas!!

Wavegirl-did you have any trouble getting to and from the beach break excursion? Did you just catch a cab at the pier?

Is there much shopping right near the pier?

Thanks!!