Cruise to Cozumel

If you are planning on cruising to Cozumel, check out some of these great activities and do not be afraid to try something new. Cozumel is a beautiful tropical island that boasts some of the most iconic beaches in the Caribbean. With around 100,000 people living on the island, you can find any amenity you are looking for in a big city while being much more subdued than Cancun or other party cities.

I frequently travel to the Caribbean on cruises and tend to do something new on every visit to see every aspect of the island. I rarely make use of cruise sponsored excursions, due to their high cost and crowded tourist feeling. I enjoy seeing things that are often off the beaten path but yet safe. In this article, I will highlight a few of the places I have been that I would recommend spending time to visit.

Cozumel and San Miguel have some great shopping areas. When you visit Cozumel on a cruise ship the shopping districts near the ship will be tourist driven and you can expect to pay higher prices.

• Elektra Mega Cozumel - This is a Grocery Store similiar to Wal-mart but with Mexican products. You can find Mexican candy and sodas here. If you have bags you are carrying with you, you will need to check them at the front of the store. Elektra Mega is located in walking distance from the city port and you will see a lot of the Cruise crew members shopping there.
• Crafts Market Downtown Square
• Los Cinco Soles
• Black Coral Shop- Most everything you can purchase in the tourist district is shipped in from mainland Mexico, one of the only items you can purchase that is made on the island is Black Coral. The Cozumel Reef is one of the few places in the world where Black Coral can be harvested legally. The locals refine the coral into shiny jewelry and figures.
• Sergio's Silver from Taxco
• Deja Vu Leather and Jewelry

• Mayan Cocoa Company - This attraction cost $15.00 per person and will take about 45 minutes to go through. You will have a tour guide to take you through the beautiful grounds and learn about cocoa and its importance to the Mayan people. Here you will get to tast pure cocoa as well as try your hand at making some. The venue is beautiful and very informative. At the end of the tour you will have the opportunity to visit the gift shop where you can purchase many different chocolate products.
• Cozumel Pearl Farm
• El Cedral - Here you will find a small Mayan temple that was to honor the Fertility Goddess. The ruins here are not large but never the less, neat to see. The community where the ruins sit is a mayan town and has shops and a church that was built in the 1500's by Spanish settlers.
• San Gervasio
• Dolphins Cozumel

• Isla de Pasion
• Playa Palancar - Beautiful and secluded are the best words to describe this beach. If you are looking for something a little off the beaten path, this is for you. I do not like to be around tons of other tourist when vacationing and was brought here by my personal guide. The beach is free of charge if you purhase something from their facilities. There is a waterfront restuarant as well as pro shop, massage area and gift shop. This is a very peaceful beach with good snorkling from shore. Side note: The fish tacos and habanero salsa where spot on!
• Mr. Sanchos
• Punta Sur
• Chankanaab
• Playa Mia