SUNNY, FRIENDLY COZUMEL

Thursday, January 25, 2024
Sky Princess
Stateroom S222/17
San Miguel de Cozumel, Mexico
Sun, 85F

Public art on the main street of San Miguel de Cozumel

Cozumel is an island off the Mayan Riviera coast. The main city, San Miguel de Cozumel, has three cruise ship terminals, Puerta Maya, Punta Langosta, and the International Cruise Terminal. Princess and Carnival cruise lines mainly use Puerta Maya, where our ship docked today.

As you may imagine, this port is a favorite destination, and today five cruise ships are in port. Near us are the Carnival Dream and the Carnival Paradise. A Royal Caribbean ship and a German cruise ship are nearby.  That means that over 20,000 people (passengers and some crew) are visiting the area! Despite the number of people, we did not feel “crushed.”

Three behemoths

The docking area has been built up by probably both the cruise ship industry and Mexico—lots of shops and restaurants. When we get off the cruise ship, we can walk to this area through a very large duty-free shop. Outside that building, there are many shopping choices, souvenirs, diamonds, RonJon’s, Margaritaville, DelSol (color changing shirts), Cariloha (bamboo clothing, bedding, towels), and many more.

TK and his new friend

TK taking a rest

Janie and Puerta Maya

Oasis at port

Shopping area at port

Another view

It has been eight years since we have been in Cozumel, and we wanted to visit our favorite areas.  We easily hailed a taxi to the main area downtown ($10). Soon we noticed that a lot of road work and construction were underway on the main street along the shore.  In the taxi, we saw the floats in preparation for Mardi Gras, but could not figure out where they were when we were walking—the streets are in disarray.

I got a little carried away with the heavy equipment

I have no idea what some of these machines do

but they were busy

Pancho's Backyard, the restaurant connected to the original 

Los Cincos Soles on the main street--

a beautiful setting!

Our favorite shop is the original Los Cinco Soles, where we have purchased pure vanilla and fairly priced silver chains in the past.  The shop also has an attached restaurant, Pancho’s Backyard, that we have enjoyed many times.  It felt good to be back there, I cannot explain why other than the salesclerks are always so friendly.

There is colorful public art along the main street, which is also along the shoreline.  It did not take us long to explore the rocky, sandy shore for beach glass!  I am sure we were a sight in our regular clothes searching the narrow beach, but we easily found a handful, mostly green, frosty, and brown!  This is not a shoreline for sunbathing.

Seahorse

There's a "wrecked" boat, let's make art

"Beach" area where we found beach glass

Beach glass! 

The heat was not oppressive, and there was a nice breeze as we walked toward the ship.  We hailed a taxi for a ride back and then headed to Pancho’s Backyard 2 for authentic Mexican food. We shared cheese quesadillas, salsa, and chips while a couple played the xylophone—just the right sound for our day in Mexico!

Los Cinco Soles near the ship

This mule was created in metal, very 

cleverly done

Pancho's Backyard near the ship

where we had lunch

 I think next time that we are in Cozumel we will go to Nachi Cocum, a favorite beach. It is limited to 130 people per day, costs between $55 and $69 per person, which includes a 4-course lunch, all you can drink (including beer, liquor, cocktails, water, wine, sodas, and juices), free wi-fi, lounge chairs, and a server who will attend to your requests.   The taxi ride is about $15/2 each way.  The server will call the taxi for you when you are ready to leave.  We were there once before, and this beach is beautiful. There are certainly other great beaches near San Miguel de Cozumel.  https://cozumelnachicocom.com/

We returned to the ship after lunch, and while TK rested, I read another book. Since I brought a suitcase full of books, I better keep at it!

From our balcony you can see the long duty free shop leading to the main shopping 

area built by cruise companies

Tonight was an elegant night, with lobster and filet mignon as our choice. TK loves escargot. The Chantilly swan was graceful and tasty!

 

Chantilly swan for dessert

TK’s Takes: Cozumel has changed a lot since we were here last.

TK liked this sign:  

"Throw your chewing gum here"