Getting to Cozumel

There are 3 ways to arrive into Cozumel

1. Fly directly into Cozumel Airport
   These are the carriers now flying direct into Cozumel Airport: Continental Airlines, US Airways, Mexicana, Sun Country, MLT Worry Free Vacation Charters, FunJet Charters and Adventure Tours Charters.
   
   
2. Fly into Cancun and then taxi/ferry or fly over to Cozumel
   Most major airlines now fly into Cancun Airport. A review of logistics/pricing options for bus/taxi/ferry over to Cozumel from Cancun is provided in the Transportation section
   
   
3. Arrive by Cruise Ship
   There are many cruise lines that now stop at one of Cozumel's 3 cruise ship piers including Carnival, Celebrity, Disney, Holland America, NCL, P&O Cruises & Royal Caribbean.

Citizenship Documentation - Passport, driver’s license, birth certificate. It’s amazing to INSIDERS how many people leave on vacation without these vital papers, then expect everyone to sympathize with them because they’re “on vacation.” Proof of your citizenship is the most important thing to have with you in any foreign country. With proof, you have some rights; without it, your first step must be to PROVE who you are…not get assistance with your problem! Please remember these!!!

In order to expedite the Immigration process of entering into any country (not just Mexico), having a valid PASSPORT instead of birth certificates is essential. With a PASSPORT, a simple bar code scan is all that is needed instead of the sometimes lengthy visual inspection of paper documents for each person.

Due to recent law changes and initiatives attempting to increase national security, PASSPORTS will soon be required of all US travelers.

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 (IRTPA) mandated that the U.S. Secretaries of Homeland Security and State Development implement a plan to require U.S. citizens and foreign nationals to present a passport or other appropriate secure identity and citizenship documentation when entering the United States. As a result of this legislation mandate, the two agencies have developed a plan called the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) which was announced in April 2005.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers entering or re-entering the United States from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Canada & Mexico to have a passport or other accepted secure document that establishes a traveler's identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the U.S.

This is a change from prior travel requirements and will affect all United States citizens entering the United States from countries within the Western Hemisphere who do not currently possess valid passports. This new requirement will also affect certain foreign nationals who currently are not required to present a passport to travel to the United States. Most Canadian citizens, citizens of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda, and to a lesser degree, Mexican citizens will be affected by the implementation of this requirement.

This WHTI initiative will be rolled out in phases providing as much advance notice as possible to the affected public to enable them to meet the terms of the new guidelines. The proposed timeline is as follows:

December 31, 2005 - Requirement applied to all travel (air/sea) to or from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Central & South America.

December 31, 2006 - Requirement extended to all air and sea travel to or from Mexico and Canada.

December 31, 2006 - Requirement extended to all air, sea and land border crossings.

Passport customers should allow sufficient time to apply and receive passports in advance of travel.

Please allow 6-8 weeks for routine processing of passport applications. Peak U.S. passport processing is between January and July. For faster service, it is recommended to apply between August and December.

For more information about obtaining a US PASSPORT visit www.dhs.gov or www.travel.state.gov or call the National Passport Information Center at 1-877-487-2778; TDD/TTY: 1-888-874-7793

Traveling with Minor Children between the USA and Mexico - The following message was issued by the U.S. Consular Office in Merida on November 26th, 2004 and pertains to the travel of minor children between the U.S. and Mexico. The information was adapted from two recent notices they received, one from the Department of State in Washington (regarding parental consent for passport applications for minors) and the other from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City (regarding travel authorization letters for minors traveling with only one parent or another authorized person). This is not a major departure from policies which have been in place for the past year or so, but just a reminder of things to consider when traveling with minor children.

Please note that the second announcement, regarding permission letters, pertains to requirements imposed by the airlines themselves, and does not clearly state what age defines a "minor child". Therefore, to be on the safe side, it is best to contact the airline in advance and err on the side of age 21 and under and being a "minor". As always, please email the Consulate using mercons@prodigy.net.mx or contact the U.S. Consulate in Merida, Mexico, if you have any further questions.

Regarding Travel Permission Letters for Minor Children - The Government of Mexico, Interior Secretariat, Regulation of the General Law of Population (Article 215), requires that minors who will not be accompanied by one or both of their parents or legal guardians, have in their possession an original written permission form signed by the non-traveling parent(s), and notarized.

Both the U. S. and Mexican governments require that minor children have the written and notarized approval of both parents or legal guardians in order to obtain a passport for international travel. Parents must make sure to obtain the appropriate permission when one or both of the parents is not traveling with the child. Airline carriers require the written and notarized permission from the non-traveling parent(s) in order to allow the child to board the plane. Some carriers require that the signed statement be notarized within 30 days of the travel. Other companies require that the permission be dated within six months. It is always best to confirm the exact policy with the airline directly via their internet website or public information number or with a travel agent prior to international travel.

Parents are strongly encouraged to have an original permission form prepared for each child so that in the event of emergency or unanticipated travel alone or with only one parent, the child is able to travel internationally without delay.

What to Bring

Clothing - The climate in Cozumel is typically tropical. Tropical means warm and humid so bring light airy comfortable clothing and footwear. Dress is casual in the tropics by necessity. However, despite what some travelers actually do, it's proper and respectful form to dine/shop in the city fully clothed. Bathing suits are acceptable attire anywhere you go so long as a cover-up is worn as well.

Small Wallet - Since you’re on vacation, why would you need the entire contents of your purse or wallet? Library & video cards and the 45 keys you use at work can easily be left behind. Pick a couple of major credit cards and your house key to take on vacation. This way, the trauma of loss is not as significant should it occur at all.

Camera, Film & Batteries - Unless you enjoy paying a premium for regular things, bring your own supply of film and batteries. Yes, film is available but that 24 exposure roll you buy at Wal-Mart for $3.00 will be $10 on the island. Put fresh batteries in your camera before leaving or bring extras since the small NI-CAD or special camera batteries are difficult to find. If you find what you need the price will also be about 3x what you are used to paying. These items take up so little space in luggage and look at the savings!! Three rolls purchased at home vs. 3 on the island gives you enough savings in your pocket to pay for half of a snorkel tour!

Electrical Plug-ins - Electrical supply and receptacles for Cozumel are the same as in the USA - 120 VAC

Gifts/Tips - While cash is always appreciated as a tip for excellent service, sometimes a small trinket from your home country is more appropriate for a new found island friend. Many people from Cozumel seldom leave the island much less the country of Mexico. The population as a whole is exposed to a lot of merchandise in the stores, on TV and the Internet but availability is another thing all together!! Here are some inexpensive suggestions of things to stick in your bag “just in case.”

• Music cassettes and or CDs (they don’t have to be new)
  
• DVD's (they don't have to be new)
  
• Small keychain type flashlights
  
• Small pocket knives (remember to put in a checked-in bag!)
  
• Brass or stainless clips (fishermen can’t get enough of these)
  
• Small Address Books
  
• Small scented candles
  
• Perfume samples
  
• Crayons or colored pencils/pens
  
• Wine openers

Cash or Credit Cards ?

Should I only bring some emergency cash and pay for everything with my credit card? Is it difficult to cash traveler's checks in Mexico? Where can I get the best exchange rate for my dollars? The answer is - it depends.

Credit Cards: Don't' bring all of them, but be sure to carry a major charge card that has available credit. You will need your card when you check into your hotel as well as if you decide to rent transportation (always request that the original and all copies be returned to you if elect not to pay with your card).

In the unlikely event that you need emergency medical care, the care provider will request a credit card before you can be discharged if you don't have sufficient cash available.

Generally you will not want to actually charge items or services to your card while you're in Cozumel. There is often a bank fee of up to 10 percent that will be added to the purchase price and you will have no control over the exchange rate you are given.

Traveler's Checks and American Dollars: No matter which way you turn in San Miguel's plaza you're bound to spot a bank or money exchange (casa de cambio). Exchange rates at the banks are usually the same as those offered at money exchange houses, but you can get the job done much faster at the money exchange. There should never be fee involved in changing money.

We recommend that you change your traveler's checks or dollars into pesos a little at a time and only consider paying for something in American dollars if the business is giving you a higher exchange rate than you might find in the bank or exchange house.