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Late May - 2009
Despite some concerns about the news we were hearing about the H1N1 virus, we made a visit to Cozumel in late May, 2009. While there was evidence of precaution, like each arriving traveler at the airport having their temperature taken and masks being worn by food workers, we saw literally no evidence of the illness on the island. In fact, while there have been a few cases reported in the state of Quintana Roo, there have been none (as in zero) cases of the virus on the island of Cozumel. In the entire 8-days we were on the island, I heard one person cough. When we arrived back in North Carolina and we turned on the radio, we heard a report of 2 confirmed cases in Raleigh/Durham. So literally, we stood a greater chance of encountering the virus at home than we did in Cozumel.
But the warnings of the potential danger in Mexico were still being spread by the media in the States. And as a result, there were very few tourists in Cozumel. While a great hardship on the locals working in the tourist industry, it made for an even better than usual experience for us as tourists. No lines in restaurants. Easy parking. Lots less traffic to deal with. Fewer divers on the popular dive sites.
So if you are struggling with the decision as to whether to cancel a vacation to Cozumel out of fear for the HiN1 virus, our advice would be to exercise caution but not let that stop you.
POST WILMA UPDATE - April 2006
No question – Wilma was a bad one. It pounded the Island with hurricane force winds for 76-hours. It blew a storm surge off of the ocean first stealing sand and washing out the road on the ocean side and then flooding streets and destroying storefronts on Ave. Raphael Melgar on on the resort side. It knocked down some large trees and stripped others of all their leaves
But the island is coming back. Services were quickly restored after the storm and everywhere you look, reconstruction is going full bore. Most of the hotels, restaurants and other businesses including the dive shops have re-opened. Some of the shallower reefs suffered some damage but those reefs have been weathering hurricanes since time began. Much of the vegetation on the island has recovered and most of the trees have been replaced or replanted.
There is more work to be done for sure. There was a loss of some sand on the beaches, particularly the more southern beaches on the ocean side but the road around the island has been repaired and most of the businesses on that side are back in operation as well.
But in general, our impressions of Cozumel in April 2006 were mostly positive. At this point, anyone that tells you to avoid the island because of damage from Hurricane Wilma either doesn’t know what they are talking about or is not being honest with you.
So make plans to visit Cozumel soon. I know that we'll be back real soon.
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> HOTELS AND RENTALS
Honest appraisals on the most expensive to below budget hotels. Contacts for house and condo rentals. Tips on car rentals. |
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> HOLIDAYS AND EVENTS
Day of the Dead, Christmas, etc. |
> PACKAGE TRIPS
Get it all at one convenient price. There are diving and non-diving packages available. |
> RESTAURANTS
Where to find the best meals in town? Where you can eat for under $3? How to find a real tacqueria that's safe to eat at? |
> BARS AND NIGHTLIFE
Where to go for live music, Cuban cigars, televised sports and betting? |
> MONEY / TELEPHONE / CONSULATE
Helpful hints on changing money, calling home, connecting to the www and U.S. and other country’s consulates in Quintana Roo. |
> GETTING THERE?
Planning your first trip to Cozumel? Many times we find that we can save hundreds of dollars per person if we fly into Cancun rather than Cozumel.
But what do you do once you land in Cancun? Here are step-by-step directions on getting through the Cancun airport and over to the Cozumel. And more information on how to get around once you’ve reached the island. >>> April 2006
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> ADDITIONAL NOTES
All those little things you need to know like the location of gas stations in town, where to get a manicure, who to call if you need medical care, how much a cab should cost and a special reminder to not drink the water. >>>No question - Wilma was a bad one. It pounded the Island with hurricane force winds for 76-hours. It blew an ocean storm surge inland first on the ocean side and then on the resort side flooding streets and washing out storefronts on Ave. Raphael Melgar. |
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Hola! |
