c-leg5

Any updates or recent visitors to this resort?

 

I was wondering if there was noise from construction?

 

I have emailed resort to ask questions but so far no replies from contact information address on the website. Has anyone else communicated with resort directly?

Thanks for the link. They say a tour guide is $20 and I assume that's per group, not per person. A friend who is joining us is insisting that we have an English speaking tour guide so she can ask lots of questions (and clearly for that she will be much better with a private group than a bus tour). Interestingly, that website says that some tour guides are good and others not as good. I emailed Sofia to see what she recommends, since I can't imagine I am the only one who is asking stuff like this.

 

When I read it I also assumed it was per group not per person but I nerver spoke to any one to confirm I will add that there were a lot of large groups, presumably bus tours were going round the main plaza area but we didn't see any at the outlying sites so I am not sure if they go there or not. As I said the ruins are very small in size and a lot of people, expecting ruins like on the mainland are disappointed. We enjoyed the experience and the walk and nature trail through the jungle and the chance also to see birds, iguanas, butterflies etc.

 

At least one of Gerry's drivers is of Mayan descent so may be Sofia could suggest one of them who would be willing to accompany you.

I'm thinking of booking with them (need to convince the other couple traveling with us that it's a better idea than the ship's bus tour to San Gervasio ruins :-) ). Anyway, for those who have gone to San Gervasio with the driver, do you find a guide once you get there, or is there a guided tour to pay for? My friend said it's $18 per person, although I don't see that info anywhere and it seems expensive, especially since there will be 4 of us.

 

We did the ruins during one of our tours with Gerry. There is a 2x$4 charge pp (paid in two lots) for entry to the ruins. Gerry will wait in a taxi waiting area for you until you are done. You will be given a printed hand out describing the ruins which you can follow on your own, or you can hire a guide. The ruins are very small but spread out over a large area if you wish to see all of them or you can just stay in the main plaza area. We just followed the map and guide ourselves. We enjoyed the jungle walk but bear in mind depending on time of year it can be wet or very hot - remember water and bug spray! This link gives you more information about guides and the opportunity to purchase a more detailed guide http://www.everythingcozumel.com/San-Gervasio-Guide/

 

The day we did the ruins we just did a short tour with Gerry of the ruins and lunch but you could easily combine it with a trip round the east side and back to the ship for a longer tour.

Been to Cozumel many times........may do this as something different(with no beaches or drinking involved;))........my question is,can we walk back to downtown after......really looks like a just a few blocks as I look at the map.

 

Thanks

 

The factory is about 2 miles, 30 minutes walking from downtown. We have walked back while staying on the island without any problems but there is nothing significant to see and I wouldn't recommend it while visiting on a cruise ship. It is beyond Avenida 65, off the transversal road. We used the time and route to check out some restaurant, bar locations and B&B.

Going to be on the Ecstasy 4/914 1:30-10pm. What is there to do? Too short for beach? Any suggestions.

Thanks

 

If your ship leaves from Florida you may find your actual port times are 1 hour earlier (local time 12.30-9pm) which could give you the afternoon at the beach, most beach clubs close at 5pm.

 

Depends on what you like to do and how much beach and activity you require but you could take a cab to The Money Bar for some loungers or snorkeling (no actual beach frontage since it is rocky) but you could eat dinner and maybe catch a sunset from the deck, if the weather is favorable, before returning to the ship.

Thank you for posting this link! I have been trying to book Josefina's cooking class through the Cozumel website with no luck. I saw that Emily also has cooking classes...hmmm, that might be an option also.

 

You are welcome. I was glad when I found this as an option because I have read reviews of this class for many years and it was always the same - cooking class was excellent but it was difficult to book. Now that Emily has taken over this part there does not seem to be a problem. Emily is still on my "to do" list for food tour, or dinner service while staying on the island. She also gets very good reviews. I am sure her classes would be good too, but from a different prospective, since she would not have the inherited experience of Josefina.

Anyone purchased a day pass at Park Royal ? Wondering if they have lockers and showers to use for those only there for the day, and what time you can buy your pass, we what to purchase it early then go in town and come back. I have read that they limit the # of passes in each day. Also how was the experience?

 

Thanks for any help.

 

We haven't actually purchased a pass yet but we have looked round the property. If you use the search engine on this board you will find some reviews from people that have had day passes although I don't recall any recent reviews.

 

Passes are available from 11am-6pm, purchased in the lobby. Food and drink are available between those hours but I don't think there is anything to stop you purchasing early.

I will be porting at Cozumel in April 2014. Interested in going to San Miguel. Wanted to know if anyone had gone to the area, has any tips? or suggestions?

Thank you in advance.:D

 

San Miguel is the main and only town on the island. This link will provide you with a start

http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Pages/AboutSanMiguel.html

There are three piers on Cozumel so depending on where you dock you may/may not need a taxi to San Miguel. What are you particularly interested in?

Can you go to the factory without actually taking the tour?

 

Is it necessary to book the tour in advance?

 

Thanks - !

 

You can go to the factory to visit the small gift shop and buy chocolate at slightly reduced prices from the shops in town, which are listed on the chocolate website. You can join a tour if there is room, (only runs at certain times) but the premises are very small and numbers for each tour are limited so it depends on the time of year and how booked up they are. You could always phone in advance.

 

I have answered your other question on your other thread but the factory is quite a way from the main shopping area, not easily found on your own, but if you are doing a circular tour of the island with a driver,the factory is not far off the road crossing the island.

Great thank you. One last question... Did you feel safe at all times?

 

We have visited Cozumel many times and when we took the class we were actually staying there. We walked to and from the location about 1 mile each way without any trouble, or concerns. We have walked many places when we have stayed on the island. Of course anything can happen anywhere if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time - you just need to exercise normal awareness.

 

If you get a taxi to and from the location you will be with Josefina when you walk to and from the market, which is a couple of blocks away and then you return to the house for the cooking. I think she allows up to 6 people in a group. If you google "Josefina Cozumel cooking" you will find many reviews on Tripadvisor and several very good blogs which describe what you can expect, many with photographs of the market and cooking.

Does anyone know which resort this is held at? The information said it's held at a 4-star resort with Cozumel's largest swimming pool. Although the details said you can eat what you prepare while cooking, are cruise ship passengers allowed to go to other restaurants at the resort to purchase additional food and beverages? Has anyone done this excursion, and do they recommend it? It said it lasts 4.5 hours so I would like to think the cooking time period allows enough additional time for snorkeling and relaxing on the beach before having to be taken back to the ship? Thanks for any insight!

 

Ii think you will find further information here

http://www.salsaandsalsa.com/tourcozumel.php

The hotel is Hotel Cozumel just outside downtown

[QUOTE=Boo's Mom;41325800]How close is the chocolate factory to the downtown shopping area?

Trying to plan the day - we are with a driver for only a few hours.
Will end the tour in the downtown shopping area.

Wondering if the chocolate factory is within walking distance to the downtown area, or if we have to include the factory on our actual tour. (trying to not waste the time we have with the driver)[/QUOTE]

The factory is about 2 miles, 30 minutes walking from downtown. We have walked back while staying on the island but there is nothing significant to see and I wouldn't recommend it while visiting on a cruise ship. Depending on your times in port, I would suggest either finishing your private tour at the factory and getting the factory to call for a taxi back after the tour, or getting a taxi there first and have your private driver start your tour from there. The chocolate tour takes about 1 hour and taxis would be about $7 to downtown or $12 to southern piers.

There is a 3.00 admission for Paradise Beach which includes, chairs, pool, restrooms and wifi. The water toys are 8.00 extra, also keep in mind PB asks that you please consume a minimum of $10 usd/person in food and/or drinks from their restaurant or bar.

 

Seems like prices have increased at Paradise Beach, admission is now $3 pp as you say but water toys are now $15 according to the website.

Where do I find out the information on this excursion? thank you

 

We booked through Cozumel Chef (chef Emily). Link for more information.

http://www.cozumelchef.com/services/authentic-mexican-cooking-classes/

Booking was very efficient and Emily is very willing to answer questions very quickly.

I will be in cozumel at the end of month on Divina. I love to snorkel and try to find place close to docking and rent my gear. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good snorkel area? Also if anyone knows what pier the Divina docks at (downtown or the newer port area)? Thanks. Summerbreeze

 

Davina usually docks at Punta Langosta (downtown).

I checked out their website and they have some nice packages. Can you also just go there and buy drinks and snacks at the bar or do you have to buy one of their packages to have access to the facilities?

Thank you

Ian

 

You can just eat and/or drink, no entry fee.

Yes, you can absolutely wear glasses. You do have to "dunk under" to get your head into the bubble, so they will get wet - unless he wants to put them in a baggie or something. There's room enough to bring your hands up into the bubble and put on glasses.

 

They do take photos....and nice ones too! They also did a video for us. It think it had about 30 photos and a 2 minute video set to music for $30. I thought that was WELL worth it! Hotel Cozumel was fine. Definitely not luxury, but the pool was big and clean and they have showers down at the water as well. You are free to use their beach bar and pool bar and restaurant, but we did not. We were saving ourselves for food and drinks downtown. We did swim in the pool and lay out in the sun at the pool for about an hour after our trip. It was nice. VERY quiet. You can also snorkel down at the "beach" but we didn't take our gear. All in all, a really fun easy excursion.

 

I know that you can buy an AI day pass at hotel Cozumel but can you tell me if they are able to take cash purchases for food and drink at the beach bar? We called in briefly to have a look round last time we were in the area but it looked like everyone had a wrist band so we didn't know if they were like Park Royal and unable to take cash?

We will be in Cozumel in May on Allure & are leaning toward "cooking with josefina". From what I've read that takes approx 3 hrs (11-2). We are in Port until 7 pm. We will probably do some shopping (before Josefina) if we get off the ship 1st thing but I was wondering if we would have time to also visit a beach after Josefina? I don't want to go to an AI since we will only have a couple of hours, but what about Paradise Beach? I'm not exactly sure where Josefina's house is so maybe there is another public beach that is closer.

 

We booked this class last month while staying on the island and really enjoyed the class.

 

One thing to remember if you are on Allure is that ship time is probably one hour ahead of Cozumel time. You will dock at International Pier and I think Josefina called for a taxi for the other couple that were doing the class with us that returned to International Pier. The taxi could take you directly to a beach or, The Money Bar as previously suggested (a little closer). Depends what you are looking for but if you just want a lounger, drink and WiFi you could try El Cid, right next to International Pier so that you could stay as long as you want and just walk back when you are ready. The fee to use facilities is $18 now I think and includes $10 back towards food and drink. You will already have enjoyed beer, margaritas and lunch at the cooking class!

 

 

 

Taxi rates from Puerta Maya to San Gervasio run around $45-50 per taxi (up to 4 people). You'll have to have the taxi wait for you (~$20 per 1/2 hour). Then pay the $45-$50 back tp PM plus additional charges to which ever beach you head for. Taxi fares to the beaches are zoned and can range from $10-$25 per taxi (up to 4 people) each way from PM. It may be possible to arrange with a taxi driver a set fare to cover the whole way ship to ruins to beach and back But that needs to be set before getting into the taxi.

 

Good luck in your planning.

 

I thought the rates posted at the piers to the ruins was $60 round trip with waiting?

Hi everyone!

Going to Cozumel in February and looking for something for myself and my Mom to do. She doesn't like water activities so that automatically cut out most of the excursions I could find.

 

We like sightseeing but I did some research on the ruins in Cozumel and they didn't really interest me....would love to see the big ruins but I understand that is a long day and time wise we may not be able to (not docking until 11am)

 

SO, my new plan is to take a cab from the port to the main town, San Miguel. Is this a nice place to wander around some shops, grab some lunch and a drink, wander around some parks or squares, and people watch?

 

1. Do you have any must sees there?

 

2. Is it easy enough to get to, or is finding a cab at the port difficult?

 

3. Do venders in town accept US money? Smaller bills?

 

 

http://www.cozumelmycozumel.com/Pages/CozumelCruisesOnYourOwnWalkingTour.htm

http://www.trekexchange.com/tours/128

The above are links to a couple of walking tours which point out main places of interest.

 

It is always easy to find a taxi in Cozumel, prices are listed on a board at each of the ports. Check price with driver before you get in. Prices are for up to 4 people. If you wanted to do more sightseeing outside the main town you could read the thread "hiring a driver for the day", we have toured with ToursPlaza many times booked in advance,or you could negotiate with a driver at the pier. You could do an Island tour in 3 hours and get dropped off downtown or back at the ship.

 

Other suggestions for Mother/daughter day, downtown are:

 

Visit Chocolate factory tour

http://www.kaokaochocolatefactorytour.com/

 

Photo Tour which includes walking tour

http://cozumelphototour.blogspot.com/

Cooking with Josefina booked through Cozumel Chef,

http://www.cozumelchef.com/services/authentic-mexican-cooking-classes/

or a food tour with Cozumel Chef. We have enjoyed the photo tour, chocolate factory and cooking class.

 

Vendors all accept US money, smaller bills preferred or you may get change in pesos.

How do you book this day pass, checked their web site and cant find a link for a day pass. any help will be great.

 

You should email them for current rates and then you just pay in the lobby when you get there.

I tired looking up some details on their web site but didn't see anything about the day pass. Do you have to call or email them?

 

We have a morning excursion lined up but are looking for something to do for lunch and the afternoon. With a pool and beach and ability to snorkel from shore it sounds like it could be a great option.

 

Hi! Yes you should email them for current rates and then you just pay in the lobby when you get there.

Is there a minimum amount of time you have to book for? And can you share how much the cost was for your trip and how many was in your group? Thanks!!

 

All the information you need is on the website: http://www.toursplaza.com/eng/hiring-driver.cfm

There is a minimum hire period of 3 hours and price is per vehicle. There is a station wagon or van depending on how many in your party.

At one time, many different BH itineraries ago, you got a coupon/token for a drink (beer being the frequent choice) or % off at every stop. That not the case any more?

 

I think the 3rd stop based on the web is Playa Bonita. And they do have good ceviche. I like their ceviche gorditas. Rasta's the last stop(?) used to have some of the best ceviche on the island, IMO.

 

No vouchers from the Bar Hop but if you are buying food and drink you can pick up a discount coupon from Cozumel insider for some of the bars on Cozumel.

We had a great experience with Alamo! The jeep was brand new! It has air conditioning and a radio. (Not that we needed either..) it was so new that it still had plastic over parts of the inside door. The office we rented from is walking distance from carnivals pier. I do not know if there is an office near downtown (royals's pier). If there is an office near there, I'd certainly recommend them.

 

Thanks for the info. I did not know there was different pier and they were far away from each other! This is good to know thanks a lot!

 

Royal uses International Pier which is just a few minutes walk north of Puerta Maya, the pier usually used by Carnival. Punta Langosta, (downtown) is generally used by other cruise lines.