The Weekend in Cozumel - A Challenge!

[Michele]

Ok everyone. You've read about our recent travels...you have a pretty good idea about who we are and what we enjoy.

This weekend we are sneaking away for the first, of what I hope will be many, mini-adventures. This weekend we check out Cozumel!!

I have been there once before. Rented scooters. Circumvented the island without incident. Crashed the scooters upon our return to the rental agency. Never went back.

Well, we're going back (renting a Jeep) and I am issuing a challenge. What are the most interesting things to see, and do on Cozumel? Where would you stay for the night and why? What should we avoid? What restaurants/bars/snack stops are not to be missed?

Looking forward to your responses!

[Nick and Nora Charles]

Michele, were you planning on staying overnight on both Saturday and Sunday? If you are going to be there on Sunday evening don't miss going to the town square for the music and entertainment. We have always enjoyed this, usually at a table at Plaza Lesa.

Cozumel - Restaurant Plaza Leza

As far as hotels we love Casa Mexicana.

The Casa Mexicana Hotel in Cozumel Mexico, sister hotel of Suites Bahia and Suites Colonial

The breakfast buffet is included in the cost of your room. In my opinion it is worth it to pay the little extra for an ocean view room. Nothing more relaxing than sitting on your bacony watching those beautiful Cozumel sunsets.

The ruins at San Gervasio are a small but interesting site to visit.

San Gervasio (Maya site) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nora

[Michele]

Excellent info! Thank you very much. We will definitely be checking out the ruins. The kiddos have school on Monday so we will leave the island on the last ferry back to Playa. The festivities in the town square will be a must see.

Anyone heard of riley's Tavern? Though we might hunt down the Cozumel ex-pats on Saturday night.

[Laura Mapchick]

A friend on teh island recommended this hotel to us, but we haven't tried it yet

Barracuda Hotel - Cozumel, Mexico

[Sharon]

Michele, a new Margaritaville restaurant opened there last March 31st. It has huge floating trampoline rafts in back where you can jump without fear of bumping on anything solid and jump off in the water. We didn't do it, but several people were when we were there and it looked like a lot of fun. I did a little searching, and evidently they have a new water slide too!

[maliasma]

We've been to Cozumel a few times...only for day trips...and we always rent a Jeep and head to the eastern side of the island. We always make a point to stop at Coconut's. The drinks are strong, the view is beautiful and the staff is fun. The food's decent too. Last year we were there the day before my birthday, and, well.....

Whenever on Cozumel we always, always, always make it a point to stop at Punta Morena...that bar/restaurant has changed so much since our first visit in 2000. Last year when we were there it was a more "hip" looking place, but the ambiance was still the same...IMO.

I just love heading to the eastern side and doing some beachcombing...I could spend hours just walking around.

[Libby]

I'm really looking forward to this trip report, Michele! I have to admit, Cozumel is not one of my favorite places. So, I can't wait to see how you spend your trip.

My favorite things in Cozumel:

Festival: Carnaval on Cozumel is just awesome. It feels very Mexican and very local. Since you won't be there for Carnaval, you should definitely check out the entertainment in the zocalo on Sunday night as Nick & Nora suggested.

Beach Club: Dzul Ha/Money Bar. Dzul Ha has been renamed to Money Bar, and it is quite fancy now. But the food is great and the setting is beautiful.

Bar: No Name Bar/Crew Bar. This is the bar at the Barracuda Hotel that Laura Mapchick mentioned. It was supposedly bought by someone in the cruise ship industry and renamed the Crew Bar. The menu still calls it the No Name Bar and says the same people have owned it for years and years. But it certainly has become more cruise shippy of late. They serve all the cruise ship cocktails complete with cruise ship prices. However, the setting is gorgeous, and for the price of a drink or two, you can enjoy their lounge chairs and pool with swim-up bar. Hotel Barracuda guests complain that the cruise ship crew that hang out at the bar are really rowdy and loud.

Hotel: We always stay at the Suites Colonial downtown. I'm sure there are more charming places to stay, but we like the central location (for Carnaval) and moderate prices. The rooms are huge.

Restaurant: Casa Denis. This place is near the zocalo and has terrific Yucatecan food. Antojitos are served for lunch, tostadas, panuchos, salbutes, cochinita pibil. Plus they have jalapeno poppers with cream cheese! Not Yucatecan, but yummy. At night they have a similar menu to Yaxche but cheaper.

The restaurant on top of El Museo has great views and good breakfast, but horrid service the morning we were there. My in-laws tell me the museum is excellent, although I haven't check it out yet.

Las Flamitas is a highly recommended loncheria. John and I thought it was okay. Find information for them on this restaurant page.

For pastor and tacos, Las Otates and El Pique come highly recommended. We've tried Otates. Their pastor is different from what we're used to. They don't seem to use achiote for seasoning and you only get pineapple if you order the gringa. But Michele, you'll be happy to know that you can get tacos filled with cow cheeks, eyes, brain and some other body parts I forget. I tried the cheek. Yuck! Otates is on 15th between Salas & 3rd. Haven't tried El Pique yet. It's further east on 30th & Juarez across from the San Francisco. Both open late and stay open really late. Like 7pm - 4am, or so.

I also just love to eat the food in the zocalo. Marquesitas, greasy hot dogs with bacon & onions, fries with hot sauce, fried plantains, ice cream. Yum!

Have fun!

[jamnkats]

Cozumel has their own forums; cozumelmycozumel.com discussion forum - Board Main - Forum listings and since most Sundays don't involve cruiseships, that would be the day to go to the beaches. Or Chen Rio, where the locals go on Sunday. Our favorite place in Cozumel is Tamarindo B&B (no pool but they do give breakfast). We have only stayed at the "apartments" (room with 2 king beds and a kitchen $640/night 2 adults 2 kids; $740 for 2 adults 4 kids; they also have cheaper rooms). The east side is da bomb, but we really like just hanging on the beach. Our favorite places to eat are 1) the roticeria (chicken one side of the road and ribs on the other) at 4th and 30th across and kitttycorner from the original San Francisco de Asis and 2) a taqueria on the transversal and across from the Bomberos.. Easy walking distance from Tamarindo. Also, the house next door to Tamarindo has fishermen in the family and offer wonderful fish dishes made to order. If the outside tables are full, they'll clean off their diningroom table and make you comfortable there. Get the fish by the kilo, then pick out your fish and they'll cook it to order.

Carnaval in Cozumel can't be beat, but it is too late now. San Gervasio (the ruins, not sure if I spelled it correctly) is ok and their Sac-be's are pretty nice and they have a lovely arch. Try to go towards late afternoon when all the cruisers are gone. We have a couple spots on the east side we love; just north of the Rasta place, where the Punta Sur road meets the island road, is a great place for showers. cozumel east side 175 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!




Then, heading up the coast (from the south) you will pass a couple lagunas that are nice and protected - the water is WILD here but we found a couple places we were very happy to let the kids loose in. cozumel east side 360 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!





cozumel east side 326 on Flickr - Photo Sharing!



The museum is interesting and the eating place on top has a nice view. We loved the taco stand across from the Bomberos and went back twice (on the road that becomes the transversal but a couple blocks west of the giant shell). The churros in the town square are the most amazing I've ever had even though they are 20 pesos a bag.

There is a touristy (frequented by Cozumeleños and tourists) panaderia on 4th very close to the malecon; I'd say 2 blocks from the waterfront that is pricey but good. There is another one that is much less touristy but we never got there (the coz board would know where it is). I've been told to try the Cafe Caribe there but we never stopped (it is on 30th), if you're able and want to, I'd love to try a 1/2 kilo of their strongest, darkest blend (only if they are Chiapas or Coatepec beans) en grano. Siete Detalles is supposed to be a good shop for shopping.

Snorkeling Coz is supposed to be amazing but it was too cold in February and too cold in March (for our thin skin) so we're still waiting for the water to warm up. I suspect it is probably warm enough now. Check the Coz board for the best snorkeling areas.

Have fun and I hope to see a trip report!

Oh, vehicle ferry is from Calica and runs $855 OW for you and Rob. Kids are free and driver doesn't pay.

[jamnkats]

Originally Posted by Michele

Excellent info! Thank you very much. We will definitely be checking out the ruins. The kiddos have school on Monday so we will leave the island on the last ferry back to Playa. The festivities in the town square will be a must see.

Anyone heard of riley's Tavern? Though we might hunt down the Cozumel ex-pats on Saturday night.

PUnta Sur is kinda interesting; the lighthouse has a nice view and the alligators give nice photo ops (search my flickr for photos) but the rush rush of the place really didn't sit well with me. See my post on the coz forum for more info.

Oh, IIRC, Riley's is on 10th around 1st or so - right downtown but on a street you can drive. I think it has a big shamrock out front and a GIGANTE TV screen you can see from the road.

[Michele]

G*d D*amnit!! Trip postponed due to work.

This does not excuse you all from your previously scheduled trip planning activities!!

Trying again in two weeks after the Latin America Bloggers Conference on Isla is wrapped up. Aaaarg!