Taxi Strike?

[Snoweman]

My recent taxi story:

After our last dives yesterday, I took my phone out of my waterproof bag. I don't know why I did it, as I have it on airplane mode and there was no wifi around.

We (dive buddy - "DB" and dive buddy's daughter "DBD") get back to the condo, and I showered and rinsed my gear. As we're getting ready to head out for lunch, I can't find my phone. Six searches later and still no phone. DBD remembered that I had it out at the marina which means I probably left it in the cab. DB suggested we get the condo office to call the taxi company. With the help of the security company at the condo, we were able to identify the type of car it was and the exact time it dropped us off (security camera), but not the taxi number (too far away). The condo rental folks spent 30 minutes on the phone with the taxi folks. DBD was even able to remember the color of the lady driver's hair and within an hour and a half of being dropped off, I had my phone back in my hands. It's not an expensive phone, but it did make getting home just a little easier. I was fortunate to have my friends with me, a very helpful security and condo company and an honest cab driver (she got another, bigger tip).

If you stay in Cozumel, I recommend El Cantil for a place to stay. It's convenient, nice, well priced and very, very helpful.

 

[Carlos Danger]

If you stay in Cozumel, I recommend El Cantil for a place to stay. It's convenient, nice, well priced and very, very helpful.

I used to eat at the roof-top restaurant up there before that space got re-assimilated (name escapes me). They look great since the remodel.

 

[ReefHound]

I've never understood the aversion to the shuttle vans.

I wouldn't call it an "aversion" but I find many negative things about the shuttle vans. And it's not really the cost.
1) Often you are crammed in a van with 10 other strangers, with less room than on the airplane.
2) It is often hot and humid in the van because, even though the AC is blowing cold, no AC can overcome the doors and hatches being open.
3) You may have to wait 10-15 minutes til they have enough to fill the van. (which induces you to buy a few overpriced margaritas at the airport bar)
4) Your luggage is out of sight in the back, mixed in with luggage from 10 other people.
5) You can't see if your luggage is (accidentally) unloaded at the stops before yours.
6) The van cannot stop at an Oxxo and wait 5 minutes while you pick up some beer.

I'm not sure what is so hard to understand about the above negatives. I would love to be able to walk outside and get into a regular cab or uber.

 

[Christi]

I used to eat at the roof-top restaurant up there before that space got re-assimilated (name escapes me). They look great since the remodel.

That rooftop restaurant was originally in another location. It was THE place to eat in Cozumel before some healthy competition started opening up. These "new" restaurants provided high quality ingredients at reasonable prices. Prima's food kept getting more expensive and less consistent and lower quality.

The restaurant which was owned by the developer of El Cantil moved to the top floor of El Cantil and then renamed as Wynstons. Food continued to get worse and prices continued to go up and more (better) options continued moving in. He later, converted the restaurant into 3 very poorly laid out shotgun condos - AGAINST the HOA. He is being sued by the HOA for multiple violations of HOA among many other things. A anyone renting these 1 bedroom condos (Strawberry. Chocolate and Coconut I think) do not have full access of El Cantil amenities, so buyer beware.

 

[Christi]

I wouldn't call it an "aversion" but I find many negative things about the shuttle vans. And it's not really the cost.
1) Often you are crammed in a van with 10 other strangers, with less room than on the airplane.
2) It is often hot and humid in the van because, even though the AC is blowing cold, no AC can overcome the doors and hatches being open.
3) You may have to wait 10-15 minutes til they have enough to fill the van. (which induces you to buy a few overpriced margaritas at the airport bar)
4) Your luggage is out of sight in the back, mixed in with luggage from 10 other people.
5) You can't see if your luggage is (accidentally) unloaded at the stops before yours.
6) The van cannot stop at an Oxxo and wait 5 minutes while you pick up some beer.

I'm not sure what is so hard to understand about the above negatives. I would love to be able to walk outside and get into a regular cab or uber.

You do have the option to pay for a private shuttle, not that much actually

 

[Dogbowl]

I wouldn't call it an "aversion" but I find many negative things about the shuttle vans. And it's not really the cost.
1) Often you are crammed in a van with 10 other strangers, with less room than on the airplane.
2) It is often hot and humid in the van because, even though the AC is blowing cold, no AC can overcome the doors and hatches being open.
3) You may have to wait 10-15 minutes til they have enough to fill the van. (which induces you to buy a few overpriced margaritas at the airport bar)
4) Your luggage is out of sight in the back, mixed in with luggage from 10 other people.
5) You can't see if your luggage is (accidentally) unloaded at the stops before yours.
6) The van cannot stop at an Oxxo and wait 5 minutes while you pick up some beer.

I'm not sure what is so hard to understand about the above negatives. I would love to be able to walk outside and get into a regular cab or uber.

I’m going to have to agree with all of those. I rather like the private transportation you can get at Cancun.

 

[Dogbowl]

You do have the option to pay for a private shuttle, not that much actually

That has never occurred to me but you are right (again)!

 

[ReefHound]

You do have the option to pay for a private shuttle, not that much actually

Huh? I didn't know that. I don't recall ever seeing that as an option on the colectivo sign board. Is it something you just have to know to request?

 

[Dogbowl]

Huh? I didn't know that. I don't recall ever seeing that as an option on the colectivo sign board. Is it something you just have to know to request?

This is not current but yes, private shuttle is listed:

http://home.pcisys.net/~ronlee/Scuba/Cozumel/November2008/ShuttlePriceSmall.jpg

 

[Snoweman]

That rooftop restaurant was originally in another location. It was THE place to eat in Cozumel before some healthy competition started opening up. These "new" restaurants provided high quality ingredients at reasonable prices. Prima's food kept getting more expensive and less consistent and lower quality.

The restaurant which was owned by the developer of El Cantil moved to the top floor of El Cantil and then renamed as Wynstons. Food continued to get worse and prices continued to go up and more (better) options continued moving in. He later, converted the restaurant into 3 very poorly laid out shotgun condos - AGAINST the HOA. He is being sued by the HOA for multiple violations of HOA among many other things. A anyone renting these 1 bedroom condos (Strawberry. Chocolate and Coconut I think) do not have full access of El Cantil amenities, so buyer beware.

We wondered who had key access to that floor. We rented one of the penthouses, and were surprised there was another level above us. Scubaboard solves the mystery again!