Security in Coz

[Tim Ingersoll]

I'll join the chorus. . .eight trips never a problem. My level of wariness is about the same as it would be in my hometown. Aware but not worried.

 

[scubamate]

The only issues I've personally seen, once my wife was in one of the shops and the clerk kept standing in her way so she couldn't get out. I ran down when she hollared for me but by the time I got there the police had him against the wall telling him he wasn't allowed to do that. The owner came out and apologized. The other incedent happened at Senior Frogs, a friend was jumped in the restroom. He broke one of their collarbone, the others arm. That same night the judge gave them hard labor starting the next day. He didn't care how much pain they were in.

I've never had anything taken from my room there in several trips.

 

[UndrWatrDan]

There is always the magic word "reward" if you do get something taken in Cozumel. On my last trip, a friend (no not me) left a video camera and housing in a restaraunt. Realizing it a few minutes later, went back and of course it was gone. The wait staff had no idea about it...... Left his name, hotel, and word that there was a reward and before he got back to the hotel, it had been located. Not to say it will always happen that way, but this time he was lucky.

 

[Mako Mark]

I have never heard of any big problems in Coz, jsut the occasional petty theft or lost wallet kind of stuff.

I would be more worried about the freakin lion that is wandering around on teh loose...

 

[ggunn]

Here's my tale of disaster narrowly averted on Cozumel and the honesty of a shuttle driver:

I landed one day on Cozumel with my wife, my daughter, my mom, and about half a ton of luggage (traveling light is not in our collective vocabulary). We loaded up in a shuttle van and trundled off to the hotel, where there was the usual unloading melee. The whole pile of luggage was never all in one pile after the airport, and when we started getting the rooms set up, I realized that my carryon bag was missing.

My carryon bag, the one bag where I concentrated all the stuff that I ABSOLUTELY CANNOT DO WITHOUT, was gone. Travelers checks, cash, diving regs, dive computers, cameras, credit cards, ID, proof of citizenship, tourist cards... it was all in there.

The hotel clerk helped me call the airport, and she talked to a bunch of people in Espanol rapido, to no avail. I caught a cab to the airport and ran around frantically looking for anyone that could help me, but no one could.

Just when I was about to give up in abject suicidal despair, I heard someone calling "Hey , Senor". I turned, and there was the shuttle I had rode out to the hotel on just pulling in. The driver jumped out, ran around to the back, and said "Are you looking for this?" as he opened the door and there was my bag.

After I calmed down and quit jumping up and down and yelling, he told me to get in and he would take me back to my hotel. I'm not sure how much I tipped him; I just opened my wallet and gave him what was in there.

 

[scubajim]

I've been to Coz 5 times in the last two years. I've either locked my valuables in a dive gear locker at the hotel (Barracuda) or put them in a small waterproof box which I leave in my dive bag. I've never had a problem. I fact I left my digital camera on the shelf next to the dive locker once. When I got back from diving, the clerk at Dive Paradise told me to go to see Apple (the owner of DP). Upon arrrival she asked me if I lost a camera. I said yes and described it. She gave me the camera and said they looked at the pics and thought it migght be mine. I thought it was gone. I tipped the DP employee that found it and turned it in.
One of my dive buddies, Bob, tels me that he keeps his valuables in a big ziplock bag with his soiled underwear. Believe me, no one would dare go into that bag.

 

[aa777888]

Thanks for all the info everyone.

aa

 

[TLangston]

Okay, I feel stupid for asking, but what does "IMHO" mean?

 

[Maya]

"In My Humble Opinion".....take normal reasonable precautions. We did have our villa robbed one time when staying at Akumal, but never had a problem in Coz.

 

[HammerNoMore]

What he said. ^

It is often used as a disclaimer that the statement connected to it is merely an opinion and should not be taken as fact.