We purchased this tour online at IslaCozumelDayPass.com before our trip. The price was US$119 for adults and $110 for the kids. On the day of our tour I was glad we purchased online because the tour was booked; it was high season. We went to the meeting point located at the ferry terminal the next morning where we were greeted by our tour guide, Andy, and escorted onto the ferry on our way to Cozumel.
As we exited the ferry pier in Cozumel we boarded a camouflaged truck. It looked like we were going on an expedition into the jungle. There was music (our kids knew all the words) and water bottles on board. As the truck rumbled forward, Andy, our tour guide, start telling us about the island and why it was such an important place for the Mayans.
About
20 minutes into our ride, it was time for snorkeling. I'm from Miami
and I love to go snorkeling in the Florida Keys but this was much
better. The fish were so friendly! We saw coral, parrot fish, snappers, sargent majors everywhere. After the snorkeling we showered (the showers/bathrooms were very clean) and got back on the truck.
Our
next stop was inside on Punta Sur, an ecological reserve, to see live
crocodiles. There they were in the wild just feet away from the
boardwalk we were on. Nearby was a Mayan ruin that used to be
lighthouse. Andy asked if we were hungry and I remember the response being unanimous. By now the road was getting really rough and I can see why we were on a safari style truck. It was bumpy but that was part of the fun. The scenery was incredible. Ocean with various shades of blue on one side and the jungle on the other.
Finally the
beach! It was empty, just us and empty hammocks. We walked about 200
feet to a nearby dining area where there was a buffet waiting for us.
Beef and chicken fajitas, veggies, fruit, salsas, rice and other typical
Mexican lunch items. The food was included in the tour along with the
soft drinks and beer. We were invited to eat and drink as much as we
wanted. Did I mention beer? It was tempting to keep eating (and
drinking) but the beach was calling. This is without a doubt the nicest
beach I've ever been to; and I've been to a lot of beaches. Warm
transparent calm water, fish, powder white sand; it something out of a
movie. I really wish that we could have stayed longer here. The two
hours for lunch and beach flew by so quickly.Once again we boarded the truck continuing our tour around the island. As we exited the reserve we were on the windward side of the island. Big contrast from the calm water on the beach. Here the waves were crashing onto the rocks with beautiful ocean blue in the background. We stopped for about fifteen minutes to take pictures. Some of the people on the tour drank cold coconut milk right out of the coconuts. And some added a shot of rum to their drink.
The tour ended in downtown Cozumel. We had an hour of free time to walk around before we had to meet Andy again at the ferry pier. Lots of shops with designer names and lots of bars and restaurants. The church was nice and so was the clock tower in the middle of the main square.
The ferry trip back was relaxing. I fell asleep.
I really recommend this tour. It was a full day. Other than the tip we gave Andy (who was excellent), the tour was all inclusive and delivered much more than expected. The kids loved it and so did I.
Recommended Sites: http://www.IslaCozumelDayPass.com and http://www.IslaCozumel.org
Written and posted by: Steven Lorenzo
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