Cozumel in February.....

[Firerescueguy]

I will be visting cozumel February 11 thru 19. I was wandering if there are any special events scheduled for then? I am going to mainly dive and relax but, I am sure I will venture to the "Waves side" of the island atleast once. Is there anything else I should place on my "must do" list?

Thanks MT

 

[Coz Sally]

MT: You will be here in Cozumel just before Carnaval (our version of Mardi Gras) gets launched. In preparation for that, there are some activities scheduled:

February 11 - Saturday
Salon Rojo Gomez (Baseball Stadium, 30 Avenida)
10:00pm - Music and Dancing
11:45pm - Full Retinue of Candidates and VOTING for King & Queen of Carnaval

February 12 - Sunday
Benito Juarez Park Downtown
Open to the Public
8:00pm - Full Retinue of Candidates and Announcement of King and Queen of Carnaval 2006

February 18 - Saturday
Salon Rojo Gomez
10:00pm - Music and Dancing
11:00pm - Show of Candidates and VOTING for Queen of the Colonies

These late night activities at the baseball stadium, Salon Rojo Gomez, extend until the "wee hours" and are attended mostly by locals. It's a great way to see Cozumel in a way most tourists don't.

Enjoy!

Sally
Barefoot in Cozumel

 

[loudives]

I will be there same dates staying at Caribe Blu and diving with Bottom Time Divers. The Sunday night concert in the main Plaza (Juarez Park) is a nice way to start your stay. My wife and I enjoy them. I am a solo diver as wife is a land lover, we have already contacted other scubaboard members that will be there same time. We are trying to get everyone to meet for dinner Sun 12 in town then enjoy the concert afterward.
I just got back from an extended weekend there and it was great.
I will also be in touch with the others about a night dive on the 14th. Raul (Bottom Time Owner) needs min 4 to go out for a 1 tank night dive. Raul has a six pack and is a really good divemaster. The cost is $45 plus the rental of a light if you need one $8. Don't know if you need a new park permit if you dove with another operator that day.
Give more info on hotel and dive operator you are using so everyone can make your acquaintance. If you have not reserved your dive operator yet try www.bottomtimedivers.net or e-mail Raul Raul_Platas@yahoo.com Paypal on web site or cash on the island.

Lou

 

[reikopm]

Tourists can attend the events at the stadium and the salon? Can tourists participate in any of the events?

 

[Firerescueguy]

My wife and I are booked at the villablanca. We are planning to dive with Papa Hogs since they are right there together.

MT

Does anyone know the best car rental place on the island? I have heard of the place where you can rent a jeep for $30 a day I just dont know the name...

 

[loudives]

Jeeps are normally about 50-60 a day unless it's with a package with a hotel. In any case if you rent anything, mark down any scratches, broken lenses, or dents. If you don't do that at time of rental some places will keep your deposit or charge you saying you did it. Also take the insurance---American companies don't cover rentals in Mexico. If you hit something you have to settle in cash or Mexican insurance right away.
E-mail papa hogs or villablanca and ask them about rental cars. They will have info or may have a deal with someone. Cozumel works on referral system and everyone gets payed so the hotel and dive shop will refer you to people who wants to keep their referrals and less likely to screw you.

Lou

 

[Firerescueguy]

I have heard of the horror stories, From what I am told my Insurance policy will cover in Mexico also. And, the other option is my credit card companies also have coverage as long as you rent the vehicle using that card. I have sent a email to a jeep rental company that advertises Jeeps for $30 day.

 

[Coz Sally]

reikopm: Anyone can attend any of the festivities! As far as participating... I have friends who dress up and walk in the parades, they just jump right in! The competitions are set up well in advance and you would have difficulty participating in them.

Firerescueguy: I strongly urge you to purchase rental insurance anyway. If you have a bad accident or injure someone, you will HAVE to come up with the money to cover your liability first and THEN try to get reimbursed by your insurer otherwise. This can get very difficult and involve a trip to the local police station where you will be detained until you settle up. Not worth it. Get the insurance.

Sally
Barefoot in Cozumel

 

[diveborg]

Firerescueguy: I strongly urge you to purchase rental insurance anyway. If you have a bad accident or injure someone, you will HAVE to come up with the money to cover your liability first and THEN try to get reimbursed by your insurer otherwise. This can get very difficult and involve a trip to the local police station where you will be detained until you settle up. Not worth it. Get the insurance.

Sally
Barefoot in Cozumel

I couldn't agree more. You will probably be accident free during your visit, BUT if you do have an accident you REALLY wouldn't enjoy spending time in the police station.

Also, you should know that rental jeeps in Cozumel are NOT 4 wheel drive. Sure, they all have the 4x4 drive train, but the rental agencies disconnect the 4x4 shift linkage, so even if you wanted to use the 4 wheel drive, you wouldn't be able to engage it. Stay on the paved roads.

 

[Nevis Diver]

I enjoyed renting the scooters IF you are comfortable riding one safely. I liked being able to park just about anywhere if I saw something interesting. Parking around town seemed limited as far as cars go. BTW, can a car park anywhere a scooter can? I think I will rent a car the day I go to the "other" side of the island but other than that it is a scooter for me...but watch out for those open access holes in the road !