We have been 2 Cozumel 2 times. It is an island just off the Mayan Peninsula Mexcian shore. Island is fairly big and a host to a number of tourist attractions. There are multiple water related activities such as dolphin encounter, swimming with rays, diving, snorkeling, fishing. Cozumel is known as a good place for tourist to go underwater. We did not participate in any of those, yet my father in law who has been there a couple of times as well did swam with rays and enjoyed it a lot (he loves water , snorkeling and diving). Olga an myself being big funs of horse riding rid the horses in the wild Cozumel pampas :) The experience was a bit different from Canada as my horse appeared to be as stubborn as a donkey and I had hard time having it to do what I wanted. On the other hand no fear anymore from galloping :) Over all it was an enjoyment. This happened in 2007. This time we did not go on any shore excursion. Our goal was to buy some diapers for Alice... Interestingly it appeared to be an adventure.
Normally in any major department store/ supermarket in Mexico, you can get same products as in Canada/US. However unlike Fascination in 2008, Dream stopped at the other pier, few miles away from downtown of the only Cozumel city - San Miguel. It appeared that there were no diapers in any of the tourist and local shops surrounding the pier and we had to walk to San Miguel (could have taken a cab). The walk despite hot weather appeared tp be a nice exercise. I only had to place Alice to my neck at the end of it. Alice as one can imagine got photographed :)San Miguel's downtown is not a huge one -
again it is mostly tourist oriented and there are a lot of shops. We traversed it in 2008 and can't say that it impressed us. Nothing special. This is not what you come to Cozumel for.
Among shore excursions there are several to a local Chakanaab park (which I have heard is impressive) and few to Excaret and Tulum on the mainland. Excaret (Ekshkaret as Mexican's say) deserves, few special words. It is extensive park with different attractions including underground rivers, encounters with different animals and fantastic night shows. We attended Excaret when were staying at "Barcelo" resort near Playa del Carmen. Our experience was very positive. You can spend at Excaret the whole day and then come for the next to catch what you missed on the first one. And this is exactly why I'd say that it may be not the best idea to get to Excaret from the ship. Transportation takes time and considering that ship arrives at around 8:00 am and departs around 6:00 pm (in a good case) there may be not enough time to enjoy Excaret.
Similar reasons may be for not choosing Tulum excursion. Olga's parents traveled there and the impression was very positive again - it is an interesting site and good excursion, but the time limits may be pressing and spoiling the fun. How about the water activities besides what my father in law told us about? Olga and myself experienced some snorkeling at the Mayan Peninsula in 2009. It was a very good experience - a lot of fish and even sea turtles and a sea snake (scary!!!). Also our friends were very positive about dolphin encounter Cozumel experience. So water is your friend at Cozumel.
Olga, Alice and me, will probably go to snorkel and dive next time we are at Cozumel.
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