Question Cozumel Christmas

[bubbl3s]

I'm headed to Cozumel for Christmas this year, and wondering what might be open Christmas day so I can make arrangements on how best to spend the day on this beautiful island.

Most (all?) dive operations are closed, I expect grocery stores will be closed, will most restaurants be closed or too busy to be practical? Any suggestions or option for nature parks/hikes/tours to check out Christmas day?

Currently planning to start the day with a snorkel, and was hoping to check out some ruins or a cenote, anything more in the history/natural beauty/hike side of things. If off-roading if its the most practical, or only, way to get something special, please let me know! Also, if something is best experienced with a guide to provide history/commentary that would be helpful as well.

I've looked a bit at Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio, but as far as I can tell it's currently closed due to some flooding.
Zona Arqueológica El Caracol, or Zona Arqueológica del Cedral, or Chimpeta Cenote all sound interesting and all seem to run through CozumelCruiseTours, but not sure if any of them (other than probably San Gervasio) can or should be done on our own via scooter?
Thanks in advance for any advice or information!

 

[Alan P]

I'm headed to Cozumel for Christmas this year, and wondering what might be open Christmas day so I can make arrangements on how best to spend the day on this beautiful island.

Most (all?) dive operations are closed, I expect grocery stores will be closed, will most restaurants be closed or too busy to be practical? Any suggestions or option for nature parks/hikes/tours to check out Christmas day?

Currently planning to start the day with a snorkel, and was hoping to check out some ruins or a cenote, anything more in the history/natural beauty/hike side of things. If off-roading if its the most practical, or only, way to get something special, please let me know! Also, if something is best experienced with a guide to provide history/commentary that would be helpful as well.

I've looked a bit at Zona Arqueológica San Gervasio, but as far as I can tell it's currently closed due to some flooding.
Zona Arqueológica El Caracol, or Zona Arqueológica del Cedral, or Chimpeta Cenote all sound interesting and all seem to run through CozumelCruiseTours, but not sure if any of them (other than probably San Gervasio) can or should be done on our own via scooter?
Thanks in advance for any advice or information!

Christmas Eve everything closes early and if you are going out to eat reservations are a must. Christmas most open later in the day. Not all dive shops are closed. I dove with Aldora on Christmas day. We dove up north and had a breakfast buffet at Playa Azul for the service interval. Grocery stores are open both days.

 

[ggunn]

Zona Arqueológica El Caracol, or Zona Arqueológica del Cedral, or Chimpeta Cenote all sound interesting and all seem to run through CozumelCruiseTours, but not sure if any of them (other than probably San Gervasio) can or should be done on our own via scooter?

You can get to Cedral on a scooter, but many of us do not recommend renting one because lots of us gringos who are not experienced at driving motorized two wheelers get hurt on them.

There is not a whole lot in the way of Mayan ruins to see at Cedral. There's just a single small stone one room building with a banyan tree growing up through it.

 

[bubbl3s]

Thanks for the info! I'll discuss with my SO.

 

[Rob9876]

Many people on the island have their main celebration on Christmas Eve or even the evening before. I believe the Tres Pelicanos dive operation has been open on Christmas day for morning dives before. If so, they are a great dive op.

San Gervasio is an interesting Mayan town of ruins, sorry if it is closed (worth seeing if open). On the other hand, El Cedral is the biggest tourist trap on the island. The ruin is the size of a smalll garage and they usually try to get you to pay to take a photo with a "Mayan" actor, then there's a tequila shop with expensive tequilas, none of which are made on the island, along with a host of souvenir vendors selling at prices generally higher than what you'd pay for the same stuff in town. I would avoid El Cedral like the plague.

Many restaurants and activities are open on Christmas Day also, but you'll have to check. Here's a site that we've used many times that acts as a middle-man for activities providers -- we've had good results from using them for many activities through the years (I'd use their chat function or call, rather than just booking online, to confirm Christmas availability):

Cozumel Tours, Activities and Excursions

Save big on our Cozumel tours, activities, excursions and more!

www.cozumel-tours.com

Also, last year I know the various Cozumel Parks were open on Christmas Day -- again, you'll want to confirm, and they are usually pretty responsive through their Facebook page.

 

[bubbl3s]

Many people on the island have their main celebration on Christmas Eve or even the evening before. I believe the Tres Pelicanos dive operation has been open on Christmas day for morning dives before. If so, they are a great dive op.

San Gervasio is an interesting Mayan town of ruins, sorry if it is closed (worth seeing if open). On the other hand, El Cedral is the biggest tourist trap on the island. The ruin is the size of a smalll garage and they usually try to get you to pay to take a photo with a "Mayan" actor, then there's a tequila shop with expensive tequilas, none of which are made on the island, along with a host of souvenir vendors selling at prices generally higher than what you'd pay for the same stuff in town. I would avoid El Cedral like the plague.

Many restaurants and activities are open on Christmas Day also, but you'll have to check. Here's a site that we've used many times that acts as a middle-man for activities providers -- we've had good results from using them for many activities through the years (I'd use their chat function or call, rather than just booking online, to confirm Christmas availability):

Cozumel Tours, Activities and Excursions

Save big on our Cozumel tours, activities, excursions and more!

www.cozumel-tours.com

Also, last year I know the various Cozumel Parks were open on Christmas Day -- again, you'll want to confirm, and they are usually pretty responsive through their Facebook page.

Thanks for the info, Rob!

 

[NDL_Diver]

I seem to remember most dive shops open on Christmas day though they may have a later start time than usual.
Christmas eve is big and you need to make reservations for dinnervor eat at condo. No night dives and maybe no afternoon dives.

 

[Matt B]

I seem to remember most dive shops open on Christmas day though they may have a later start time than usual.
Christmas eve is big and you need to make reservations for dinnervor eat at condo. No night dives and maybe no afternoon dives.

I agree. We have been down for Christmas numerous times. Christmas Eve is the big day for the locals. Get done early and be with family. Late start on Christmas Day. Always my favorite gift! Underwater in Cozumel for Christmas. Going to Bonaire this year, Enjoy!