All About Cozumel

Location: Western Caribbean, off Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula.Language: Spanish, though most people speak and understand English.Getting there: American (out of Miami), Continental, Mexicana. Ferry from Playa del Carmen.Getting around: By taxi, rental car or scooter. Taxi fares are low and fixed, and tipping is appreciated. Weather: Water visibility can exceed 200 feet in the April to September period, and is half that in the winter. Storms crossing west to east are most frequent in winter. Water temps can run in the low to mid-70s between November and April; the rest of the year sees mid-80s.Water: It's suggested you drink bottled water only. Most of the major hotels claim they have treated drinking water. I didn't pay much attention to what I was drinking and had no problems. Suit yourself.Siesta: Shops are generally open from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., and then it's siesta time till 5.p.m. Shops remain open from then until 9 p.m. Restaurants are open all day.Electricity: U.S. standard, 110 volts AC, 60 cycles. Documents: A valid passport and a Mexican government tourist card (issued by your airline prior to entry. Don't lose the copy Mexican customs gives back to you; that's the tourist card). When going through customs (Aduana), you'll be confronted by a large button on a pole. Press the button; green means go, red means get your bags inspected. By the way, the customs inspectors at Cozumel's airport are the friendliest I have met anywhere.Telephone: Hotels have direct dialing worldwide.Time: Cozumel is on Eastern Standard Time.Currency: The official currency is the peso (M$). Prices are generally given in dollars and pesos. At this writing the peso ran approximately eight to one U.S. dollar. U.S. dollars, traveler's checks and major credit cards are widely accepted.Chamber: Many of the dive shops donate US$1 per dive to the Buceo Medico Mexicano recompression chamber. VHF Channel 21, Calle 5 Sur No. 21-B; 011-52- 987 2-23-87 or 2-14-30. There are two other chambers on island as well. Contact: Mexican Government Tourism, 800-446-3942. Cozumel Hotel Association, 011-52-987-2-3132; Divers Association (ANOAAT), 011-52-987-2-5955.