Dive
Centers & Accommodations
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
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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