Things to do in Cozumel

[mevelandry]

Hello!

We are going on a cruise stopping in Cozumel and the excursion we chose should be over by 1:30 PM and the cruiseship leaving at 5:00 PM.

I was wondering if there was free/cheap things to do in the Port of Cozumel or near the port? (Somewhere very safe, please!)

Thanks in advance!

 

[dclpluto]

Hello!

We are going on a cruise stopping in Cozumel and the excursion we chose should be over by 1:30 PM and the cruiseship leaving at 5:00 PM.

I was wondering if there was free/cheap things to do in the Port of Cozumel or near the port? (Somewhere very safe, please!)

Thanks in advance!

First you want to go to the ship and eat. Clean up fast put on a fresh coat of sunscreen. Than head out just take a walk around the port area. DCL parks in the best spot.

 

[mevelandry]

First you want to go to the ship and eat. Clean up fast put on a fresh coat of sunscreen. Than head out just take a walk around the port area. DCL parks in the best spot.

Ok, sure... but what is in the Port Area? (And why not eat there?)

 

[dclpluto]

Ok, sure... but what is in the Port Area? (And why not eat there?)

Port area stores like you find in all the port areas. Why not eat there is because you already paid for your lunch on the ship with your cruise fare.

 

[mevelandry]

Port area stores like you find in all the port areas. Why not eat there is because you already paid for your lunch on the ship with your cruise fare.

To be honest, I've never seen anything else than Nassau... I wouldn't know.

Why eat outside: I like to try food from the places I visit. If it wasn't for the fact that I hate seafood, I would have tried Conch Fritters in the Bahamas.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

OP, I totally agree with you. Experiencing the different ports includes eating local food. I consider Cozumel my second home. A great shop to buy good quality souvenirs is Los Cinco Soles. It's air conditioned. Inside of it is a restaurant called Pancho's Backyard which gets great reviews. It is on the main street called Melgar. As you walk there, there will be a museum on the shopping side of Melgar. I haven't been there but hear great things about it and the restaurant inside. Another place visitors like is Casa Denis. There are many, many shops along Melgar that are your typical port shops. Some we like, some we don't. We go back in from Melgar and shop there. Pretty much, if you see the square head in that direction. You will get better prices.

 

[MUN]

The Mega grocery store is a fun a place to visit. It is close to the port, and like the name says, it is huge!

 

[mevelandry]

Pancho's Backyard is on my list!

Los Cinco Soles seems to have beautiful souvenirs. Are they legit? (really made in Mexico?)

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Pancho's Backyard is on my list!

Los Cinco Soles seems to have beautiful things. Are the legit? (really made in Mexico?)

You can definitely trust them! Even their vanilla will be pure unlike the souvenir shops.

Editing......made in Mexico? Hard to say. It is more of a refined shop like here at home. Quality. I was at first thinking you were talking about things like silver.

 

[mevelandry]

You can definitely trust them! Even their vanilla will be pure unlike the souvenir shops.

Editing......made in Mexico? Hard to say. It is more of a refined shop like here at home. Quality. I was at first thinking you were talking about things like silver.

I edited my message. So many spelling and syntax mistakes it's not even funny. (English is not my mother tongue.)

 

[MunFam]

OP, I totally agree with you. Experiencing the different ports includes eating local food. I consider Cozumel my second home. A great shop to buy good quality souvenirs is Los Cinco Soles. It's air conditioned. Inside of it is a restaurant called Pancho's Backyard which gets great reviews.

I was going to recommend this for lunch and shopping. We live in San Diego so we get GREAT Mexican food here and are very spoiled. Pancho's lived up to our expectations. They usually have a coupon for a free margarita floating around. Now...depending how traveled you are...you may not feel super safe walking down to Pancho's. I was a little nervous, but it was a Sunday and most stores were closed and there were a lot of street people lingering about. We exercised safe travel behaviors and were completely fine. (no fancy cameras, no fancy jewelry, no designer handbags and were always aware of our surroundings)

Edit: We stopped in at the Mega, too. They do 100% bag and hat checks there...so be prepared to either wait with your things, or check your stuff at the door. We chose to have one person wait with our stuff. We restocked our alcohol there.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

As far as safe, I feel perfectly fine walking down to Los Cinco Soles. It is on Melgar, the main street that over looks the water. The police patrol it heavy if that makes anyone feel better. We actually walk in the neighborhoods, too. We have friends (locals) so we do a lot of walking further back when we are there. A lot of stores are closed on Sundays so they can be with their families. I love how family oriented they are!

I have fun in Mega. It's almost like a Walmart or Target. So many fun, interesting things to buy there. If anyone here shops there it might be important to know that the people that sack your items are not paid a salary. They earn strictly by tips.

 

[mevelandry]

I was going to recommend this for lunch and shopping. We live in San Diego so we get GREAT Mexican food here and are very spoiled. Pancho's lived up to our expectations. They usually have a coupon for a free margarita floating around. Now...depending how traveled you are...you may not feel super safe walking down to Pancho's. I was a little nervous, but it was a Sunday and most stores were closed and there were a lot of street people lingering about. We exercised safe travel behaviors and were completely fine. (no fancy cameras, no fancy jewelry, no designer handbags and were always aware of our surroundings)

Edit: We stopped in at the Mega, too. They do 100% bag and hat checks there...so be prepared to either wait with your things, or check your stuff at the door. We chose to have one person wait with our stuff. We restocked our alcohol there.

Isn't Panchos in the port?

Is it creepier than Nassau? (I hate Nassau).

 

[lillygator]

How expensive are the items at Mega?

 

[MUN]

Isn't Panchos in the port?

Is it creepier than Nassau? (I hate Nassau).

I think Cozumel is creepier than Nassau, but I don't think Nassau is creepy at all. Does that help?

MUN

 

[MunFam]

Isn't Panchos in the port?

Is it creepier than Nassau? (I hate Nassau).

I have never been to Nassau. But I felt less comfortable in Cozumel than I did in Columbia if that helps

Its definitely not "in the port". It is 1.8km each way. You walk along Av. Rafael Melgar which is the oceanfront street. google maps this: Terminal de Cruceros Punta Langosta Cozumel, Av. Rafael E. Melgar x 7 y 11 av, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico to PANCHO'S BACKYARD, Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico

 

[jiminyC_fan]

How funny. I hate Nassau so much that we don't even get off the ship anymore and neither will our adult daughter and her family but we adore Cozumel. Stayed 5 weeks so far this year. I guess everyone is different.

lillygator, I wouldn't call Mega expensive. Like I said earlier it is like a Walmart or Target. Groceries, office supplies, toiletries, toys, furniture, auto, appliances. They take pesos, USD or charge cards.

mevelandry, once you get out of the secured port area you will be right on Melgar. Head north to Pancho's. We walk it but it can be hot. I believe a taxi would cost 3-5 dollars.

 

[mevelandry]

I think Cozumel is creepier than Nassau, but I don't think Nassau is creepy at all. Does that help?

MUN

Not really? (I find that very funny, though!)

 

[mevelandry]

I have never been to Nassau. But I felt less comfortable in Cozumel than I did in Columbia if that helps

Its definitely not "in the port". It is 1.8km each way. You walk along Av. Rafael Melgar which is the oceanfront street. google maps this: Terminal de Cruceros Punta Langosta Cozumel, Av. Rafael E. Melgar x 7 y 11 av, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico to PANCHO'S BACKYARD, Avenida Rafael E. Melgar, Centro, 77600 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexico

I'll google earth that and see for myself with streetview.

 

[mevelandry]

How funny. I hate Nassau so much that we don't even get off the ship anymore and neither will our adult daughter and her family but we adore Cozumel. Stayed 5 weeks so far this year. I guess everyone is different.

Nassau... We visited Blue Lagoon during our last trip (loved it, beautiful island!)...

When we came back from BL, they made us pass by the town (outside) and left us about 2-3 minutes walk from the Welcome Center, in front of the Straw Market. People were pissed off... !