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Overview Of Cozumel In Mexico
he island of Cozumel is on a scuba diving vacation and
only 12 miles (19 km) off the second time for a day via
the Mexican Yucatan cruise ship (also scuba dived
Peninsula's east coast and 44 during my second visit).
miles (71 km) south of Cancun.
For years, Cozumel was a quiet As a result of the cruise ship
sleepy island that didn't get boom, there has been lots of
many visitors until Jacques retail development along the main
Cousteau did a documentary on it waterfront road of Avenida Rafael
after discovering the world class Melgar in the island's only town
scuba diving at the Palancar of San Miguel de Cozumel. There
Reefs nearby. Since 1961, are countless jewelry and t-shirt
Cozumel has been known as one of shops most with staff standing in
the best scuba diving the entrances enticing visitors
destinations in the world. In to enter their stores. Both
fact for decades since that time, silver and liquor can be good
the only tourists visiting the bargains here. There are also
island have been primarily scuba some nice Mexican crafts shops
divers. Mainstream tourists went too. The one problem that we
to the resort intensive Cancun in found was that after about 4
the mainland instead. However, jewelry shops, they all started
Cozumel became a regular cruise to look the same. It was almost
ship port of call in recent years a retail overload. For those who
and today it is one of the came for a wilder time, there are
busiest with two separate some bars such as Carlos 'n'
terminals. It is common to have Charlie. The town's main outdoor
five or even six different cruise square, Plaza del Sol, is just
ships at port on any given day. opposite the main ferry dock to
I've been to Cozumel twice, the the mainland. There are usually
first time staying several days street vendors and artists in the
Plaza as well local entertainment a 4x4. I once rented a scooter
during some evenings. The and zigzagged along most of San
artists do some amazing artwork Miguel's streets to see the
with spray paints and their neighborhoods. Then I went on
prices are very reasonable. San the main road leaving town and
Miguel's main tourist area can be went south. After passing by the
very busy during the day when the larger resorts and going around
cruise ship passengers are in the southern tip of the island, I
town but since most ships depart found the beaches along the
at dinnertime, the evenings are southeastern shores. The shores
actually very quiet. The only near San Miguel along the crowded
tourists left at night tend to be west coast are not known for
the scuba divers staying in beaches but the southeast part
Cozumel. here have some really spectacular
ones. Even better is that there
Most of the hotels and resorts is very little traffic here so
are south of San Miguel and are the beaches are pretty quiet.
not within walking distance. Sometimes people can park their
However, there are numerous white scooters and enjoy a beach all
taxicabs that are readily for themselves. There are a few
available. The larger and more stops with refreshments and more
luxurious resorts tend to be even souvenirs at prices even better
further south of town along the than in San Miguel. After
southwestern shores. This is traveling north again, there is a
actually not surprising since road about halfway up the island
most of the best scuba diving that goes across and takes you
sites are southwest of the back to San Miguel entering the
island. An easy way to see the town's east side. My scooter
33 mile (53 km) by 9 mile (14 km) tour of the island took just over
island is by renting a scooter or 2 hours and cost $25 US for the
rental. Cozumel has several snorkel can easily book directly
ancient Mayan ruins but they are with the many dive shops in San
not nearly as large or Miguel without going through
spectacular as the ones on the their cruise ships which will
mainland. After seeing some cost much more. For cruise ship
photos of them in advance of my tourists who do not intend to do
trip, I didn't even bother to see any water sports and have some
the ruins. time after shopping, it is highly
recommended to rent a scooter or
Cozumel is a nice port of call 4x4 to tour the island. This is
for cruise ships as there are also a nice way to spend the last
many shopping opportunities. day of a scuba dive vacation in
Passengers who scuba dive or Cozumel.
About the Author:
Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca , an online gallery specializing in Inuit Eskimo and Northwest Native American art including carvings, sculpture and prints. Free Spirit Gallery has numerous information resource articles with photos of authentic Inuit and Native Indian art as well as free eCards.
Source: www.isnare.com
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