Cozumel...Beach Bum..?

Question

Im leaving with my family on Monday to Cozumel(mexico) We are staying at the Iberostar, has anybody satyed there since the hurricane?Any recomdations for tourist? What do we need to bring? I have a 16 year old son... and was wondering do I have to keep a eye on him when it comes to drinking? Any helpful hints?
Thanks!

Answer 1

I stayed at Iberostar for a week in April. It was my first trip to Cozumel and first experience with the Iberostar chain of hotels. I was very pleased with the hotel and would definitely go back if given the chance. The hotel is at full capacity, there are some plants still being put in to recover from the damage but everything else is up and running. I'm sure things are even better since I have been there. The staff are all great, very friendly and will do anything to help you. There are a lot of activities at the hotel to get involved in and the entertainment staff (called Starfriends) are great. They are so much fun and want to get you involved in different games but won't push if you say no. My advise is to have fun, you are on vacation!

You can do some snorkeling in the ocean right at the hotel (you will have to pay a $2 per person government fee to rent the equipment). The beach is a little rocky so I would suggest bringing water shoes or they have flip flop type shoes that you can use while you are there. For that $2 fee you can use any equipment for that day including snorkel fins/mask, kayaks, windsurfers, catamarans.

In terms of your son, seeing he is underage he will have white wrist band (instead of a blue wrist band for adults). I think the bars are pretty good at watching for this from what I saw.

If you have any other questions, feel free to send me an email and I'll try my best to answer based on my stay there.

Answer 2

I'm from Cozumel so I hope I can help. Cozumel is all better now, so that shouldn't be a problem. I would recommend scuba diving, snorkeling, and just hanging out at the beach. There are great restaurants next to the beach, one of them is Jeanie's Waffle House, or the Museum's restaurant is also great. If you rent a car you should also drive around the island, there are many nice restaurants on the other side of the island.
If you have enough time and money you should really try and go to Xcaret, it is a wonderful natural theme park with a lot of shows depicting ancient Mayan rituals and modern Mexican traditions, there you also get to swim in underground rivers or with dolphins. Also in mainland you can go to Tulum, which are great ancient Mayan pyramids..

As for your 16 year old son, just about any place he goes he'll be able to buy alcohol. Kids in Mexico start drinking younger than in the US, and Mexican parents know this and approve it. If he looks old enough (like a high school student) he will be able to drink. Also if you decide to let him go out at nights, every bar sells non-alcoholic drinks, as in non alcoholic margaritas or pinas coladas =)

As for the water issue, drinking any Mexican bottled water is fine, remember that the same companies you guys have back in the US take care of our water (Coca-cola inc, Pepsi, Evian) Don't drink tap water, that's a big no no.

Answer 3

I love cozumel!!! Ive been there 5 times for scuba diving.
My recommendations are to try scuba or at least take a snorkling trip to see the world renowned reefs and underwater wildlife. Take a tour of the island and see some of the "back country" where the best blankets can be found, see some ruins, and a "wildlife sanctuary" which is actually alot of monkeys and iguanas. If you like to party be sure to go to "carlos and charlies" and San Fransico beach.

As far as keeping an eye on your son for drinking? Well do you have to worry about him? Most mainstream places will card but anything not far off the beaten path will serve anyone. Definitely do not drink the water even in a major resort.

I would say its a safe bet that the island is clean since the hurrican. Tourism is what keeps the island alive and without that they have nothing.

Good luck on your trip!

Answer 4

Howdy live strong (I also sent you a message). As I said in the message I have been to many to Latin American/Caribbean destinations-Cozumel is actually my favorite. From what I have heard, the island and most resorts are back up and running to the point you would never have known about the hurricane last year; some places are still rebuilding. As the other poster responded, there are places on the island where your son probably could get alcohol (or other things) on the island just like in the US; if you have a problem with him at home, you may have to keep an eye on him during your trip. As for what to bring- summer clothes, swim trunks, suntan, etc like you would for the summer in the States (most places are quite casual so I'm not sure if you even need very dressy clothes); if you forget anything, I suggest going to the Chedrui (we called it the Mexican Wal-Mart) which is downtown and they will have anything you need and probably cheaper than what you would pay in the US. Activity wise, there is fishing (although I'm not a fisher), horseback riding, golf, etc. and the resorts will have plenty of pool related activities I'm sure. Last time, we did a jeep tour to the other(isolated) side of the island (need to drive a manual transmission) which also includes a stop at the tequilla factory (more just an store),took the Atlantis submarine trip (quite interesting), took the (short trip) ferry across to the mainland to visit the Mayan ruins at Tulum and visited Xel-ha and Xcaret (I'm sure the resort will have info on all these places and more or you may want to google these sites). Our first time there many years ago, we also took a plane to the best Mayan site of Chichen Itza which was still my favorite side trip anywhere; the plane trip was pricey (you can also go by a long bus ride) but worth it as you arrived before anyone else and before the temperatures became too hot. You must go snorkeling as it is the best spot anywhere and most of the resorts are pretty good or you may even go to one of the parks or I suggest going to the Chakannab reef. If you are looking for a fun beach to relax/ rent jet skis/ etc. I suggest Mr. Sanchos beach. Food/bar wise, if you want to explore for breakfast- I suggest Jeannies Waffle House or the Rockin' Java (if they rebuilt) which are both on the water. Too many good places to eat to suggest for lunch/dinner although a couple of my favorite bars were Ms. Charros (downtown) and Mexico y el Segulos (by the naval station); there are also the Americanized places like the Hard Rock Cafe, etc. One more suggestion r/e your son and drinking at the resort. The bartenders have an uncanny knack of remembering what everybody drinks, especially if they are well tipped; I propose you talk to/ tip the bartenders at the resort to NOT serve your son alcohol and/or tell you if he tries to have them serve him.