Shopping/Lunch in Cozumel?

[Mickey4me!]

We'll be making our 3rd visit to Cozumel in Nov and have decided that none of the excursions really excite us. We are planning on getting off the ship to maybe do some shopping and have a nice lunch. Would love recommendations for both. Not shopping for anything in particular but more interested in local handcrafts. Looking for a leisurely lunch and a good margarita. TIA for any suggestions!

 

[amanda ek]

Following

 

[tinkerone]

you can walk along the street that faces the ocean and get plenty of local stuff, the regular touristy souvenirs. i enjoy doing this just to look around. there is a mall that you will walk through when you first get off the ship. people will try and get you into their stores. go ahead and look but do not buy anything. the prices of items drop tons the farther you walk down the street. there was a guy trying to sell me vanilla, i always buy it in cozumel, and he was giving me a great deal, 2 for $20. this was after bartering. didn't buy it and was so glad. same stuff down the road was $4.50 each.
there is also a market that you will see, pushed into one of streets behind. if you just keep walking along the ocean street you will not miss it. when we were there last october it was all boarded up under construction. that was sad as i like going through markets. don't know if it will be open when you get there but it should be i would think.
as to dinning, there are tons of resaurants to choose from. we are heading back that way in a few weeks so this time i went to trip advisor and looked at the top twenty they listed. theres some i didn't know about and will be trying for sure. go to trip advisor and check it out. quickest way to see what the offerings are.

have a great trip.

 

[jlemieu1]

This may be find of weird but I like to shop at the Comercial Mexicana super market about 2-3 block south of the dock. Very good prices on food and alcohol with DCL's new rule.

 

[dashofsunshine]

We did shopping at Cozumel - took a taxi ride from the port down to the end of the "main" shopping strip and went in some shops. Los Cinco Soles was our favorite by far - they have EVERYTHING and an amazing selection/quality. Pottery, jewelry, clothing, alcohol, most all of it handmade - and please buy the biggest bottle of their Mexican vanilla you can. Buy 2 or 3 bottles. That stuff is AMAZING. We use it for all of our baking and ice cream making and it makes a great gift! There is a small version of Los Cinco Soles at the port, but their huge store is down at the end of the main shopping strip - much larger selection. It's very popular and I'm sure if you say the name, people will know what you're talking about. We got all of our souvenirs in that one store!

PS I am an artist - mostly ceramics and painting, but I do it all - and I left there with 3 pieces of pottery. They source things from artists all over Mexico. It takes a lot to impress me. Lol. Good luck!!

 

[Mickey4me!]

you can walk along the street that faces the ocean and get plenty of local stuff, the regular touristy souvenirs. i enjoy doing this just to look around. there is a mall that you will walk through when you first get off the ship. people will try and get you into their stores. go ahead and look but do not buy anything. the prices of items drop tons the farther you walk down the street. there was a guy trying to sell me vanilla, i always buy it in cozumel, and he was giving me a great deal, 2 for $20. this was after bartering. didn't buy it and was so glad. same stuff down the road was $4.50 each.
there is also a market that you will see, pushed into one of streets behind. if you just keep walking along the ocean street you will not miss it. when we were there last october it was all boarded up under construction. that was sad as i like going through markets. don't know if it will be open when you get there but it should be i would think.
as to dinning, there are tons of resaurants to choose from. we are heading back that way in a few weeks so this time i went to trip advisor and looked at the top twenty they listed. theres some i didn't know about and will be trying for sure. go to trip advisor and check it out. quickest way to see what the offerings are.

Thanks @tinkerone! We are VERY familiar with the mall and don't have a lot of interest re-visiting it! We'll take a stroll up and see if that market is open.

This may be find of weird but I like to shop at the Comercial Mexicana super market about 2-3 block south of the dock. Very good prices on food and alcohol with DCL's new rule.

Now that sounds interesting. Thanks @jlemieu1!

 

[Mickey4me!]

We did shopping at Cozumel - took a taxi ride from the port down to the end of the "main" shopping strip and went in some shops. Los Cinco Soles was our favorite by far - they have EVERYTHING and an amazing selection/quality. Pottery, jewelry, clothing, alcohol, most all of it handmade - and please buy the biggest bottle of their Mexican vanilla you can. Buy 2 or 3 bottles. That stuff is AMAZING. We use it for all of our baking and ice cream making and it makes a great gift! There is a small version of Los Cinco Soles at the port, but their huge store is down at the end of the main shopping strip - much larger selection. It's very popular and I'm sure if you say the name, people will know what you're talking about. We got all of our souvenirs in that one store!

Ooooh - sounds good! I love local pottery and will definitely add it to the list! Thanks @dashofsunshine!

 

[tinkerone]

This may be find of weird but I like to shop at the Comercial Mexicana super market about 2-3 block south of the dock. Very good prices on food and alcohol with DCL's new rule.

oh, i like the sounds of this. it would be something new to us.
i know this will probably make me sound, lets say, not bright, but which way is south? when i get off the am i going left or right. is it right on ocean boulevard or u a bit?
i want to check this out.

 

[jlemieu1]

oh, i like the sounds of this. it would be something new to us.
i know this will probably make me sound, lets say, not bright, but which way is south? when i get off the am i going left or right. is it right on ocean boulevard or u a bit?
i want to check this out.

No worries. Also long as they dock in the northern docks. This is the dock that basically requires you to walk across the main street on a big white bridge. So if you are on the ship and looking at the land it is on the right. Basically the other way from the main tourist shop area to the left. Link below from Google. They call it MEGA.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Comercial+Mexicana/@20.5054324,-86.9569685,3a,75y,131h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ssX5phiPm9Ob3aXbJQDSTGg!2e0!6s//geo3.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=sX5phiPm9Ob3aXbJQDSTGg&output=thumbnail&cb_client=search.TACTILE.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=131.28545&pitch=0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x4a1d6cb55838ca7c!6m1!1e1

 

[tinkerone]

No worries. Also long as they dock in the northern docks. This is the dock that basically requires you to walk across the main street on a big white bridge. So if you are on the ship and looking at the land it is on the right. Basically the other way from the main tourist shop area to the left. Link below from Google. They call it MEGA.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Comercial+Mexicana/@20.5054324,-86.9569685,3a,75y,131h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1ssX5phiPm9Ob3aXbJQDSTGg!2e0!6s//geo3.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=sX5phiPm9Ob3aXbJQDSTGg&output=thumbnail&cb_client=search.TACTILE.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=131.28545&pitch=0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x4a1d6cb55838ca7c!6m1!1e1

thank you so much! that google maps put it into play very nicely! dh is going to think i've lost it but i do love going into grocery stores in different countries. we can go there, pick up our drinks, drop them off and then go walking the other way. oh, i'm excited now.

 

[MunFam]

We did shopping at Cozumel - took a taxi ride from the port down to the end of the "main" shopping strip and went in some shops. Los Cinco Soles was our favorite by far - they have EVERYTHING and an amazing selection/quality. Pottery, jewelry, clothing, alcohol, most all of it handmade - and please buy the biggest bottle of their Mexican vanilla you can. Buy 2 or 3 bottles. That stuff is AMAZING. We use it for all of our baking and ice cream making and it makes a great gift! There is a small version of Los Cinco Soles at the port, but their huge store is down at the end of the main shopping strip - much larger selection. It's very popular and I'm sure if you say the name, people will know what you're talking about. We got all of our souvenirs in that one store!

PS I am an artist - mostly ceramics and painting, but I do it all - and I left there with 3 pieces of pottery. They source things from artists all over Mexico. It takes a lot to impress me. Lol. Good luck!!

The restaurant attached, Pancho's Backyard was really good too!

 

[afyoung]

So...Mexican Vanilla...I want it. I have used it before, someone gave it to me and I loved it. How do you handle bringing that back onto the ship, packing it up for flights etc.?

 

[Mickey4me!]

Wow - great link! I just shopped Cozumel! Looks like Mega is almost next door to the "port" mall. I also headed down the street in the other direction and found lots of little shops and Los Cinco Soles. Thank you!!

 

[dashofsunshine]

So...Mexican Vanilla...I want it. I have used it before, someone gave it to me and I loved it. How do you handle bringing that back onto the ship, packing it up for flights etc.?

At Los Cincos they make theirs in plastic bottles. They wrapped them up for us and we took them right back onto the ship. We drove to Florida, but if you're flying I would just keep the bottles wrapped and put them in your suitcase. They aren't breakable and as long as you don't open them before you arrive home, they will still be sealed, preventing spillage. That vanilla is MAGICAL. We bought a big bottle and were like "we don't even bake that much - this will last years!!" We are now frantically trying to figure out how to get more, hahah. It's THAT good!!!

 

[afyoung]

At Los Cincos they make theirs in plastic bottles. They wrapped them up for us and we took them right back onto the ship. We drove to Florida, but if you're flying I would just keep the bottles wrapped and put them in your suitcase. They aren't breakable and as long as you don't open them before you arrive home, they will still be sealed, preventing spillage. That vanilla is MAGICAL. We bought a big bottle and were like "we don't even bake that much - this will last years!!" We are now frantically trying to figure out how to get more, hahah. It's THAT good!!!

How big are the bottles? I always travel with extra Ziploc bags for bringing home liquid/wet stuff. Are the bottles smallish? I am thinking I will bring a few gallon size bags for this liquid gold.

 

[tinkerone]

How big are the bottles? I always travel with extra Ziploc bags for bringing home liquid/wet stuff. Are the bottles smallish? I am thinking I will bring a few gallon size bags for this liquid gold.

they come in different sizes. i have medium size bottle and it is 16.6 oz. i usually buy the big bottle and i think that is 32 oz but not sure. i buy it for everyone here at home and have never had a problem with any opening or cracking. i agree, its the best stuff. shop around for the best prices.

 

[Buckeye218]

Fernando's 100% Agave is a fantastic place to eat. I got over a dozen reco's for that place in 2013 and was told that crew members often frequent there too when they're allowed. It didn't disappoint. Fantastic, authentic Mexican cuisine at very reasonable prices. The waiter even brought small appetizer dishes I didn't even order just because.

 

[jlemieu1]

Fernando's 100% Agave is a fantastic place to eat. I got over a dozen reco's for that place in 2013 and was told that crew members often frequent there too when they're allowed. It didn't disappoint. Fantastic, authentic Mexican cuisine at very reasonable prices. The waiter even brought small appetizer dishes I didn't even order just because.

Where is this located?

 

[perditax]

I haven't been to Cozumel but I've been researching lately for a cruise (on Celebrity) in December. Los Cincos Soles does seem to be highly regarded. I'm also going to stop at a Cuban restaurant called La Casa Del Mojito for lunch.

 

[jiminy14]

Another vote for Los Cinco Soles. They have the best prices on silver jewelry that I have found in Cozumel. Make sure you check out all of the jewelry cases because several of them have specials of 50-70% off. We found one case that featured a local artist and her pieces were 50% off. Most of the other silver jewelry is usually 20% off. The store carries a wide variety of merchandise and is reasonably priced. The women's clothing is located in a room behind the tequila bar and is easily missed.
I also visited the Mega store on our last visit and found it to be similar to Walmart. Prices were pretty good and they had a decent selection of basic snorkel gear for about $15/set. The bakery had some fantastic looking pastries but they can not be taken back to the ship. We saw several CMs and entertainers from the ship shopping there. There is really nothing sold here that could be considered a "souvenir". For those who love the Kinder eggs with the small toys in them, we found them here in the candy section for about $2/each.
On the walk to Mega, you will pass an area with several craft booths. They seemed to have better prices than the stores located on the other side of the "mall".