Cozumel Mexico Cruises

From LoveToKnow Cruises

Cozumel Mexico cruises are ideal for watersports enthusiasts, Mexican food lovers, and shoppers. Cozumel, a tiny island off the southeastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is one of the Caribbean’s busiest cruise ports, with more than one million passengers visiting each year. Despite typical cliché tourist venues, such as fast food restaurants and corny souvenirs, some true gems of Mexican culture still pervade this popular destination.

Carnival ship with tenders.

Arriving in Cozumel

Because of the island’s tiny size, the dock simply cannot accommodate the up to sixteen Cozumel Mexico cruises that may visit each day. While the dock is suitable for even larger ships, many vessels first anchor offshore and ferry passengers in with tenders – large, stable boats that can transport 150 or more passengers on each trip. When arriving in Cozumel, be sure to take note of whether your ship will remain at anchor or if it will move to occupy a dock slip later in the day. Three piers surround the downtown area of San Miguel – the largest, right in the heart of the shopping district, is Punta Langosta, and the other two piers are only a short taxi ride away.

Necessary information about Cozumel:

  • Spanish is the official language, but many tourist areas speak English as well.
  • The Nuevo peso is the official currency and is equivalent to approximately 1/10 of a U.S. dollar; however, U.S. dollars are commonly accepted in bars, restaurants, stores, and as tips for shore excursions.
  • Many shore excursions in Cozumel are more expensive than similar experiences elsewhere because they require transportation to the Mexican mainland.

Cruise Ship Shore Tours in Cozumel

Because of its popularity with cruise ships, Cozumel has come to rely nearly completely on tourist dollars, particularly through shore tours. A wide variety of shore excursions are offered, including snorkeling, catamaran sailing, bike tours, dolphin swims, party cruises, horseback riding, and helmet diving. Most excursions offer different difficulty levels to accommodate both novices and experienced guests, and the tour guides are knowledgeable and friendly.

Ruins at Chichen Itza.

More expensive shore tours include Mayan ruin excursions, usually to more impressive sites on the mainland. Cozumel does host several areas of ruins, but they are unimpressive when compared to the extravagant sites of Chichen Itza or Tulum. Chichen Itza is inland, but is worth the trek for its impressive Mayan pyramid, sporting arena and other ruins. In fact, the most impressive ruins on Cozumel are actually replicas, but the guided tours include plenty of culture and history despite that minor flaw.

No matter which pier your ship uses, shore excursion tours will pick you up and drop you off conveniently nearby.

Cozumel Mexico Cruises: Sightseeing

For the vast majority of cruisers, shore excursions in Cozumel are far more entertaining than personal exploration, particularly since many of the best sites are frequented by numerous tours and can become quite crowded for unescorted individuals. Nevertheless, Cozumel does offer a number of attractive sites, including:

  • Carlos ‘n Charlie’s: This Mexican equivalent to the Hard Rock Café is a wild escape from normalcy with raucous music, copious drinks, and feverish dancing. Not for the inexperienced, this bar is still a major attraction for party-going passengers.
  • Chankanaab Nature Park: An exquisite preserve, Chankanaab offers some of the best snorkeling and scuba diving in the Caribbean, including explorations of a sunken ship. Pristine underwater caves have become an archeological park, and more than 60 species of marine life occupy the sanctuary’s lagoon. The white sand beach has various rental booths available for different types of equipment, or visitors can choose to explore the botanical gardens.
Mariachi Band.
  • Museo de la Isla de Cozumel: Located in downtown San Miguel (Cozumel’s only town), this historic site was once the island’s first luxury hotel. Today it is an interesting historical attraction featuring exhibits that span pre-Hispanic times to the present and offer a glimpse of Cozumel’s rich history.
  • Shopping District: Immediately after debarking from the cruise ships at the Punta Langosta pier, passengers find themselves in the heart of Cozumel’s high-energy shopping scene. Dozens of merchants offer a wide range of merchandise, including jewelry, blankets, ponchos, and more traditional trinkets such as photo frames, shot glasses, and other souvenirs. Visitors may even stumble upon a mariachi band or other impromptu attraction amidst the multitudes of shops.

Cozumel Mexico Cruises: Necessary Precautions

Bargaining is an art form in Cozumel, but beware dealers who promise the best deals just to you. Because tourist dollars are the main source of income, competition is fierce to lure unwary shoppers into more expensive deals. Many merchants offer similar items and bargains can be found with a bit of work. If you speak Spanish you may be able to haggle an even better deal that wouldn’t be offered to most tourists.

Shore tours are most visitors’ highlight of Cozumel, but be aware that excursions to Mayan ruins on the mainland may take several hours, leaving little time for exploration, shopping, or relaxation. To compensate, several cruise lines offer extended stays in Cozumel.

Once a quiet, sleepy island, today Cozumel is a bustling cruise port with hundreds and thousands of visitors each day. Despite the influence of cliché tourist settings, the island retains much of its Mexican charm and hospitality, making it a perfect destination for both adventurous and laid-back cruisers.


 


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