just booked with Gerry.... what do you suggest is a must see?

[hibiscus27]

Hello !!!

 

After reading about how great Gerry is, we decided to book him as our "tour guide" for our first trip to Cozumel. Thank goodness Mike confirmed that he was available! So it's set, we got Gerry for 3-4 hours.

 

What are your suggestions for tour stops? I've got El Mirador and San Gervasio on my list. What other sights do you suggest?

 

THANKS IN ADVANCE

[bruce-r]

I'd stop at Coconuts with a t-shirt to donate to their roof.

I'd also be interested in driving thru the neighborhood where the big catholic church is. I'm not catholic, but it is interesting architecture.

 

Also, ask Gerry for recommendations. He lives there so he knows what there is to see.

[crewsweeper]

Hello !!!

 

After reading about how great Gerry is, we decided to book him as our "tour guide" for our first trip to Cozumel. Thank goodness Mike confirmed that he was available! So it's set, we got Gerry for 3-4 hours.

 

What are your suggestions for tour stops? I've got El Mirador and San Gervasio on my list. What other sights do you suggest?

 

THANKS IN ADVANCE

 

Just tell Gerry you want to drive down the wild side of the island. He can stop at Coconuts, Mezcalitos, Playa Bonita (good overall food), Bob Marley's (best ceviche?), the Punta Sur Light House, etc. Or anywhere along the way for shells. He knows where to go. He can take you shopping in areas where not a lot of cruisers go but they have good deals. Personally, I'd skip San Gervasio if you've been to any ruins or are planning on going to any ruins in any other port. Write to Mike and ask him to ask Gerry for some ideas based on your preferences. Or wing it with Gerry when you get there:)

[Traveler353]

Ditto, on going over to the Wild/east side. Great little funky beach bars.$2 to $3 for drinks and very good food. Very few tourist from the cruise ships go over there. The ruins in Cozumel are kind of cheesy. Not much actually origional about them. The were mostly built strictly as tourist attractions/traps. Gerry drove for the Bar Hop put together by Tom and guided by Greg. I can highly recommed the Bar Hop Tour, but I am sure that Gerry on his own can show you a great time.

[librarylady19]

We were thinking of going it alone and renting a car or jeep. Is this safe on the "wild" side of Cozumel? We do not speak Spanish btw.

[Traveler353]

We were thinking of going it alone and renting a car or jeep. Is this safe on the "wild" side of Cozumel? We do not speak Spanish btw.

 

Very safe. Just watch the drinking and driving. If you are involved in any kind of accident, you will be at fault even if you are not. The cops set up on each end of the new road late in the afternoon and do stop drivers.

[vplsh]

We really enjoyed the stop at the tequila factory. Gerry is well known there and we were treated really nicely. For $10 a person you get a margarita, tour and lots of samples.

 

And lunch at Playa Bonita is a delicious must!

[bw0706]

We really enjoyed the stop at the tequila factory. Gerry is well known there and we were treated really nicely. For $10 a person you get a margarita, tour and lots of samples.

 

And lunch at Playa Bonita is a delicious must!

 

I will definitely second this! I'm not a huge drinker, but our whole party (of 4) loved the stop at the tequila factory. Don't expect a working factory though, it's more a demonstration of how their mainland factory is. It is definitely worth it though! We are headed back to Cozumel in December and one of our first stops will be to get some tequila!

[hibiscus27]

Playa Bonita...

The wild/east side....

Tequila Factory ....

The light house...

And the church...

 

thats lots of stuff... thanks for the info everyone! i gotta get with the rest of group and figure out a game plan. :)

[bruce-r]

We were thinking of going it alone and renting a car or jeep. Is this safe on the "wild" side of Cozumel? We do not speak Spanish btw.

 

Yep, it is quite safe. Stay on the paved road. Get the Cozumel map from http://www.cancunmap.com and ditto the caution about drinking & driving. Also, get the full coverage insurance.

[bunyababy]

We too just booked with Gerry!! We are so excitied to have been able to have him as our tour guide.

 

I do not know if Mike sent you the various links with places that Gerry can take you, but I thought I would post them anyway for those who would like a quick reference guide.

 

We have decided to have Gerry for 5 hours and a few of our "must do's" are:

 

1. San Gervasio

2. Tequilla History Tour

3. Photo Ops

4. A great meal

5. Shopping

 

The rest is up to Gerry! :D;)

 

Gerry has lived in Cozumel for over 20 years, so of course he knows all the popular tourist destinations as well as the out of the way gems. Popular stops include:

 

-San Gervasio Ruins http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/parks-sanGervasio.asp

 

-Tequila History Tour http://www.worldgolf.com/features/take-the-tequila-tour-when-golfing-in-cozumel-5580.htm

 

-Punta Sur http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/parks-puntaSur.asp

 

-Chankanaab http://www.cozumelparks.com/eng/parks-chankanaab.asp

 

-Discover Mexico Theme Park http://www.discovermexico.org/

 

 

The isolated east side of the island is perfect for beachcombing, sightseeing and having a cold drink at one of the few bar/restaurants on the "wild side". Take some pics of the waves smashing up on the natural limestone "bridge" at EL MIRADOR, and a few snaps from the edge of the cliff at COCONUTS bar. At 41 ft, it's the highest point on the island!

 

-Mezcalitos http://www.mezcalitos.com/

 

-Coconuts http://www.islacozumel.net/food/coconuts/ http://www.islands.com/article.jsp?ID=47916

 

-El Mirador http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1342995619057125515abSXCR

 

 

The west side beach clubs are where you want to be if you want to swim or enjoy a jetski, parasail or banana boat ride. Of course, just lounging around and working on your tan while enjoying a frozen island cocktail is acceptable as well! The best spots that DON'T charge an admission fee:

 

-Mr Sancho's http://www.mrsanchos.com/mr_sanchos/home.htm

 

-Paradise Beach http://www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com/

 

 

Hassle and haggle free shopping can be found at LOS CINCO SOLES. The widest selection of Mexican handicrafts on the island! http://www.loscincosoles.com/mainwelcome.htm

 

Gerry can also take you souvenir shopping off the main drag where they don't pay kickbacks to the cruiselines and offer much better prices. Of course, if you're a Cozumel regular or have done some research on your own, Gerry can follow YOUR itinerary!

 

Smiles, Connie

[Nuttycruisegirl]

How do we book with Gerry? I would love to tour in the morning...maybe visit the wild side, do some shell collecting then be dropped at Paradise beach or Mr Sanchos for the rest of the afternoon? Think that is possible? :confused::)

[crewsweeper]

email Mike Thompson at cozumeltaxi@hotmail.com

[lady in tx]

Must see is El Mirador. It's a beautiful view. I would also suggest Punta Sur. If you go out there make sure to get your view of of the beautiful ocean on top of the lighthouse.

Side note: if you go to San Geraviso (sp?) make sure you take mosquito repellant with you. Those suckers will suck your blood!!! :)

[lovevacadays]

for a more intimate church experience go to the San Miguel Catholic Church which is just a few blocks north of the town square in San Miguel. I went there several years back and loved the experience. It doesn't have the grand statues, etc of some catholic churces. You can just walk in and look around. It is a small church where you will see sections where people have lit candles for their loved ones, a bulletin board with recent marriages and births, etc. I felt like I was getting a true piece of local life there and will always remember my experience there.

[librarylady19]

We too just booked with Gerry!! We are so excitied to have been able to have him as our tour guide.

 

I do not know if Mike sent you the various links with places that Gerry can take you, but I thought I would post them anyway for those who would like a quick reference guide.

 

 

Connie,

Many thanks for all the excellent links - We've decided to rent a car and explore on our own so this is SO helpful!

[bruce-r]

for a more intimate church experience go to the San Miguel Catholic Church which is just a few blocks north of the town square in San Miguel. I went there several years back and loved the experience. It doesn't have the grand statues, etc of some catholic churces. You can just walk in and look around. It is a small church where you will see sections where people have lit candles for their loved ones, a bulletin board with recent marriages and births, etc. I felt like I was getting a true piece of local life there and will always remember my experience there.

 

Now I remember the name I couldn't think of earlier. Corpus Christi is the neighborhood where that church is located.

[carla64]

How much does Gerry charge?

 

Thanks!

[hibiscus27]

How much does Gerry charge?

 

Thanks!

 

we got quoted 95 USD / 3 hrs and 25 USD each additional hour for the car

 

and for the mini van - 195USD for 3 hrs and 40USD each additional hour

[hibiscus27]

thanks for the suggestions everyone... el mirador and the church are also on our list :-)

[crewsweeper]

If you're hungry and over by the Corpus Christi church, stop in and El Turix and have a slice of their coconut pie or maybe a "zodo" (tamle with pumpkin seed wrapped in a local green like a grape leaf.

[carla64]

Thank you. :)

[airlink diva]

I'm also booked on a tour with Gary,but not until March 2010. While I been to Cozumel several times, this will be the first time that I will go away from the main tourist spot. I'm also going with a first time cruiser and felt that this is a great way for her to view Cozumel also.

Bunyababy your tour is alot closer than mine and it seems like we have the same idea on what to do for the day. Please come back and post a review about the tour so I can show my friend.

Bwo706 do you recall seeing any cream of tequila at the factory? Also, are there some unique tequila that you will find only at the factory and not at the pier area? I would hate to pass on something that was only available at the factory. Was the pricing good there also?

Thanks Chloedmom and Crewsweeper for the church suggestion. I will ask Gerry about making a stop at San Miguel. Also,Crewsweeper, the place that you mention, El Turix, did it offer a full dining menu? I would love to try the zodo and any other local foods.

I will like to stop at San Gervasio mainly because the person that I'm traveling with is not a big ruin fan, but if it offers a decent photo op, this will be fine!

Thanks for all the great info and keep it coming!!

[crewsweeper]

Also,Crewsweeper, the place that you mention, El Turix, did it offer a full dining menu? I would love to try the zodo and any other local foods.

 

Full menu. Since it's been a couple of years since I was there, not sur eof their hours though. Some places aren't open for lunch in off season. Note the map and the information on other restaurants in the other restaurant threads here. If you're with Gerry, he'll take care of you. Just tell him what type of food you're looking for, he'll steer you to a good spot.

[Traveler353]

I'm also booked on a tour with Gary,but not until March 2010. While I been to Cozumel several times, this will be the first time that I will go away from the main tourist spot. I'm also going with a first time cruiser and felt that this is a great way for her to view Cozumel also.

Bunyababy your tour is alot closer than mine and it seems like we have the same idea on what to do for the day. Please come back and post a review about the tour so I can show my friend.

Bwo706 do you recall seeing any cream of tequila at the factory? Also, are there some unique tequila that you will find only at the factory and not at the pier area? I would hate to pass on something that was only available at the factory. Was the pricing good there also?

Thanks Chloedmom and Crewsweeper for the church suggestion. I will ask Gerry about making a stop at San Miguel. Also,Crewsweeper, the place that you mention, El Turix, did it offer a full dining menu? I would love to try the zodo and any other local foods.

I will like to stop at San Gervasio mainly because the person that I'm traveling with is not a big ruin fan, but if it offers a decent photo op, this will be fine!

Thanks for all the great info and keep it coming!!

 

You might like to know that it is not actually a real tequila distillory. They make no tiquila on site. It is for display only. No tiquila is made in Cozumel, it all comes from the mainland. Selections for tasting are very limited. You can find much better quality and price back in town for your purchases. But it is interesting to see the basics of how tiquila is made.