Table Of Content
Cozumel, a tropical paradise in the Caribbean Sea, is a renowned destination for its spectacular coral reefs, rich Mayan heritage, and vibrant island life. Located off the eastern coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, this island is a haven for divers, history enthusiasts, and beach lovers alike. As a popular stop for cruises departing from Galveston, Cozumel offers an exciting blend of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural experiences.
Cruises from Galveston, TX
Unfortunately, the beaches right near San Miguel (and the cruise ports) aren’t the best. While some small beaches exist in this area, the larger and nicer ones are on the southwest side of the island and on the eastern shore. The island’s pristine beaches, such as Playa Mia and Chankanaab Beach, are perfect for relaxation and water sports. Visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and a variety of beach activities.
Night Caribbean - Southern CruiseDetails
While you may not realize it, Cozumel has a wide variety of great places to eat. Here are some of the places that seem to be most popular with cruise passengers. Mr. SanchosWant to spend a day at the beach without having to worry about a thing? Hang out on a beautiful beach under a palapa, or near one of the two pools.
Cozumel, Mexico
English is spoken in many tourist areas, making it easy for visitors to communicate and get assistance. Cruise Critic is not a booking agent and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Rates are in USD and valid for US and Canadian residents only.
Norwegian Escape, Mexico, Honduras & Belize from Galveston, March 7, 2025
While most people just call everything on the island Cozumel, the main city that you will no doubt visit is called San Miguel. Home to about 80,000 people, San Miguel is a bustling medium-sized town, and gets especially busy when cruise ships are docked (which swells the population of the island). Cozumel, Mexico is a vibrant island paradise in the heart of the Caribbean.
COZUMEL & CANCUN CRUISES
Port RestaurantsWe mentioned above that the International and Puerta Maya piers have enclosed areas that cater to cruise passengers. Even Punta Langosta in downtown San Miguel funnels you to a similar area. These spots all have restaurants catering to cruise passengers that want to have a good time.
Carnival opens bookings into 2026 for trio of Galveston ships - Seatrade Cruise News
Carnival opens bookings into 2026 for trio of Galveston ships.
Posted: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Local SpotsIf you head out of the port or you aren’t fed on an excursion, there are a number of local spots where you can pop in an grab a bite to eat. Many of these restaurants near the port are waterfront, so you can sit, relax, and have a drink and meal with a fantastic view. We’ve found that many of these all-inclusive spots offer up some great food that’s also a nice break from the fare on the cruise ship.
Cozumel uses flat rates from the piers to points of interest around the island. Grab a quick picture of the sign before you head to get a cab. There are souvenir shops, restaurants, shows, and more, including a pharmacy in case you forgot something at home.
This island just happens to be perched atop a coral reef, which promises hours of snorkeling or scuba diving fun. Cruises to Cozumel dock at the island’s heart — just minutes from San Miguel’s seafront shops and the white sand beach at Chankanaab National Park. Drift among star corals and sea fans on a Cozumel diving excursion or simply kick back on the beach beneath your own palm palapa as the turquoise waves roll in. Hotels With Day PassesWant to just enjoy the amenities of resorts on Cozumel — such as a private pool, a beach only to hotel guests, showers, meals, and drinks?
To make the most of your day in Cozumel, here’s some practical information to enhance your experience. Cruisers from Galveston are welcomed to Cozumel by its bustling port, which is a lively introduction to the island’s charm. The port area is a hub of activity, offering easy access to Cozumel’s renowned beaches, quaint downtown, and local attractions. Whether you’re interested in shopping, dining, or starting your island exploration, the port provides the perfect gateway. Cozumel is proof that Mexico can do ‘island flavor’ with the best of the Caribbean. It may not be the biggest island in the sea, but Cozumel offers a huge variety of things to do, see, taste and explore.
Finally, be sure to negotiate and settle on a fare before getting into any taxi. Cozumel’s cuisine is dominated by Mexican, American and international cuisine. Fresh seafood is always a good choice, and so is the cochinita pibil— a slow-roasted, highly seasoned pork dish. Cool off with a michelada, made with beer and freshly squeezed lime juice over ice in a salt-rimmed glass.
Royal Caribbean cruise ship floods amid rough weather - USA TODAY
Royal Caribbean cruise ship floods amid rough weather.
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
A number of hotels and resorts on the island (including some right near the cruise ship) offer day passes. It’s a great deal if you simply want to have a leisurely day at the pool or beach without having to fight large crowds. If it’s nice that there’s a set rate for the taxi so you don’t have to worry about price, the bad part is that the rates are high. Most popular spots can be minutes from the cruise piers yet the rides can be pricey in our opinion.
One good thing about being in port is that some spots have free wi-fi that you can use to connect. For example, Pancho’s Backyard at Puerta Maya features free service so you can catch up back home while enjoying a margarita. So you can skip the ship’s Internet and check in from the island.
In the port area you’ll find a number of restaurants such as Fat Tuesday, Three Amigos, and Pancho’s Backyard. There are also a number of souvenir shops, duty-free shopping, and even small stores where you can pick up just about anything you might have forgotten at home. There is also a small beach area (without water access) where you can lounge with a perfect view of the cruise ships. When it comes to hosting cruise ships, it’s hard to beat Cozumel. With three different cruise piers, the port can host lots ships at once.
The wet season starts in May and ends in October, while hurricane season (affecting mostly the Caribbean side) starts in June and runs until November. They're prevalent, and drivers won't always yield to pedestrians. As you should when visiting any city, leave unnecessary valuables in your cabin safe.
No comments:
Post a Comment