Cozumel is the little island off the coast of Playa del Carmen where my family spent the most perfect week earlier this summer! I had never been to Mexico before, so I really didn't know what to expect. From the moment we stepped off the plane, it was such a fun, relaxing time. I thought I'd share my favorite experiences from our trip and what might be helpful if you're heading to Cozumel!
Pack:
I could have left half the outfits, and packed double the amount of swimsuits, coverups, and these Castell Avarca sandals by The Avarca Store! I wore them in this post, and basically every day of the trip. I could just as easily wear my avarcas to the beach, while we went on long walks through town, or on the few occasions we got dressed up to go out to dinner. They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn, and since they are so well made, I know I'll be wearing them for years to come!
Eat:
Kondesa for gourmet Mexican food. This was hands down the best restaurant on the island, and we actually ended up going twice!
Albertos for great tacos and even better salsa! Possibly the best I've ever had!
Guidos for incredible Italian seafood dishes and gourmet churros. Who would have guessed some of the best Italian food I've ever had would be in Mexico?!
Coconuts for a super tacky beachside atmosphere, but great fish tacos. Definitely a quintessential Cozumel experience!
Shop:
With the exception of a few kitschy souvenirs, I would say Cozumel was not the place to find the perfect outfit or great shopping in general. But it was fun to bargain hunt and negotiate at the roadside stands!
Do:
Cozumel is the perfect place to do nothing. The majority of our trip was spent laying in the sun or floating on the ocean. That being said, if you feel like venturing off the beach, there is still so much to do!
Quad tour for a unique way to see the the jungle and El Cedral, one of the oldest and most colorful parts of the island! It had poured rain the day before we went quadding, so our tour turned into mudding! We thought it made our trip even more fun.
Ek Balam for a stunning hike and the chance to experience one of the most historical sites in South America. This Mayan pyramid still (surprisingly) allows the public to climb all the way to the top. It is definitely a little sketchy, but the views of the jungle are stunning. It is so worth the ferry ride to the mainland and a long drive to get there.
Snorkel tour for a boat ride to the coral reefs and the brightest blue water. On our trip, we saw tons of beautiful fish and even got less than ten feet away from a little shark! Equally exciting and terrifying!
San Gervasico for a walk through an ancient Mayan city. I would definitely recommend spending a few extra pesos to have a tour guide walk you through the park and explain the significance of each site.
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