KaC-Cruiser

thanks everyone - we do want to get into san miguel and away from the tourist shops at the pier - 4 miles is a little far to walk, so taxi sounds good - if we rent a car, is parking easy to figure out? how do you avoid getting towed?

Unless you plan on driving around the island, or away from town - I wouldn't bother renting a car. Traffic in San Miguel can be very hectic with the taxis and scooters everywhere. We don't even bother renting a car when we stay for a week - taxis are just easier. Just make sure they don't drop you right at the beginning of town. Ask to go to the Plaza, or a few blocks further north to Los Cinco Soles (a terrific store!) and then walk back heading south till your shopped out, or too tired to walk anymore, and grab a cab back to the ship!

Snorkeling we have used a 'fisherman' wallet for money & credit cards - you can get them at REI - I think they're labeled to carry fishing licenses, etc. with a ziplock top and they come with a pin - you just pin inside you bathing suit. They usually come in a 2 or 3 pack. We also do scuba, so we also have a small dry box that we can fit eye glasses, keys & money that stay dry to at least 100 feet. (These can be found on a dive shop website - LeisurePro, Divers Discount,etc. & I'm sure passports would fit easily - I think we spent about $15.) As for clothes and towels, we've always left them on the beach while snorkeling, or in the open truck while shore diving on various islands. Haven't had anything ever taken - yet. We do have a large dry bag to use on boats, but have never tried to actually put it in the water and submerse.