waynel
Contributor
Thanks for the report. Just a suggestion, but you might want to consider NOT staying at an all-inclusive next time. Sure, all-inclusive resorts have their place, and their benefits. But you also miss out on the local culture, and, ESPECIALLY in Cozumel, you miss out on the local dining scene, which is really terrific. I very much understand going all-inclusive in a place like Jamaica, where safety concerns make one a little leery of leaving the fenced in compound, or in places like Roatan, where outside dining choices are very limited. And I understand why families with children might go AI, so they know the kids are taken care of and they don't have to constantly hand out cash to the kids so they can eat. But for a single, a couple, or even a group of adults, AI really isn't necessary or (IMHO) beneficial in Cozumel UNLESS (1) You just don't care about the quality and variety of food, or (2) you intend to make a killing by drinking half your body weight each day at the AI open bars. Cozumel is a very friendly, very safe Island, with a wealth of great dining options, in every price range, from the el cheapo taquerias back on 30 and 60 where you can eat your fill of very tasty tacos and wash it down with beer for just a few bucks, and the little family owned loncherias where you can get a huge lunch for less than $6, all the way to the higher-end fine dining places like La Cocay, Kinta and Kondesa. I think if you took a poll of the long-time Cozaholics, you'd find that the large majority avoid AI resorts on Cozumel.
I agree on the all-inclusive point. I used to do the all-inclusive but unless you like to do a large amount of eating and drinking while on your dive vacation, I just don't see the value. If you break down the per day cost of an all-inclusive you can get a much better quality and variety of food at the local restaurants for the same money.