Non touristy things to do in Cozumel and Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico
December 24, 2023 5:56 PM Subscribe
We're heading to the above spots in January 2024 on a cruise. There's plenty of planned excursions available, but we (two adults in a relationship) are looking for other options to do in those spots that aren't the typical tourist things to do.
I lived on Coz for 4 months and loved every minute. There's a fan coral forest by Money Bar, go to the right when you get in the water. There's also a coral shelf that runs almost the length of the island starting across from the old airport. The tricky part is entering and exiting the water since most of it is private property. It's doable tho if you ask around or make friends with someone staying in one of those hotels.
I used to love riding my motorcycle (you can rent one in town) and heading to the ocean side of the island. There's tons of beaches on that side so you can usually find an empty one unless it's Sunday. There is a current so don't go in if the warning flags are up.
There's a big local kite surfing community of you're into that, they hang out on the flats.
On Mahahual I would jump off the navy dock and swim out to the reef but you need to be a strong swimmer and comfortable navigating back to shore in very shallow water over coral. There's lots of schooling fish and coral heads off the beach up by the lighthouse, they're a bit far out but easily reachable if you're a good swimmer.
Most of the non-tourist stuff involves a certain amount of willingness to find your way to and around the reef without a guide or a boat. You really need to be a confident swimmer with good gear (fins and mask) and experienced with dealing with ocean life, including sharks, and strong water currents. So please be careful if you decide to go off on your own.
posted by ananci at 6:36 AM on December 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
I used to love riding my motorcycle (you can rent one in town) and heading to the ocean side of the island. There's tons of beaches on that side so you can usually find an empty one unless it's Sunday. There is a current so don't go in if the warning flags are up.
There's a big local kite surfing community of you're into that, they hang out on the flats.
On Mahahual I would jump off the navy dock and swim out to the reef but you need to be a strong swimmer and comfortable navigating back to shore in very shallow water over coral. There's lots of schooling fish and coral heads off the beach up by the lighthouse, they're a bit far out but easily reachable if you're a good swimmer.
Most of the non-tourist stuff involves a certain amount of willingness to find your way to and around the reef without a guide or a boat. You really need to be a confident swimmer with good gear (fins and mask) and experienced with dealing with ocean life, including sharks, and strong water currents. So please be careful if you decide to go off on your own.
posted by ananci at 6:36 AM on December 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
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I have not been to Cozumel. I have been to Mahahual, which I believe is the town closest to the Costa Maya Port (to the south, within walking distance). There is not much there; there's not really a meaningful town outside the tourist infrastructure but it's pleasant enough and probably more interesting than the area immediately around the cruise port.
Really fun, chill snorkeling from the main beach in Mahahual. If you're a strong swimmer you can get out to the reef from the beach in some places, or arrange to get someone to take you out in a boat.
posted by ambulanceambiance at 6:21 PM on December 25, 2023