Duty free in Cozumel

[anjuli]

I was in Cozumel a couple of years ago on a Carnival cruise. I think I remember a duty free store on the pier? We're going to be in Cozumel in December and would like to know. Thanks!

[TNtraveler]

At Carnival's Puerto Maya Pier, you must pass through the duty-free shops to get onshore.

[98Charlie]

Punta Langosta Pier also has a duty free shop.

 

It's been a while since we went through International Pier. But, I believe there was one there also.

 

Charlie

[anjuli]

Thanks TNT and charlie. I appreciate your answers.

[IslandJim]

Don´t be fooled. Duty Free means only that you will pay 10% IVA vs. the 15% paid by the rest of Mexico. Duty free shops are at every point of departure. All cruise terminals and the airport. If you are leaving Mexico, you can buy duty free. You save nearly nothing. Indeed you are buying in a shop that generally inflates the base price to cover the rents they have to pay in these high volume, captive audience sales points.

[98Charlie]

Have to agree with Jim. We have checked prices and found that most of what we are interested in can be found at the same price or less in the shops.

 

Charlie

[bruce-r]

At Carnival's Puerto Maya Pier, you must pass through the duty-free shops to get onshore.

Actually, you must pass thru the store in order to return to the ship, you can't go thru it the other way. I think it is the world's longest "duty free" store too.

 

It is the building with the red roof all along the pier.

[Cotton]

Bruce, I'm not understanding what you mean by 'you can't go thru it the other way'....?

 

When debarking the ship at Puerta Maya Pier, you can either go straight through the huge shop, OR you can walk around it to the left, to get on shore. I always walk thru the store, 'cause I want to look at things, but there are always lots of folks walking around it.

[melika091900]

great shopping on pier, most of everything is 10$$$$

and cheap liquor and perfume......

 

 

have fun

 

 

 

melissa

[bruce-r]

Bruce, I'm not understanding what you mean by 'you can't go thru it the other way'....?

When debarking the ship at Puerta Maya Pier, you can either go straight through the huge shop, OR you can walk around it to the left, to get on shore. I always walk thru the store, 'cause I want to look at things, but there are always lots of folks walking around it.

The way it worked when we were there was when you left the ship to go ashore, you were directed down the outside, but when going back to the ship, everyone was herded into the building.

 

My understanding of how "duty free" works is that the items are sold duty free because you are leaving the country with them. So I just assumed that the store was a one way path. If you can go thru the store when entering the country, then I apologize for the misunderstanding. But then I doubt the actual status of "duty free" prices in the store if this is the case.

[Cotton]

:D Bruce, maybe they had a reason to do it that way when you were there? Who knows. Anyway, on all five of my cruises that docked at Puerta Maya Pier, I've never used the outside walkway to shore - have always gone straight thru the store.

[TNtraveler]

Last October, we browsed our way through the duty-free shops on our way to shore at Puerto Maya. Of course, if you buy anything going in that direction, you have to check it and claim it on your return to the ship -- you can't 'enter' Mexico with it.

[charyoung]

so, the prices in town are cheaper? We bought baileys for 18us and also crown at the duty free. Is it cheaper in town? We just bought it before boarding instead of carrying it around!

[zydecocruiser]

Also check the prices in the duty free stores on board - I know somethings are cheaper on the ship than in the duty free shop. For example, JW Black label was maybe a buck cheaper on the ship and still a lot cheaper than US prices.

[bruce-r]

Last October, we browsed our way through the duty-free shops on our way to shore at Puerto Maya. Of course, if you buy anything going in that direction, you have to check it and claim it on your return to the ship -- you can't 'enter' Mexico with it.

That would be the explanation I would expect. I guess I got off the ship too early and the store wasn't open yet because I walked down the outside.

[98Charlie]

so, the prices in town are cheaper? We bought baileys for 18us and also crown at the duty free. Is it cheaper in town? We just bought it before boarding instead of carrying it around!

Prices can be cheaper in town or not.

 

If you have a "shopping list", check out the prices on the way to town and then in town also.

 

Buying at the Duty Free on the way back does save having to lug the bottles around. OTOH if you have been spending some time at a local watering hole before returning to the ship you may have a tendancy to overpurchase :eek:

 

Or, as we did one time, forget how much or what we bought. Had to wait until the last night of the cruise to see what we had :rolleyes:

 

Charlie