Is now a dangerous time to travel to Cozumel?

[robint]

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?

I would check different dates and airlines, and departure points. You may find that flying out of one airport is much cheaper than another. You say you are in Boynton? Look at WPB, FLL, Orlando, and MIA airports and I bet you find completely different prices. Also, some days have cheaper flights.

I do NOT do the bag drag from Cancun, I always fly directly into Cozumel. The only way I would stop in Cancun is if I was staying on mainland for my whole trip. The ferry can be fun or a PITA, depending on time of day and how long you have to wait between ferries (it doesn't run every hour).

 

[DiverG]

At $200+ price difference I would probably do the bag drag. I live in Houston, and the fare to Cancun and Cozumel has always been the same price when I check. So for me it is a no brainer to fly direct to Cozumel.

 

[deepstops]

You are safer there than any urban/suburban area in FL.

Doubtful but I'd still go to Cozumel.

 

[Christi]

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.

Not sure how long it's been since you've been here, but your information is not all accurate.

Actually the last ferry from PDC to CZM is at 10:00pm - always has been (at least for the last 10 years) - it just alternates each night as to which line is running it

The first ferry leaves CZM at 6am - again which line depends on which day

Here are the two different ferry companies with their schedules - note the odd/even days as they do in fact alternate the schedules each as to which line is running at which hour

UltraMAr - ULTRAMAR
$140 pesos each way - don't buy a RT ticket, ever - no benefit and you may get stuck waiting for the next hour if that line is not runing when you're ready to cross - tickets are not interchangeable between each other

Mexico WaterJet - http://www.mexicowaterjets.com/eng/
also $140 pesos each way

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.

Yes, as noted, I've posted the ferry schedules and there is a 10:00pm ferry every night

There are also flights from Cancun to Cozumel for very cheap on Maya Air - just keep in mind that luggage restrictions are much more limited than on the commercial jets

 

[selo]

I flew into Cancun on Saturday, arriving at about 4:35 pm on a direct flight from LAX. I caught the 5:00 pm bus to PDC! I arrived at PDC about 6:10 (the bus went to the other CUN terminal to pick up a few passangers first), so I had to wait for the 7:00 pm ferry. Well, at Senor Frogs, that was just fine!

The ferry ride was about 25-30 min.

Two things though: both the bus and the ferry are super air-conditioned, so keep some sweatshirt nearby. Second, the ferry ride can be rough so take some precaution (dramamine?) before hand. I do not have problems but some people may.

About 3 hours after my flight landed in CUN, I was in my hotel (Casa Mexicana) in CZM.

I hope this helps.

 

[cvchief]

I like the bag drag. Watch a little movie in spanish on the bus. Grab a little street food on the walk from bus station to ferry. Watch the ferry leave. (Seems we alway get there a couple minute late.) Pile the bags in senor frogs and sip a cool one watching the ocean. Get on the ferry, sip another cold one and listen to the band. I kinda like the trip. Even when the cost is close, I can get a direct, non-stop to Cancun, so less time wedged in a plane is a good thing.

 

[deeper thoughts]

Doubtful but I'd still go to Cozumel.

Agreed

 

[BTravlin]

Limit it to just the urban areas of Florida and I'd say Coz is safer.

 

[CozumelAntonio]

Can you imagine the following:

" I just heard on the news about some gang related drug violence and murders in the inner cities in Detroit and NYC, should I cancel my trip to Orlando?? "

Wouldn't make sense right? Same with the media reports of the drug violence in Mexico, and visiting Cozumel.

Mexico is NOT 1 destination, it's a pretty big place.

I'm glad some people ask on forums ad do their research, the internet is a great tool. I have many clients here who tell me their co-workers/friends/family give them a hard time when they hear they are coming to Cozumel Mexico. I scratch my head really.

I wish the US State Deparment and media were socially responsible and made their reports thorough, there should be zoned warnings, a list of high risk destinations (Juarez, etc.), then a list of medium risk areas, and the low/no risk areas, this would be fair...

 

[annlaur]

I wish the US State Deparment and media were socially responsible and made their reports thorough, there should be zoned warnings, a list of high risk destinations (Juarez, etc.), then a list of medium risk areas, and the low/no risk areas, this would be fair...

I wish they'd also include some statistics such as risk of getting hurt in a crossfire in Quintana Roo versus probability of having a depression episode while overworking yourself in a cold rainy stressful environment.
As far as I'm concerned, it is definitely NOT safe for me to NOT go to Mexico soon.

PS : the bag drag can take anywhere between 3 to 5 hours depending on if you make all the connections on time. Buses are the cheapest option to get to the pier in Playa (MX$ 106 per person one way), or you can book a shuttle on the Cancun airport Internet site (more expensive, but they'll be waiting for you as you exit the terminal), or take a cab.
As Christi said, the ferry is MX$ 140 OW, so the bus and ferry ROUND TRIP runs for about USD 40 per person.

If you have lots of luggage, add in a few dollars in Playa for a triciclero (bicycle porter) to go from the bus station to the boat. There are tricicleros at the Cozumel pier too that can either take the bags to the road where you catch a taxi, or directly to your hotel if you're staying in town. Taxi rates are posted, I think they start at about 50 pesos and up to USD 20 if going far South.

Whether you should fly direct to the island or do the Cancún thing is really up to you. I personnally like it but I travel for weeks at a time, so I don't feel like I'm wasting a half day of vacation.
Another thing to consider is whether you plan on visiting ruins, beaches, sights… If so, you might want to spend the last, non diving night/day of your trip on the mainland. In which case flying out of Cancún is an added benefit.