There are open-air markets and little shops filled with native crafts, art, silver/turquoise jewelry and mucho decorative things you can actually USE and enjoy in your home or give as gifts. And all at great prices!
Mexican crafts are original, unique, varied and wildly colorful. I ALWAYS buy some little things in Cozumel even if I really don't need them, it's such attractive and fun stuff!
On my last stop there, we mosied down a side street and discovered a very old, humble, tiny adobe-type church. Anyone can enter the hushed, cool interior and view the ancient carved saints, the multitude of candles flickering, the antiqued silver ornamentations and the old local senoras quietly meditating.
After shopping and being warm and thirsty, my three lady cruise companions and I found a tiny cantina on the main street opposite the port. Entering, we found a door that led to a little courtyard. A fountain was trickling and mariachi music was wafting out to us from the indoor area. Tropical plants and flowers surrounded us. A cooling breeze came through the courtyard from the Caribbean directly across the street from us. In the afternoon sunlight, we could see our cruise ship moored out on the sparkling water as we ogled the interesting mix of people of many nationalities strolling by on the street.
We ladies ordered a variety of adult beverages.....exotic coconut, banana and strawberry concoctions and some icy rum punches. The drinks came in huge goblets garnished with tropical fruits, and yes, the mandatory little monkey hanging on the side of each glass. I couldn't even finish mine, wow!
There we sat, resting our tired feet, happy with the little treasures we had purchased, quenching our thirst, chatting up a storm and enjoying the the whole ambience and panorama.
Then it was time to wobble.....er, walk back to the gangplank to re-board the ship and to look forward to our next port of call.
Cozumel is also home to soft-sand beaches and is one of the most popular snorkel/scuba/fishing destinations in this hemisphere. The shore desk on board ship will have all details on how to do anything you want to do in Cozumel.
You can either shop in the morning when it's cooler and have great Mexican food for lunch in town.....or you can eat lunch on board ship and explore afterwards. In any case, you'll enjoy Cozumel as much as I do.
Leni
Decorated with all the trimmings of a fishing boat, El Capi Navigante is a nautical dining experience not to be missed. The entertaining atmosphere features great food live music and the friendliest crew ever to sail the seven seas. From fresh snapper steak to Caribbean buttered lobster, It's all deliciously straight from the sea!