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Scuba Forum / General / May 2005Conzumel - Should I rent a car?
Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying in Conzumel at one of the all inclusive resorts. Wondering if we should get a rental car for the week or use public transportation instead. We plan on a day trip to the Mayan ruins on the mainland and we'll probaly take public transportation. If we do rent a car, anything we should be aware of TIA & safe diving. Dave Of course you should, how else are you going to drink your way around the island on your off day ? Let me know if you see Elvis at that little bar up in the hills.On Sun, 24 Apr 2005 13:55:45 GMT, Dave <dave@yahoo.com> wrote: >Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying in >Conzumel at one of the all inclusive resorts. Wondering if we should get a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Dave > Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying in > Conzumel at one of the all inclusive resorts. Wondering if we should get a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Dave Renting a car is a good idea especially if at one of the All-inclusive South of town. explore the isand, there are two real nice places on the south end f the island - beer kept in coolers. You can drive the entire isalnd in about 90 minutes. There isn;t much on the East End of the Isalnd - some great surf. Public transportation is readily available and woould be cheaper - but having a car is nice. I don't do the all inclusives in Cozumel - too many good places to eat in town. > Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying in > Conzumel at one of the all inclusive resorts. Wondering if we should get a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Dave I found it useful to rent a car for one day to drive the circle around the island and visit the Mayan ruins. Driving the roads of the town I found hazardous and stressful. Also, I would rent from a known rental company even if you have to pay more. The Volkwagon Beetle I rented had not been maintained and had mechanical problems (stalling, clutch, brake, door, etc) which is no fun in a foreign area on vacation. Adam > I found it useful to rent a car for one day to drive the circle around the > island and visit the Mayan ruins. The ruins are good for a visit, I suppose. Get it over with and you can ignore them on future visits. I've never made it all the way to the east side, but look forward to it on another trip. > Driving the roads of the town I found hazardous and stressful. And you live in Southern California now? How stressful could it be? > Also, I would rent from a known rental company even if you have to pay > more. The Volkwagon Beetle I rented had not been maintained and had > mechanical problems (stalling, clutch, brake, door, etc) which is no fun > in a foreign area on vacation. That's par for the course down there. The time before last, I got a car with a bad master cylinder in Playa. The brakes would fail at the most inopportune moments, but checked out fine when I first tested the car. And that was from a known rental company (Budget or National, I forget). But the air conditioning worked and that's really all that matters. Two reminders: (1) Always get Mexican liability insurance even if your own carrier or credit card picks up the collision damage, and (2) Watch out for the gas scam in San Pedro - make sure that your pump was zeroed out before starting on your tank. I fell for the latter once. They tried to charge me for 40 liters on a compact car with a 50-or-so-liter tank that was already more than half-full to begin with. We bargained it down to something that was still more than what they actually pumped but it was partially my fault for not checking in the first place. Actually, we didn't really bargain. I handed them more than what I thought I was paying for, then took off in a screech, waving my middle finger out the window. Only later did I realize that they hadn't replaced the gas cap and the car rental company charged me $15 to replace it. >> I found it useful to rent a car for one day to drive the circle around the island >> and visit the Mayan ruins. [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > I realize that they hadn't replaced the gas cap and the car rental company charged > me $15 to replace it. There are some good eating places on the east beach. The Mayan ruins have some interesting large lizards worth visiting and taking pictures with. The stressful driving sitations in town are frequent uncontrolled intersections on narrow roads with poor visibility. With my stalling Beetle I felt I was taking my life in my hands every time I apporached one of these. Adam >>>I found it useful to rent a car for one day to drive the circle around the island >>>and visit the Mayan ruins. [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > > Adam Be SURE to bring along at least a 55 gallon drum of mosquito repellent, especially if you go to the remote Mayan ruins. I rode with some folks in a rag top jeep along this one lane dirt road. When we stopped, all of us were literally covered with mosquitos within 10-15 seconds. We were smacking each other on the back and by the time I got back, my white shirt looked like I had been hit with a fully automatic mini-paint ball gun loaded with red paintballs. "Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahee.com> pounded away at his keyboard resulting in: :The Mayan ruins have some interesting large lizards worth visiting and taking :pictures with. So does Iberostar. Dan Bracuk If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure. > "Adam Helberg" <sendspamhere@yahee.com> pounded away at his keyboard > resulting in: [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Dan Bracuk The ones living near the ruins are huge (a few feet long), very colorful and peaceful. Also there are good t-shirt and souvenir shops there. Adam Greg Mossman wrote: (2) Watch out for > the gas scam in San Pedro - make sure that your pump was zeroed out before > starting on your tank. I fell for the latter once. I've enountered this scam in Italy (mostly south of Rome) when I rent cars and drive around the country. You have to make it a point to get out of the car and check that the gas pump counter is 'zeroed out'. A real rip-off! Telum is fine but smallish, but while you're down there, Uxmal and Chicken-Itza (sp?) are more interesting, if you want to savor Mayan ruins.... and not too far away, a short flight from Cozumel. On the same trip I flew to Guatemala City and backtracked to Tekal, located deep in the Guatemalan jungle -- which was spectacular. And speaking of Mayan ruins, I would have liked to have seen Palenque, but it is not nearby and quite a distance from the Yucatan peninsula. Next trip and maybe combine it with Monte Alban. > Also, I would rent from a known rental company even if you have to pay more. The > Volkwagon Beetle I rented had not been maintained and had mechanical problems > (stalling, clutch, brake, door, etc) which is no fun in a foreign area on vacation. I rented from Budget and it was $25 per day when I was there last... The vehicle was not air-conditioned, but once it had a problem, they replaced it with one that did have air-conditioning... BTW, the rental rates are negotiable... One thing to look out for is that the Jeeps that they rent sometimes have the 4WD disabled... Also, the sand in Cozumel is a hell of a lot different than the sand in Texas... Just pulling slightly off the road can get you stuck... > One thing to look out for is that the Jeeps that they rent sometimes have > the 4WD disabled... Also, the sand in Cozumel is a hell of a lot different > than the sand in Texas... Just pulling slightly off the road can get you > stuck... My jeep from Executive had the 4WD disabled. Someone pulled me out after getting stuck in the sand. I never rented from Executive again. I usually rent from Marlin, Hertz, Budget, Easy Pay. Becca >> One thing to look out for is that the Jeeps that they rent sometimes have >> the 4WD disabled... Also, the sand in Cozumel is a hell of a lot [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Becca You're suppose to get stuck in the sand. If you didn't, you'd just be getting in more trouble.  Signaturejer email reply - I am not a 'ten' >> Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying in >> Conzumel at one of the all inclusive resorts. Wondering if we should get a [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > >Adam Be cautious of the damaged car scam. Make sure you note every scratch and ding on the car. I know people who take a Polaroid just for that purpose. Also, some agencies will take a cc for deposit, but want cash when you turn the car in. Signaturedillon Women should be obscene and not absurd. > Subject says it all. Depends upon how much you value convenience... I'm a Texan, I want to have a car car available at all times... A NYer is used to public transportation and doesn't have a problem with someone they don't know driving them around to places they don't know... Hmmm... Kind of sounds like what happened on 9/11, doesn't it? > > Subject says it all. > > Depends upon how much you value convenience... I'm a Texan, I want to have a > car car available at all times... A NYer is used to public transportation > and doesn't have a problem with someone they don't know driving them around > to places they don't know... You ALMOST got that right. A cost-benefit analysis comes into play, EXCEPT in Manhattan NY. Show me a Taxan who drives in Manhattan, and I'll show you a Clueless Damned Fool. :-) On my last visit to Manhattan, my hotel (42nd St and Broadway) was two blocks from (42 St. and 5th Ave), a cell phone company I wanted to go. Normally it's a 5 minute walk. But I got lazy and took a taxi. It ran up $3.50 before it got past the first block. So, I got out of the cab and walked the next block, and got there long before any car or taxi did. :-) In Coz, the cabs are cheap and convenient if you just want to go around near downtown. But a rental car may be both cheaper and more convenient than a taxi if you want to drive around the island, to the lighthouse, the East Side, to restaurants in the boon docks, etc. > Hmmm... Kind of sounds like what happened on > 9/11, doesn't it? Nah. -- Bob. > You ALMOST got that right. > > A cost-benefit analysis comes into play, EXCEPT in Manhattan NY. > Show me a Taxan who drives in Manhattan, and I'll show you a > Clueless Damned Fool. :-) Awh, hell, Reefy, we just park on top of those little VW Bug speed bumps, ya know? > Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying > in [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > day trip to the Mayan ruins on the mainland and we'll probaly take public > transportation. If we do rent a car, anything we should be aware of No. Taxis are much cheaper. And if you wreck a rental, plan on spending some time in the local jail until you pay for ALL of the damage to both cars. The meskin authorities will let you file insurance after you pay up...with cash. Gringos will get pulled over just for being white...don't even think about drinking more than 0 beers and driving in Coz. Having a car on Coz ain't worth the hassle or the risk. > > Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying > > in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > No. Taxis are much cheaper. Not necessarily. See my follow-up to Grummy. > And if you wreck a rental, plan on spending > some time in the local jail until you pay for ALL of the damage to both > cars. The meskin authorities will let you file insurance after you pay > up...with cash. While that may be true in some Mexican cities, it's not true in Cozumel, AFAIK. > Gringos will get pulled over just for being white... Now THAT is definitely NOT TRUE in Cozumel! Besides, not all Gringos are white. :-) > don't even think about > drinking more than 0 beers and driving in Coz. That's a good advice anywhere. :-) I don't drink even when I don't drive. The mind (especially a perfectly sober one) is a beautiful thing to need to be messed with booze, sh.t, crack, or other mind-altering dope. I don't even get nar'd at 200 fsw. :-) > Having a car on Coz ain't worth the hassle or the risk. It's not up to YOU to decide for HIM. -- Bob. >>And if you wreck a rental, plan on spending >>some time in the local jail until you pay for ALL of the damage to [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > While that may be true in some Mexican cities, it's not true in > Cozumel, AFAIK. Actually, it's partly true. Wrecking a car in Mexico can be a sticky issue for fereners, since the vehicle is usually a rental. One will make the trip to the policia station, and unless one can show financial responsibility on the spot, one will be incarcerated until one can. Financial responsibility can be proven with the rental contract with an insurance accepted check mark on it (it's important to keep this dry), a credit card that can be used before being allowed to walk somewhere else, or a biggo wad of cash to leave behind before being allowed to walk somewhere else. Signaturejer email reply - I am not a 'ten' > Actually, it's partly true. Wrecking a car in Mexico can be a sticky > issue for fereners, since the vehicle is usually a rental. One will [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > else, or a biggo wad of cash to leave behind before being allowed to > walk somewhere else. Too bad Mexicans here *illegally* get treated better. > > Actually, it's partly true. Wrecking a car in Mexico can be a sticky > > issue for fereners, since the vehicle is usually a rental. One will [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Too bad Mexicans here *illegally* get treated better. And that's why it's important to factor these things in when travelling outside Hawaii, the Keys, and the US Virgin Islands. It's reflected often in the lodging rates. Me, you wouldn't catch renting a car in a foreign country like Mexico, Thailand, Laos, sh.t, anywhere in the caribbean. Roads tend to be to crappy, driving styles quite different, legal issues like this crop up, and hired drivers tend to be too cheap to make renting your own worth it. Best Regards, -- Todd H. http://www.toddh.net/ > Me, you wouldn't catch renting a car in a foreign country like Mexico, > Thailand, Laos, sh.t, anywhere in the caribbean. Roads tend to be to > crappy, driving styles quite different, legal issues like this crop > up, and hired drivers tend to be too cheap to make renting your own > worth it. I've rented cars in Mexico, elsewhere in the Caribbean, and Thailand. Roads have been fine. Driving styles are (usually) more laid back than in Southern California. Driving isn't so difficult for me that it takes any real effort to adapt to foreign differences and I'd rather trust my driving skills over some hired madman's to keep me alive any day. Never experienced any legal issues, though I do try to avoid getting in accidents. A car rental is practically an essential in some places, such as Bonaire. >>Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying >>in [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Having a car on Coz ain't worth the hassle or the risk. Thats odd. We were taking a taxi back from town one night and I was asking the taxi driver about the police in Cozumel. He told me they generally leave the tourists alone since that is Cozumel's primary industry and they don't want to get a reputation of hassling the people bringing money to the island. I asked him about what they would do if they caught a tourist drunk driving. He told me, "They will probably let you go and tell you to be careful". He said they were MUCH harder on the locals. I asked him about crime on Cozumel. He said the last murder was 4-5 years ago. Two locals got into a fight and one of them picked up a swordfish wall decoration and stabbed the other one with it. I guess you can take it for what its worth. We never ran into any problems with the local constabulary while we were there. Andy >>>Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying >>>in [quoted text clipped - 31 lines] > I guess you can take it for what its worth. We never ran into any > problems with the local constabulary while we were there. the original poster mentioned about taking a car to see the ruins on the mainland. imo, driving in mexico is risky...and for a day trip, the guy should hire a taxi. same goes for getting around Coz. however, i have driven between on the mainland with no problems. i just don't prefer to drive when a taxi will do. > i just don't prefer to drive when a taxi will do. Perhaps it has something to do with different cultures... Where you from, Jim? >> i just don't prefer to drive when a taxi will do. > > Perhaps it has something to do with different cultures... Where you from, > Jim? Durham North Carolina. I drive too much for my job...on vacation, i leave the driving to others. >>>i just don't prefer to drive when a taxi will do. >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Durham North Carolina. I drive too much for my job...on vacation, i leave > the driving to others. then very limited in Coz - it aint that big of deal to rent the car and drive to where YOU want to go - I have never had a problem there. > then very limited in Coz - it aint that big of deal to rent the car and > drive to where YOU want to go - I have never had a problem there. Yep, taxis in Coz are for getting you from the car rental place to the airport (assuming you can't bum a ride from one of the locals in the rental agency)... Personally, I like being in control of where and when I go somewhere... Even if a taxi might be cheaper, I tend to always rent a car... If I have a car, I'll more likely take side trips to places off the beaten path... There's a hell of a lot more to Coz than just that one road that circles the southern 2/3rd of the island... >>then very limited in Coz - it aint that big of deal to rent the car and >>drive to where YOU want to go - I have never had a problem there. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > path... There's a hell of a lot more to Coz than just that one road that > circles the southern 2/3rd of the island... Grumman - did you get your plane up to Iowa with you? > Grumman - did you get your plane up to Iowa with you? Yep... Moved it up here this last weekend... Bought a used refrigerator for $55 (from one of the guys at Rockwell who was buying a new house) and moved it in there last night... I'll have it cleaned up and stocked with beer this weekend... >> Grumman - did you get your plane up to Iowa with you? > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > this > weekend... A fridge in the plane stocked with beer? Great idea. Nawh, the plane's not large enough for that refrigerator, I had to just put it in the hangar... I keep a small ice cooler in the plane for soft drinks and beer (after I'm through flying for the day, of course)... Now, I just need get a grill for the hangar and I'll be set... Go ahead I have ented a car / scooter on the island 3 times to do the loop around the island bar hoping ( designated driver, no alcohol for me) never a problem. Rented a jeep to go down t Dos Ojos to do some caving and visit a local temple, still no problems. People treat you as you treat them. If your mean and don't get along with people in the states then it ain't changing much anywhere else you go. >>>>Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying >>>>in [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > however, i have driven between on the mainland with no problems. i just > don't prefer to drive when a taxi will do. Taxi's are cheap in Coz. I have never been on the mainland so cannot comment on what if any differences there may be. We rented a car one day to go visit the Mayan ruins. Aside from that, we took taxis. You definetly want to go with a taxi if you are going to spend an evening at Carlos and Charlies. :) SignatureI have never met a liberal street cop. > >>Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying > >>in [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > industry and they don't want to get a reputation of hassling the people > bringing money to the island. That sounds about right. > I asked him about crime on Cozumel. He said the last murder was 4-5 > years ago. Two locals got into a fight and one of them picked up a > swordfish wall decoration and stabbed the other one with it. You can carry a wad of $100 bills and walk a deserted street in Cozumel without any worry of getting robbed, the same way you can wave a wad of $100 bills in Las Vegas with completely safety. The mafia in LAS talkes care of the property crimes. In Cozumel, I think the LOCALS play the roll of the mafia. I was surprised how every movement of mine in Cozumel was noticed by SOME local, even in a completely empty street at midnight. :-) Complete strangers knew I stay in Room 49 of the Bahia hotel when I og there. My 24K gold bracelet and necklace weigh well over 1 lb (that's one less pound of lead I have to use when diving <G>) and I wear them ALL the time while in Cozumel. All those stories about what happens in some aress of Mexico City or some other Caribbean locations such as Belize City and Jamica simply DOESN"T happen in Cozumel. I haven't even heard of any case of cruiseship tourists losing their jewelry to petty thieves or robbers, let alone murder. :-) Why would they want to murder any TOURIST there? > I guess you can take it for what its worth. We never ran into any > problems with the local constabulary while we were there. Same here the past 18 years of at least 500 days of stay in Coz. I used to dive 50 days a year there. :-) > Andy >>Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying >>in [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Having a car on Coz ain't worth the hassle or the risk. oh Yes it is! > No. Taxis are much cheaper. And if you wreck a rental, plan on spending > some time in the local jail until you pay for ALL of the damage to both [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Having a car on Coz ain't worth the hassle or the risk. Hmmm... Your experience is quite a bit different than mine... I didn't have any problem with the cops there regardless of the amount of alcohol that I had in my system... Maybe they just knew I was a Texan... >>No. Taxis are much cheaper. And if you wreck a rental, plan on spending >>some time in the local jail until you pay for ALL of the damage to both [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > any problem with the cops there regardless of the amount of alcohol that I > had in my system... Maybe they just knew I was a Texan... I have never had a problem with the policio. They just waved me to slow dowm heading to the southern end. I can think of a number of good reasons to rent a car and a beater car at that! Paradise Cafe' Playa Bonita Coconuts Punta Morena Playa Chen Rio Any strip of abandoned beach The go-kart track Chankanaab Park Playa Sol BTW when you see the words TOPAS, that's Spanish for speed up. Hit them hard!. The suspension on any car is so shot anyway it's a blast. We always rent a beater from JR Rentacars for several days. They are pieces of junk, but you know what you are getting. Get a VW chassis with a fun body on it like a beach buggy. Live a little and be adventurous. These candy-a**es whining about AC? Jeez....You're on a island for God sakes- enjoy the air in your face. Carry a soft sided cooler with you and back a few beverages for the drive. It's got to be at least a 10 minute drive between palapa bars. Ride around the back streets and check out how the locals live. While it is their home, you'll feel much better about the good ole US of A. The east side of the island is beautiful with its rough coral formations, great beaches and great palapa bars and restaurants. There's a lot more to the island than just diving. And yes, I dive. We'll be there for our 11th time in a couple of weeks. Can't wait! Signature"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a Ride!!!" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Author unknown) >>>No. Taxis are much cheaper. And if you wreck a rental, plan on spending >>>some time in the local jail until you pay for ALL of the damage to both [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > I have never had a problem with the policio. They just waved me to slow > dowm heading to the southern end. > I can think of a number of good reasons to rent a car and a beater car at > that! [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming -- WOW-- What a > Ride!!!" !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Author unknown) Barkeep, a drink for the man on me. Tequila, make it a double. >> I can think of a number of good reasons to rent a car and a beater car at >> that! [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > >Tequila, make it a double. Dos mas cervasas, por favor. Signaturedillon Women should be obscene and not absurd. > I can think of a number of good reasons to rent a car and a beater car at > that! [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Playa Chen Rio > Any strip of abandoned beach There aren't any abandoned beaches in Cozumel. A beach is a turtle hatchery, and vehicles driven on them crush the eggs. > The go-kart track > Chankanaab Park > Playa Sol > > BTW when you see the words TOPAS, that's Spanish for speed up. Hit them > hard!. The suspension on any car is so shot anyway it's a blast. The word you want is TOPES > We always rent a beater from JR Rentacars for several days. They are pieces > of junk, but you know what you are getting. Get a VW chassis with a fun [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Ride around the back streets and check out how the locals live. While it is > their home, you'll feel much better about the good ole US of A. Yeah, this is what the locals like, drunken gringos terrorizing their neighbourhoods in cars while their kids play in the street. > The east side of the island is beautiful with its rough coral formations, > great beaches and great palapa bars and restaurants. There's a lot more to > the island than just diving. And yes, I dive. We'll be there for our 11th > time in a couple of weeks. Can't wait! Diving is good. Signaturejer email reply - I am not a 'ten' >> I can think of a number of good reasons to rent a car and a beater car at >> that! [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > There aren't any abandoned beaches in Cozumel. A beach is a turtle > hatchery, and vehicles driven on them crush the eggs. If there is noone on the beach when I get there, it is abandoned.......I didn't say I drove on the beach.....read what car I said I rent. 2 wheel drive. Anyone can figure out you'd get stuck. Why drive on the beach when the road is next to the water? >> The go-kart track >> Chankanaab Park [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > The word you want is TOPES Pardon my French, er Spanish. I guess the joke about the car's suspension doesn't translate very well. >> We always rent a beater from JR Rentacars for several days. They are >> pieces of junk, but you know what you are getting. Get a VW chassis [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Yeah, this is what the locals like, drunken gringos terrorizing their > neighbourhoods in cars while their kids play in the street. Did anyone say anything about driving drunk through the neighborhoods? Some of the real back roads are so rough you could probably go only 5 MPH anyway- if the speedo worked. The kids there play on the soccer fields, I rarely see them play in the street. I treat the people of Cozumel with the utmost respect. I like their culture, their friendliness and their sense of family. As Americans, we cuold learn a bit from them. >> The east side of the island is beautiful with its rough coral formations, >> great beaches and great palapa bars and restaurants. There's a lot more >> to the island than just diving. And yes, I dive. We'll be there for our >> 11th time in a couple of weeks. Can't wait! > > Diving is good. Yeah I dive, too. Have so for 20 years But diving is not my only life activity. >>>I can think of a number of good reasons to rent a car and a beater car at >>>that! [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > drive. Anyone can figure out you'd get stuck. Why drive on the beach when > the road is next to the water? I dunno, gringos drive on a number of beaches down here. One said he saw it on TV and thought it would be fun. Kids, go figure. >>>The go-kart track >>>Chankanaab Park [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Pardon my French, er Spanish. I guess the joke about the car's suspension > doesn't translate very well. That's okay. I think we need more of those, especially the ones that launch the back seat people over the roof. >>>We always rent a beater from JR Rentacars for several days. They are >>>pieces of junk, but you know what you are getting. Get a VW chassis [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > respect. I like their culture, their friendliness and their sense of > family. As Americans, we cuold learn a bit from them. I see them play in the street all the time - especially younger ones too small to play soccer, I see drunk gringos driving the streets regularly. I'm glad to hear you don't think you're one of them. Learning is a good thing, walking learns more. >>>The east side of the island is beautiful with its rough coral formations, >>>great beaches and great palapa bars and restaurants. There's a lot more [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Yeah I dive, too. Have so for 20 years But diving is not my only life > activity. It is mine, I got bored with the rest. Signaturejer email reply - I am not a 'ten' > > Yeah I dive, too. Have so for 20 years But diving is not my only life > > activity. > > It is mine, I got bored with the rest. Barkeep? <pointing to that guys table> On me. Definitely rent a car. However, watch out. It tales a long time to process and the cars do not all have the safety equipment one might expect. Each time we went to pick up our reserved car, the first car offered from 3 auto agencies (on several different days) was unacceptable because we require such off-the-wall equipment as: * tread on all 4 tires (I'm not talking inadequate tread depth. I'm talking tires with no tread at all!) * a spare tire * air in the spare tire (one spare was mounted so that the sidewall HOPE was hidden from view, but a quick push with a hand revealed the emptiness of the tire) * tread on the spare tire * a tire tool/jack * seat belts for both front seats * head rests on the front seats * side view mirror on the driver's side In some cases, they were able to find another car in our desired size that had acceptable equipment. At others, we had to "upgrade" to a more expensive car or try a different auto rental agency. One agency upgraded us for free after long discussion. On a happier note, we went to Chichenitza by chartered airplane. It cost twice as much as the standard way (taxi, water taxi/ferry/bus) but you get there much earlier in the day (cooler, fewer crowds). Enjoy! Becky > Subject says it all. The wife & I are going in July for a week. Staying in > Conzumel at one of the all inclusive resorts. Wondering if we should get a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Dave I just returned from a one week vacation in Cozumel. I recommend a car or a jeep because some of the roads are rough. Expect to pay $90/day for a jeep plus another $10 to $15 for gas. Make certain to have the rental agreement in hand before driving off. VERY IMPORTANT - North-South streets have the right-of-way in downtown Cozumel. It's very difficult to see around the corner for traffic. Be careful. There's no public transportation that I'm aware of. I wouldn't recommend renting a scooter unless you ride one here. As far as the ruins go, don't set your hopes too high. Visit Coconuts for lunch or dinner - it's on the East side. Carlos & Charlies or Senor Frog for lunch or dinner - they're downtown. Other tips: - US dollars are used for virtually all transactions. Bring your own, the ATMs in Cozumel run out of USD all the time. Bring sufficient smaller denominations because they may give change in Mexican dollars. - Negotiate prices at trinket stores - start at 30% of the offered price or less. Don't pay more than 50% of the offered price. - There's not much to do on Cozumel for more than 4 or 5 days. Consider going to Cancun and visiting ruins and other sites there. - Avoid the timeshare or vacation club sales pitches. They are a waste of your precious time. - Negotiate cab fares before loading your luggage or sitting in the cab. Ask about air conditioning - you'll need it in July. The liquor at the all-inclusives is half-strength - 40 proof instead of 80 proof. Ask for double or triple drinks. cjtwantstok...@yahoo.com wrote: > I just returned from a one week vacation in Cozumel. I recommend a car > or a jeep because some of the roads are rough. Expect to pay $90/day > for a jeep plus another $10 to $15 for gas. Make certain to have the > rental agreement in hand before driving off. Or you can listen to a "condo vulture" sales talk and get one for $10. :) > There's no public transportation that I'm aware of. There is. But you don't see it often. > I wouldn't recommend renting a scooter unless you ride one here. Where's here? > Other tips: > - US dollars are used for virtually all transactions. Bring your own, > the ATMs in Cozumel run out of USD all the time. Bring sufficient > smaller denominations because they may give change in Mexican dollars. There ain't no Mexican dollars. :-) You get the best exchange rate on USD to Neuvo Pesos usually at the Puerta Langosta Money Exchange (change ONLY USD), and sometimes at the bank(s) on the Square. A taxi ride from the Supermarket near the soccer field to town is $4 USD. If you don't look too much like a cruise pod, you may have to pay only $3 USD. But if you offer the cabbie 20 pesos (spoken in Spanish) which is less than $2 USD, he'll take it. > - There's not much to do on Cozumel for more than 4 or 5 days. I've dived there 20 consecutive days more times than 1. :) > - Avoid the timeshare or vacation club sales pitches. Unless you want to get a cheap rental jeep or topless VW for $10 USD. > - Negotiate cab fares before loading your luggage or sitting in the > cab. It helps if you KNEW what price to negotiate. Research what the LOCALS pay and what tourists pay. That gives you an idea of the usual range. > The liquor at the all-inclusives is half-strength - 40 proof instead of > 80 proof. Ask for double or triple drinks. Is there such a thing as a 40 proof vodka? Why not just ask for 190 proof? :-) -- Bob. > cjtwantstok...@yahoo.com wrote: > [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > Or you can listen to a "condo vulture" sales talk and get one for $10. > :) Sheeit, I'll pay them $10 to STFU. >>There's no public transportation that I'm aware of. > > There is. But you don't see it often. Buses run up and down Rafael Melgar Av. (main waterfront boulevard in San Miguel) every 30 minutes from 6am to 10pm Mon - Sat, none on Sun. There are some buses on the larger N-S streets, same schedule. >>I wouldn't recommend renting a scooter unless you ride one here. > [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > It helps if you KNEW what price to negotiate. Research what the LOCALS > pay and what tourists pay. That gives you an idea of the usual range. Locals pay less than half of the fares quoted here, don't feel obligated to care about the cab fare zones, and pay with coins. Locals with flexible travel times will avoid trying to use cabs around cruise arrivals, or save their coins for a cheaper bus and walk a few blocks. >>The liquor at the all-inclusives is half-strength - 40 proof instead > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > -- Bob. Signaturejer email reply - I am not a 'ten' > > cjtwantstok...@yahoo.com wrote: > > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Sheeit, I'll pay them $10 to STFU. It's up to the READERS to decide whether they want to pay $90 for a jeep rental or listen to the condo vultures for 1 1/2 hours for a jeep for $10. That's like getting paid $40 an hour and nobody can force anyone to listen. :-) > >>There's no public transportation that I'm aware of. > > > > There is. But you don't see it often. > > Buses run up and down Rafael Melgar Av. (main waterfront boulevard in > San Miguel) every 30 minutes from 6am to 10pm Mon - Sat, none on Sun. > There are some buses on the larger N-S streets, same schedule. May be THAT's why I don't see it often, cuz I am usually DIVING during the day hours and I can't believe they run THAT often in the evening hours. At any rate, I've never been on one. > >>Other tips: > > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > flexible travel times will avoid trying to use cabs around cruise > arrivals, or save their coins for a cheaper bus and walk a few blocks. Locals sometimes pay as little as 1/4 of the posted rates which are the MAXUMUM LEGAL rates for the cabbies to charge -- but they make the clueless think that's the "official" rate that everyone should pay. Coins? 20 pesos is a coin. That, or less will work within the downtown zone even if you are a Gringo, as long as you don't look too dumb. -- Bob. >> > cjtwantstok...@yahoo.com wrote: >> > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] >> > Or you can listen to a "condo vulture" sales talk and get one for >>>$10. :) <snip> >It's up to the READERS to decide whether they want to pay $90 for >a jeep rental or listen to the condo vultures for 1 1/2 hours for [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >during the day hours and I can't believe they run THAT often in >the evening hours. At any rate, I've never been on one. I have seen them when I was eating dinner. Actually, that's wrong. I have a picture of one, but I wasn't really aware of them when I was there. They are part of the background and I didn't really pay any attention to them until I saw one in my picture. I suspect it would be pretty hard for a gringo to use one, but they are there. >> >>Other tips: >> > [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >downtown zone even if you are a Gringo, as long as you don't look >too dumb. grandma Rosalie Another good reason for staying in town. No need to catch a cab! Stagger home by foot. >>> > cjtwantstok...@yahoo.com wrote: >>> > [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > > grandma Rosalie > Another good reason for staying in town. No need to catch a cab! Stagger > home by foot. Some of them can stagger late and stagger far! The old C&C was 3 or 4 blocks North of the Square, and since 1995, I've always stayed at the same suite, overlooking the ocean front, directly across the Pro Dive <and Aldora> piers. (That's three blocks South of the Square) Some times I could HEAR those stagglers 3 or 4 in the morning, and occasionally SAW them staggering around 6 am when I was looking out of the bay window, getting ready to go diving. :-) -- Bob. |
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