MunsterMean Posted December 5, 2018 #1 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Has anyone not done an excursion here and just walked around downtown? Thinking of not paying for an excursion and doing our own thing but want to make sure that's a good idea (Never been). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KarimaJ Posted December 5, 2018 #2 Share Posted December 5, 2018 We like Cozumel. We have taken a cab to Paradise Beach and then a cab back and just walked around downtown. Very safe and lots of things to buy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUPilot14 Posted December 5, 2018 #3 Share Posted December 5, 2018 We never do the cruise line excursions. We venture on our own and it has usually (always) been a good decision. In Cozumel, I highly recommend Nochi Cocom. It's our favorite thing to do in Cozumel and get away from the crowds. Definitely pre-reserve. Taxi's are abundant and affordable. All inclusive booze and food, and limited to less than 200 people daily. http://www.cozumelnachicocom.com/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted December 5, 2018 #4 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes, you can just stay in port. There are tons of shops, bars...etc. Why not jump in a taxi (very quick and cheap) and go to Paradise Beach? Tons of fun!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BallFour4 Posted December 5, 2018 #5 Share Posted December 5, 2018 (edited) We have. It was a cold and rainy December day. I was ready to go back to the ship after lunch. Cozumel is beautiful. Cruises exist today sailing here from Galveston that are 4 nighters, or three full days aboard. One headed there, one in port and one headed back. Using that logic can I suggest saving a few coins between now and your cruise and looking at some of the beach resorts like Nachi Cocum, Playa Mia or Mr. Sanchos. All offer some the same things yet are different. The reason I say that is Nachi Cocum has a place to get out of the rain, sit and enjoy the view it it's cold and if warm as in most days enjoy some of the prettiest water in Mexico. The cost is $17 each way for the taxi and $55 per person total before gratuities. I will add some for that. The point is the shops in and around the port sell essentially the same thing, and after about five of them they all look the same. Expect a plethora of replies to your question, but at least review the shore excursions offered through Carnival or what independents like the two I mentioned (and many more) offer for making a great memory while in port. Here are some of my images from our many trips to Nachi Cocum.https://www.flickr.com/gp/leeusry/627Rj5 We've had fun at Mr. Sanchos, Playa Mia and Passion Island too. Edited December 5, 2018 by BallFour4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted December 5, 2018 #6 Share Posted December 5, 2018 you do not have to pay for an all inclusive. We would never eat or drink $110 in tacos and beer, besides we have Cheers. I'm pretty sure you can go to Paradise Beach ala carte. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
champagne123 Posted December 5, 2018 #7 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Correct. $3 entrance fee. If you want a lounger and umbrella, you have to purchase $10 of food or drink and you get to use them for free. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MunsterMean Posted December 5, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Thank you for all of these suggestions! We are leaving from New Orleans this Saturday. Of course there is a 100% chance of rain in New Orleans when we are leaving and Cozumel is likely to receive rain and be cloudy the day we are there. We'll just have to play it by ear! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted December 5, 2018 #9 Share Posted December 5, 2018 don't pay attention to Caribbean or Yucatan weather patterns, it always shows rain. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kris.heather2011 Posted December 5, 2018 #10 Share Posted December 5, 2018 We go to Mr Santos every time we’re in Cozumel. I did when an all inclusive to Nochi Cocum but we will be back at Mr Santos in a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asalligo Posted December 5, 2018 #11 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes, last cruise we just walked and shopped in Cosumel. There are some fun shops outside the gated area, but within sight of it. They had a cool little shop where the fish could eat your feet and tons of food. I wanted a Panama hat and found one for $50, but that was way too much. Kept walking and haggling and got one for $10. Same exact hat, brand, color and all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcgrumpy Posted December 5, 2018 #12 Share Posted December 5, 2018 That's my plan for February. Take a taxi downtown, buy some souvenirs maybe have lunch. Last month on Allure we took a taxi to Paradise Beach. We had a nice time, but what started out as a cheap beach day still ended up costing over $200. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiserbarbie Posted December 5, 2018 #13 Share Posted December 5, 2018 We'll be there in January for about the 10th time. We have rented scooters for a tour around the island and picked up a piece of driftwood which had a perfect crevasse for a large seashell that I found. Put the two together and have what I consider a wonderful reminder of Cozumel, for nothing. We have also gone to Chanakaab for the day. Other times took a taxi to town and walked around and then walked back. We've been to the market in town and a WONDERFUL shop is Chololateria Isla Bella Isla which I go to no matter what. This time I am going to SkyReef, buying the Welcome Pkg for $18-snorkel, drink, massage, etc. So you have lots of options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MunsterMean Posted December 5, 2018 Author #14 Share Posted December 5, 2018 My boss surprised me with a check to go towards an excursion today at work (VERY generous of him!) as a Christmas gift. Might use that at Progreso and then at Cozumel go to Paradise beach or one of those private resorts that have been mentioned above. Thank you again everyone for the recommendations. Keep 'em coming 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mukio89 Posted December 5, 2018 #15 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Yes, every time. Walk around downtown, shopping and a restaurant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobCaron Posted December 5, 2018 #16 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Good to know. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Djptcp Posted December 5, 2018 #17 Share Posted December 5, 2018 DH and I have been to Cozumel at least 20 times on cruises and we also ferried over from Playa del Carmen on several land vacations there. After doing Chankanaab Park, a beach excursion another time, we decided just to go downtown to have lunch at one of the alfresco restaurants and shop afterwards. We took cabs downtown and back. All those times were very enjoyable. The last few times I have stayed on board and DH gets off to look for Cuban cigars and a quick lunch close to the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lottacruises Posted December 6, 2018 #18 Share Posted December 6, 2018 In some areas vendors like to bother you and everyone is hassling you to come in their store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coevan Posted December 6, 2018 #19 Share Posted December 6, 2018 every Caribbean island and some U.S. tourist spots as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MunsterMean Posted December 6, 2018 Author #20 Share Posted December 6, 2018 A question on Paradise beach... What is the crowd like? Pretty crowded or not so much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susie539 Posted December 6, 2018 #21 Share Posted December 6, 2018 I also recommend Nachi Cocom. We were there on the Sensation. We didn't dock until noon. If you are on a ship that docks in the afternoon Nanci stays open longer. We went snorkeling there, my husband and I were the only 2 on the boat besides the 2 guys that took us out. When we got back the resort had cleared out and we had the entire place to ourselves. This was on Nov. 3, so it may have been where it was the slower season. Also, I highly recommend the pictures there. Ivonne De Leon was our photographer and she is amazing. Definitely worth more than we paid for them. You get one printed out the picture and a thumb drive with the other pictures. You can look her up on facebook to see some of her work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susie539 Posted December 6, 2018 #22 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Some pictures of our snorkeling taken with my GoPro and pics taken by Ivonne. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcgrumpy Posted December 6, 2018 #23 Share Posted December 6, 2018 10 hours ago, MunsterMean said: A question on Paradise beach... What is the crowd like? Pretty crowded or not so much? It wasn't crowded when we were there a few weeks ago. There were only 4 ships in port that day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare georgiacat Posted December 6, 2018 #24 Share Posted December 6, 2018 If you are not into beaches, we took a Carnival tour last spring that went to the Mayan cultural center. We enjoyed it very much and would go again. It was listed as Mayan (something) ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joebucks Posted December 6, 2018 #25 Share Posted December 6, 2018 Personally, I am not a fan of excursions. Last time we went, we spent some time downtown, and rented a moped where we visited the island. Paradise was nice, but I though to be overrated. I absolutely loved Chankanaab. It's a beautiful island. We had a blast exploring it. Next time, we are going to Mr Sanchos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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