Cozumel is easy to get to

You can fly directly into Cozumel, or take the ferry from Playa del Carmen. The pier for the ferry in Playa del Carmen is right in the main plaza, diagonally across from the bus station, and easy to find. There are little stands and storefronts selling tickets, but the best place to get tickets is at the permanent stand across from Senor Frog's. Tickets on the Mexico I, II, and III are around $11 round trip. The boat is safe and usually air conditioned like a freezer, so if you can sit outside do so. The boat to Cozumel leaves every hour or two from 5:30am to 9:00pm. If you have a car with you, park it in the secured lots on 10th Avenue behind the bus station, and take the ferry over.

• Cozumel Directory - more about dive shops, restaurants and hotels
• Transportation - ferries, scooters, maps
• Cozumel Caribbean - snorkel and dive

Eat, sleep and shop

For those who will be spending more than just the afternoon in Cozumel, there are plenty of things to do. Cruise ships stop here at least three times a week, so there is shopping galore.

Cozumel is full of of American/Cancun style eateries (a la Hard Rock Cafe), but for a very good, well priced authentic Mexican meal try La Choza Restaurant. Whatever you have it will taste just like your grandmother cooked it, well not exactly, unless your grandmother is an excellent Mexican cook, but you get the idea.

La Chocay serves Mediterranean cuisine with a beautiful view. On the Corpus Christi church plaza. Calle 17 and 25 Avenida #1100 (987 872 5533) closed Sunday and Monday. There are a few Italian restaurants. Pizza Rolandi on Avenida R.E. Melgar #23 between Calles 6 and 8 North (987 87 20946) has good food and La Cucina on Avenida 10 and Calle 2 North (987 8742531) serves excellent seafood. Capi Navegante on 10 Avenida South between Calles 3 and 5 South is the best Caribbean style seafood on Cozumel (987 8721730). For early risers, Jeanie's Waffle House on Avenida RE Melgar #45 is great for breakfast (987 8724145).

There are not many bars, but Carlos and Charlie's is popular. Joe's is a small place with live reagge and salsa and Habana Club on the main avenue is the latest hot spot.

As far as hotels go, Cozumel has been around for a while so you can find anything from the Intercontinental to little ma and pa family run inexpensive places. The smaller B&B and private homes are cool to rent, but hard to get information on in advance. An hour taxi ride can take you by several and you can pick. Prices are actually cheaper than the mainland's Playa del Carmen. In town is $10 - $200, on the beach $70 - $200 and houses on the beach for $1500 to $3000 per week (6 people).

El Cozumeleño Hotel is a recently remodeled all inclusive beachfront hotel resort with large hotel rooms, swimming pools, children's programs (toll free in the US 800-437-3923). Coral Princess Hotel and Resort has all types of room: penthouses, suites with kitchenettes, and nice basic hotel rooms. 2 pools and good discount packages (toll free in the US 800-253-2702).

See the Cozumel Directory for more information.