The 5 Things Tourists Do to Ruin Their Cozumel Vacations
5 Tourist Mistakes That Can Ruin a Cozumel Vacation
Cozumel is one of the most beautiful destinations in the Caribbean — world-class reefs, crystal-clear water, and a town full of life. Most visitors have the trip of a lifetime. But a handful of avoidable mistakes sends some home early, broke, or worse. Here’s what to watch out for.
#1 Skip the scooter rental:
Cozumel ranks #2 in Mexico and #2 in the Caribbean for scooter accidents and fatalities. The roads are shared with cruise buses, aggressive drivers, and potholes that appear without warning. Renting a scooter feels like island fun, until it isn’t. Taxis, or a rented car, are dramatically safer options for getting around the island.
#2 Get Travel Insurance; Your Home Policy Won’t Cover You:
When you visit a Mexican hospital for treatment, the doctors are obligated to provide you with the care needed. However, the hospital will not release you from its care until the total cost of that care has been paid in full. Those costs can add up quickly.
Your U.S.-based health insurance probably doesn’t cover any treatments or services received while outside the United States. That leaves one option: travel insurance. Travel insurance protects against financial losses from unforeseen emergencies related to your health (e.g., emergency medical bills) or other travel-related issues (e.g., trip cancellations). In extreme cases, if an emergency requires you to leave Mexico immediately, some policies also cover emergency evacuation.
#3 Be Ready For The Tropics; Rain & Mosquitoes Are Real
Located in the tropics, Cozumel receives regular afternoon rain showers year-round. Bring a lightweight rain jacket so you won’t be caught off guard. Most importantly, daily use of an Insect Repellent (with DEET) is essential. There have been confirmed cases of Dengue, Zika & Chikungunya reported from the Yucatan Peninsula. Quality repellents take 30 seconds to apply and could save you weeks or months of serious illness.
#4 Never Leave Any of Your Scuba Diving Gear Alone Outside
If you hang your wetsuit (or other dive gear) on the balcony to air out while you go into the condo or hotel, it will likely be gone by the time you get back. Unattended dive gear is a popular target for thieves in tourist areas.
Dry your dive gear inside the condo while you sleep, too.
#5 Guard Your Belongings at the Beach
Beach safety is simple. Don’t leave anything on a beach towel when you go for a swim. Purchase a waterproof dry bag and take it to the beach so you can put everything in it and carry it with you while you swim. Or you can swim in groups and have someone watch your things while you are in the water.
Bonus: Vaping is illegal to bring into Mexico.
This one catches travelers completely off guard. Mexican law prohibits passengers from entering the country with electronic cigarettes or vaping liquids, by air or by cruise ship. The penalties are serious: fines, device confiscation, and potential detention. Leave your vape device at home. It’s not worth the risk.
The 5 Things Tourists Do to Ruin Their Cozumel Vacations Read More »