Todd and I took our first cruise on the Carnival Fantasy a few weeks ago and loved it! Our first stop was in Progreso, Mexico, which I shared all about here, and our second stop was in Cozumel, Mexico.
We had heard a lot of great things about Cozumel, so we decided to skip an official cruise excursion and venture out on our own…of course with a bit of research!
Once you get of the boat at the port, you see a very colorful and beautiful area, that feels slightly American (a lot of people described Cozumel to us as American Mexico, just because it is pretty much a tourist area). For example, you might see quite a few restaurants you recognize. Also, there were lots of shops and some fun music!
This is also a great picture spot! We stopped at several locations around the port to get pics.
Pro tip: there are lots of fun bright color walls, so if you’re into taking pictures by a colored wall…Cozumel is your place!
Todd thought I was nuts when I wanted to sit and take a picture on these stairs that went to the bathroom, but I mean come on, how pretty are they!? Prettiest bathroom entrance I’ve ever seen!
Once we snapped a few pictures we headed for the taxis! They were at the end of the shopping area, and there were plenty of them!
Most of the taxi drivers speak English, and we didn’t have to negotiate the price as some people told me I might have to do. The price to where we were going was a flat $15 dollars each way, and that sounded pretty reasonable to me.
Pro tip: they also had quite a few of large vans, so if you are with a larger group/family there will be room for you all to ride together!
We headed to Paradise Beach, which is a resort like beach area (minus the hotel) that you can get into for just $3 dollars a person!
pro tip: there are no beaches right off of the port in Cozumel, so if you are wanting to go to the beach you will have to travel a short distance to get to one
Paradise Beach is super affordable, because it only costs $3 dollars a person to get in. They also ask that you spend $10 dollars at their restaurant/bar.
Pro tip: When you first arrive they ask you if you want the all inclusive package which is expensive, if you are not interested in that tell them that you are looking just for the entrance cost.
Paying the $3 dollars gets you access to the beautiful pool, and chairs on the beach.
Ya’ll…the pool was absolutely gorgeous! They had chairs that sat in the shallow water that you could sit in, which I loved!
Also, maybe it was just the time of year we went, but it wasn’t busy at all! (Otherwise we wouldn’t have been able to get all these pictures!)
Pro tip: ask for the WIFI code, it’s free!
Swim Bottoms: Here
Hat: Here
Cover up: Altar’d State old, similar
Sandals: Here
Sunglasses: Versona
The beach was also extremely pretty to sit and enjoy (of course, I mean when isn’t it?)
Also, you may notice in the background all the water sports. These were another add on. You could pay $18 per person to use all of them (there were more) as well as a few other water sports such as paddle boarding!
Todd and I decided to skip the water sports and just chill, but it definitely looked like a lot of fun!
Once you sit down in a section you are assigned a waiter that will get you anything you need, which Todd was especially impressed by!
We went with Chips and Guacamole (which I totally recommend by the way)
Pro Tip: get the Oasis smoothie, seriously the best smoothie I have ever tasted, and was perfect for a hot day!
For lunch we ate from the taco truck, and both Todd and I were very happy with both the prices and the taste!
Pro tip: If you are hungry order a few tacos, they aren’t huge!
Once it started raining we decided to leave Paradise Beach and head back to the Port.
Pro tip: make sure to get your picture by the Puerta Maya sign (the name of the port) when you get off the taxi!
We explored the area a bit more, did a bit of shopping, got a few pics of our cruise ship and headed back on board!
Wow! We loved Cozumel and I definitely want to go back!
Cozumel Cost
Taxi rides: $30
Entrance Price: $6
Chips and Guac: $7
Smoothie: $5.75
Tacos: $10.50
Tip: $5.00
Total Cost: $64.25
Doing our own excursion definitely saved us money!
-Kasey
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