Is now a dangerous time to travel to Cozumel?

[Diver Kat]

Another dangerous thing about Cozumel, getting into a rut as far as restaurants go!

Here's an idea! Someone need to create a Coz Restaurant Trail the way they do with the wineries here. You get a 'passport' book and you have to collect a stamp from each winery. Collect them all and you usually get a t-shirt of glass or something. If they did it with the Coz restaurants, we'd be more likely to get out of our ruts and try all the other great places!

 

[AceszHigh]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.. Now I have to make a different decision. Round trip plane tix from here directly to Cozumel are about $500, and to Cancun they are $250-300. I know there is a bus that goes to Playa del Carmen ( I think thats the place) and a ferry that goes to Cozumel...is it worth this hassle both ways to save the $$ on plane tix?

 

[farsidefan1]

Not to me! Lost time, dragging all your gear to bus, to fairy, to taxi, nope, fly me direct.

 

[MMM]

Bus ride is about a half an hour and costs about $10. Ferry is about $15 or $20 and is about 40 minutes. I may be off by a couple of bucks on each of these. You decide what your time is worth. I do the bag drag all the time. But not next week. ;^)

 

[Darol]

Did it one time, then flew back from Cozumel to Cancun on Mayan Air.
The ferry trip was fun, had a band and drinks. Would I do it again? If I saved
$200 plus, Yes.

 

[ggunn]

Thanks for all the replies everyone.. Now I have to make a different decision. Round trip plane tix from here directly to Cozumel are about $500, and to Cancun they are $250-300. I know there is a bus that goes to Playa del Carmen ( I think thats the place) and a ferry that goes to Cozumel...is it worth this hassle both ways to save the $$ on plane tix?

How many are there of you? If I were alone, I would spend the extra and fly direct, but if there were two or more of us (that I was paying for), I'd fly into Cancun. Time-wise you can count on 2-3 hours extra travel time each way. It's not hard to do, though, just a bit time-consuming. If I only had a short stay, I'd be more inclined to fly direct, too.

 

[I Am zacharias]

Oh.... El Moro... I just drooled on myself a little....

Drooooooooled!!!! that reminds me... do not wear a nice shirt when you go to eat there! LOL...

and to those who have never been... ask about the Zacharias Special for 2, 4 or 6...

but if your real nice.. they will do it for one.... at least they do for me... lol...

Please give my regards to Rudolfo and Lucy (long story)..... and the kids..

(dare I say k i d s!) Reyes.. Helser.. and all . .

drooled on myself.. that was a good one!

thanks!!!

I Am zacharias

 

[I Am zacharias]

How many are there of you? If I were alone, I would spend the extra and fly direct, but if there were two or more of us (that I was paying for), I'd fly into Cancun. Time-wise you can count on 2-3 hours extra travel time each way. It's not hard to do, though, just a bit time-consuming. If I only had a short stay, I'd be more inclined to fly direct, too.

here is the ditty... to fly into Cancun.. do not take taxi.. or shuttle (combi)... they are rip offs. ask where the bus is.. (its around the corner and cost is maybe 5.00.. I forget exactly.)

however.. if there are a few of you it may be wise to split the taxi but negotiate the price BEFORE getting in... (it is wise to do that no matter where you are)... Cozumel is somewhat of an exception.. but still wise.

NOW.. here is the rub. if you get there too late.. you have to spend the night and take the ferry the next morning.. the last ferry to Cozumel is at 7PM or 8PM.. dont ask me why..

now, here is the return rub.. check your return flight.. if it is early in the morning.. you will have to go over the night (day) before to make your flight.. the first ferry leaves Cozumel about 8 or 9.

I tried to catch first ferry to Cozumel to make my dive and didnt arrive in time! what a BUMMER!!!!

the ferries recently got together and quit competing against each other.. they used to compete in price and race back and forth.. now there is no competition and the schedules have changed.. no Real early 6AM ferries and no late night ones.

so, do your homework.. plan the times.. and the ferries can be an excellent choice.. and PlayaCar is a great place to visit.. though it is now a mini-Cancun and a little too busy (for me).. I remember when I use to fly from Cozumel to PlayaCar... it was up and down and only 10 or 15.00.. and take taxi to Cancun for 15 or 20... it was up and down and only 10 or 15.00.

stayed at the Blue Parrot.. (the bird was red)... or was it the Red Parrot and the bird was blue... too many Margaritas back then.. anywho.. it was 25 a night.. now i think it is 250.00 after extensive remodel.. but give me the good old days.

have fun on your trip.. and read the good feeds on the food... if you go by Dive Paradise please say hello to Apple! she can also assist you with information for your travel. (google it)

dive Dive DIVE

 

[macado]

How many are there of you? If I were alone, I would spend the extra and fly direct, but if there were two or more of us (that I was paying for), I'd fly into Cancun. Time-wise you can count on 2-3 hours extra travel time each way. It's not hard to do, though, just a bit time-consuming. If I only had a short stay, I'd be more inclined to fly direct, too.

I'll echo was ggunn said. If it's more than one person then you'll be saving a bit of money. Having done the bus + ferry routine more times than I remember. It's very easy. If you time it right then it's about 2 hours since the buses usually run hourly to Playa Del Carmen from Cancun Airport. You literally walk across the street and catch the ferry to Cozumel, usually a leisurely 40 minute ride. Also gives you time to see a bit more of the area.


The logistics are very simple. Dont worry about booking the ferry or bus in advance. Once at Cancun airport, walk to the ADO bus terminal and purchase a ticket to Playa Del Carmen.

Very easy to find, just ignore the shuttle buses and car rental hawkers. The bus ride is about an hour. It will drop you off at the bus terminal essentially across the street from the ferry terminal in Playa Del Carmen. Just walk towards the water and take a right; you cant miss it. There are no taxis involved. I dont know exact prices but I think bus is about ~10 dollars and ferry is ~12 dollars.

One thing to note, dont buy a round trip ferry ticket. There are two ferry companies and they run on alternating schedules so if you booked a roundtrip you might have to wait an hour for the other ferry company. The ticket is the same for one-way or roundtrip if I recall.


The ADO buses are extremely clean and well run. Mexico (at least from my experience in the Yucutan) has a very well run bus system. Again, going back to your original question; they're extremely safe and a cheap and easy way to travel.

In the end it all depends on how many money you're saving. If it's 200$ plus for each ticket like you said it then I think it's worth it. Otherwise if the difference is only 100$ then you need to factor in your time (2-3 hours) and the cost of roundtrip for bus and ferry. The costs are still cheaper but sometimes you just want to get to your destination without worrying about more logistics.


$200 is a lot of margaritas and cervezas or about 2.8 days of days diving (200/~70 per dive trip) so you do the math.

 

[scubawife]

I rarely fly to Cozumel. For the $200-300 savings and a non-stop to Cancun I don't mind the "bag drag" at all. At worst, when the ferry is on a 2hr instead of hourly schedule, or just miss the bus, etc., it's been about 2 1/2 hrs. No big deal. Grab something eat and/or drink, people watch, enjoy the ocean view. An hour in Playa waiting on a ferry goes much faster then an hour in Houston waiting on a plane... and wondering if my luggage is making the same connection I am.

If it was a difference of $100 or less then I'd deal with connecting flts and go to Cozumel. When you're talking $200-300 (which it usually is), then I'll gladly take the time on the ground and ferry to get there from CUN. Would rather spend that money on diving or dinners.