Returning to Cozumel in Feb. Any suggestions? All the Same?

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Guitarcrazy

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Location
Montana
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My wife and I have been going to Cozumel 2 to 3 times a year for the last 5 years. We change hotels, but typically dive with Salty Endeavors. We were there last February and stayed at the Coz Palace, but after reading Kimela's post and answering a few questions we decided to take a return trip and stay at Fiesta Americana. My wife just received the vaccination and I am scheduled for the end of January, so we feel a bit safer traveling.

For those of you that have been diving recently, any changes on the reef? I have heard stories about more pelagic sightings, but I haven't been able to verify that. Any dive sites that you would feel are better or different now that the cruise ships are gone? We typically do a night dive on Paradise or Villa Blanca, and wonder if the lack of pressure on Paradise has made any improvement to the wildlife there?

Any suggestions for better handling the Covid threat? We were hoping to fly into Cozumel for the first time, but United is the only airline we can book from Montana that flies into Cozumel, and their schedule doesn't align with ours so we are back to Cancun for the bag drag. I typically use Jhony at American Transfers for the shuttle to the Playa pier. Any reason to do anything different now?

Fortunately there is no penalty if we decide to cancel or change the trip so that made it a bit easier to take the risk of traveling now. Thanks for any advice or suggestions.
 
Personally, I felt the reefs looked a lot healthier, with a lot more fish life. The only thing that will be different is less crowds and wearing of masks. Also, step on the rubber mats of disinfectant when entering an establishment - and always wear your mask when indoors (and not seated at a table to eat). Some will say to wear it when you're in public. I only did that when I was walking close to people that weren't in our party.

Edit: The one thing we didn't see in any of our dives (eight total) was turtles. I don't think the dive master had seen them in a while, either.
 
We just go back from Tulum. Place was busy, lots of people wearing masks. Restaurants were 75% - 100% full for supper. Looked normal with the exception of people wearing masks. Enjoy Cozumel
 
Ferry operations have changed. Only one company running each day on an hourly basis. Ticket booth in Playa is on the left just in front of the terminal. Lines can be long, ferry can be crowded with minimal social distancing.

Many restaurants have online menus instead of paper. You shoot a QR code with your phone to get the menu.

Local folks seem to observe mask usage guidance, but tourist usage is uneven.

It takes a minute to realize life has changed, but still a great dive destination.
 
I'd be very careful to avoid the ferries, as of now they are worse than cruise ships for infection. Maybe better in Feb. But I would fly direct no matter the grief. See associated thread.


Dave Dillehay
 
There's a new company flying from Cancun to Cozumel, haven't heard the price:

Fly Cozumel

I see some huge shuttle prices thru 2nd booking companies, like double. I haven't done it but I hear the price for a private cab from Cancun to Playa ferry is 1200ish pesos, 65 usd - if you are paying way more than that, ask here because many folks have their favorite private driver phone number.

The ferries are a dice roll, coming to Cozumel seems worse than leaving but...... they need to get both companies working again.
 
There's a new company flying from Cancun to Cozumel, haven't heard the price:

Fly Cozumel

I see some huge shuttle prices thru 2nd booking companies, like double. I haven't done it but I hear the price for a private cab from Cancun to Playa ferry is 1200ish pesos, 65 usd - if you are paying way more than that, ask here because many folks have their favorite private driver phone number.

The ferries are a dice roll, coming to Cozumel seems worse than leaving but...... they need to get both companies working again.

Before Covid, you could fly between CUN and CZM cheap. I had to put my wife on one of those flights because she wouldn't take the ferry back. I think it was less than $60, one way. Now, expect to pay $600+ for a one way charter (on that airline).
 
Unfortunately we are not able to fly in direct as there is only 1 flight per week and it doesn't line up with our schedules. I have looked at Maya Air before, but it seemed risky as flights are often delayed and there is no recourse if your Cancun flight is late and you miss the departure with Maya.
 
The pre covid small airline is gone, they don't exist anymore.

The Fly Cozumel place started recently and I seen their charter price but I also see them selling tickets for $99.00

Here's another place, they'll take you to Miami, Bahamas, Cuba, Belize - I think they have $99 from Cancun to Cozumel.

We connect the most iconic destinations in the Mexican Caribbean
 

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