Doc Vikingo's 'Things
to do on Cozumel'
(when not diving or eating or laying on the beach):
You may wish to print this list to take along with you on your trip.
1. First order of
business is to purchase a Can-Do Map
of Coz (http://www.cancunmap.com/cozumel_map.html)
2. Take the ferry over to the mainland and tour Xcaret, Tulum, Chitzen
Itza & other famous Mayan cities like Coba (the latter is especially
recommended). Your travel agent or Coz hotel can arrange these, or you
can do them on your own. Plan on a whole day, although Coba & Chitzen
are even better with an overnight.
Also over on that side is the Crococun Zoological Park Crococun
Zoological Park (http://www.travelers.com.mx/inter-crococun.html)
. I haven't done it, but it's been highly recommended to me by several
people. It's just a bit north of Puerto Morelos, which is north of Playa
del Carmen where to Coz passenger ferries dock. I'd guess it's about 20-30
min north on the highway to Cancun, on the right.
Or, just take the ferry over to Playa del Carmen, walk around & have
lunch at one of the many nice eatries. Ferries leave regularly from early
AM to late PM, take about 1/2 hour & cost about $US22 r/t.
3. If you've got about $125 burning a hole in your pocket, play golf at
the new Cozumel
Country Club (http://www.cozumelcountryclub.com.mx/) up north (shop
around for hotel package deals).
4. Or spend much, much less for Golfito (corner of 1st St. South &
15th Avenue; look for the water tower) where you can walkie-talkie for
cold beer or sangria delivered to your hole.
5. Anticlimatic for most divers, non-divers may enjoy the Atlantis Submarine
Tour Atlantis
Submarine Tour (http://www.atlantisadventures.com/destinations.php?site=3).
6. There's some rather good deep sea fishing off Coz. Try Albatros
(http://www.albatroscharters.com/). If you'd rather fish the lagoons
or flats, contact me & I'll hook you up with a private guide.
7. Go parasailing. Several places do this. One is Fury
Cats.
8. Visit the Corpus Christi Church back in the "neighborhood."
It's an interesting religious edifice (20th Ave. S) with a small park
across the street & some good places to eat nearby.
9. See the wilds with a Wild
Tours (http://www.cozumel-click.com/wild.html) dune buggy jungle expedition.
I don't like these contraptions violating the east side, but you'll see
parts of Coz you won't get to otherwise. Can also hook you up with kyaking,
bone fishing, hiking & other activities.
10. Horseback riding places that I know of include Mr. Sancho’s
Beach Club, Los Laureles, Palmitas, San Miguel & Rancho Buenavista
Ranches, all south of town. Likely there are others. Hotel can arrange.
11. IMHO, an often missed gem is the Museo de las Isla de Cozumel at Melgar
between Calles 4 & 6N. Cool reef diaorama, very informative tours
if the curator is around, and a terrace restaurant with nice water view
& good breakfast.
For those who go for this type of activity, check out the even less visted
Museum
of Indigenous Instruments (http://www.islacozumel.net/services/pax).
12. Beto has reopened his go cart track further south of the old location.
Heading south as you approach Puerta Maya it's on the left (52-987-2-18-76).
13. Cozumel
Archaeological Park (Parque Arqueologico; 011-52-987-2-09-14) (http://www.cozumelparks.org.mx/40_sp.html),
about 10 min east of town on Cross Island Road (Av 65 S), near San Gervasio.
See the ruins, both natural & reproductions, in the area. Conitnue
on around to the east side and see the Castillo Real & Tumba El Caracol
ruins.
14. 15. I'm not into captive dolphins, but if you are down at Chankanaab
Park is Dolphin
Discovery (http://www.mexonline.com/cozumel/dolphin2.htm). Also a
small botanical garden & sea lions.
15. In the "winter" months go kite boarding with REAL
Kiteboarding (http://www.realkiteboarding.com/index.cfm?page=newsitem&id=601)
16. If you are interested in diving caverns/caves on Coz proper, I can
orient you to the locations & natures of several sites, but easiest
is to go through Yucatech
Expeditions (http://www.yucatech.net/geohydrology.htm). They can also
hook you up with mainland cenote/cave diving, as can most Coz ops.
17. Haven't done this one, there's a small, uninhabited island in the
far north called Isla de la Pasion. Supposedly has nice beach, but probably
mobbed by cruisers. Need boat to get there. You hotel can arrange or call
011-52-987-2-09-72.
18. Pay a visit (and make a donation) to one of the hyperbaric chambers
that is open on a regular basis (one at the beach is not). I'd recommend
the Buceo Medico Mexicano facility (part of the SSS Recompression Network).
Can be informative & you'll have a good chance to see it operating.
BMM is at Calle 5 Sur, #21-B, right next to the DAN Products shop.
19. Treat yourself to a message. There are a number of places to go, but
great on the body & easy on the eyes is mi amiga, Helen
Green (http://members.aol.com/czmmassage/). I also hear good things
about Laura DiTuri (lauritad@hotmail.com)
who'll come to your hotel. There are nice spas at the Occidental
Grand (http://www.grandcozumel.com/), El
Presidente (http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/icon/hd/czmha) &
Aqua
Spa at Av. 10 & Calle (http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Aquaspa?From=Cruiseships).
20. Take a bike cruise. Can rent em at Rentadora
Anguila (http://www.cozumelcars.com). Stay off the main roads as much
as possible. I can work out a route for you if you need one.
21. Squash can be had on Juarez & 75th Ave, left just before the "second"
PEMEX station. Nice, new facility (869-1878, 872-7445/044-987-800-7043).
22. Public tennis, basketball courts, soccer field & a running track
are at 11th St. & 40th Ave.
23. Can never go wrong movies, and 6-screen Cinepolis
(http://www.cinepolis.com.mx/Asp/Cartelera/carteleras.aspx?ciudad=53&fecha=20050815&horario=0)
is right behind Chedraui shopping center.
24. If your group includes adult males looking for some raunchy doings,
check out the Caribbean Queen (the raunchiest of the lot) on the Cross
Island Road, or at Platino's (costly fun) or Negro & Blanco. Any cab
driver will know where they are.
25. If you like disco/rock/raggae Las Boyas (Calle 3, between Avenida
15 & Ave 20), Neptuno's (Melgar & Calle 11Sur) & Chicho's
(upstairs on Ave 10 between Calles 7 & Calle 9) have some action.
) Delfines (on Ave Salas diagonally across from Deep Blue) now does country
& western. I think these addresses are correct & I assume that
they all still open. I know most of them are.
26. For strains of salsa to the aroma of Cuba cigars, it's the Havana
Club (Just below Prima Pasta) (http://www.cozumeltravel.com/Restaurants/Havana%20Club/Havana_Club/HavanaClub.htm).
27. Later evening dancing is way cool at Cafe Salsa (10th Ave between
Juarez & 2). Some very skilled moves here. Also free lessons on certain
nights.
28. Go bowling at
Caribbean Bol (bowling@gocozumel.com).
Located behind the Municipal Building aka the "Palacio" by Chedraui.
10 computerized lanes. Facilities for food, soft drinks, gear storage.
Times: Mon thru Thu 9AM-12AM; Fri & Sat 9AM-1AM; closed Sun. Cost:
~$US4 a game.
29. On Sun evening turn out for the promenade at the San Miguel plaza
(El Zocalo). Some schlock art & hucksters, but also real families
enjoying themselves & ninos as cute as bottons. Various local treats,
like churros.
30. If you run out of things to do, I'm at docvikingo@aol.com.
© Doc
Vikingo
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