Questions before going to Cozumel?

Question

My husband and I are going to Cozumel for our honeymoon. We are staying at the Hotel Cozumel and Resort. I am trying to find out what is the best way to go about money for our trip. Do I convert the usd into peso's before we go or wait until we get there? Should I keep all of my credit cards at home or will I need them there? Do they have ATM's. Should I purchase things to do (sub ride, scuba, tours of jungle) on the internet or wait till we get there? Also, how much spanish should we learn before we go? This is our first time to MX (pretty obvious huh??) Thank you all for your answers ahead of time!!

Answer 1

Convert a little for small items. The USD is accepted everywhere on the island. Bring your credit cards, you'll need them if you decide to rent a car to tour the island. There are ATM's located in the main town of San Miguel ( fact as I've used them). As for booking things to do, I've always done it there. There are many dive shops, so getting on a boat won't be difficult. By booking there, you'll have a better feel for the dive shop's operation. Some operate cattle boats. If you do book scuba, I suggest the Equalizers. Their boats are small and fast and I've always managed to have them do a pick up at my lodging. That way you're on the reefs almost faster than the time it takes to gear up. Not being cattle boats helps keep it intimate and avoid the jam as divers exit and reboard. I don't know what type of operation is running at the hotel itself, but chances are it's a cattle boat one. More than 12 divers on a boat is just too many.
The Atlantis sub ride is an excellent choice if you're not currently divers. I haven't done the one in Coz, but I have done it in Hawaii and the Atlantis sub (they are all the same) is very spacious with excellent visibility out the ports. If memory serves me right, they take around 50 passengers and dive to a maximum of 150 ft. How deep they go on the walls out at the reefs in Coz, I've no idea, but most of what's there to see is at 100 ft or less anyway.
You won't need much Spanish other than what's needed for being polite or any special needs you may have. English is widely spoken by most resort staff and tourist operators.
Because of the island's size, there's no real reason to book any special tours in the jungle. All of the Mayan ruins that you'll want to see are easily found and can be gotten to by car. Most, if not all other attractions can be booked in the lobby of your hotel.
One thing to watch for, is counterfeit items being sold in the town square. This is especially true if you're an American in search of a Cuban cigar. Yanks don't have any idea on what to look for in the genuine article are are easily fooled by the knock offs. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. If you're not shelling out 35$ US for a Cohiba esplindido, it's fake.
Don't rent scooters or jeeps. A scooter is a quick way to end up in hospital there. A jeep is just plain expensive and you aren't allowed to take it off road anyway. The popular vehicle to use is the "punch buggy". A VW bug with the roof punched out for a sun roof. We got 7 people in ours :) You really only need the car for jaunts to the ruins or the Carib side of the island. It's also impossible to get lost. There's only one road around most of the island. Navigating in San Miguel proper is easy as well. Most roads run parallel to the waterfront. Where you're staying is a bit of a walk to downtown, about 15 minutes, so you're the judge on if you intend to walk it, rent or cab it. Some cabbies will also offer island tours for the day. Again, you're choice.
For nightlife, hit Carlos and Charlies on the waterfront. If the cruise ships are in, get there early, it soon fills. If you're late, there's always the Hard Rock up the street about 400 feet to the north. Not as popular, but hey, you can get the T shirt. The market in the town square is a must do for everything. Some very nice little cafes there too. Internet is available on the waterfront area, near the cruise ship docks and is fairly reasonable.
Have fun in Coz. I've been 3 times and will be going back sometime in the next year or so.

Answer 2

Good for you, Cozumel is a paradise. Cozumel is a tourist getaway so almost everybody speaks English, they accept any kind of currency, ATM´s OK. Like I said you can pay with cash, credit cards accepted no problem at all. Cozumel is expansive if you buy where all the tourists buy, rather visit local stores. You can trade your dollars in Cozumel, no problem. I would wait to pay for the tours, you can always negotiate they love that.

I can see some apprehension in your question. Cozumel is awesome, the people is great. I promise you, you are going to have the best vacation of your life, just enjoy it.

Best wishes!!!

Answer 3

Hello,

I've been to Mexico twice (0nce to Cozumel) The best thing to do is to take plenty of American money. They love American dollars. take plenty of 1's for tipping. My husband and I went to Mexico for our honeymoon and 100 1 dollar bills did the trick for tipping at all the bars restaurants and hotel. We were treated like movie stars b/c we were known as good tippers.

Don't waste your time with the Peso's b/c they won't trade the left over peso in for American money.

I promise, you will not find a place that won't accept American dollars.

You will find awesome shopping in Cozumel. Don't forget to talk them down. never accept the first price they give you.

Congrats!!!!!!

Answer 4

I might feel you've misplaced your pics although you do get a reaction however I will provide you the data. RECOMPENSA 10,000 pesos Sin preguntas Perdi una Camera Feb thirteen 2008 Los fotos estan muy importantes a mi Le dare diez mil pesos si encontraste La Camara. Good good fortune that is many years in the past. I recognise a man that went to the bano and left a kind of $10.00 cameras at the desk. You move it ,GONE I were provided such units on the market at the seaside over time . It not ever hurts to check out however your are environment yourself up for extra sadness. You would take a appear across the pawn retail outlets. They are referred to as "Casa de Empeno" In truth that's an overly well position if a regional has it. Are they virtual fotos? if that is so then locals customarily could not delete them swiftly.

Answer 5

take your credit cards, you can exchange money there but most of the places take american money as well as peso's

Answer 6

Some good advice from scubabob there. I was last in Cozumel in Feb' 05 (am going to be going right across Cozumel on the Mexican mainland- Playa Del Carmen area- in about 3 weeks) and actually stayed 2 weeks at the Hotel Cozumel my last time on the island- that was before the hurricane hit but I hear most of the resort in particular and the island in general have been rebuilt so you would never know any difference. The resort is quite nice but kind of surprisingly quiet for the size- not too many kids as it caters more to an older crowd (especially divers and they have their own dive shop, tours, etc. right at the resort). We were there during Super Bowl Sunday and the resort held a super bowl party for us Americans (crowd seemed to be largely American and Canadian while we were there as opposed to other places and resorts which sometimes have more of a European crowd) and it also had daily theme nights. I'm not really a diver but from what I remember most of the divers seemed happy/satisfied booking through the resort but I think a couple people had some minor complaints or problems about extra charges on their credit cards or something. Food was also relatively good at the resort too and I believe the resort has a couple different restaurants that each cater to a different crowd. I think I have some pictures of the Hotel Cozumel if you want to message me with an e-mail address to send them to and I'd be curious to see any pictures you take to see what, if anything is different since the storm; also feel free to message me if you think I can provide any more insight on the resort or in Cozumel in general (Cozumel is actually my favorite vacation spot) When we visited, the snorkeling wasn't too bad right of the resort but I'm not sure what, if any, effect the storm had.
As for the money scenario, scubabob is correct that there are atm's, banks, and money exchange places on the island. From experience, probably the best thing to do is to charge things whenever possible because the credit card company gives you the exchange rate from the day that is most favorable to you during their last billing cycle/month. Money exchanges are convenient but charge a decent amount to exchange money for you and of course there are atm fees, banks are a little better but less convenient. I'd suggest just bringing US dollars (along with your credit card of course)- our money is readily accepted without hassle and generally the "exchange" you get at stores, bars, restaurants, etc. is similar to what you'll get at the money exchange.
As for activities, I'm curious if you are going through a charter like Apple, FunJet, or another company, or, just booking the whole trip- and then subsequent side trips/activities yourself? I also suggest the Atlantis submarine trip and that may be the one trip I would feel comfortable just taking a taxi (or walking the mile or 2 if you are up to it) and booking right there. Obviously, you can also book scuba, dive, and I believe fishing trips right through the resort as well which probably would be the easiest route. As for other trips, I would suggest booking them through the Apple Vacations or FunJet Vacations rep at the resort (I believe you can do so even if you didn't book your flight/trip through them); these companies provide a source of "insurance" in case the trip is cancelled, if- god forbid- an injury occurs, and they have largely built relations with activity companies on the island that they have come to trust (yes, you will pay a bit more booking your trips through one of these companies but we have come to realize it is worth it).
Cozumel is, in general, a very quiet, laid back place to vacation and very safe in general. My biggest word of caution/advice is to look out for people offering you "deals" on things like free side-trips/use of scooters or cars/etc.- these people are time share salespeople and many of them are unscrupulous; ignore these people (there's nothing free) as they often "hook" people into giving them personal/credit info. Another thing to be wary of us rneting bikes, scooters, autos etc. on the island; I have heard of many tourists being greatly over-charged and if an accident occurs yikes! Some bars and restaurants, on the other hand, will offer you coupons for free drinks, appetizers, etc. to get your business and there is no problem there.
Shopping/dining-wise I guess I'd need to know more about your interests and tastes. For shopping, Cozumel has a vast array of experiences from the upscale mall(s) in town (a little north of the resort) to the flea market (south of town by the submarine). For t-shirts and souvenirs, there is a store/pharmacy in town very close to Ms. Charro's (a bar/restaurant that I'd suggest as going to for a fun night out and a pretty decent vantage point of downtown instead of the more commercial Carlos Y Charlies or Senor Frogs) that seemed to have the best prices on items like t-shirts, postcards, etc. A different experience would be to go to the Chedruii(?) which, if I rememeber, is right by a movie theater and university/govt offices(?); this place is sort of like a super Wal-Mart or Meijers (part supermarket/part huge department store) and has great prices if you were interested in purchasing food items, "beverages" , etc (and if you have forgotten to bring anything with you on your trip, this place will have it). Restaurants- if you get bored with the resort for breakfast, go to Jeannies Waffle Hut just south of town. Fine dining/seafod, the Aquario is a good bet. I've mentioned Ms. Charros as a "fun" place with ok food. If you are looking for a "quiet" place at night, try Mexico Y El Segulos which is right across from the naval station in town. I really didn't have any complaints myself anywhere I ate. If you are looking for "the beach," there is Mr. Sancho's- jet ski's, people watching, and lots of activities generally going on (beware of the lethal alcoholic drinks if you happen to go there).
That's all the information I have off the top of my head. As I say Cozumel is a very safe place; I had no qualms about walking from downtown to the resort by myself (when needed) any time of day or night. Of course finding a taxi anywhere touristy is generally no problem regardless of time- another word of advice is to explain where you want to go and ask for the fare before getting into the cab. As I've said, feel free to message me if you think I can be of any further help (or if you want suggestions/advice on activities, etc)