COZUMEL CRUISE TERMINAL

GETTING ON AND OFF THE SHIP

DISEMBARKATION: Leaving the ship is simple and you will quickly be in the port area shops and able to head onwards to your chosen attractions or excursions.

EMBARKATION: As with most ports, you will go through an airport-style screening process to get back on board the ship if you have left the secure areas, so ensure you leave time for this when planning any excursions.

TAXIS: As to be expected there is a high demand for taxis during initial disembarkation hours and they may not be readily available. Please account for this wait time in your plans, especially if you are planning on travelling further afield.

DEPARTURE PORTS OF SHIPS CALLING AT COZUMEL

Boston, MA | Caldera, Costa Rica | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Galveston, TX | Miami, FL | Mobile, AL | New Orleans, LA | New York, NY | Port Canaveral, FL | Tampa, FL

*Please Note: These scheduled ports of call are not guaranteed as the cruise line may make changes to their itineraries due to weather or other reasons. 

MONEY MATTERS

CURRENCY

The currency of Mexico is the Mexican Peso (MXN) which is divided into 100 cents. It is printed on paper bills in the following denominations: $20, $50, $100, $200, $500, and $1000. It also includes the following coins: 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20. However, US dollars are readily accepted by most vendors but visitors should be careful to check the conversion rate being offered is reasonable.

TIPPING

Although it’s not mandatory, giving a tip or propina is customary in Mexico and some service industries will expect a tip for a job well done. Generally, pay in Mexico is modest compared with many countries and a small tip to you can mean much more to the recipient. Tipping in pesos is preferred, but dollar bills are a good substitute if you don’t have any Mexican currency.

RESTAURANTS: It is customary to offer your waiter or waitress a tip between 10-20% depending on the level of service they provided. You will normally have to request the bill or check as it’s considered rude in Mexico for serving staff to bring the bill before it’s requested. If you are dining with a large group (usually 8 or more) the restaurant may add a service charge to your bill automatically so check for this before you add your tip. This is usually indicated at the bottom of a menu if the restaurant does this, or it will be indicated on your bill.

BARS: A tip of 10-15% or $1/15-20 pesos per drink is appropriate at a bar. In some places, you’ll find a “tip jar” on the bar and others you can give the tip to your server directly.

TAXIS: A tip is normal only if the driver helps with bags and would normally be 10 pesos per bag. But a tip for good service is always appreciated.

Paying with a credit or debit card is very common, but smaller vendors may only deal with cash and some places will only accept cards with a chip, so if yours doesn’t have one, it might be worth asking your provider if you can get a replacement card. Paying in dollars is acceptable in tourist areas, but if you are going further afield, peso should be carried.

BANKS & ATMS

Finding an ATM (Automated Teller Machine) will not be too difficult in San Miguel, with machines close to each terminal. We’ve pinned several other banks and ATMs that are near the terminal to the map below.

GETTING AROUND COZUMEL

If your ship docks at Punta Langosta you will be right in the heart of San Miguel within walking distance of towns attractions. If you dock at the other terminals, San Miguel is a 10-15 minute taxi ride away, which should cost about $8 for up to 4 people.

To go a little further, taxi rates are fixed for 1-4, 5 and 6-8 passengers to many of the most popular tourist spots on the island. There will typically be taxis waiting at the terminal, especially during peak embarkation and disembarkation times.

Another option is to rent a scooter or a jeep/buggy and set out to explore the island on your own. This is a great way to get to the attractions of the island in a fun way.

COZUMEL WEATHER

In general, you’ll find the climate very similar year-round with temperatures ranging from 70°F to mid 80°F throughout the year. A cold day in Cozumel means it has dipped down to mid 50°F! Humidity is worst in August and September and this also brings an increased chance of thunderstorms which typically don’t last too long.

COZUMEL VISITOR’S CENTER

The Cozumel Visitor’s Center is a great place for even more, in-depth, information about many treasures found in Cozumel.

LOCATION: C/ 3 Sur #81 entre Av. Rafael E. Melgar y 5ta. Av., Colonia Centro, 77600 San Miguel de Cozumel

PHONE: +52 987 120 5601

HOURS OF OPERATION: Open 6 days a week from 08:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 14:00 Saturday  –  Please note though hours may be seasonal and subject to change so best to give them a call before visiting to confirm they are open.

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

There are many festivals held in Cozumel, so it’s worth checking to see if anything is on whilst you are in port. Big annual events include Carnaval de Cozumel which is normally held in February, The 150-year-old El Cedral festival held in May in the village of Cedral and the famous Day of the Dead in November.

As these are big events for Cozumel, if you are planning a cruise during these times it is best to plan accordingly as places will be busier than normal.

Also, keep these dates in mind if you want to join in the fun, or come another time to enjoy a quieter Cozumel.

DINING

While you’ll have plenty to eat aboard your cruise, you shouldn’t give up the chance to try some of the great things Cozumel has to offer.

Being on the coast, fresh seafood is a given and where better to try some Mexican food than Mexico!

A few that come highly recommended are:

La Mission – Provides choices for everyone, Classic Mexican, Fresh Sea Food and tasty meat options.

New Especias – Delicious Italian and seafood options in the heart of San Miguel.

Kondesa – Providing a modern take on classic Mexican dishes, Kondesa is just a short walk from the Punta Langosta Pier.

SHOPPING

Cozumel is a shoppers paradise and the cruise companies will no doubt sell hard about where to get the best deals and supply booklets of vouchers for discounts. Of course, they want you to visit those shops for a reason and those discounts are no doubt built into the asking prices.

You should find better bargains if you head to smaller independent shops rather than the glitzy showrooms that dominate the port areas.

Items that Cozumel is known for are pure vanilla extract, which is a great purchase for any friends who bake, hammocks, handmade wool blankets and jewellery.

MAP

The map below shows all the attractions described above in relation to the cruise terminals.