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One port, so many choices!

(In honor of yet another visit to this popular Mexican cruise port, I’m resurrecting and updating a post from my old blog. If you ask me, Cozumel is better than ever!)

The port of Cozumel, Mexico is fast becoming one of my favorite places to stop on a cruise. This port is well designed for tourists and offers a lot of fun and frankly, very affordable options. There are a variety of things to do that can suit different types of travelers. In this post I’ll talk about three things I’ve done in Cozumel that I’d definitely recommend.

Cozumel has become known for its all-inclusive beach clubs, where a set fee per day gets you admission, chairs, food, and drinks. (Note: You still have to bring your own beach towel from the ship!) I’ve tried several of these and they’re great options for your day in Cozumel, each with its own particular feel.

• Nachi Cocom Beach Club, which you see above, feels like a tropical paradise. It’s great when you want to just relax under a palapa and have some cold drinks, or take a swim in the beautiful blue water. The lunch was top-notch (watch out – the salsa is spicy! If you’re a wimp like me, ask for the “Americano” version) and the shade was plentiful – perfect for a ginger like me. You have to make a reservation at Nachi Cocom (which you can do on their website) and they limit the number of guests, which leads to a nice, uncrowded atmosphere.
• Another popular all inclusive is Mr. Sancho’s, which I describe as Cozumel’s “party” scene. The vibe here was a little different – much more fun and fast-paced, and I would definitely recommend this option if you’re traveling with a group. The service here was excellent and they’ll make every effort to put your group together on the beach or around one of the two pools. You don’t need a reservation here, but you can make one.
• Paradise Beach is a great option if you’re a fan of pools and swim-up bars — and really, who isn’t?
• Other places I’ve liked include Del Mar Latino Beach Club and Iberostar Waves.

I was a little late to the party in discovering how great just walking around downtown Cozumel could be. Partly, that’s because the Royal Caribbean ships I came to Cozumel on were usually parked at the International Pier, which is a little farther from this part of town than the Punta Langosta (downtown) pier. Fortunately, a friend convinced me to try lunch at the Thirsty Cougar, and I was hooked. I’ve spent many an afternoon poking around the streets of Cozumel, finding hidden gems like Cerveceria Punta Sur.

A third option is the Cozumel Bar Hop, a great way to explore a little more of the island of Cozumel. This tour takes you to the uninhabited “wild” side of the island, where there’s no electricity and the beach bars and restaurants bring in their food and supplies every day. The tour and its operators are fantastic; guests who have previously taken the tour are welcomed back as “FOHOs” (former Hoppers) and the atmosphere is friendly and fun. You visit four different beach bars in about five hours and if you like margaritas, this is the tour for you – the bars serve them in abundance, authentic and large. You’ll definitely make some new friends on this tour. This is not the tour to take if you want to swim in the ocean – the surf is pretty rough on this side of the island! But you’ll see some amazing scenery and have some pretty good food and drinks, too.

All of these options have a price point around $60-$80, which is pretty low in comparison to some cruise ports. I’ve started looking for itineraries that take me to Cozumel (usually these are Western Caribbean) because I know I’ll have a good day in port!