- You will need a valid passport and one other form of picture ID
- Bring a credit card and an ATM card
- Check your car insurance to see what coverage you have or don't have if you plan to drive in Mexico. Insurance is available at the rental office.
- Pack for 70 to 90 degree weather, one light jacket or sweater for early morning or evening wear is handy and a pair of long pants for cool or breezy days, but otherwise, standard summer clothing and of course a bathing suit will work well.
- Have a longer skirt or pants, a hat and a shirt that covers your torso for entering museums, churches and archaeological sites.
- Medications should be in their original bottles and packed in carry on luggage.
- Be aware of airline/airport restrictions for luggage and follow the rules posted. In particular, be sure you don't have any liquids over 2 oz in your carry on luggage.
- Film, cameras and laptops are fine to bring. Outlets in the house are all US-electricity compatible, so no adapters are needed there.
- Have about 500 pesos in cash as you arrive - for the taxi, tips, and your first day. You can get pesos at any of the larger banks before you leave for your trip. In smaller communities, allow a week or so to get foreign currency. You can also get cash at any of the many ATM machines on the island, using your cash card or credit card. These transactions will be posted agaisnt your account using the best pesos daily exchange rate.
- Snorkels and fins are available at Costa del Sol for residents to use and they can be rented at Chankanaab and various dive shops along the coast inexpensively.
Arriving in Cozumel
When you fly into Cozumel's international airport, collect your luggage and go through customs and then walk right out to the front of the airport.
*Note: there are timeshare operators all over the airport, they look official and helpful and will offer you great deals for car rentals, meals and excursions. They will require at least 2 hours of your time and are very tenacious sales people if you stop to talk with them or agree to take advantage of their offers.
At the front of the airport, you will find vans and taxis to take you to Costa del Sol. A representative of Costa del Sol will meet you there and assist you with getting to Costa del Sol.
If, for any reason the Costa del Sol representative is not there:
A van/taxi ride to Costa del Sol from the airport should cost about $9 US per person.
Tell them take you to Costa del Sol - tell them it's south of Chankanaab but before the Reef Club. They will drop you off right at the front gates.
Moving around Cozumel is easiest if you rent a car, there are parking spaces at Costa del Sol for your rental vehicle. You can also take a taxi to any destination on the island. Call or walk out to the front gate palapa at Costa del Sol and ask the staff person there to call a taxi and they will have one there for you in a few minutes.
Right across the street from the airport, if you don't mind a short walk across the front yard of the airport, is a car rental business that offers pretty good rates and good service. Thrifty, Smart Car, Hertz and Executive have airport locations and can be booked online in advance of your time. Expect to pay around $30 to $40 per day for rental of a small car. The usual rules apply that work for car rentals in the United States - you return the car filled up with gas at the date and time agreed upon. They will ask you if you want insurance, it is not expensive and you may not be covered by your own car insurance while outside the United States
Take the main road out of the airport to the right (as you exit the front doors of the airport). Turn left at Calle 14 North and head west to San Miguel (the only town in Cozumel).
When you arrive at the end of Calle 14 North you will be at the ocean, turn left to go south. You will be drive past the Museum on your left just after you make the turn.
You'll see the main shopping area and cruise ships as you drive south through town. Watch for pedestrians and scooters!
You'll see and hear Carlos n Charlies on your left as you drive by.
Watch for an orange sign and a store called Chedraui on the left near the south end of town (after Punta Langosta) this is the best grocery store on the island. You'll find not only groceries but an ATM that will
provide you with cash at the best exchange rate available, clothing (hats) as well as health and beauty items (shampoo, sunscreen).
Heading further south out of town, follow the signs to Chankanaab Park. Go past the Chankanaab Park entrance, continue south on the coastal road past Playa Corona Beach Club about 2 miles to Costa Del Sol. You'll see
a sign and welcome palapa on the right side of the road. If you see the "World Famoso" sign for the Carlos n Charlie's Beach Club, you've gone too far south.
Cozumel street map.
You can call the various dive shops or sailing companies on the island and arrange for pickup right at the pier
at Costa del Sol.
List of dive shops
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