Cozumel

[gabe_cali]

I will be in Playa del Carmen for about 5 nts and plan to do day trips to check the area. Since there is so much to do...what day trips do you recommend. My wife already put Chichen Itza/Valladolid for one day and Tulum and Coba for another. What other areas are a must?

I am curious about Cozumel...mainly for the beaches.

Thanks

[HAWKEYE]

Originally Posted by gabe_cali

I will be in Playa del Carmen for about 5 nts and plan to do day trips to check the area. Since there is so much to do...what day trips do you recommend. My wife already put Chichen Itza/Valladolid for one day and Tulum and Coba for another. What other areas are a must?

I am curious about Cozumel...mainly for the beaches.

Thanks

Check out the beaches here...http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Beaches
Left click on beach names and it will take you to their web site.

Have a great trip. Plan on going over for a day trip to the east side. Craig.

[MWC]

You could, but don't underestimate the restorative joys of just hanging on the local beaches.

What are you guys looking for? Local Culture? Snorkeling? Feeling like you saw a lot of the area?

[Libby]

In my opinion, the beaches of Cozumel are nowhere near as nice as the ones in Playa. Much of the coast is rocky. The hotels and beach clubs bring in sand to make a beach.

I've been advocating the drive around Cozumel Island for years now, even though I had never done it myself. I had heard from friends that the beaches on the eastern side of the island were gorgeous, although conditions are too rough to swim. I finally had the opportunity to do the drive a couple of weeks ago, and unfortunately, the beaches there have been eroding, leaving me underwhelmed. My cousin-in-law, who had raved about the beaches last year, was practically in tears when she saw them this year. Likely, the sand will come back eventually; maybe it already has by now.

The primary reason to go to Cozumel is for the scuba diving or snorkeling. If you just want to hang out at the beach and maybe go snorkeling, I recommend the Money Bar (formerly known as Dzul Ha). I much prefer the former name but what can you do. The new beach club is very nice. It has a modern, beachy feel. The food was terrific, though not Mexican, and reasonably priced for the quality and fact that it's beachfront.

[gabe_cali]

Thanks for the info....what we are looking for turqouise water and local culture something off the beaten path...I've been to other parts of mexico, where you can run into locals that offer fishing trips, etc. I guess I want to avoid the touristy places.

[Marman]

Rent scooters...head south...hit a couple of beaches/bars then continue to the back side of the island...hit a little shack....grab some food and cervesas and chill out on the beach....beautiful deserted beaches and great surf...

[MWC]

Originally Posted by gabe_cali

Thanks for the info....what we are looking for turqouise water and local culture something off the beaten path...I've been to other parts of mexico, where you can run into locals that offer fishing trips, etc. I guess I want to avoid the touristy places.

One option is after you see the ruins of Coba and Tulum, you head out to the Tulum beach bars. (Or just take another day for this)

The northern reaches of the Playa beaches -- Coco Beach/Zubul Reef -- is my favorite place to veg out. There's a friendly beach bar up there, and the beach never gets crowded. Very nice scene.

Puerto Morelos is nice for the "local culture" part, and their beaches are nice and sandy ... but they don't rake the seaweed off the beach every morning, so that can turn people off. But there is fabulous snorkeling offshore, you can hire a boat. It has a bustling little downtown area, with stores that are fun to poke around in.

For something you can't do in too many other parts of Mexico, you may want to go to Hidden Worlds, and explore the cenotes. Or rent a car and go to some of the more rustic ones along 307.

The main beach at Akumal Bay is beautiful, a scenic, sandy crescent. There's good snorkeling right off the beach. Lol-Ha is a nice beach bar ... there's some touristy shopping, and a couple of other restaurants nearby. It's one of the few local-access beaches in the area, so you get a nicely diverse crowd.

[gabe_cali]

Thanks again for the info! I can't wait to get down there....the only thing that concerns me now is the time when I am going.. May. Is the heat as bad as they say?

[PlayaLove]

We spent the whole month on May 2006 in Playa and the weather was beautiful, hot but not unbearable. Last year we went from the middle of April until the middle of May and again beautiful weather,but I think it was a little hotter the last 2 weeks. I love going to Mexico in the spring makes summer seem even longer when you get home

[GreatLakes]

Just got back from Playa last night. We had great fun in Cozumel. However, I would recommend for a beach day Akumal Beach at Lol Ha, or El Pairso. We did all three last week.

[DavidB]

Did you fly out of Detroit on time Great Lakes? We fly out a week from monday (25th).

[GreatLakes]

Originally Posted by DavidB

Did you fly out of Detroit on time Great Lakes? We fly out a week from monday (25th).

70 minutes late. We had to de-ice. Have a great trip.

[Coccinelle]

Originally Posted by GreatLakes

Just got back from Playa last night. We had great fun in Cozumel. However, I would recommend for a beach day Akumal Beach at Lol Ha, or El Pairso. We did all three last week.

I bet you guys had alot of fun! I remember past trip reports from you and others when you were all there.

Can you post some pics? Pleeeze?

[T.J.]

Rent a con. VW and head over to the east side. Even if the beaches are small it is a great time. Drive along the east side and you will be able to find some nice beach. The little bars and places to stop are a lot of fun!!!!!!!!!!! We have done it on scooters and in a con. VW....... both are fun but now we error on the side of caution.... must be getting old.

I say go to Cozumel. The West side is not what is used to be, but it is still a great time!