Activities
There is so much to do in Cozumel, but you can always do nothing and watch the world go by.
Getting around Cozumel is very easy and almost impossible to get lost. However, for the uninitiated, we do supply an assortment of custom maps in the condo for your use.
Tell me more about the Island Map of Cozumel [PDF Link]
For the most comprehensive narrative and best map of the island of Cozumel, Map Chick's maps are the best. To order this map, visit her website at Can Do Travel Guides.
Beach Hopping
No trip to Cozumel would be complete without driving around the island and visiting the numerous beaches and beach bars, better known as “palapa hopping”. In the condo, you will find a list of beaches we recommend, as well as island maps to assist you in navigating your way around. Discount coupons are also in the binder.
Want to stake out your own private beach area? No problem. We provide you with coolers and cozies to make the trip more enjoyable. All you need to bring is a beach towel.
Tell me more about Cozumel Beach and Beach Bar Reviews [PDF Link]
Authentic Mexican Dining
You will find some of the best meals ever within a few blocks of the town square. There are simply too many good restaurants to visit in one week. In our condo you will find our personal restaurant reviews, along with town maps you can take with you as you explore the island and town of San Miguel. Thinking about staying at an all inclusive? Don't cheat yourself out of some of the best dining on the island.
Tell me more about Cozumel Restaurant Reviews [PDF Link]
Show me Cozumel's Top 10 Restaurants [PDF Link]
Dive Trips and Snorkeling
Right off of Nah Ha’s pool, and depending on seasons, you will see stingrays, lobsters, an assortment of eels and numerous fish. Check to see which way the current flows and then start in the opposite direction. 90% of the time the current flows to the North. For even more snorkeling fun, walk down the street a few blocks and jump in the water. To view quality photos of each of Cozumel’s reefs with a reef description, click on the link below. For divers in Cozumel, this site will assist you in planning which sites you want to dive. Non-divers can see for themselves what the reefs look like and learn more about Cozumel’s wonderful underwater habitat and park system. The lazy current will carry you back to Nah Ha in 15-20 minutes. Night snorkeling at Nah Ha is incredible! In the afternoons, keep your eyes peeled for schools of dolphin and sailfish.
Tell me more about Cozumel's Dive Sites and Reefs
For the experienced diver, we recommend Aldora Divers with six pack boats and high pressure steel tanks. The DM's are great and allow you a reasonable amount of freedom to do your "own dive" without being herded around like a bunch of sheep. We have never had less than 60-75 minute bottom time dives. The surface interval is at a palapa beach and the lunches are great.
Try diving the east side if the weather is good. This requires an advance notice of interest and a flexible schedule due to the weather. If diving with Aldora, ask to go to Memo's “secret” dive site and dive a Spanish Galleon. I saw 11 large cannons, several cannonballs and a few pieces of metal. The wood is gone, but the cannons are in excellent condition.
Tell me more about Aldora
For a small and personal dive operation that caters to both the experienced and inexperienced diver, give Tony of ScubaTony a look. His goal to make your Cozumel vacation as worry free as possible. Special requests are not a problem. His departure times are flexible and your dive locations are decided by the divers on the day of each dive. If one of you is an experienced diver and your family member or friend is not, ScubaTony would be an excellent choice.
Tell me more about ScubaTony
Spear Fishing
For a great Cozumel spearfishing experience, contact Leo at the link below. Leo is an experienced spear fisherman and offers shore free-diving as well as boat based spearing trips that can be combined with a snorkel trip for your non-spearing friends. If this is your first spearfishing experience, Leo is a patient and excellent instructor. I have done this trip many times and all I can say is that it is on my list to do again and again. Anything you catch is yours to eat. If you aren’t interested in cooking your catch, Leo can direct you to a number of restaurants that will be more than happy to prepare your meal for a small per person fee.
Tell me more about Spear Fishing in Cozumel
Night Life and Live Music
Years ago, Cozumel used to roll up the carpet around 10 PM and there was no music scene. These days there are numerous places to catch an acoustic set or live rock or salsa band. Dance at sunset or enjoy a really late night on the town. Two early evening music venues are within walking distance of Nah Ha. The late night places are in town and a $5 cab ride to town.
Golf
The Jack Nicklaus designed golf course is partially visible from our kitchen window. The Cozumel Country Club is a public course and is owned and managed by ClubCorp International, the prestigious golf resort company well-known for Pinehurst, the Homestead and almost 200 other properties.
The 6,734-yard, par-72 course, winds around trees, mangroves and wetlands, incorporating the natural habitats of the island. In the process, there are significant carries over marshy areas, water hazards, and craters created in construction when limestone and coral rock was quarried to construct elevation for the course. It is a challenging and beautiful course. It features a restaurant, pro shop and golf carts.
Afternoon rates are less expensive than morning rates.
Tell me more about the Cozumel Country Club
Kite Boarding
Got a wild hair and want to go kite boarding?
Adrian Romero, the owner of Especias Restaurant, is a Certified PASA Instructor and accomplished kite boarding who shares his passion for riding the winds of Cozumel via his company, Cozumel Kite Boarding.
Tell me more about Cozumel Kite Boarding
Surfing and Surfing Lessons in Cozumel
Have you always wanted to hang ten? Nacho Guiterrez, owner of Cozumel Surfing and a champion surfer, is now teaching others how to ride the waves. He offers 4 hour and 8 hour private classes. Classes start with on-shore practice, where the basics, such as how to paddle out, and how to stand up are taught. After that, it’s into the ocean with Nacho by your side. Most people generally can stand up after only a few short hours. Location of the class depends on the weather and is typically somewhere on Cozumel’s scenic East side.
Tell me more about Surfing in Cozumel
Cozumel Boat Trips
Nothing says relaxation like a sunset or all-day sail on the Adelaide, a 47' mono-hull sailboat. Kim and Dario are very personable and offer a great sunset sail, all day fishing trip or a snorkel sail trip. They are not a tour company, but a group of friends offering customized services to you. Discuss with them what you want in a boat/sailing trip. They can create a trip to meet your needs. They are honest, friendly people who simply want to share the island with you and, most importantly, have fun. Their all day trip includes beverages and a nice "picnic" style lunch on the boat. We brought our trolling rod along and hooked two fish while sailing. They also offer deep sea fishing on their 55' boat, the Vamanos.
Tell me more about Cozumel Sailing Trips
Deep Sea Fishing, Snorkeling and Diving
If your group has a variety in interests, Albatros Charters can accommodate everyone with their ability to offer customized full day and part-day trip packages. Albatros offers dive trips, dive certification classes and a Discover Scuba intro class. For non-divers, Albatros also offers snorkeling and deep sea fishing trips or a combination of both. They supply top quality fishing gear, lures, baits, licenses and refreshments. They also offer a nice sunset trip. Albatros is owned and operated by American ex-pats and they understand how to cater to the vacationing American. Have something else in mind? Inquire about a customized trip. Details for Albatros Charters can be found on their website.
Tell me more about Albatros Charters
Ironman Cozumel
Cozumel hosted their first IronMan event in November of 2009. It was so successful, the sponsor’s have agreed to come back with a four year commitment. Was it a coincidence that the female elite athlete, Netherland’s Yvonne Van Vlerken, who stayed at Nah Ha Condos won the event? Maybe. Maybe not. For information on the IronMan in Cozumel, visit, the IronMan website. We offer discounted accommodations for IronMan athletes and their families (with proof of registration) looking for a place away from the distractions of the IronMan host hotels. With our new dedicated trails and bike paths on the North end, one can train and prepare your training meals away from the distractions of downtown.
Cozumel Ironworks
Cozumel Ironworks is owned by American metal artist Kim Ham and is a great place for
custom metal artwork. Many of the pieces you see in our home were made for us by Kim. If
you are on the island for a couple of days, she can custom make a piece for you or you can
buy one of the many items she has on display.
Tell me more about Cozumel Ironworks.
Events and Festivals in Cozumel
There are so many events and festivals in Cozumel, it is hard to keep track of them. Every Sunday evening, in the town square, there is a free cultural festival with traditional or avant garde music, dancing and of course, great food to eat.
For up to the minute current events and activities in Cozumel, visit Cozumel4You
The end of winter signals Cozumel’s week long Carnaval event and sets the standard for colors, glamour and grandeur.
In the late spring, the annual Festival of El Cedral and the Fiestas of Santa Cruz, is held in the small town of El Cedral, in the south of Cozumel. This event started over 150 years ago by Casimiro Cárdenas. Cárdenas was one of a group that fled to the island, after an attack during the War of the Castes. Today, the Holy Cross Festival forms part of the wider Festival of El Cedral and is celebrated by locals and visitors alike. The revelers enjoy fairs, traditional feasts, rodeos, real bullfights, music and competitions.
One of our favorites, Dias de Los Muertes, is the day after Halloween and a celebration for long lost family members. It includes wonderful costumes and offerings to family members who have passed away.
Add in all of the typical Mexican holidays and celebrations and then sprinkle in an influx of US holidays onto the island (Thanksgiving, Halloween) and you have the making for a great time on Cozumel.
Other Activities
Our bilingual property manager at Cozumel Seaside Retreats will be happy to coordinate any activity for you such as deep sea fishing, bone fishing, exploring the ruins, palapa hopping around the island, shopping downtown, glass bottom boats, submersibles, snorkeling tours, para sailing, cooking schools, visiting the museum, and art galleries to name a few. Day tours on the mainland include natural water parks, numerous large Mayan ruins, cenote trips, etc.