Kid-Friendly in Cozumel
Description:
Cozumel is one of the most desirable family destinations south of the border for many reasons. There are beautiful beaches, lovely resorts, and tons of fun activities to take part in, but this island is also probably Mexico's safest place to visit, making it an ideal spot to go with children.
Author: JennyMM
Day 1 - Cozumel
The Wyndham Resort is one of Cozumel's most family-oriented places to stay, with huge reasonably-priced oceanside suites, plenty of kid-friendly cuisine at the four hotel restaurants, and lots of fun pool and ocean activities for visitors of all ages. You can start out your trip with a walk around San Miguel to get acquainted with the city. There's tons of shops and restaurants to explore, with plenty to see and try. Take it easy on your first day, just exploring the city and the hotel zone, and lounging on the beach and by the pool. There are some nice beaches, although they can be crowded, in the hotel zone, including Playa San Juan. There's some fun activities at the Wyndham's pools to take advantage of too, of course. In the late afternoon, a lovely and calm end to your day is a trip out to see the sunset and sail around the island on a sailboat chartered from Cozumel Sailing near the marina.
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Cozumel Sailing
Location:
view in google mapsPuerto Abrigo Marina
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+52 987 869 23126
Playa San Juan
Location:
view in google mapsCostera Norte Highway
(North of San Miguel)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+52 987 872 09727
Wyndham Cozumel Resort & Spa
Location:
view in google mapsCarretera Costera Sur Km 12.9
Zona Hotelera Sur
77600 Cozumel, MX
Phone:
52 987 872 9300Day 2 - Cozumel
Stop into Cafe Caribe in the morning for some great coffee and delicious breakfast pastries that everyone will enjoy. Then, take a shuttle to one of the area's ecoparks. The Parque Chankanaab is on the island of Cozumel, and Xcaret is just a short ride away on the mainland. Xcaret is bigger and more extensive, but both are a great way to spend a day doing lots of activities in one place, such as swimming, playing with dolphins, snorkeling, learning about the area's Mayan history and wildlife, and plenty of other options. Both are good choices, although Xcaret may be preferable for older children as there's more to do and see.
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Café Caribe
Location:
view in google mapsAv. 10a Sur 215
San Miguel
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
2
Parque Chankanaab
Location:
view in google mapsCostera Sur Highway, Km 9
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+52 987 872 29403
Kids Cozumel Dolphin Adventure
Location:
Cozumel, MexicoDay 3 - Cozumel
Head back to the mainland for a visit to Tulum and Xel-Ha, two can't-miss locations near Cozumel. Tulum is one of the most impressive archaeological site on the peninsula, second only to Chichen Itza, and there are plenty of tour guides to be hired there who can provide some fascinating background to these breathtaking ruins. There are also lots of iguanas around to be fed, which is fun. Xel-Ha is another location that's great for visitors of all ages, as older visitors can take advantage of the wonderful snorkeling, and younger ones can still enjoy the aquarium from the surface or the shore. When you get back to the hotel in the evening, if the younger ones are in need of some more familiar cuisine, order a pizza from Nino's Pizza. This is some of the best pizza you'll ever have and seems even better when eaten beachside under a beautiful Mexican sunset.
1
Tulum and Xel-Ha from Cozumel
Location:
Cozumel, Mexico2
Nino's Pizza
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida 3 between Calles Salas and 3.
San Miguel
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
52 987 872 4166Day 4 - Cozumel
Today, set out to see the incredible reef system that is one of Cozumel's best attributes. Choose a dive operation that focuses on safety and on providing a great experience for the whole family, such as the Eagle Ray Dive School. There are lots of places to snorkel that are safe for people of all ages and experience levels in the national park along the western and southern coasts, such as the San Francisco reef and the Palancar Gardens. If you're traveling with children too young for snorkeling, there are other fun ways to enjoy the incredible flora and fauna here, including submarines and glass-bottomed boats, both of which let you see the underwater paradise here without getting wet. There's also a lighthouse which can be climbed at the southern tip of the island that offers a lovely view of the Parque Punta Sur. Relax back at the hotel pool for a bit before dinner, and then head to El Turix. The best thing about this restaurant is how personal the experience is -- you can sit and discuss with the owners what each family member does and doesn't like, and they'll come up with some custom dishes that even the pickiest eater can enjoy. Definitely off the tourist path, this is a wonderful way to enjoy an authentic Mexican dining experience together.
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Eagle Ray Dive School
Location:
view in google mapsA.P.D.O. 156
San Miguel
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+52 987 872 57352
Parque Marino de Cozumel
Location:
view in google mapsCostera Sur Highway
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
3
Parque Punta Sur
Location:
view in google mapsCostera Sur Highway Km 27
(beginning of Costera Este Highway)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+1 987 872 29404
San Francisco Reef
Location:
view in google mapsParque Marino de Cozumel
(Playa San Francisco)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+52 987 872 09725
Playa Uvas
Location:
Cozumel, Mexico6
Yucab Reef
Location:
view in google mapsParque Marino de Cozumel
Playa San Francisco Km 3.5
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
7
Palancar Shallows and Gardens
Location:
view in google mapsParque Marino de Cozumel
(Costera Sur Highway)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+52 987 872 09728
Paraiso Reef
Location:
view in google mapsParque Marino de Cozumel
(South of Villa Blanca Wall)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
9
Caracol (El)
Location:
view in google mapsParque Punta Sur
(where Costera Sur Highway meets Costera Este Highway)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
10
Atlantis Submarines
Location:
view in google mapsCarretera a Chankanaab Km 4
(Across the street from the Casa del Mar Hotel)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+52 987 872 567111
Ocean Tours
Location:
view in google mapsZona Hotelera Norte
Costera Norte Highway Km 4.5
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
+52 987 21 37912
El Turix
Location:
view in google mapsCalles 17
(Between 20 Bis and 25 Sur)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
52 987 872 5234Day 5 - Cozumel
Rent a car for the day and head east, stopping in to see the ruins at San Gervasio toward the eastern coast. Although less impressive than the site at Tulum, there are less crowds here and more freedom to explore the site at your leisure. The drive along the eastern coast is also enjoyable. Although the beaches aren't swimmable, they are beautiful and you can see some of the houses where Cozumel natives live that aren't involved in the tourist trade. One of the few beaches on the eastern side is Punta Chiqueros, a remarkably safe beach that's fun for swimming and snorkeling, and a nice place to cool off after climbing around the ruins of San Gervasio. Another fun activity for older children is the zip-line course set up by Fly High Adventures, an exciting yet safe way to see the jungle from up above. In the evening, stop into Pancho's, a must-visit restaurant for families in Cozumel. With margaritas that are delicious virgin or regular, and a setting in a lush tropical paradise, everyone will have tons of fun while dining on the great traditional cuisine that is easily adjusted for palates that are less prone to spice and unfamiliar ingredients.
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Fly High Adventures
Location:
Cozumel, MexicoPhone:
987 857 29753
Punta Chiqueros
Location:
view in google mapsCostera Este Highway
Leeward side of island
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
4
Pancho's Backyard
Location:
view in google mapsAvenida Rafael E. Melgar 27
(Between Calle 8 &10)
77600 Cozumel, Mexico
Phone:
52 987 872 2141