Puerta Maya, Cozumel, Mexico

Day 269 – November 26th, 2014.

Cozumel Island in Mexico.

“Puerta Maya, Cozumel, Mexico”

After a bumpy arrival this morning as we docked in Puerta Maya, Cozumel, Mexico it has been very windy and a bit of a swell.

Docked in Cozumel alongside the Carnival Freedom

We then disembarked on to the pier which leads you through a (guess what)… long gift and duty-free shop before you come out in to another area full of tacky gift shops albeit the T-shirts are very cheap.

Welcome to Puerta Maya, Cozumel, Mexico

“A taxi tour around Cozumel”

We found the taxi stand area where they offer tours at various prices, while looking we hooked up with another couple from the Carnival Freedom and shared a tour, at $30 each for three hours around some places to see in Cozumel.

There didn’t seem to be any taxi drivers here that were not locked in to these prices and as a result they have like a set price structure for different trips. It certainly benefits the drivers more than the tourist that’s for sure.

Puerta Maya taxi & fares

“Very small Mayan ruin at Cedral”

Our first to a place was called Cedral and has a very small Mayan ruin, and a man dressed up to take a photo with who expects tips.

The church and a Mayan ruin

Also a modern church and that’s it… Oh and of course the shops and a Tequila shop with tour and free tasting, with the expected tips.

Cedral in Cozumel

Once our tour buddies from the Freedom had bought a hammock we were back in the van and on the road again, with not much to see along the way apart from rocky beaches, and other hotels with private beaches.

“Cozumel beaches some rugged some beautiful”

Cozumel beach fronts

The driver then said we should stop off at some Tequila place for a sample and tour. We knew that we only had a certain amount of time and said we wanted to visit the other Maya ruins to which he replied they are not worth it and we would have not enough time.

The lady (…) was very annoyed and told him that wasn’t the deal and that we want to see the ruins, that was part of the tour… they argued for a while and eventually we were driving past the Tequila place towards the ruins.

The Tequila place in Cozumel

“San Gervasio Mayan ruins”

They just want to take you to the places that pay them a commission for guests, the Mayan place doesn’t.

San Gervasio Mayan ruins

We had an hour at the Mayan ruins which were worth seeing even if they were nothing spectacular. Government entrance fee costs $5 per person and fifty paces further you have to pay $4 entrance to the ruins.

You walk around at your own pace, with signs expelling a little about what you can see.

The history of San Gervasio

It was a bit wet under foot from the rains of late and some paths were very slippery.

Mayan ruins at San Gervasio

You could spend longer here if you wanted and walk down a few more pathways, but our hour was all we had plus we had seen lots of all very similar ruins.

San Gervasio Mayan ruins

Back at the entrance with more shops we bought a beer to enjoy on the 25 minute way back to the ship. We past some colourful buildings and some run down areas on the way.

Images from our drive through part of town

This concluded our three-hour tour. Needless to say the driver received no tips from us.

At the port we walked around a while before heading to the ship for a late lunch.

Plaza Maya where the ships dock in Cozumel

After lunch it was time to relax with a drink with the sun setting before leaving for our next destination.

Back onboard to enjoy a cocktail while the sun sets

Later we pulled away from dock into a very windy sea which stayed with us all night. Apparently other ships didn’t make it to Cozumel today. There were still seven ships visiting, obviously very popular destination.

We were a bit disappointed with Cozumel and will not worry if we don’t get to visit again, we felt it rather a ‘pushy selling to the tourist’ place, not very welcoming in the true sense of visiting a wonderful place.

Sun setting in Mexico

Dinner was again in the Black Pearl and just before the entrance to it on the right is the Pink room. I hadn’t noticed it before as it was not in use, however tonight was a chefs table for those guests that had booked $…. per person. The chefs were carrying stuff from the main kitchen to here whille we ate our dinner as they walked past our table.

Chefs table for dinner in the pink room

“Dinner in the Black Pearl”

These two ladies greet you and allocate you a table either to share or alone the choice is yours and if you have any special requirements you can simply ask and they will accommodate. It runs all very smooth amazing really with so many people wanting to dine at the same time, we did have to wait the other night as Nenad’s tables were all taken, they gave us a pager and it vibrated when our table was ready.

Dinner in the Black Pearl

Dinner was fine and we were looked after well, with the guys knowing to bring a cup of Earl grey to finish with deserts. Now that is service.

Towel animal

Again in Carnival style we have a towel animal on the bed to greet us. What is it tonight?