hiring a driver for the day

[love2relax]

Akcelt, you will LOVE Lazaro. We tried to get Gerry, but he was booked that day (by other people on our roll call)...so Mike hooked us up with Lazaro. He was awesome. All of us felt like we were family members that our cousin Lazaro was showing around the island. He was very considerate, professional, and fun. We had a blast. I will definitely look him up the next time we go to Cozumel. I have to add a note that he was good looking, and I had a blast flirting with him.

[Akcelt]

Great to hear such positives from someone who hired Lazaro. I figured since he was associated with Gerry he probably was fine, but there's nothing like a first hand opinion. Thank you letting me know..that he is so good looking :)

[fsharp]

We have booked Gerry for Jan 7th. We are on the NCL cruise.

 

There is only two of us and we are looking for a 3rd or 4th to round out the trip and share the expenses. 4 hrs - $100 dividing up the cost would be 'dirt cheap for someone who might want to share.

 

Let me know if you have any interest.

[mwsrccl]

We have booked Gerry for Jan 7th. We are on the NCL cruise.

 

There is only two of us and we are looking for a 3rd or 4th to round out the trip and share the expenses. 4 hrs - $100 dividing up the cost would be 'dirt cheap for someone who might want to share.

 

Let me know if you have any interest.

 

You need to list this on the roll call board for your particular ship and date, As FYI is against the rules to do so anywhere else. Saw that you was new and figured I would help before the CC Police get U! Good Luck

[love2relax]

Great to hear such positives from someone who hired Lazaro. I figured since he was associated with Gerry he probably was fine, but there's nothing like a first hand opinion. Thank you letting me know..that he is so good looking :)

heh heh heh :D ;)

[fsharp]

You need to list this on the roll call board for your particular ship and date, As FYI is against the rules to do so anywhere else. Saw that you was new and figured I would help before the CC Police get U! Good Luck

 

 

Nuts..... I thought since so much of the discussion on this board was about Gerry - that this was the perfect place to post it, as people would know who we were talking about...... sorry......

[ddbaab53]

fsharp

 

Try not to limit yourself to 4 hours as it took us 5 hours to cover the island and we did not stop long except for the Taquilla Tour and to eat lunch and swim a bit. Do some research before you get there to be sure you get to see what you want to see. We skipped the ruins because it took 45 min. each way and did not want to spend that extra time. Gerry will stop wherever you want to stop and for however long you want to spend at each location. The place he took us for lunch was great (loved the tacos) and the beach beautiful and uncrowed. They have a place to change cloths before and after you swim and Gerry will watch your stuff while you play. He is more than happy to take pictures for you which was a treat for my husband and I. We usually get limited pictures of the 2 of us together and we have several this trip. Have a GREAT TIME and tell Gerry hi for us.

[love2relax]

fsharp, you can start off by asking what everyone's plans are for Cozumel...and then say that you've hired Gerry, a private driver, who comes highly recommended.

You can copy links to this thread and some of the other ones about Gerry. Tell them you have room for two more people who would like to share expenses. That should help. Good luck!

[maisensmama]

I've been in contact with Mike and Gerry is actually still available for the day that we'll be there this month. I have a question though for all that have rode with him. I'll be going with my husband and my parents and our 4-year old son. Do you think we'll have a problem fitting in his car? All of us are "average" size. Thanks!

[ddbaab53]

I've been in contact with Mike and Gerry is actually still available for the day that we'll be there this month. I have a question though for all that have rode with him. I'll be going with my husband and my parents and our 4-year old son. Do you think we'll have a problem fitting in his car? All of us are "average" size. Thanks!

 

You just need to tell him how many people and he will have a car big enough for all of you. Let him know that you will have a 4 year old. He's a nice guy, have fun!

[mwsrccl]

Nuts..... I thought since so much of the discussion on this board was about Gerry - that this was the perfect place to post it, as people would know who we were talking about...... sorry......

 

That would make sense huh?

[maisensmama]

I did ask...but I hadn't got a response yet. Just wondering if anyone knew since the van is $100 more.

[kenf333]

I did ask...but I hadn't got a response yet. Just wondering if anyone knew since the van is $100 more.

 

One thought is to all jump in a mid size car and see if you are all comfy. Personally I would pay extra for the van as it will be hot and a tight fit.

[familycruzer]

I've been in contact with Mike and Gerry is actually still available for the day that we'll be there this month. I have a question though for all that have rode with him. I'll be going with my husband and my parents and our 4-year old son. Do you think we'll have a problem fitting in his car? All of us are "average" size. Thanks!

 

 

His car is a Ford Escort Wagon so you can decide if its big enough for everyone.

 

PS, he has a daughter about the same age as your son so he loves kids.

 

D.

[cwnhokie]

We are in port from 11-8. Would we have time to hire Gerry to see some things on the East side and spend some time at a beach club? If we would, which should we do first?

[ddbaab53]

Gerry has a minium of 3 hours. Do the tour first (it will be cooler) and then he will be happy to drop you at the beach. The one he took us to see does not have an entrance fee and is very beautiful. Plenty of chairs and umbrellas, a bar and anything else you want. We did not stay as we had swam earlier when we stopped for lunch, but I noticed there were lots a cab drivers there waiting to take folks back to the docks when they were done.

[familycruzer]

We are in port from 11-8. Would we have time to hire Gerry to see some things on the East side and spend some time at a beach club? If we would, which should we do first?

 

 

I would say do the tour first as well. If you hit the beach later in the day, it might be a bit more quiet because some ships will be leaving earlier than you so the passengers will have to be back sooner. Also figure at least 4 hours instead of 3. I could have spent the entire day at El Mirador if given the chance. Its breathtaking.

[Ren1216]

maisensmama - You're going to need the van for 5 people plus Gerry. That's my understanding.

[dvdisney]

We are docking in Cozumel in December 08. I've just sent off an email to Mike (with my fingers crossed) hoping to book Gerry for our day. Our main interest is the SG ruins, as my husband has been looking forward to that. So I'm going to suggest that as our first stop, DH would also like lunch at an "off the beaten path" restaurant or stand (or whole in the wall), I'm sure Gerry will know what he's wanting. And then we'll just see what Gerry would suggest and play it by ear.

It will be just the two of us, although we're hoping to meet a couple on board (dinner mates) that would be fun to join us, so it may be 4.

What has been the average tip that would be suggested for good to excellent service (because that's what I'm expecting based on these great reviews---and we're very laid back, so I can't imagine anything less). Also, is it expected for us to buy Gerry's lunch? Just trying to figure out how much to bring with us.

Ooh, a couple more questions (if I may--you're all so helpful):

-I'm assuming USD is recognized? Is it imperative to convert to Pesos?

-Our itinerary has us docking at 7:00am and departing at 6:00pm. Is that shiptime (eastern) or island time (central) and what time would we be meeting Gerry if it were an hour after docking?

 

Thanks for all of your help!!!!

[Akcelt]

Hey dvdisney, I see you mentioned being in Coz on 12/8...wondering if you're on Carnival Liberty-- as we are?

We just booked with Lazaro through Mike/Gerry for that day. My posts are above. We're also working on where we want to go with our guide.

Also thinking the ruins, then a drink/food along the bar-restaurant run on the east side of the island. Although I'd also prefer non-touristy spot for an actual meal. Thinking we'd like to end up at a beach in the late afternoon or perhaps some shopping.

I really enjoy going to the local "grocery" store when I'm traveling, whether it be an outdoor market or upscale shop. Always hoping to grab a few jars, etc of things I've never heard of before (barring produce, etc that may not be allowed thru customs) to take home.

Love to hear what everyone suggests to do in this port with a private guide.

[familycruzer]

What has been the average tip that would be suggested for good to excellent service (because that's what I'm expecting based on these great reviews---and we're very laid back, so I can't imagine anything less).

 

Tips are totally up to you but 20% on top of his fee seems to be the going rate.

 

Also, is it expected for us to buy Gerry's lunch? Just trying to figure out how much to bring with us.

You are not expected to buy Gerry lunch but it never hurts.

Ooh, a couple more questions (if I may--you're all so helpful):

-I'm assuming USD is recognized? Is it imperative to convert to Pesos?

USD is just fine no matter where you go in Cozumel.

-Our itinerary has us docking at 7:00am and departing at 6:00pm. Is that shiptime (eastern) or island time (central) and what time would we be meeting Gerry if it were an hour after docking?

The time on islands always confuse me, I just told Gerry the ship and that we wanted to be picked up an hour after docking.

[ddbaab53]

When we stopped at the store to pick up a couple of waters before our tour. Gerry had a couple of small things in his hand which I took from him and paid for on my own without asking him. USD is fine in Coz, not a problem at all.

 

Where he took us for lunch was very good, the fellow that waited on us was really nice and we enjoyed it very much. I had read somewhere before on another board that Gerry gets his lunch free wherever we stop but we did invite him to sit with us while we ate which he seemed to be very appreciative of. Then as I said before we decided to swim right there at the beach and he watched our stuff at the table while we did.

 

As far as tip goes, according to Gerry the average income is $800 on month on Cozumel, so anything is great for a tip. We had a 5 hour tour and gave him a $30 tip.

 

The island time is Central and our ship we boarded was in Central time so time was not a problem for us. Be sure to check with your ship as to wether they are operating on Central or Eastern Time. You do not want to be late getting back to the ship.

[dvdisney]

AKcelt-Nope we won't be there on the 8th. We'll be there on December 13th (of 2008-why I put December 08) Sorry for the confusion.

We've got Gerry booked. I'm so excited!!! We'll do the ruins and sounds like follow your route too. tehee.

Please post and let us know how it goes.

Thanks for everyone on their help for tips and boat times. Our ship will be on Eastern time, just didn't know if the itinerary says we'll be docking at 6am if that was ship time or island time.

Thanks!!!

[dvdisney]

We're ready for Gerry (hope he's ready for us LOL). We're definately going to the San G. ruins. Kind of debating with the tequilla tour, Paradise Beach, and shopping-off the beaten path. Is the wildside a must see or would it be worth it to just stick out at PB.

Where is the coral bridge in conjunction with the above?

 

Anyone that has been priviledged to use Gerry as a tourguide, can you once again post your list of places in the order you did (maybe how much time too)?

 

Thanks!

Vicky

[bruce-r]

We're ready for Gerry (hope he's ready for us LOL). We're definately going to the San G. ruins. Kind of debating with the tequilla tour, Paradise Beach, and shopping-off the beaten path. Is the wildside a must see or would it be worth it to just stick out at PB.

Where is the coral bridge in conjunction with the above?

 

Anyone that has been priviledged to use Gerry as a tourguide, can you once again post your list of places in the order you did (maybe how much time too)?

 

Thanks!

Vicky

I think the whole point of hiring a driver would be to see the wild East side of the island. Personally, I'd just skip the shopping and spend my time at Coconuts or Chen Rio. Do the ruins tour first, stop at Coconuts for lunch and bring a t-shirt for the ceiling. Then if you want you can stop at Chen Rio for a swim. After that, continue south around the southern tip if the island then back up to PB.