aimodels

Some of the catamaran tours stop at a small beach at Batts Rock.

Carnival Docks at Puerta Maya pier, which is about 3-4 miles south of downtown San Miguel where the Playa Del Carmen ferry terminal is.

There are 2 ferries that run at alternating times - the cost is the same. Ultramar and Mexico Water Jets.

Don't buy a return ticket, just buy a one-way ticket across. This keeps your time flexible. The ferry takes about 45 minutes - make sure you leave yourself enough time on the trip back, and double check the schedule.

The ferries run every hour except for 3:00 and 8:00 pm (to Playa) and 4:00 and 9:00 (to Coz).

Here's a schedule:

http://www.cozumel-tours.com/cozumel-ferry-schedule.htm

Cheers, P:)

At the south end of Accra/Rockley, 100 yards straight out from the Tiki Bar, is a man-made "reef". If you like to snorkel, you will find fish and sometimes turtles there - especially in the morning.

There is a slight current, but my dad had no problems swimming it at 74 years old...

Cheers, P:)

Levi Baron / Bumpiing Tours is the way to go. Used him twice - once with kids in tow and once without. Great tour. We hit Champagne Reef, Morne Bruce, Botanical Gardens, Titou Gorge, Trafalgar Falls and the Hot Springs.

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Most of the beaches along the west side should fit what you're looking for. Calm waters, sandy beach access - perfect for little ones. Carlisle Bay, Paynes, Mullins, etc.

Further south (south of Rockley Beach) is Worthing Beach, which has some shallow, sandbar areas at the south end towards St. Lawrence Bay. You can sometimes see turtles here also...

Cheers, P:)

We had a short stay in Aruba when we were there 3 years ago. We took a taxi to Eagle Beach and caught the bus back. I'd say about 10-15 minutes to get there from port.

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We did a land based vacation 2 years ago and used RealMorocco. They were awesome! One of the most memorable vacations we've ever done...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152072552265681.1073741830.567405680&type=1&l=980a700f8c

Cheers, P:)

Rockley has an area sheltered from the waves at the very south end of the beach. Perfect for the little ones.

Not sure about cabana rentals, though...

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Pelican Village is about 500 yards south of the traffic circle at the south port gates. On the left side of the highway.

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Accra and Rockley are the same beach. Rockley is the south part and Accra the north. The boardwalk starts at the north end of Accra.

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Hacienda Antigua makes some nice tequilas, including the blue Mar Mix.

They are located next to Casa Denis about 2 blocks east and one block south of Restaurant Palmeras across the street from the PDC ferry terminal.

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IIRC, taxi is about $17USD one way from B'Town Harbour to Payne's.

You should have no trouble finding someone to take you out to the turtles...

They are only a couple hundred yards out from shore...

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I recommend Dive Paradise. I use them every time I go to Cozumel.

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We did our first Caribbean cruise (southern) in late August. We also did a 2-week stay in Barbados in late August.

While the temp's may be a little hotter, you have the advantage of fewer crowds...

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I know the Big B Supermarket near The Gap has it. I'm sure there's something closer to port, just don't recall where...

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If you're looking for the blue Mar Mix, there's a store that sells it just behind Casa Denis off the main square downtown.

Take Ave. Melgar north to Calle 1 Sur, which is one block before Palmeras Restaurant across from the PDC ferry terminal. Turn right (east) onto Calle 1 and walk about 2 blocks in. You will pass an HSBC and Casa Denis on your right. Just behind Casa Denis you will find the tequila shop.

They have the blue Mar Mix, along with many other tasty tequilas, including an orange and a chocolate.

We enjoy this tequila so much, that I usually end up bringing home 10-15 litres of it in wine bladders every time we go...

There are other souvenir shops in San Miguel that sometimes carry the 750 ml bottles of the blue.

Cheers, P:)

Accra / Rockley is a nice beach. There's a beach bar at the south end (Tiki Bar) and if you like swimming with turtles, they can often be found at the man-made reef about 150 yards straight out from the bar.

You should have no trouble finding a cab to take you there...

Cheers, P:)

We booked a tour with Thenford Grey when we were there. I highly recommend him...

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We used to go to Rockley/Accra every morning and swim with the turtles at the reef straight out from the Tiki Bar. We would usually get there about 7:30 or 8:00 and have at least 2 hours with the turtles by ourselves...

Here are some photos from that trip. All of the Hawksbill photos were taken at that reef...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.472934985680.246435.567405680&type=1&l=fbb241f817

Cheers, P:)

At the south end of Accra/Rockley, there's a man-made reef about 150 yards out from the Tiki Bar. This is where we used to go every morning to see turtles. If you can get there before 9:00 or 10:00 a.m., there's a good chance you'll see some.

As with all things mother nature, there are no written guarantees... :)

Otherwise, go to Carlisle Bay and hire a guy for $20 to take you out to the turtles.

Cheers, P:)

Copacabana is about 250 yards south of The Boatyard and HL is about the same distance south of Copacabana.

Cheers, P:)

I find that buying alcohol can be hit or miss. Know your prices before you travel.

I'm from Canada so booze ANYWHERE else is cheaper...

I find that sometimes duty-free is cheaper, sometimes not.

For example, in Mexico, various tequilas and local made stuff like Kahlua are cheap at duty free stores. Non-local stuff like Smirnoff Vodka is about the same price as back home.

In Barbados, I found duty free rum to be only marginally cheaper than buying it in a grocery store.

If you like rum, most Caribbean islands sell their local brew for cheap anyway, so no need to bother with duty free...

In Dominica, I bought a 6-pack of Kubuli beer at a gas station for less than $5.

Cheers, P:)

Typically it's the latter. An afternoon shower or two...

http://www.barbadosweather.org/

http://www.wunderground.com/weather-forecast/BR.html

Cheers, P:)

No prob.

IIRC, there is a sidewalk...

Cheers, P:)

That sounds about right, maybe a little less than a mile. If no one in your group has mobility issues, it should be a snap. I think the easiest would be to head south along Princess Alice Hwy towards the marina. From the cruise terminal, head towards the roundabout just outside the south port gates. If you're heading south along P.A. Hwy, the ocean will be on your right.

Cheers, P:)