lifes-a-beach

Snorkeling is quite good. I’ve never tried to rent gear there so I can’t speak to that. Also, they don’t open until 10AM Cozumel time, NOT ship time (unless they’re the same). There is an entry fee, $25 pp now I think, but it is credited to your food and drink tab when you check out. The food is very good as there is a cooking school on site. Restrooms are also a step above in cleanliness. The pool is just a pool. Big enough but not huge. No lazy river or any of that. And the music is not blasting like so many of the AI clubs.

Depending on where you want to go, either get in a cab, or book a beach club pass with transportation. I've never felt unsafe there.

Five ships is a light day for Cozumel. There’s shopping all around the various ports, and in San Miguel. Never been to Iberostar, but we loved Paradise Beach before it became AI.

Somewhat depends on what marine life you want to see, and from the shore or a boat. And maybe how experienced you are. Roatan has the best shore access by far. Not much experience needed if you go from West Bay beach and plenty of rental gear available. If you’re planning on going off the long pier on Maya Key and then all the way past the reef to the deep blue to free dive, that’s for more experienced folks who bring their own equipment. Not that parts of the reef there aren’t easy, and Maya Key is pretty nice too. If you want to take a boat ride and see some sharks, Shark Ray Alley off Belize is very cool. It’s Nurse Sharks and the water is pretty easy so it’s not dangerous, but it’s an all day commitment and you pretty much need to book it with the ship. I also took a private excursion to Goff’s Key a few years ago and it was ok. There was a pretty stiff current. Caye Caulker is on my list but I’ve not been there yet. The only snorkeling I’ve done in Costa Maya was in January of 2022 with Gypsea Divers by boat. We really enjoyed that trip and saw lots of marine life. My concern now would be the sargassum as it’s gotten lots worse in the last few years. I’ve only snorkeled once from Cozumel and that was years ago with a guide by boat. It wasn’t something I’ll ever do again but only because there wasn’t much to see and it was a windy, rough day. Plus there’s so much else that we like to do there that it’s just not on the list. If you feel like giving more detail about your experience level and what your goal is, I’m sure you’ll get lots more feedback.

Don't go places you have no business going, and don't do things you have no business doing. You know, just like in your home town. That said, we avoid Jamaica and most of the Bahamas.

Lots of good suggestions. I will only add that there is a mathematical formula that should be followed. The number of persons potentially using the items, times the number of doses each 24 hour period, times the number of 24 hour periods of your trip. Add 2 extra days' worth in case of delay.

Infinity Bay has a new pool? Did they replace the one they had or add one?

https://discoverroatan.net/product/infinity-bay-resort-day-pass/ Used Discover Roatan in the past.

I used it yesterday for a May 4th departure. Saved us a little over $14 on indoor.

That's so nice of you to say. Thank you and come back and see us.

A couple of weeks ago we were in Costa Maya aboard Jubilee. Evidently there’s a thing called winter break when young parents bring their kids like they do during summer. We don’t sail during summer and never will again during winter break. All that to say, we stayed aboard in Costa Maya and it was so peaceful that I can’t see a time we will ever get off there, no matter the clientele onboard.

Since you said any input is appreciated, here’s mine. If are driving in Mexico and you are in an accident, you are guilty until proven innocent. You will have to have a Mexican attorney who is bilingual. If you are not in a Mexican jail, you will not be allowed to depart with the ship (or possibly at all) until certain steps are taken, such as paying for the other party’s damages. If someone is hurt or killed, get out your checkbook and plan on an extended stay. If you’re drunk, well, let’s just say that’s gonna be a bigger problem. I will never, ever drive in Mexico. Whatever the driver costs is a rounding error compared to the above. YMMV

Yes, you can. The only time I’ve been to Sky Reef it was too windy to snorkel so I can’t comment on that, but the snorkeling at Buccanos is pretty easy. Wade in and stay inside the buoys. I’ve seen lots of marine life there.

Wow. This thread needs to be pinned so everyone can read it. Thanks to all of you for helping the rest of us avoid this service.

20MPH may seem slow but on the water it’s pretty quick, especially right down on the water like that. We’ve never done it, but speed shouldn’t be your single deciding factor. Paradise Beach has a lot going for it, but it’s not particularly adventurous and, since you specifically mentioned that food and drinks were not a priority, it would probably be a disappointment since they cater to AI and there are lots of folks there overindulging shall we say. I think Paradise Island may be in The Bahamas. At least that’s the only one I’ve heard of. If you want a nice place with excellent food and a chill atmosphere, but with shore snorkeling, you might consider Buccanos. It’s a little farther from the port, thus a more costly cab ride. They charge an entry fee of, I think, $25, which is credited to your bill when you pay it out. Excellent snorkeling right there. They also have a pool and a fake sand beach with lots of loungers under palapas. They don’t open until 10:00am their time (not ship time which may be different). I have a friend who was there last week and loved it. My wife and I go there quite often as I don’t drink and she is a cheap date. We love the food and the more family friendly atmosphere. Spend some time looking through the threads in this section and you’ll see lots of information that might help steer you to something you like.

I second Money Bar. There's just not a lot of places on Cozumel where the water is clear enough to see the marine life. I have my own gear but I've heard good things about Money Bar's gear.

It would be helpful if we knew your priorities. Your items don't have a lot in common for comparison except snorkeling. Even that item doesn't stand out as the primary focus. Personally, we have only done Paradise Beach from your list so I may not be much help anyway, but someone can. Just let us know a little more about what you really want to experience. Good luck!

We have friends that were there 3 weeks ago. No entrance fee. No required amount to spend. They enjoyed it a lot (and they are very cost conscious) and said the food was excellent and reasonably priced. Snorkeling was good also. We are in Cozumel today. Chose to stay aboard in the quiet but it started storming about noon and lots of people came back already drunk and, of course loud. Oh well.

Not really. If I had to buy jewelry somewhere while on a cruise it would be Grand Cayman. But the truth is, I have never seen the attraction of buying diamond jewelry someplace where there will be no warranty claim, no quality control and no recourse if it turns out to be fake, which happens often. Use a trusted jeweler where you live. Just my .02.

We just got the day passes. We ate lunch at their beach front outdoor bar/restaurant. The food was very good and I recall having way too much. But there are lots of options for food walking distance down the beach. Welcome to the forum!

Each way and I don't know about credit cards.

My wife and I have been going to Buccanos since Paradise Beach (and lots of other places) went all-inclusive. In early 2024 we had an experience at the port that I thought I would share. The man who directs folks to the taxis and fills out a piece of paper saying where you are going lied to us, telling us that Buccanos was closed, and suggested some other place. We suspected that he was lying but we were going to Cozumel Drugstore first anyway so we just told the driver to take us there first. While we were inside the pharmacy, with the taxi driver waiting outside at the curb, I asked Bobbie (owner) if Buccanos was closed. A customer and resident of Cozumel who was also there just laughed and said she had literally just left there and they are open. I later learned that the taxi companies don't get a kickback from Buccanos so they try to get folks to go to someplace they do. The driver that was waiting for us got really mad when we insisted we wanted to go to Buccanos, to the point where I paid him and told him to hit the road. I then hailed another cab (literally in 2 minutes) and we proceeded to Buccanos without incident. From then on we just walk out onto the street and snag a cab. Confirm the cost one way, about $20, and if they tell you anything other than the truth just walk on and find someone who is truthful. As was said above, they are closed on Monday. The $20 entrance fee is applied to your final check. The guy at the entrance desk is usually Kenny and he will call you a return cab. It normally takes 10 or 15 minutes, but sometimes a little less or a little more. And one more thing, Buccanos doesn't open until 10AM Cozumel time. Not ship time, Cozumel time. If we need something, we take a cab to Cozumel Drugstore, then walk 2 blocks to El Coctelito for late breakfast or brunch, then to Buccanos after 10.

Thanks sir.

Gotcha. Thanks Legs.

Should have quoted you so you’d get notice. Per day or upon entry?