Mexico - Cozumel over the weekend - suggestions?

The Mr and I are taking a sort of last minute trip to Cozumel this weekend, staying at the InterContinental. We've got a rental car reserved for the whole time since it was pretty cheap. I've not done any research on what to do/see while we're there. I am not big on sitting on the beach all day, soaking up rays. Snorkeling, sight seeing are both at the top of our list. Should we bring our own snorkel gear?

Is having a rental car the whole time a bad idea?

Any grocery stores to recommend that we can get some basics (and beer :D) on our way from the airport?

Any must dos from the community?

Thanks for any tips you can provide!

If you decide not to rent a car consider hiring a car and driver for the day. I used Gerry through this site. http://www.toursplaza.com/home

Well worth the money. He is a local that speaks very good English and will give you an idea of how the locals live. He will take you wherever you want or suggest places. Cozumel is very small.

To hire him you contact Eduardo by email and he will send you a PayPal invoice for the deposit. Then you pay the rest to Gerry at the end of the day in US dollars cash.

We enjoyed the time/tour and it was nice to be able to drive around various neighborhoods to see the areas with a local and get some idea of the economy, cost of living etc.

There is a big grocery store called MEGA. It has everything you could possibly want, and then some. Gerry took us there first thing on our tour to get drinks and snacks. MEGA is sort of like a walmart type place. they sell everything....lol

Any grocery stores to recommend that we can get some basics (and beer :D) on our way from the airport? I liked the recommendation of this FTer (from another thread where the OP was asking about buying booze cheaply while on Cozumel) After you get off the cruise ship pier, turn right, there is a road that parellels the coast...probably 1/4 mile you'll get to Chedraui supermarket...also a great place to buy whatever (I like going to the grocery stores in foreign countries..definitely gives you a "slice of life"). They have a food court full of yummy and authentic Mexican lunch items, a bakery, etc.

I liked the recommendation of this FTer (from another thread where the OP was asking about buying booze cheaply while on Cozumel)

I could have written that :) We love to check out foreign grocery stores, too, and when we rented a car, that's where we spent some time as well (and, perhaps embarrassingly, had pizza for lunch).

I really wanted to see Punta Sur -- but unfortunately the day we rented a car to drive around the island it was closed when we got there (according to the "guard" at the gate -- though, rather inexplicably, he had just let a bus in before us). So, basically, we just rented a car and drove around the island. We went to the grocery store and did a bit down in "town" but due to it being the off season and no cruise ships in town, things were pretty dead.

There is some gorgeous shoreline down around the south of the island specifically. I am the type who can sit out on a beach and just watch big waves crashing for hours -- there are tons of places down south to do that.

Hope you have a good trip.

I really wanted to see Punta Sur...Perhaps you didn’t miss much, as according to Lonely Planet The southern tip of the island has been turned into a rather overpriced ‘ecotouristic’ park. www.lonelyplanet.com/mexico/isla-cozumel/sights/lake/parque-punta-sur
Supposed to be open from 9am-5pm.

Here is the wiki on Punta Sur: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punta_Sur

From what I gather, the largest benefit to renting a car (other than getting around at your desire if located in a resort/condo away from town) is to go visit the beaches on the NE/E side of Cozumel island where there is not a lot of build up.

Do you require an international license to drive in Cozumel?

Do you require an international license to drive in Cozumel?

An international license isn't really a license. It simply translates your current license into several languages. It's a handy thing to have but not needed in Cozumel. There are enough English speaking police that they can arrest you with ease....lol

I've rented a car in Cozumel probably six times and NEVER had issues.

I've rented a car in Cozumel probably six times and NEVER had issues.

But if I don't rent a car, is it easy to get around the island? Are taxis cheap and/or easy to find? Or public transports? (I speak spanish).

The only problem taxis are those out of the airport, as they have high, fixed rates. Other taxis are fine, and although you can negotiate the price a little prices are generally fixed (the taxi drivers' union has established rates). You can expect to pay $5 - 20 dependent on distance for hotels north ($10) to 'way south - maybe $10 to Chankanaab. Prices are for two, surcharges usually for more.

You'll find taxis hanging around the downtown ferry terminal, the cruise terminal some hotels.

It's generally easy to get around - although that depends on part where you are staying, and you can bet it is crowded during cruise ship days.

BTW, as an afternote to those considering renting - the usual rental car companies are there, but do not expect any mercy - some agents will try for a bribe to give a lower rate or better exchange rate, some will high pressure you, you may well get a beater, a car missing a rear view side mirror or jack, dings or dents - and you can expect they will charge your card for them. IMO most Cozumeleños are pretty decent, friendly people - but timeshare touts and car rental agents (not just in Cozumel) will lie like a cheap rug ;). Some may have had good experiences, and some are more aware and will not get ripped off, but the usual for a tourist is to be seen with a big "CHUMP" sign. Use your cellular phone to photograph before and after the rental.

For buses (camiones in Mexico, not la guagua, autobus or anything else for city buses), they are 6 pesos and not expected to run on European train schedule timeliness ;) - see this site (http://www.cozumelinsider.com/BUSESCZM) for routes and more. (Bus central is the Chedrahui store in town, a good place to stock up on water, groceries, beer, etc.)

But if I don't rent a car, is it easy to get around the island? Are taxis cheap and/or easy to find? Or public transports? (I speak spanish).