No excursion

[Gypsydrifting]

What is there to do in Cozumel and Grand Cayman without doing an excursion? We are doing two bigger ones in Belize and Roatan, and do not want to feel overwhelmed.

 

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[2Okies]

We just got back from our cruise on the Carnival Magic. We have been to Cozumel numerous times, and we decided this time, to just have a relaxing day shopping along the main road. My husband hasn't been back to the "old town" of Cozumel in about 30 years, so he kind of wanted to see how things have changed. (A lot by the way! :))

After we debarked, we walked through the Puerta Maya port area & caught a taxi and asked to be taken to the far side of city of San Miquel ($8). He dropped us off where the shops start, and we walked the entire way back to the ship that day (about 4 miles in all). We went in shops that interested us, walked around the town square. We found a cute little place along the shore to stop for a light lunch & watch the sailboats. It was very relaxing.

 

If you want something else to do on your own, I would recommend Chankanaab. You can catch a taxi at the pier (I think its $8-10) and entry into the park is about $22/person. They have a nice area to sit on the beach, pretty good snorkeling, swimming with dolphins is available, and a free sea lion show. There is a couple of restaurants (food not included in entrance fee).

 

Cozumel is a pretty safe place. Just be as cautious here as you would be at home. But, we've always found the people of Cozumel to be very nice, and helpful. Don't be afraid to take a taxi somewhere, and at any beach there should be taxi's there to take you back to the ship when you are ready.

 

We have also been to Grand Cayman, and you have probably already learned that you will have to tender from the ship on ferry boats to the port. Its a short ride (5 minutes or so). There is LOTS of shopping right at the port. You can also take a taxi to the beach. Grand Cayman would be a very easy place to catch a taxi and go anywhere pretty safely also. Its the most "Americanized" port we've been to in the Caribbean. The people here speak English, and its a very clean island. There will be people at the port offering excursions, so you could also pick something when you get there, depending on your mood. We've done the swim with the Stingrays with Moby Dick tours twice (google them). Its VERY reasonable, and they are very dependable and have good equipment & guides. Both times we had time to shop and eat a lunch after returning from their excursion. I would highly recommend them if you want to try that excursion. Its an awesome experience.

Edited January 27, 2014 by 2Okies

[brookeq]

We just take a cab to the beach at both of these ports.

 

There is a taxi board with all set prices in Cozumel. We went to paradise beach.

 

In grand cayman we just asked to be dropped off at a hotel at the beginning of 7 mile beach. I forget it's name.

[JenMJM]

We are taking a taxi back to The Money Bar for snorkeling and cheap eats again this cruise (Cozumel).

 

In 2011 at GC, we walked to the right out of the port gates and down the road (about a 5 min walk) to Eden Rock Dive Shop. We rented a cheap locker for our stuff, climbed down the stairs, and snorkeled right there. We had lunch at Guy Harvey's and don't recall being overly impressed.

 

We always bring our own snorkel gear so both of these days were really cheap! We also had big excursions planned for Belize and Roatan and wanted more laid-back, lower cost days.

[clackey]

Both ports are easy to do on your own. You can take a taxi to a beach club for less than $20, even cheaper if near the pier. You can spend a day at several beaches for a couple of bucks for a lawn chair and the price of food and drink. We seldom spend over $100 for two of us. If you like to snorkel in Grand Cayman you can walk to Eden Rock or take public transportation to Cemetery Beach. Cost about $2 or $3 a head.

 

Most of the time we fly by the seat of our pants. It wasn't like that when we started cruising but we have learned that you can't depend on the weather or the mechanics of the ship. There have been a few times when we had tours booked and never got to do them due to missing the port because of strong winds, drenching rain, or engine trouble.