LIVING / Working Day in Cozumel

Working Day in Cozumel

Working Day in Cozumel

8 March 2006 LIVING, Destinations, Interviews & Editorials, Mayan Riviera, WORKING 13

The Working Gringos were working in Cozumel today. Yes, we really were. This week, we are researching Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and places in between to update a travel guide for this area. It's rough work but someone has to do it, right?

So today was Cozumel.

We traveled from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel on the 10 am ferry, arriving a little before 11 am. On the ferry ride, we rented a car from a nice young man, Juan Carlos, who set us up with a Jeep from Executive car rental. After finishing the deal, an American tourist offered some advice: "Be sure to take photos of the car before you drive away, or they will try to charge you for any damage." We thanked him for his "tip", but was yet again struck by the preconception that so many of our fellow gringos have that every Mexican is out to cheat them. It is a source of wonder to us that so many Mexicans continue to be so gracious in the face of this ongoing prejudice. Everything about the car rental transaction was professional and friendly today, from beginning to end, and we had, as usual, no trouble with the car, the car rental company or its employees.

We started by exploring and investigating hotels and restaurants for the guide book, finding it a little more difficult than usual to navigate Cozumel as many of the street signs have not been replaced since the hurricane. Some of the residential streets are blocked by construction, trenches or other signs of ongoing repairs. In general, it was obvious to us that the places that tourists see are being rebuilt quickly, but the residential areas are coming back a bit more slowly. As for Mother Nature, our impression was that the sea seems to have recovered completely, though the coral heads will take awhile to regrow. Many trees are sprouting leaves, and yet there are spots on the island that still appear quite denuded. And while some of the beaches are smaller or missing completely, many are as good or even grown to be better than before.

The malecon (Avenida Melagar, which runs along the western coast) has been rebuilt and the balustrade repainted. Everything there looks clean and new. The ferry terminal is still missing some roof tiles, but the rest of it looks great. The ferry dock itself ends right after the terminal and is being rebuilt. They may be running fewer ferries than usual becaue of the shorter dock, because it seemed that both ferries we took today were quite full. The main plaza, just at the end of the ferry dock on the far side of the malecon was beautiful and clean, and all the businesses there are open. The trees in the plaza are even looking green again and are obviously on the mend. We really didn't notice any damage in the center of downtown until we drove into some of the back streets.

As you go north or south from the town, however, you can still see damage and the construction that is going on to repair it. North of town, we visited some hotels, some of which were undergoing heavy repair, and others, like the Melia Cozumel, the Cozumeleno and the Playa Azul were repainted, repaired and back in business. The beach at the Playa Azul, for instance, is pretty small and rocky, but the water is clean, clear, aqua blue and completely inviting. The little horde of snorkelers off to one side of where we stopped for breakfast sure seemed to be enjoying themselves. Sadly, the La Cabana del Pescador Restaurant across the street was demolished.

South of town, there is a lot more construction going on. The Punta Langosta, the big shopping center built for the cruzeros, the people who arrive from cruise ships, is still being worked on and is only partially open. At the moment it is a shadow of its former self. A few of the hotels to the south are still undergoing renovation or repair. Dive shops are open and the water was a hive of diving activity, although our favorite shop, Del Mar Aquatics, had lost their building and pier. They were working out of the Atlantis shop next door and using a smaller, temporary pier while their facilities were being rebuilt. Farther south, we visited some of the beach clubs, such as Mr. Sancho's Beach, and they were open and busy. The only sad exception was Chankanaab State Park, which was heavily damaged. The security man at the gate said they will not be open for another month, and it will take years to regrow the botanical garden.

"Do you think the Rasta Bar made it?", we wondered. She said, "It's still there." He said, "It couldn't have survived". Turns out we were both right. The Rasta Bar, also called "The Shanty", was two palapa-covered wooden huts perched on the southern end of the island, where Hurricane Wilma struck first. The original Rasta Bar palapa on the ocean side was pummeled, and is being rebuilt. It was once full of Rasta memorabilia and the walls had been written and scribbled on for years... they were full of happy memories of visitors with a beer in one hand and a marker in the other. The other palapa, on the island side of the road, survived and, as you can see in the picture, was doing a booming business today, serving loud reggae music, cold beers and endless sunshine and sea breezes. Visitors have started writing on the walls again and the spirit definitely survives.

While we were there, taking photos and soaking up the ambiance, we noticed a man selling hats and baskets. His name is Luis and he lives there. Luis said he learned his weaving skills in Acapulco. He had hats, visors and baskets made from woven coconut palm leaves. He also made grasshoppers and pajaros (birds) out of the same material. The baskets and things are bright green today, but he tells us they will age and turn "cafe" or brownish. He says they will still be flexible but they can also be varnished at that point to last longer. We paid him what he asked for for a basket (100 pesos... about $10 USD) and he was so pleased that we didn't bargain with him, he threw in two grasshoppers and a pajaro. We were thrilled with the basket, and happy to be able to help support a local artisan who, like others on the island, has suffered greatly from the effects of the hurricane and the additional effects of reduced tourism.

If you're considering Cozumel for vacation this year, don't hesitate. Many hotels, dive shops, bars, stores and restaurants are open and better than ever. If you decide to rent a car to explore the island, don't miss the Rasta Bar at Punta Sur. It's a little taste of Carribean Soul on the Mayan Riviera... what a great combination! And when you see Luis, buy a hat or a basket for the asking price and enjoy the result. We are on a personal mission to become generous gringos, spreading the reputation of gringos in Mexico as being generous and kind.

Comments

  • Working Gringos 14 years ago

    Tessa,
    We suggest you read this website, especially the Interviews with the expats that live here (see "Interviews" in the navigation list at the top right of each page). You might also read the YES website (http://www.yucatanyes.com) and maybe even talk to them.

  • Tessa 14 years ago

    Hi - I am relocating to the Yucatan Peninisula in December (US immigration issues). I am a native English speaker and can get by in Spanish. I have an 11-year old daughter and my profession is a cosmetologist....a lot of people say "move to Playa" (expensive and small) but I think Merida (larger and cheaper cost of living) is the place to go. Any help would be great.

  • Working Gringos 14 years ago

    Carlos, we know of no organic farms that would pay you to work there. There is an organic agriculture SCHOOL outside of Muna... you might look into that.

    As far as ballet schools, there are plenty of those here in Merida. Ballet is very popular here.

  • carlos 15 years ago

    Hello. My name is Carlos. I am travelling to Yucatan, hoping to settle there and i was wondering if you had any connections to organic farms where my partner and I can work. I am fluent in Spanish (native speaker). I wish i had my own land, even half acre, for building. Anyone reading this post have any leads? Also looking for dance schools (ballet). Thank you.

  • Working Gringos 15 years ago

    Absolutely... this article was posted back in 2006, I believe. You should find lots of beautiful new hotels on Cozumel now.

  • Thuy 15 years ago

    Quick question... I am planning a trip to Cozumel sometime soon and would like to know when this article was posted? We will be staying at the Melia Cozumel. Is that area finished with all repairs?

  • dan 16 years ago

    would like to know if there are any year-round rentals, 1 bdrm, on or close to beach, for about 700 us dollars per month with ocean view...

  • dan 16 years ago

    i would like to know if there are any good monthly rentals on or near beach for around 700 us dollars per month year round

  • The Yucatan Primer 18 years ago

    [...] is for Islands… there are a few special ones just off the coast of the Yucatan. [...]

  • Allie 18 years ago

    I'd like to add that Village Tankah (across the street from Atlantis Dive Shop) is a nice small hotel run by a wonderful couple. Each room is unique, they have a small pool and they serve breakfast each morning. If you'd like the resort-esque pool bar and stuff, walk right next door to the Casa del Mar and they're happy to serve you.

    This little hotel is focused on diving and is owned by Roberta and Robert who own Roberta's Eco Dive Cozumel/Scuba Shack. Really nice people and their divemasters and staff are exceptionally nice and all speak fluent english. We were there in March and had a wonderful time!

  • You Know Me 19 years ago

    I heartily applaud your "personal mission". I agree with your approach of paying the asking price. I pay the youngsters offering a shoe shine at my favorite cantina twice what they ask, even though my sandals really don't need shining. I figure they're working hard for very little.

    You guys really pull rough duty. I love your stories and their presentations.

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