{"id":7404,"date":"2017-07-05T16:59:06","date_gmt":"2017-07-05T20:59:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=7404"},"modified":"2017-07-10T22:32:20","modified_gmt":"2017-07-11T02:32:20","slug":"cruising-around-cozumel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snappingtheglobe.com\/?p=7404","title":{"rendered":"Cruising Around Cozumel"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a9 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved<\/i>.<\/p>\n

Some arrive in Cozumel by cruise ship.<\/p>\n

Some by air.<\/p>\n

Some by ferry.<\/p>\n

No matter your method of transportation into Cozumel, make sure you’ve\u00a0arrived\u00a0<\/em>by checking out all that the island has to offer!<\/p>\n

My family and I have been to Cozumel many times over the years. \u00a0Most times we have arrived by ferry, a couple of times by cruise ship, but this time, my son and I arrived by air. \u00a0Honestly, I am a flight attendant and I should know these type of things, but I don’t think I realized that Cozumel had an airport…as I’ve only ever talked to people who have flown into Cancun and gone to Cozumel by ferry.<\/p>\n

School had just let out and everyone in my family was busy with work and other obligations except for me and my youngest son. \u00a0An adventure was in order! We had no idea where we were going to end up. \u00a0We were going to go to the airport, with suitcases filled with clothing for any climate and get on a flight…any flight…and see where we could go.<\/p>\n

After miraculously getting seats on an oversold flight to Atlanta, we had to devise a plan. \u00a0Grabbing breakfast and a seat at McDonald’s, we opened up my computer and began checking which flights from Atlanta had seats to and from the destination. \u00a0Sunny Cozumel was the winner! \u00a0(Or so we thought…) A few hours later, we were touching down at the Cozumel International Airport. \u00a0We couldn’t wait to lay by the pool and get some much need sun and relaxation.<\/p>\n

To our dismay, no beautiful, sunny skies were there to greet us…only gray clouds and wet pavement. \u00a0How can this be? \u00a0We were arriving at a tropical destination…a resort…don’t they order up beautiful weather for the tourists? \u00a0Surely this was just a passing rain shower!<\/p>\n

After arriving at our hotel, the El Cozumele\u00f1o, we donned our bathing suits and headed out to the pool. \u00a0It was raining again. \u00a0No good. \u00a0Time to pull up to the bar.<\/p>\n

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It continued to rain…all night…and after a text to my dad, I realized that because I don’t watch the news regularly, I had failed to comprehend that it was hurricane season and a tropical storm was causing havoc in the Gulf of Mexico. \u00a0Ugh…<\/p>\n

The next morning, with high hopes, I pulled back the curtains in our room, hoping for sun. \u00a0Nope. \u00a0No sun again. \u00a0Those same gray clouds and a light rain greeted us.<\/p>\n

Well, we were in Cozumel. \u00a0Rain or not, we were going to see what was out there, even if we had to buy umbrellas and rain slickers. \u00a0It was time to make the best of it!<\/p>\n

\"\"After renting a Jeep Patriot (great for driving through floodwaters) we headed out. \u00a0Navigating the narrow streets, we drove slowly, through the pouring rain until we reached the main highway that cuts through the middle of the island (Transversal de Cozumel). \u00a0The rain had slowed and we were soon arriving at San Gervasio archaeological site. \u00a0Thankfully, the rain soon tapered off and we were able to spend some time investigating these interesting ruins.<\/p>\n

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Heading east again, we soon spotted the end of the road. \u00a0Only two ways to go…north or south. \u00a0Since we had been warned by our rental company that traveling on the dirt road to the north would void our rental contract, we decided that it was southbound for us!<\/p>\n

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This part of the island has some amazing beaches and breathtaking scenery and at the turn in the road, a very cool bar and restaurant…Se\u00f1or Iguanas. \u00a0Years ago, I remember coming to this part of the island and there only being some small fisherman’s huts and small shacks that sold tacos and beer. \u00a0Although we would have loved to hang out at Se\u00f1or Iguanas and enjoy the views, the ambiance and the forty mile per hours winds whipping through the establishment, we decided to get some food to go and continue on our way. \u00a0After all, we now had a break in the rain.<\/p>\n

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The waves were quite large and for a while, we stopped to watch a group of surfers ride the massive crests toward shore. \u00a0If there had been more of a gentle swell, my son would have considered taking a lesson at one of the many venues along the way that offer private instruction.<\/p>\n

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As we continued on, we stopped often to admire the spectacular coastline, shop at the many vendors that line the roadway and just enjoy our drive and time being away from the resort.<\/p>\n

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As we rounded the island’s southernmost tip, we headed west and made our way, past many resorts, to the village of El Cedral which boasts the first church on the island and a Mayan ruin. \u00a0I especially enjoyed driving around the town’s back streets…lots of cute homes and artwork line the streets!<\/p>\n

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With the rain still at bay, we drove through downtown (vowing to make our way here the next day for shopping), past a tall lighthouse and on to a place we had seen on our way to the hotel.<\/p>\n

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Bam No. 4 Military Base (Base A\u00e9rea Militar No. 4) offers some great photo ops with some old military planes displayed out front. \u00a0In addition, there is a war memorial, honoring some of the defenders of the nation.<\/p>\n

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Leaving our car parked in this location, we made the short walk back towards town to a small square located between the roadways. \u00a0Here, there is a replica of a Mayan temple with statues depicting ancient Mayans.<\/p>\n

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As the day was drawing to a close, we made our way back to our hotel and our dinner reservations, ever thankful that we were able to see what Cozumel had to offer even though the weather wasn’t up to par.<\/p>\n

Pulling back into the El Cozumelena, with not a moment to spare, we parked our car as the skies opened up again and we made a mad dash inside! \u00a0Time to head to the bar…<\/p>\n

Cozumel is a lovely destination for anyone who loves islands or is a diver or snorkeler (thousands of dive sites lie just offshore). \u00a0There are many delicious food options throughout the city and various types of shopping in the central plaza \u00a0and throughout the island. \u00a0And…if you run out of things to do in Cozumel, take the ferry (located downtown) right on over to the mainland and Playa del Carmen and the Mayan Riviera. \u00a0You will find many other things to do there as well!<\/p>\n

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.<\/p>\n

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San Gervasio Archaeological Zone<\/strong><\/p>\n