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cozumel for the day - 2/3/2013 3:28:39 PM

bmac

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We are thinking of going to cozumel for a day to snorkel. Where would you suggest for off beach snorkeling and what would be the best way to get there from the ferry? Rent a car or cab? There could be 4 - 6 of us.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/3/2013 3:59:48 PM

Jazzsmith10

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Take a cab from the dock to Dzul Ha, The Money Bar. Put in there and float with the current down to Fiesta Americana. Get out and walk back. Lots too see!

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/3/2013 4:36:42 PM

bmac

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Do you have to pay to go there?

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/3/2013 8:21:54 PM

maplesyrup

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Haven't been myself, but on my to-do list...........

“A fun, do-it-yourself snorkeling shore excursion!”
5 of 5 stars Reviewed January 29, 2013 NEW

After going to Chankanaab Park, Paradise Beach and Mr Sanchos on previous Cozumel cruise stops, we decided to try the Money Bar Beach Club, and are glad we did. We were delighted that there was no admission charge or lounge chair rental fee, and only a $8/2 passenger 2 mile taxi ride each way from the Royal Caribbean cruise ship port. The Dzul Ha reef there has apparently been damaged since 2002 when it reportedly was voted the #1 snorkel spot in the Caribbean by Skin Diver Magazine, but we still enjoyed snorkeling among the large coral heads, and saw lots of fish, though not as much of interest compared to Chankanaab. Yes, there is a current, and you must time your entry down the steps and into the water due to the surge, but that is Cozumel! The waiters were courteous and helpful, the menu was varied, and the beverages were cold and reasonably priced!
Visited January 2013

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/3/2013 8:35:10 PM

Vancouver Sundog

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Our CAFB2013 group did Money Bar a few times in Dec

See our photos over in Trip Reports

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/4/2013 7:26:59 AM

Tomas

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This might be a good place to mention that The Money Bar does in fact have the cleanest banos on the entire island.

No entry fee there but if you use their facilities you need to buy their food and/or drinks.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/4/2013 12:14:24 PM

ulle trautvag

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1. Don't know whether you can come out of the water on the Fiesta Americana beach -- you don't wear their bracelets and they do have guards.
2. I've mentioned this before: Easiest entry is just north of the Dzul Ha grounds, over a low stone wall. There is a sandy, shallow water access usually used by the locals. It's very easy entry and you don't have to worry about slippery stone steps or a slippery ramp both in the Dzul Ha grounds.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/4/2013 12:28:33 PM

Tomas

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quote:

1. Don't know whether you can come out of the water on the Fiesta Americana beach -- you don't wear their bracelets and they do have guards.

This is not a problem. We do it all the time. We set up "camp" at Money Bar, go in the water using their steps, and do a nice long 30-45 minute drift snorkel down to Fiesta Americana, getting out of the water at their little beach club. They don't mind us doing that. The best fish sightings are found by sticking close to the shore. It's a nice, easy snorkel and there are plenty of places to stop if you want to rest for a minute.

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"Turn up the heat,
chill the rosé,
stretch out on the beach
and let those metatarsals play"
(Rev. J. Buffett)

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 7:55:58 AM

bmac

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Thanks everyone!

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 8:19:46 AM

Bob in Milw

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And don't forget to take your flip flops with you while snorkeling for the walk back from FA to MB on the road as there is no beach to walk on.

Peace, Bimmy

< Message edited by Bob in Milw -- 2/6/2013 8:21:50 AM >

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 9:17:42 AM

Isla Chica

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quote:

ORIGINAL: ulle trautvag 1. Don't know whether you can come out of the water on the Fiesta Americana beach -- you don't wear their bracelets and they do have guards.
2. I've mentioned this before: Easiest entry is just north of the Dzul Ha grounds, over a low stone wall. There is a sandy, shallow water access usually used by the locals. It's very easy entry and you don't have to worry about slippery stone steps or a slippery ramp both in the Dzul Ha grounds.

By law, ALL Mexican beaches are public, up to ~50 feet from the high-tide line. You have the right to swim & walk the actual beach, but NOT to access thru private property nor cut thru it.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 12:29:01 PM

bmac

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Really? You carry your sandles in the water while snorkeling?

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 12:39:10 PM

squishysmama

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Hi! we did coz for the day the last time we were at ABR... we took the cab to the ferry pier and the ferry over to coz. Lots of cabs everywhere I suggest chankannab as well for great snorkeling. There is a daily fee but it is beautiful we saw so many fish and sting rays. We usually go cozumel for our trips to mexico and have been to just about every beach they have. Chankannab is the best in my opinion. Good lUck on your decision and with your adventure!!

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 1:03:44 PM

Tomas

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quote:

ORIGINAL: bmac

Really? You carry your sandles in the water while snorkeling?

YES! Heed Bimmy's advice here.

We go to Cozumel in May (yo, it's hot) and the first time I walked back to Money Bar in bare feet caused some rather uncomfortable burns on the bottoms of my feet. I have some pretty tough feet, too. I bought some of that blue gel stuff at Mega Foods and my feet were fine two days later.

Snorkeling with sandals is easy. Just slip them over your wrists whilst you are snorkeling and they'll be there when it's time to walk back to Money Bar via the asphalt.

_____________________________

"Turn up the heat,
chill the rosé,
stretch out on the beach
and let those metatarsals play"
(Rev. J. Buffett)

Post #: 14

RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 1:13:38 PM

crunch

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The blue gel is Aloe Vera.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 1:18:24 PM

BeachBilly

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If you cab it, tuck away some cab fare. Our last Cozumel day trip we drank all of our cab fare. Upon arriving back at our resort, hubby left me as collateral
while he went to the room to get more money for the cabbie

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 2:04:34 PM

Tomas

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quote:

ORIGINAL: BeachBilly

If you cab it, tuck away some cab fare. Our last Cozumel day trip we drank all of our cab fare. Upon arriving back at our resort, hubby left me as collateral
while he went to the room to get more money for the cabbie

Sounds like something I'd pull.

_____________________________

"Turn up the heat,
chill the rosé,
stretch out on the beach
and let those metatarsals play"
(Rev. J. Buffett)

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 2:33:51 PM

reefhugger

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Tomas

quote:

ORIGINAL: BeachBilly

If you cab it, tuck away some cab fare. Our last Cozumel day trip we drank all of our cab fare. Upon arriving back at our resort, hubby left me as collateral
while he went to the room to get more money for the cabbie

Sounds like something I'd pull.

I've been left in restaurants when we didn't have enough cash and the credit card machine was down... and I've left DH at a couple place in Akumal while I went back to the condo for cash.

All part of an evening out in Mexico. Funny enough, the watiers think nothing of it. Seems to be a pretty regular thing for them.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 2:36:23 PM

Seagoat

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quote:

ORIGINAL: crunch

The blue gel is Aloe Vera.

...mine is green! :)

SG

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 5:48:58 PM

ulle trautvag

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I love walking from Fiesta Americana to Money Bar. Walk in my swimming shoes and wear a very flimsy silk pareo and El Loco uses his super light-weight cheap sandals for both walking and snorkeling. At this stage of my life I won't walk along the road in my two -piece. I tuck the pareo around my waist and off I go to snorkel. Money and sunglasses are secured into my bathing suit., whether top or bottom. All is good.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/6/2013 10:00:06 PM

Steve O

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I don't know a whole lot about Cozumel but I would think that the beach you would want to visit would be at Punta Sur. Chankannab is great and is a national park but it gets over crowded with peopel fom the cruise ships. I think it is over rated. Dzul Ha used to be one of the best snorkeling areas on the island accessable by land. I am not so sure anymore. I guess it depends on where you have snorkeled before. I haven't been snorkeling in a few years but the beach at Punta Sur is the best beach on the island that you will be able to access and also is a national park with quite a few other attractions. They also offer snorkeling but you will have to rent at kayak or swim out to the reef which is a little ways out. They do have a concession stand that serves food and expensive beers at $40 pesos each. You should rent a vehicle to get there. It does make for a great day trip as you should have to dive around the island to get there. There is an admission fee and they are closed on Sundays right now. On the drive over you will be able to see the east side of the island and can stop anywhere to go swimming. I would recommend Chen Rio beach club for a stop and to have lunch. Freedom Paradise is another beach club just before you enter Punta Sur. It's a favorite of locals.

Whatever you do, a day tip is not long enough to see everything Cozumel has to offer. Hopefully you will come back for a longer visit.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/7/2013 6:58:22 AM

Tomas

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The only problem with Punta Sur is the 45-minute time investment on a nasty dirt road only to get there and find out that it's way too rough to snorkel. I'm talking surf here, breaking on the beach. (This happens to us about 50% of the times we have been there). In that case, go back and climb the 133 steps to the top of the lighthouse and go to the croc tower and check out these very cool reptiles.

For us, Chankanaab is awesome. It never feels crowded there even with six boats in town filled with "boat people". And the best fish fajitas on the entire island are at La Laguna Grill right there in the park next to the lagoon.

And Steve? You are dead wrong. You know more about Cozumel than most of us here.

< Message edited by Tomas -- 2/7/2013 7:00:30 AM >

_____________________________

"Turn up the heat,
chill the rosé,
stretch out on the beach
and let those metatarsals play"
(Rev. J. Buffett)

Post #: 22

RE: cozumel for the day - 2/7/2013 7:07:50 AM

Bosco

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If you want sandy beach and a nice beach club to hang out at that offers small group boat rides to the reef for snorkeling ($35 short boat ride), then I recommend Palancar Beach Club. At the south end of the island. Just cab it.

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/7/2013 5:03:18 PM

bmac

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will we see much different things than we see in Akumal?

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RE: cozumel for the day - 2/7/2013 5:46:09 PM

reefhugger

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quote:

ORIGINAL: bmac

will we see much different things than we see in Akumal?

Yes. More fish, more variety, colorful coral (if you take a boat trip out, the one from Playa Palancar is a good choice) and much better water clarity.

You could also go up north. The water in the north end of the island is gorgeous and there aren't as many people there. There's a few hotels with nice water entries, beach area to hang out, restaurant & bar.

Plan on a late ferry. Go for dinner in town before you head back. There are so many great options, all kinds of food and price ranges, especially if you're willing to venture a little off the waterfront and first couple tourist streets.

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