The Ultimate "Where To Buy Tequila in Cozumel" Thread

The Ultimate "Where To Buy Tequila in Cozumel" Thread:

 

Covi Liquor Store (That was easy)

 

I went with a mission to compare agave to agave prices from the boat, pier, Covi liquor store & AKI grocery store but the supporting pictures were so out of focus that the prices were unreadable on most. These are the best of the bunch.

 

My Purchase with receipt attached.

(Exchange rate 12/2016: $20.25 pesos to $1 dollar)

 

Don Julio Anejo Tequila 750ml: $510.00 Pesos = $25.19 Dollars

Don Julio Anejo Tequila 750ml Cristalino 750 ml: $536.00 = $26.47 Dollars

Havana Club 7 Anos Rum 750ml x2: 259.00 = $581.00 = $12.79 Dollars

 

Tip: I would discourage using dollars, use credit card for best exchange rate. The saving should cover the credit card exchange fee if there is one.

 

Other Liquor Prices

Bacardi 750ml: $12 Pier / $9.13 AKI (Grocery store next door to Covi)

Jose Cuervo Blue Agave 750ml?: $5.53 Covi

El Jimador Blanco 750ml: $7.21 Super AKI xtra (Grocery store next door to Covi)

El Jimador Reposado 750ml: $8.20 Covi

Herradura Reposado 3LT: $81 Covi

Grey Goose 4.5 LT: $217 Covi

Skyy Vodka 750ml: $10.12 Covi

Smirnoff 750ml: $6.71 Covi

 

Post what you paid and from where.

Thanks for the tips. I'l take a visit to Covi in a few weeks.

 

Do you remember what the price of Patron silver was?

I do not recall seeing any Patron on the Covi shelfs. I read that Patron is mostly made for export to the US and not commonly found on store shelves in Mexico. I do know that on Carnival that was the only tequila brand sold on the ship at a price of two for $78. It was available on the pier but don't get a price for it.

 

I went looking for Don Julio 1942 (~$120 here in the US) but did not find it at Covi and on the pier it was about the same price as in the US. Settled for what I did get but had to ask for it as only the empty boxes were on display.

 

If you can, take a few good pictures of the premium tequila stock prices on the pier and at Covi to post here. Covi guys were cool with it but Pier people appeared not so much.

 

Next time I go down there I will try calling Covi ahead of time to see if they will stock what I am looking for.

Edited February 2, 2017 by jazzbot

There is another liquor store called Europa next to the Mega Store which is suppose to have a good selection of tequilas I did not have time to explore.

There is another liquor store called Europa next to the Mega Store which is suppose to have a good selection of tequilas I did not have time to explore.

 

 

Where are these? Couldn't find on google maps..

 

I was planning to walk to Covi from Punta Langosta, and I'll bring stuff back in a backpack.

 

I've done price matching on NCL before, but since its prob only shown in Pesos, and not USD, it will be a pain, so I'll just buy it from there.

 

Any place else close to Covi, that walk doesn't seem that bad.. assume its "safe"?

so i looked at the map, mega is so much closer, you think the prices will be about the same.. was going to get some don julio

Europea is on the corner of the same block as Mega. I have read Mega has slightly higher prices and a smaller selection of tequilas compared to Covi. If you go to Mega & Europea report back and let us know.

What was the parking like at Covi? I"ll be driving a rental car in May and might try to check it out.

What was the parking like at Covi? I"ll be driving a rental car in May and might try to check it out.

 

Go to Google street view, a few spots at the front. Careful with all the one-way streets in town.

Thanks for the tips.. I think I am going to end up going to Europea..

 

I did some googling.. you can go their website to check the prices..

 

http://www.laeuropea.com.mx/

 

They seem pretty good.

 

I think the best prices are on like Avion, Don Julio, Patron, and the only vodka that seems really good is Absolut.

La Europea - right next to Mega - http://www.laeuropea.com.mx/

has a good selection of tequila at 'local' prices:

- Don Julio Anejo - 496 pesos ~$23 at todays exchange rate (vs. $50 in US)

- Don Julio 1942 - 1198 pesos ~$60 ... vs. $120 US

- Cazedores Reposado - great deal - 189 pesos (1000ml) <$10 vs >$30 in US

- Siete Leguas Anejo - 499 pesos = $25 vs. ~$60 in US

and so on - you can get on their website and check prices - one caveat, they don't have some of the tequila on their site in stock at all times.

 

Best ways to buy is:

1) in pesos - There are ATMs in Mega next door with low access fees, or

2) use credit card that doesn't have international transaction fees.

 

DO NOT BUY IN US $s - they give a bad exchange rate.

I was in this store in Jan 2017 - they gave an exchange rate of 17.5 where the real rate was about 20.6.

On the same day, Mega had an exchange rate of 20.4

so repeat:

DO NOT BUY IN US $s

General Observations on buying Tequila in Cozumel:

 

BEST PLACES - Stores for locals. Examples:

La Europea liquor Store - right next to Mega on main drag - Avenue Rafael E. Melgar

Covi Liquor store - inland a bit

Mega - Grocery Store - on main drag

Chedraui - Grocery Store - very close to Mega on main drag

 

WORST PLACE TO BUY TEQUILA

Any place tied to the tourist industry!

This includes stores by ports - the prices here are actually higher than prices in the US.

Also stores in downtown Cozumel that are associated with the Cruise Industry.

 

General Note on stores by Ports - It seems all their pricing is based on US$. While they do post prices in Pesos - this is not real. They actually always keep the US $ prices constant and update peso pricing based on the current exchange rate. So despite the fact that the Peso is currently trading near all time lows ... You will NOT be able to take advantage of this when shopping at stores by where the cruise ships park. :( :( :(

Thanks for all the information, everyone, it's exactly what I've been looking for.

 

But does anyone have advice on quality tequila available in Cozumel, but not necessarily in the States?

Last time I was there I picked up some Sauza Hacienda BLACK label 100% agave (BLUE label is sold in US but is a mixto), and El Aguijon reposado. Both are very good and not available in the US. In fact, I've got a standing order from EVERYONE who's tried the El Aguijon to bring them back a bottle on my next trip to Cozumel!

My husband always likes to try/buy a local tequila when we are in Mexico. It looks like Chedraui is the closest to Carnival's Puerta Maya Terminal; just under 4 miles one-way. The only other place I see closer to the port is OXXO grocery, which is still pretty close to the cruise terminals and Royal Village Shopping Center. Am I missing any?