General
Information
Cozumel, the largest island in Mexico; measuring
33 miles long and 8 miles wide, located 12 miles
off the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, is a paradise
playground. Cozumel is a rarity in today's travel
world. It has maintained a laid back, relaxed pace
and a distinctive Mexican culture, yet it has all
the services of a larger travel destination. Want
shopping, a variety of restaurants, nightlife, beaches,
watersports, and a relaxed atmosphere to compliment
diving? No problem in Cozumel !
Divers world wide have discovered Cozumel's most
valuable treasure... it's coral reefs. Cozumel is
constantly bathed by the south to north flow of
the Yucatan current, which produces visibility often
exceeding 100 feet, and most dives are conducted
as mild drift diving. The underwater landscape includes
majestic cliffs, canyons, tunnels, and cathedrals
overgrown with black coral, sponges, and giant sea
fans. The reefs and walls support a prolific amount
of friendly fish life such as giant groupers and
angelfish.
Cozumel
Dive Site Descriptions
Dive
Centers & Accommodations
New
Travel Regulations
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)
The proposed implementation timeline has two
phases:
Beginning January 23, 2007, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the
United States and Canada, Mexico, Central and
South America, the Caribbean, and Bermuda will
be required to present a valid passport, Air
NEXUS card, or U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner
Document, or an Alien Registration Card, Form
I-551, if applicable.
As early as January 1, 2008, ALL persons, including
U.S. citizens, traveling between the U.S. and
Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, the
Caribbean, and Bermuda by land or sea (including
ferries), may be required to present a valid
passport or other documents as determined by
the Department of Homeland Security. While recent
legislative changes permit a later deadline,
the Departments of State and Homeland Security
are working to meet all requirements as soon
as possible. Ample advance notice will be provided
to enable the public to obtain passports or
passport cards for land/sea entries.
The passport requirement
does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to
or returning directly from a U.S. territory.
U.S. citizens returning directly from a U.S.
territory are not considered to have left the
United States and do not need to present a passport.
U.S. territories include the following: Guam,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American
Samoa, Swains Island, and the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands. More
Details... |
Getting
There
Travel to Cozumel
Cozumel, Mexico has an international airport on the
island. Airlines such as Continental, US
Airways, Mexicana and Northwest
fly directly to the island. Unfortunately, during
low seasons, not all departure cities offer direct
flights to the island. These flights usually fly directly
to Cancun and then a very short connecting flight
is taken to Cozumel Island, Mexico.
The Cozumel airport is very small. Your plane will
land and you will deplane and walk into the building.
Then you will proceed to the immigration section.
There are several booths. Please have your tourist
cards fill out completely and correctly (you will
receive tourist cards with your airline tickets and/or
on the plane). After clearing immigration, proceed
to the baggage pick up. Collect your luggage and you
will be required to press a button to clear customs.
Red means stop, green light means go. Random. Proceed
to exit.
As you proceed there is a booth on left side before
you exit the doors. You will need to purchase tickets
for each person for transportation to your hotel or
destination. This airport transfer and a car rental
is the only to get to your hotel (besides walking
out with your luggage far enough to get a cab). No
cabs allowed to pick up tourists. There will be hotel
representatives, airline representatives, tour operators
and property rental representatives outside.
Car Rentals: Avis and Executive are at the airport.
COZUMEL via CANCUN
Getting from Cancun to Cozumel. (All fares subject
to change).
1. Fly from Cancun to Cozumel: approximately 20 minutes
flying time.
Aerocaribe and Aerocozumel with Mexicana Airlines
flies directly from the Cancun (domestic airport)
to Cozumel. Current cost one-way is $60 US. You can
book directly online or with your travel agent. Schedules
and fares are available online: www.aerocaribe.com
.
2. Airport Transfer "Collectivo" or minivan
direct from Cancun airport to Playa Del Carmen (approximately
45 minutes traveling time), then Ferry to Cozumel
(about 45 minutes). Current cost is $15 US per person.
After baggage pick-up, as you walk towards the exit,
there will be booths for transportation and taxis.
At the booth, ask for a collectivo to Playa Del Carmen.
You pay at the booth, receive a ticket and then proceed
outside to where the minivans are. They will take
your ticket and load your luggage. As soon as one
van is filled, the van departs. The vans are readily
available all day long.
3. Express Bus from Cancun Airport to Playa Del Carmen
Bus Terminal (about 45 minutes)
As soon as you pass immigration (green/red button)
just after the transportation pavillions and just
before the outdoors, there is a stand that says Express
Bus to Playa Del Carmen. 65 pesos or $7.50 US. Purchase
a ticket and there will be greyhound like buses outside.
They are scheduled.
Express Bus Schedule (subject to change)
From Cancun
10:30am 11:30am 12:30pm 1:30pm 2:30pm 4:30pm 5:30pm
6:30pm 7:30pm 8:30pm 9:30pm
From Playa Del Carmen
7:00am 8:00am 9:00am 10:30am 11:45am 1:00pm 3:00pm
4:00pm 5:00pm 6:15pm 7:30pm
The drop will be downtown near or at the bus terminal
in Playa Del Carmen. Just walk towards the waterfront.
You will be able to see the ferry docks. Before the
pier, there will be an information booth as well as
a booth to purchase the tickets.
Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel (40-45 minutes traveling
time)
Then from Playa Del Carmen, take the ferry to Cozumel
Island. The ferry boat ride is about 40 minutes on
the large boats and the about 50 minutes on the smaller,
local ferry. Cost is the same for tourists. It docks
right at the heart of the city, San Miguel in Cozumel.
Current cost is $80 pesos.
Daily Ferry Schedule (subject to change)
Cozumel to Playa Del Carmen
Morning 5 am 7 am 8 am 9 am 10 am 12 pm
Afternoon 2 pm 4 pm 5 pm 6 pm 8 pm 10pm
Playa Del Carmen to Cozumel,
Morning 6am 8am 9 am 10 am 11 am
Afternoon 1 pm 3 pm 5 pm 6 pm 7 pm 9 pm 11 pm
Entry Requirements
Valid Passport and Tourist entry visa or card.
The Tourist card - Form FMT or the Tourist entry Visa
are necessary if is intended to travel farther the
border zone and when is intended to stay in Mexico
for more than 72 hours.
Citizens of certain countries do not need to transact
with anticipation a Tourist entry Visa, therefore
it will be enough to have a Tourist Card at their
entry to the country. To obtain it, it's enough to
present a citizenship identification in the Mexican
consulates, in the border migration offices, in the
official entry points, in the tourism offices of the
Mexican government or in any of the air lines that
travel to Mexico.
The Cards and the Tourist entry Visa are free. The
entry card has a validity only of 90 days and it should
be returned to migration authorities at the moment
of leaving Mexico; the exact time of its validity
is determined by the Mexican migration agent.
While the tourist is in Mexico, he will have to carry
all the time the Card or Tourist entry Visa with himself,
otherwise, he will deserve a fine. In the event of
lose it he can attend at once to the local migration
authorities to obtain a duplicate.
Travel Tips
Language and Culture
Spanish is the official language, but English is widely
spoken. Cozumel has a strong Mayan influence unlike
central and northern Mexico.
Getting Around
Special airport vans will take you to your hotel(obtain
ticket after customs office) Taxis are plentiful and
reasonable. Rental cars are readily available. We
generally do not recommend scooters in Cozumel due
to the traffic.
Banking
Mexican bank hours are normally from 9:00 am to 2:30
pm, weekdays only.
Electricity
Most of Cozumel uses standard 120-voltage.
Taxis are plentiful and reasonably priced, especially
if you share with others. Taxis can also be hired
for a day of touring the island.
Rental Cars
There are many rental agencies available with a wide
variety of cars, jeeps and vans. Try to use one of
the reputable agaencies or check with your hotel for
advice. Also keep in mind there are few gas stations
and hours are short. The good news is that it does
not take much gas to tour the whole island. Scooters
are also available, but remember, you cannot purchase
insurance for these so check with your company before
you leave home to see if they will cover you.
Dress
Dress is mostly casual. There are few places where
you need a coat or formal dress. The weather is warm
and you should dress comfortably. Some resuarants
and nightclubs do not allow sandals or shorts and
swimsuits should not be worn around town.
Sunscreen
Bring a lot and use it, everyday! The combination
of sun, surf, sand and beer makes for a perfect a
perfect sunburn.
Water
Most hotels and restuarants offer bottled water. Use
it!! Cozumel's water is supposed to be quite good,
but visitors are just not used to it. No sense in
ruining your trip because of the water.
Climate
Air temperature varies from 70 - 90 F. Annual rainfall
is about 40 inches. Water temperature ranges from
78-85 F.
Time
Cozumel is on central time.
Currency/Credit Cards
The peso is the official currency and fluctuates in
the value often. U.S. Dollars are widely accepted,
as are credit cards and traveler’s checks. Many stores
will add a surcharge when using credit cards. ATM’s
are available!
Tipping and Taxes
Tipping is normally 15%, with a 15% sales tax and
10% value-added tax on most items.
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