What to pack for a week in Cozumel?

[Wheeler925]

Taking my first dive related trip to Cozumel. Wondering what all to pack. I overthink everything before trips so I don't stress during them.

 

[Kimela]

This is, of course, one of those ‘it depends’ things. Are you bringing your gear or renting? Are you staying at an all-inclusive or will you be eating at local restaurants? I’m a light packer, but I still find there are a few things at the end of each trip that I didn’t touch.

Also, you can get a lot of your ‘everyday’ needs at one of the big grocery stores so don’t sweat it if you forget to bring enough t-shirts or undies.

 

[Wheeler925]

This is, of course, one of those ‘it depends’ things. Are you bringing your gear or renting? Are you staying at an all-inclusive or will you be eating at local restaurants? I’m a light packer, but I still find there are a few things at the end of each trip that I didn’t touch.

Also, you can get a lot of your ‘everyday’ needs at one of the big grocery stores so don’t sweat it if you forget to bring enough t-shirts or undies.

Taking my gear and staying at an all inclusive.

 

[Kimela]

Taking my gear and staying at an all inclusive.

Then all you need is summer clothing, bathing suit(s), maybe a travel towel, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and a good sense of humor. Your AI will have all the other necessities. Oh, and cash for tipping. If you plan to leave the resort to shop or grab a meal downtown bring pesos.

 

[Capt Jim Wyatt]

CO detector for your room.

 

[lowwall]

I'm assuming this isn't about dive gear? If it's about exposure protection, a 3mm is certainly enough.

Pack light. I was there (for the 4th time) last month. It's a warm and casual island. I only wore shorts and polo shirts when going out to restaurants. If you are uncomfortable going to a nicer restaurant in shorts, wear one pair of long pants on your flight and use those. A sun hoodie or two are nice on the dive boat or if you go out during the mid day. A hat is highly recommended.

Bring any prescription drugs or OTC stuff you regularly take in their original containers. The prescription bottles should have your name on them. It's highly unlikely your bag will be searched at the airport, but why invite trouble. Don't take real Sudafed (pseudophedrine), it's a controlled substance in Mexico.

There's a bunch of pharmacies on Coz. If you need anything for a cold or similar you can get it there. You can probably refill your prescriptions there cheaper than you can at home as well. I've used this one. It's only 2.5 blocks from the waterfront, but that's enough to avoid paying cruise ship passenger prices:

Farmacias Similares · C. 1 Sur 293 y 295, Centro, 77668 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexiko

★★★★★ · Apotheke

maps.app.goo.gl

There's a couple of big grocery stores at the south end of town where you can get snacks, drinks or ingredients for full meals. One hint if you haven't been to a Mexican grocery. In the bread section, grab one of the round silver platters, load up the rolls or whatever using the tongs provided and then take it to the counter where they will ring it up and bag it (the price will be put on a sticker on the bag, you pay at the cashier). There will normally be someone at the bread counter register, but if not just wait there and someone should come out.

MEGA Soriana Supermarkt · Av. Rafael E. Melgar 799, Centro, 77668 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexiko

★★★★☆ · Supermarkt

maps.app.goo.gl

CHEDRAUI COZUMEL CENTRO · Av. Rafael E. Melgar 1001, Centro, 77664 Cozumel, Q.R., Mexiko

★★★★☆ · Supermarkt

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Kimela]

Forgot to ask when you are traveling? I wore a 3mil last week, but if you’re going in a month or two you may not need that much. The temp was 80-81 on our shore dives. You can check with your dive op the week before you arrive to ask what the water temp is.

 

[Rob9876]

I believe the folks above covered 99% of what I was going to say. A few additions:

• If you dive a Shearwater Perdix, etc. that takes a Lithium AA battery, I'd bring an extra -- those can be hard to find on the island (you can use an alkaline AA, but then you lose the haptic feedback/alarms). You might consider extras of any other specialized batteries just in case, though many can be found there.
• 
  
• Since it's your first trip to Cozumel I'll mention that since most Cozumel dives are drift dives, each individual diver should have their own DSMB & spool.
• 
  
• It's already been mentioned, but it bears repeating: Sudafed (pseudophedrine) that is common in U.S. over-the-counter cold/sinus/allergy medicine is actually illegal in Mexico and some people have been jailed for having it.
• 
  
• Somewhat related: Cannabis laws in the U.S. have relaxed a lot in the past decade and its use is becoming quite common, but Mexico's current legal state is a bit of a mess (there's a court case saying it's legal with a permit, but there's no permit process and this doesn't override certain existing laws), so it's safest to still consider it illegal and not bring it with you -- in Cozumel they usually have dogs sniffing everyone's luggage.

Have a great trip!

 

[jmb]

And unless it has changed in the last few months, if you are going to do any grocery shopping at Mega or Chedraui, plan on bringing your own bag. Or you can buy reusable bags there !

 

[jonhall]

Wondering what all to pack. I overthink everything before trips so I don't stress during them.

I was packed 2 days ago for my trip on Saturday!

This is a shorter trip for me (6 nights) so I'm packing even less than normal. Shorty over a 3mm and full foot fins over boots/strap fins that I used this past Jan/Feb. My only real intent is to dive with 10 year old granddaughter who's doing the DSD. I will take a Lavaskin rash guard just in case I find myself getting a little chilly in the water with just the shorty.

Really great advice in earlier posts. A comment on the DSMB - although definitely a great safety item as mentioned and explained by @Rob9876, unless you get one and are able to work with it before your trip, you could go without one IMO. Don't know who you'll be diving with but many ops will provide one, usually per pair of divers, when the current is particularly strong. I think I've ever only seen one diver inflate their's and it was discussed before the dive with the DM that it was for practice - most of the divers I've been on boats with, by my observation, either don't have one or carry it in their pocket where I couldn't see it. I sometimes carry a SMB (not as versatile as DMSB) to be used at the surface, but have only used it once (not in Cozumel.) Can you tell I'm just a vacation diver who takes risks?