USVI-On-Line

This board has spoiled me!

The family has an upcoming 10 day trip to Cozumel in June, and I've searched high and low for a forum that comes anywhere close to this one for information and activity, but it doesn't exist!

This trip has been on the books for many months (as is my custom) so this is no new realization. The Trip Advisor board has the most activity, but also the highest percentages of newbies and/or one day visitors asking the same questions over and over again.

There are a couple others that have more of a community feel to them, but most topics go days and weeks with no new replies. No worries, I think I have been able to cull most of what I need to know by now. And in a way, the trip Leslie and I took to STJ last fall helped me with planning and knowing what kinds of things to look for and to look out for.

If any of you have anything you consider useful insider/veteran information about the place that you'd like to share, I'd love to read it.

We'll be renting a 3BR 2BA condo on the beach south of town (close to the dive sites) that has a pier on site where our dive operator can pick us up and drop us off each day.

We're renting a car so that we can explore the "wild" east side of the island, as well as go in to town in the evenings (after the cruise ships have left) to enjoy some of the food and local culture.

We even have one non-dive day that I reluctantly agreed to, where we'll go see some of the ruins and cenotes on the mainland and have a lunch prepared for us in a Mayan village.

I'm sure we'll have fun, but I still find myself daydreaming more often about this coming fall when Leslie and I will be sharing our favorite island with a good number of our fellow forumites!

Augie,
I've been to Cozumel three times on dive trips, but the last time was in 2000. My understanding from my dive buddies who have been there recently is that Cozumel is changing and growing, so I can't give you much specific advice about restaurants, shopping, etc., but there's lots of touristy shopping and restaurants downtown if you're crowd is into that. I've been to the ruins, went horseback riding, and explored the island by car. It was interesting, but one day is plenty for that. The diving is fantastic! If scuba is your thing, you will really enjoy the drift diving--drop off the boat, coast along as if on an innertube on an underwater river, surface, and there is the boat to pick you up! The beaches and ocean are beautiful. The beer & margaritas are cold. And like most Caribbean islands, everything and everybody goes at a slower pace. Relax, you'll have a great time.

Hey there Augie.

Sounds like you have a fun family trip planned...enjoy!

I've visited Coz 3 times before and as recent as January on a cruise. It will be worth your while to have a fantastic meal @ Panchos Backyard, downtown right behind the los Cinco Soles store. Any cab driver will know how to get there...I believe it's near the International Pier. The setting is great and the ambiance very authentic. Tasty food and strong Margaritas!!

Also, there is a website that I have used before with plenty of decent info on Coz, as well as forums with recent activity.
cozumelmycozumel.com
If you don't mind a bit of travel time and planning; a trip to Chichen Itza for the ruins would be awesome

Hope this helps!


Kathy

Thanks folks!

The cozumelmycozumel site is the one that I like the best, I just wish there were more posts!

I've heard good things about Pancho's Backyard - I'll have to make sure that it goes on the list.

Hey Augie - I like this place:





I also like a place called La Palmeras on the main drag. They have Fantastick margarita's and great food!