We just returned from the 5/11 Western. We could not decide on an excursion in Cozumel. So, the morning we arrived in Cozumel, we went down to Guest Services and asked if they could recommend a beach. They recommended the one that was listed on an excursion package - Playa del Sol (? spelling). Anyway, we thought we would be brave and we decided to do it alone. We got off ship, took taxi for family of 4 ($15.00 plus tip -total $20.00 - charge per ride not per person - saw some couples who decided to double up), went to Playa del Sol, which tries hard to be a mini amusement park (not quite there - but nice anyway). For $6.00 per person (5 yr old son no charge $18.00) we got to use the beach, hammock or umbrella with chair, peddle boats, tubes, kayaks, etc. all no charge. The staff offered a water balloon toss with the kids. Kids walked through the zoo (some monkeys - their favorite, other stuff - don't really know since my hubbie walked them through) Skip the buffet, my husband says it looked like Taco Bell on a bad day (I didn't check it out myself). All I did was lay on the beach and shop a little bit.
Anyway, we stayed a few hours, enjoyed our very fast taxi ride (fast in speed I mean), and for $58.00 for the family we saw the Playa del Sol excursion.
Ref.
Castaway Cay...I have a recommendation. We got off the ship pretty early and we got a beach chair/umbrella set up in front of the snorkeling area - right in front. This area is less crowded than right in front of the swimming area and you still have a good eye on the swimming area (important when you have little ones). We didn't have a lot of people walking in front of us kicking up sand and what not. It was a great location. Hoping to do it again next year.
Have a great time!
Excuse the spelling mistakes....I still have sea legs or maybe it was the Bahama Mama's we've been drinking tonight. I got the recipe at one of the entertaining demos on board.