My husband and I are planning a weekend getaway to Cozumel sometime in July. We've never been before, so we don't know much about the island. We'd prefer to be in a hotel on the ocean, but also be able to get around the island easily. Do we need to be downtown to find easy, cheap transportation? What's the best area to stay in to explore the island, and the best way to get around? We don't want All Inclusive. Also, any advice on where to go, what to see, etc when you only have 2 days is more than welcome. We do plan on snorkeling. Thanks for any insight
Thanks for the info, Cancunscorpio I'm disappointed that we can't find a non-all inclusive on the beach, but I guess we won't spend much time at the hotel anyway Can't wait to go snorkeling!
Friends of our stay in Coz every year for a couple of days for a dive vacation before their main vacation on the RM at a big resort. They usually just stay at one of the smaller non AI places in Coz (similar to those in Playa). Unfortunately I can't remember the name of the place they stay but this listing of small Coz hotels should help you
Gringation. I have actually never stayed there but I have made a few day trips. I have rented VW Beetle convertibles. Coz is much bigger than Is Muj, nearly 60 km in circumfrence. There is a ZA there that is a nice place to see some local ancient history. Driving around the island takes a while and is sort of boring about 90% of the way, but the other 10% makes it worth it. I don't know your price range but you might check out Ventanas del Mar. It won't be AI and it is on the back side of the island, away from the vast majority of the beachfront hotel, so you will need a taxi to get to and from, unless you do the VW deal, or a moto. And Villablanca Garden Beach Hotel is between the cruise ship docs and downtown. Across the street from the beach but there is nothing opposite it to block access. Both of these will be far less $$ than the big guys. I cannot speak to the quality or safety of the beach. Some areas are quite rocky and looked rough when I was driving around. I found my Merida jewel of a hotel by checking Trip Advisor. Suggest you do the same. I try to use TA when I am looking for hotels.
Hola, Do you have a prince range in mind? You might want to try the Villablanca Garden Beach Hotel. It is small, centrally located and steps from the ocean. If you want a casual, "family style" place, this is a good choice (not recommended for "Divas" or if you need wi-fi). Cost is about $725 pesos per night in July, on a weekend Here is a description: Villablanca Garden Beach es un hotel en Cozumel ubicado a pocos pasos de la playa, justo frente al arrecife Villablanca, lo que es ideal para practicar snorkel y buceo. El hotel se localiza a sólo 3 kilómetros del centro y a 6 kilómetros del Aeropuerto Internacional de Cozumel (CZM). Villablanca Garden Beach ofrece 50 habitaciones distribuidas a lo largo de un edificio de poca altura. Cada habitación está equipada con aire acondicionado, ventilador de techo, refrigerador, televisión vía satélite, teléfono, internet inalámbrico y baño privado con tina. Las instalaciones del hotel Villablanca Garden Beach incluyen una alberca, jacuzzi, cancha de tenis, pequeño gimnasio, grandes jardines, restaurante gourmet y un restaurante bar. Como huésped del hotel tienes acceso libre a un club de playa justo al cruzar la calle, ahí, podrás divertirte tomando el sol, practicando snorkel o partiendo en una excursión de buceo.
pocodinero: Under $1000 pesos would be ideal, but we would go higher for something really cool. Thanks for the advice, guys! I checked TA yesterday and found some cool little hotels, but they weren't on the beach so I thought I'd dig a little deeper. I'll be sure to check out ya'lls recommendations!
We have stayed at Casa Del Mar and Casa Mexicana on Cozumel. Both are not all-inclusive (though you can get an all-inclusive package at Casa Del Mar). Casa Mexicana is right on the main street a short walk from the square, shops, restaurants....but no beach. Only a small pool and you take an escalator from the sidewalk/store areas to get to the lobby and pool. Funny to watch cruise ship people coming up the escalator thinking it is a shopping area! Casa Del Mar is a little further from the town area, but has access to the water for swimming/diving/snorkeling via a walking bridge across the road. They have a small pool next to the restaurant/bar. Both were great places for us to stay - we were staying on Cozumel for diving.
Thought I would chime in on Casa del Mar. Faith and I have stayed there twice. They have a palapa restaurant & and avery large pool with swim up bar. There is a bridge to the ocean side however it's mostly iron rock. On the other hand, they have a private beach club with an outrageous beach. Full amenities... Restaurant, again a great pool w/swim up bar. Changing rooms, lockers. And you can book a great snorkeling tour from the pier. They run a free shuttle back and forth throught the day. The club is called nachi-cocum (sp). And if I remember, it's in your price range. Jimmy
It sounds like you and your husband are planning to do exactly what I did with mine a few years ago. Only we did it wrong. We stayed at Villablanca and there is a restaurant right across the street. But town is a loooonnngg walk away. We also did rent a car to get to the east side of the island and that was a great day.
