Suggestions for Cozumel for next week

[deesapa]

Hi - Our group will be arriving in Cozumel for a day next week and we have 8 am to 8 pm time given for visiting the island so wanted suggestions to make most of it. We are group of 12 people - adults and kids (ages 6-12).

 

This is the plan we had in mind -

8 am - Exit from cruise

9 am to 1 pm - Cheknaab - Swim with Dolphins, Sea lion show, mantees, Snorkeling, Beach time and lunch

1 to 4 pm - Visit Cozumel town, shopping

4 to 7 pm - ? (Need other ideas of things to do for the group)

8 pm - Enter back on cruise

 

Thank you for your help in advance.

[crewsweeper]

In Mexico, it is very difficult to pop off the cruise ship the minute lines are secured to the dock. So plan on leaving the ship around 8:30 and don't get flustered if it is later than that.

 

Chankanaab has a lot of activities and isn't that far away so even getting off at 8:30 could easily put you in Chank around 9AM. Is your swim with the dolphins a ship excursion or did you book with the Park? Show times can vary. So you need to check with the excursion details or the Park for information. http://www.**********************cozumel/chankanaab-national-park.asp the ****** are www (dot) dolphindiscovery (dot ) com/ then the Cozumel / chankanaab-national-park.asp.

 

Chank has a lot to do so you may want to expand your time there. You don't say which ship you are on and there are 3 piers. If you are on an NCL or Disney ship, they typically dock at the downtown pier. So your shopping time is right there. Not too much happens after 5P Coz time. After shopping grab a nice dinner at some place like Panchos Back Yard or La Mission with can easily accommodate larger groups and have a variety of of items on their menus that are more suitable to younger folks not used to the style of cooking in the Yucatan.

 

If you are on RCL or Celebrity you will most likely dock at the International Pier. This pier is about 3 miles from downtown. They've recently revitalized the pier are so there may be more shopping available, But head downtown or to Puerta Maya next door for better shopping. If at Puerta Maya on a Carnival, HAL or Princess ship, there's a full fledged shopping mall there with most of the major shops you'll find downtown and an outlet for Panchos Backyard. What you'll miss is the smaller kiosks and the various hawkers/street carts etc that are around the plaza downtown.

 

And most likely you'll need to be back on board your ship by 7:30P Ship time not Coz time. So when shopping and/or dinner is done, just head on back.

 

Enjoy your cruise and stay in Cozumel.

Edited April 7, 2017 by crewsweeper
filling out website link

[c-leg5]

I agree with what Crew says regarding timing. Personally I think you are trying to overfill the day.

 

Since this is your first post I am not sure if you have cruised before but I would caution you that if you are leaving from east coast USA you will likely be one hour ahead of local time in Cozumel at this time of year (depends on Captain). You will need to keep a watch (not cell phone) on ship time. 8am - 8pm will be ship time, you may not be off until 8.30 and will need to be back onboard by whatever time the ship mandates, probably 7.30pm and I would aim for 7pm at the latest. It will be important to know the time difference for your dolphin swim.

 

I don't know if you have booked Chankanaab independently, or if this is a ship excursion but 4 hours seems an awful rush to fit everything in. Website says park opens at 8am local time.

 

Something else to keep in mind, with that size group you will likely need two taxi vans for transport for each segment of your trip.

[c-leg5]

Double post while editing.

[deesapa]

Thank you for the suggestions on timezone and other ideas. I really appreciate it.

 

Can someone suggest something to do in the evening for 1-2 hours if time permits to keep as an option in our back pocket. Thanks

[crewsweeper]

What ship are you on? Matters where you dock and what's in that area.

 

Cozumel night life really doesn't pick up until well after you have left and that's on weekends. Most early evening activities will center around having a nice dinner. Most cruise ships leave around 5 or 6P. Shops close. Beaches close. There are nice resorts up north of downtown where you can have a cocktail and enjoy the sunset. But seriously that's about it.

[deesapa]

What ship are you on? Matters where you dock and what's in that area.

 

Cozumel night life really doesn't pick up until well after you have left and that's on weekends. Most early evening activities will center around having a nice dinner. Most cruise ships leave around 5 or 6P. Shops close. Beaches close. There are nice resorts up north of downtown where you can have a cocktail and enjoy the sunset. But seriously that's about it.

 

 

Carnival Paradise

[VidaNaPraia]

"9 am to 1 pm - Cheknaab - Swim with Dolphins"

 

Please do some research before you participate in an activity which is stressful to the dolphins and significantly shortens their lives. If you like dolphins enough to wish to be near them, you might think about what's best for them, not you and other tourists.

[crewsweeper]

Carnival Paradise

 

Are you on the 4-24 or 4-29 sailing?

 

You'll dock at Puerta Maya pier. see my comments above. And here's a port link with schedule (in Coz time, not Ship time) and taxi fares in pesos (use 18 pesos to a dollar to give a rough estimate) http://www.puertamaya.com/