Cozumel Port Questions

[EddieK76]

We are not doing any excursions in Cozumel; however, we want to walk around the shops and grab a drink especially since this is for our daughter and she will have turned 18 the month prior. We told her that we would take her to get her first margarita what restaurants are right there? I know Señor Frogs is; however, what other ones are located right there in the shopping center area.

We do not want to venture far off at this point.

 

[jenushkask8s]

There's a walkup Fat Tuesday in the port shopping area. I don't remember any other restaurants there but I also wasn't looking for any.

 

[sjuncfan]

There is something to the right as soon as you come off the pier. Not sure the name of the restaurant is but my husband and I have pix in oversize chairs - one has a humongous plastic hamburger on the arm and the other has a humongous plastic margarita. We didn't go there so I can't vouch for the quality of the food or drinks. It's not Senor Frogs - that's on the other side.

Edited to add: I think maybe it was Margaritaville? But I don't remember it being as big as what I see when I google "Margaritaville Cozumel". I guess we missed 90% of the restaurant, LOL, only saw the entrance from the port. I do see a Buffett posted in the background so that was probably it.

 

[DisneYE]

Please don't go to Sr Frogs or Margaritaville. There's so many authentic Mexican restaurants in Cozumel.

My favorite restaurant near the port is Palmeras (my guess is about 1/2 mile)
https://www.facebook.com/restaurantepalmerasczm/
Authentic Mexican food, nice vibe with some of their tables on the patio overlooking the ocean.. the margaritas are good and you'll walk past many shops along the main road.
Behind the restaurant there's this little town square called Benito Juarez which has the "Cozumel" big sign where you can take pictures. There's also a few touristy shops there.

Overall it's a nice 2-3 hours you can spend off the ship to stretch your legs and have a few drinks and yummy lunch.

 

[EddieK76]

Please don't go to Sr Frogs or Margaritaville. There's so many authentic Mexican restaurants in Cozumel.

My favorite restaurant near the port is Palmeras (my guess is about 1/2 mile)
https://www.facebook.com/restaurantepalmerasczm/
Authentic Mexican food, nice vibe with some of their tables on the patio overlooking the ocean.. the margaritas are good and you'll walk past many shops along the main road.
Behind the restaurant there's this little town square called Benito Juarez which has the "Cozumel" big sign where you can take pictures. There's also a few touristy shops there.

Overall it's a nice 2-3 hours you can spend off the ship to stretch your legs and have a few drinks and yummy lunch.

View attachment 739610

Thanks. My wife's big concern is drifting off that main port area. Is that still a good and safe walkable area?

 

[auntlynne]

 

[EddieK76]

It is still the tourist area. The restaurant is just across the street from the ferry to the Yucatán Pen. You are straying off the main drag. One side of the street is shops and restaurants; the other is the Gulf of Mexico. Should be ~ 10 miniutes walking.

Plug it into Google Maps and do directions from Senor Frog’s to Restaurante Palmeras, I can see the entire walk in photograph form.

Awesome! Thank you so much!

 

[DisneYE]

It is still the tourist area. The restaurant is just across the street from the ferry to the Yucatán Pen. You are straying off the main drag. One side of the street is shops and restaurants; the other is the Gulf of Mexico. Should be ~ 10 miniutes walking.

Plug it into Google Maps and do directions from Senor Frog’s to Restaurante Palmeras, I can see the entire walk in photograph form.

Correct. And it's super safe.
There's more tourists than locals in that stretch from the cruise terminal.

 

[EddieK76]

Correct. And it's super safe.
There's more tourists than locals in that stretch from the cruise terminal.

Thank you!

 

[goofy4prez]

Thanks. My wife's big concern is drifting off that main port area. Is that still a good and safe walkable area?

As a few others have said, you will have no worries at all. There are tons of people everywhere. And there are so many restaurants and "watering holes" everywhere. I also want to say that Restaurante Palmeras is simply outstanding. We walked the area and had plenty of time to spare and found this place heading back to the ship. It was not a pit stop we regretted. Very authentic, friendly staff, and just minutes away from the ship.

 

[EddieK76]

I assume any of these restaurants and shops will gladly take USD, correct?

 

[goofy4prez]

I assume any of these restaurants and shops will gladly take USD, correct?

Absolutely. You will have no problems anywhere with USD.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[auntlynne]

 

[EddieK76]

Make sure you have some small bills. If you only use $10s or $20s, you could end up with a lot of Pesos in change.

I tend to use a credit card with no foreign exchange fee.

****

It might help if you figure out what type experience she is looking for. Sure, it’s a Disney cruise, but maybe she wants something a little louder / more bar-like. If she is drinking at 18, she may be not as staid as some of us milder cruisers.

You could easily just walk a ways down the road and see what grabs her interest.

There are some lists of “best margaritas in Cozumel” available (Internet search). (I see Fat Tuesdays on the list - mentioned above by PP). And there is Senor Frog’s; it is a go-to place for many, in many ports. I think those that like it, like it anywhere.

My daughter isn't the loud bar type of person (yet) but she wanted to have a margarita since she can in Mexico legally. I'm going to guess she won't even like it and then my wife or myself will just have to suck it up and drink it for her

 

[MississippiMom]

My daughter isn't the loud bar type of person (yet) but she wanted to have a margarita since she can in Mexico legally. I'm going to guess she won't even like it and then my wife or myself will just have to suck it up and drink it for her

If your daughter likes fruit, pick a delicious fruit-flavored margarita, like mango or pineapple, and pay for the premium agave tequila that does not have a strong liquor taste. The basic cheap lime one is the least tasty. Any server or bartender should be able to direct you accordingly.