Richard’s guidebook
Food scene
They generally do not take reservations so if you have a large group I suggest you call first.
80 locals raden deze aan
Guido's
23 Av. Rafael E. MelgarThey generally do not take reservations so if you have a large group I suggest you call first.
You can book at reservation with Opentable app. Reservations for big groups are recommended. A secret is they have 2 menus. Many of the same items are lower priced on the Parrilla Mission menu. The Parrilla was a taqueria that closed. It was my go to place the first and last night I was on the island. They also generally have a couple Mariachi groups. Limited parking so take a taxi.
33 locals raden deze aan
Casa Mission
You can book at reservation with Opentable app. Reservations for big groups are recommended. A secret is they have 2 menus. Many of the same items are lower priced on the Parrilla Mission menu. The Parrilla was a taqueria that closed. It was my go to place the first and last night I was on the island. They also generally have a couple Mariachi groups. Limited parking so take a taxi.
Probably my favorite place on the island for authentic Mexican foods. The tacos are not your taco bell tacos or what you get in the states at Mexican restaurants. I have had several people who have gone with me that they have the best fajitas they have ever eaten. I love the various tacos so I do not stray. The bean soup is amazing. The menu is on the wall and prices are in pesos. They only have beer, water, and soft drinks. Generally locals and Cozumel regulars go there. They do not open until 6 p.m. Street parking available but you may have to walk a block. The taxi drivers know it as El Pique.
35 locals raden deze aan
Taqueria El Pique
Probably my favorite place on the island for authentic Mexican foods. The tacos are not your taco bell tacos or what you get in the states at Mexican restaurants. I have had several people who have gone with me that they have the best fajitas they have ever eaten. I love the various tacos so I do not stray. The bean soup is amazing. The menu is on the wall and prices are in pesos. They only have beer, water, and soft drinks. Generally locals and Cozumel regulars go there. They do not open until 6 p.m. Street parking available but you may have to walk a block. The taxi drivers know it as El Pique.
Great Italian food if that is what you are looking for. No parking so you must take a taxi. Some taxi drivers do not know where it is so tell the circa Pizza Hut which is next door. Only a few steps from the main street on the water. The meatballs are the best I have ever eaten. They have a wood oven that they cook in. Check out the Spaghetti Encrusta. I tell them it is misnamed because it is full of seafood. 2 people can share. It is a large stone bowl with spaghetti and seafood with a garlic bread crust covering the entire bowl. The lasagna is great too. Every bite is full of the creamiest cheese.
Sorrisi Restaurante Italiano
317 Calle 3 SurGreat Italian food if that is what you are looking for. No parking so you must take a taxi. Some taxi drivers do not know where it is so tell the circa Pizza Hut which is next door. Only a few steps from the main street on the water. The meatballs are the best I have ever eaten. They have a wood oven that they cook in. Check out the Spaghetti Encrusta. I tell them it is misnamed because it is full of seafood. 2 people can share. It is a large stone bowl with spaghetti and seafood with a garlic bread crust covering the entire bowl. The lasagna is great too. Every bite is full of the creamiest cheese.
The owner is the happiest guy on earth. You are greeted when you arrive. There is street parking but it is difficult to find. They have a wide variety of Mexican food from the region. at the end of your meal the server brings you a complementary drink that is a regional drink made from a flower in the region. Ask the owner to tell you the history of the drink. His face will light up as he tells you the story of the princess.
12 locals raden deze aan
El - Moro
Calle 75 Bis Avenida NorteThe owner is the happiest guy on earth. You are greeted when you arrive. There is street parking but it is difficult to find. They have a wide variety of Mexican food from the region. at the end of your meal the server brings you a complementary drink that is a regional drink made from a flower in the region. Ask the owner to tell you the history of the drink. His face will light up as he tells you the story of the princess.
My go to for seafood. They have their own boats so the seafood is fresh. They bring you whole fish on a try and ask you to pick the one you want. My wife always orders the fish fingers. I am glad she does because she cannot eat it all. It is a very lightly battered strips of grouper for $10 US. If I have someone to share with me I order the seafood platter which ahs 2 of everything so perfect to share. My daughter always orders the lobster. If you do not eat seafood this is not your place since it is all they serve. There is plenty of street parking. Just like El Moro it is in the neighborhoods but do not worry. They do everything right even the garnishes. beware of the green salsa they serve with the chips as it is very hot. Also, do not have too many margaritas as they are powerful. They have a full bar and soft drinks.
8 locals raden deze aan
La Perlita
499 Calle 10 NteMy go to for seafood. They have their own boats so the seafood is fresh. They bring you whole fish on a try and ask you to pick the one you want. My wife always orders the fish fingers. I am glad she does because she cannot eat it all. It is a very lightly battered strips of grouper for $10 US. If I have someone to share with me I order the seafood platter which ahs 2 of everything so perfect to share. My daughter always orders the lobster. If you do not eat seafood this is not your place since it is all they serve. There is plenty of street parking. Just like El Moro it is in the neighborhoods but do not worry. They do everything right even the garnishes. beware of the green salsa they serve with the chips as it is very hot. Also, do not have too many margaritas as they are powerful. They have a full bar and soft drinks.
Great food. If you have a large group, get reservations. They have parking but you have to do a bunch of right turns as all the streets are one way. The parking lot is on a different street. They have a great desert that you order when you order your meal as it takes that long to make. The best octopus I have ever had. Not always on the menu is a seafood combo which is how I found their octopus. They have food for everyone.
56 locals raden deze aan
La Cocay
208 Calle 8 NteGreat food. If you have a large group, get reservations. They have parking but you have to do a bunch of right turns as all the streets are one way. The parking lot is on a different street. They have a great desert that you order when you order your meal as it takes that long to make. The best octopus I have ever had. Not always on the menu is a seafood combo which is how I found their octopus. They have food for everyone.
A new find my daughter checked on our last trip after I left. Only a short drive from the condo on the main road if you do not want to drive downtown. It has great service and you would never guess the inside based upon what you see from the street.
8 locals raden deze aan
Gustos Restaurant
A new find my daughter checked on our last trip after I left. Only a short drive from the condo on the main road if you do not want to drive downtown. It has great service and you would never guess the inside based upon what you see from the street.
Across from the condo. You can order rooms service from the room but why not go across from the room and sit by the ocean. You can get Starbucks if that is your thing. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and have a full bar. I have only been here 5 times so I have not decided on a favorite but everything I have ordered has been good. You can sit in the sun if that is your thing or in the shade.
91 locals raden deze aan
The Money Bar Beach Club
Km 6.5 Carr. Costera SurAcross from the condo. You can order rooms service from the room but why not go across from the room and sit by the ocean. You can get Starbucks if that is your thing. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner and have a full bar. I have only been here 5 times so I have not decided on a favorite but everything I have ordered has been good. You can sit in the sun if that is your thing or in the shade.
One of my wife's favorite breakfast places. Has a view of the ocean. She likes the waffles. It is across from Mega. She parks at Mega and walks across the street.
21 locals raden deze aan
Jeanie's
790 Av. Rafael E. MelgarOne of my wife's favorite breakfast places. Has a view of the ocean. She likes the waffles. It is across from Mega. She parks at Mega and walks across the street.
Do not confuse this with the restaurant of similar name across from the ferry pier. Great breakfast and lunch. Sit out front and have view of the ocean or go back into the courtyard. Avocado toast is a favorite of my wife. You may notice I do not have breakfast favorites as I am usually Scuba Diving with Aldora Diver in the morning.
30 locals raden deze aan
Restaurante El Palomar Cozumel
con Calle 10 NteDo not confuse this with the restaurant of similar name across from the ferry pier. Great breakfast and lunch. Sit out front and have view of the ocean or go back into the courtyard. Avocado toast is a favorite of my wife. You may notice I do not have breakfast favorites as I am usually Scuba Diving with Aldora Diver in the morning.
They have 2 locations. My wife has only been to the one downtown. Wonderful pastries and breakfast.
35 locals raden deze aan
Maple Bakehouse
Calle Quinta AvenidaThey have 2 locations. My wife has only been to the one downtown. Wonderful pastries and breakfast.
If you want to take a trip of north try this out. Get reservations as there is a beautiful sunset and so in demand at dinner time. It is also a beach club for daytime activities. The main dining room is up several steps so if you cannot navigate steps like me, make sure you ask to be seated downstairs when you book your reservations. Perfect for a romantic dinner with the sunset.
60 locals raden deze aan
Buccanos
If you want to take a trip of north try this out. Get reservations as there is a beautiful sunset and so in demand at dinner time. It is also a beach club for daytime activities. The main dining room is up several steps so if you cannot navigate steps like me, make sure you ask to be seated downstairs when you book your reservations. Perfect for a romantic dinner with the sunset.
This restaurant came highly recommended by a guest. They went here when Guidos was closed.
Bajau Steakhouse & Seafood Grill
This restaurant came highly recommended by a guest. They went here when Guidos was closed.
La Choza Cozumel
# 216 10 Avenida Nte.Another restaurant recommended by our guests.
Sightseeing
This is my wife's favorite lunch spot. This is definitely not handicap accessible. Only open during the day. Beautiful view if you get a table near the cliff. This overlooks the east side of the island. See the waves crashing and beautiful beach views. If you plan on having more than one drink, I suggest you book a van which will take you for a few hours at a very reasonable rate. Try the Blue Margarita. They have a great menu. Ceviche, burgers, fajitas etc.
24 locals raden deze aan
Coconuts
This is my wife's favorite lunch spot. This is definitely not handicap accessible. Only open during the day. Beautiful view if you get a table near the cliff. This overlooks the east side of the island. See the waves crashing and beautiful beach views. If you plan on having more than one drink, I suggest you book a van which will take you for a few hours at a very reasonable rate. Try the Blue Margarita. They have a great menu. Ceviche, burgers, fajitas etc.
Day at the Beach
This is a place where you can go and have a beach day with and without children. It has blow up ice bergs and the like in the water that you or your children can play on. For more information go to their website AirBnB will not allow me to put the link.
My grandkids and some of my young friends who do not dive but like the beach go here. It has food and drink passes as well as water activities.
125 locals raden deze aan
Chankanaab Beach Adventure Park
Km. 9 Carretera Costera SurMy grandkids and some of my young friends who do not dive but like the beach go here. It has food and drink passes as well as water activities.
Scuba Diving
I have been scuba diving with Aldora Divers for 18 years. They have fast boats that get you to the dive sites quickly. The divers decide where they dive subject to their experience and the conditions. They use high capacity tanks so you can get twice the length of dives than on standard tanks. Most boats have no more than 6 divers and they try to place you with divers of like experience. You should book your dives before you go to the island as in high season they fill up. They also have a large boat the Falicity which accommodates more divers but they still have no more than 6 diver per dive master. When you arrive on the island you need to check in at the dive shop the day before you dive to turn in your gear so they will have it on the boat the next morning when you get on the boat. If you need gear, they can rent you gear and you try everything on when you check in at the shop. If you want to get certified they have pool that you can do training. They are a PADI shop so I suggest you take the online course before you arrive so you just do the pool work one day and are diving the next from the boat. For your first 2 days of diving on certification, you have a dive master assigned to you. So the fee includes 4 dives.
Aldora Divers
#37 C. 5 SurI have been scuba diving with Aldora Divers for 18 years. They have fast boats that get you to the dive sites quickly. The divers decide where they dive subject to their experience and the conditions. They use high capacity tanks so you can get twice the length of dives than on standard tanks. Most boats have no more than 6 divers and they try to place you with divers of like experience. You should book your dives before you go to the island as in high season they fill up. They also have a large boat the Falicity which accommodates more divers but they still have no more than 6 diver per dive master. When you arrive on the island you need to check in at the dive shop the day before you dive to turn in your gear so they will have it on the boat the next morning when you get on the boat. If you need gear, they can rent you gear and you try everything on when you check in at the shop. If you want to get certified they have pool that you can do training. They are a PADI shop so I suggest you take the online course before you arrive so you just do the pool work one day and are diving the next from the boat. For your first 2 days of diving on certification, you have a dive master assigned to you. So the fee includes 4 dives.
Stadsadvies
Vervoersmogelijkheden
You can get taxis everywhere.
Take dollar bills. Some drivers do not have change. If you take pesos ask for price in both as sometimes you may have gotten a better rate with your pesos so it is not the current rate.
Nuttige zinnen
Most people from Cozumel speak some English
The most important words are por favor and gracias. Please and thank you. The people on Cozumel are wonderful people. You can get more with pleasant greeting and a smile. Even if they do not speak English fluently they will make it work. As a taxi driver once said to me "we'll get through it."
Cultuur en gebruiken
Water
Our condo comes with a large water bottle. If you run out you can obtain more by calling the front desk. Do not drink the water out of the sink. You can brush your teeth with the water from the tap.
Ice served in restaurants is made from safe sources so you can use the ice in restaurants.
Boek voordat je gaat
Buy Pesos at your Bank and Get $1 bills
I bank with Chase and I can buy pesos with 2 days notice. They charge a small fee. Since the exchange rate fluctuates so much you can then decide when you are quoted a rate in Cozumel which you want to use. While at the bank also get plenty of $1 bills because you will need them for paying taxis.
Wat je mee moet nemen
Dress for the weather
There are stores where you can purchase just about everything. Mega is like a giant Walmart. If you have a Sam's club membership, you can also shop at the local Sam's club.
Boek voordat je gaat
Get Whats App
Many people and businesses on the island use this platform. You can even make reservations and communicate with the front desk at the condo.