Anyone been to Mexico?

Specifically Speaking - Cozumel...

I'm going at the end of the month - it's a Carnival Cruise and I'm going with my mother. 

What I'm looking for is feedback from anyone who has gone.  I'll only have 8 hours on the island and want to do some good shopping.  I found a site cozumelmycozumel.com that was very helpful. 

I'm planning on exchanging some us dollars into mexican pesos. 

1 - should I do this at my local bank, or should I use the atm's in Cozumel?  Which has the best rates of exchange/fees etc???

2 - About how much pesos should I have.  I was going to do $50.00 which converts to about 560 pesos.  Any advise on this would be greatly appreciated!!!

WOOOHOO!  I'm so excited!  This is my first trip out of the states!

It will be WAY easier to exchange at Cozumel's ATMs than your bank. Your bank will likely have to order the pesos in and it will be a pain. When in Italy, I only used their ATMs. The exchange rate might not have been better, but you get THAT DAYS exchange rate, so it could be. Overall, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think that pesos is one currency the dollar is still strong against. Most travel guides suggest you exchange in country through the ATM.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful - I've heard Cozumel is WONDERFUL though! =)

I was in Mexico a few years ago... although I was near Ensenada and was on a missions trip, so it was a little bit different. We did go shopping at La Bufadora though, and for the most part I had US$ with me which worked out fine. I think most of us did a bit of exchanging in the airport in California before we drove down to Ensenada... but I honestly don't remember many of those details.

I went to Mexico in May/June of this year I didn't go to Cozumel, I went to Puerto Vallarta. It may be different where you are going but I kind of doubt it, everyone took American dollars. I exchanged money once,$100 at the start of the week at my hotel, but I didn't even use it all, many places took US money and a lot of times it was just easier to use it. I did end up using the last of my pesos at the airport on my way out, but just because I didn't want to bring them home. In a tourist place that sees many Americans that get used to the American dollar, so I wouldn't exchange too much.

My best advice is never do anything or go anywhere without asking the price first. We took cabs everywhere and if we forgot to ask the price first they would charge us more than they did the day before going from our hotel to the exact same place. They are used to bartering prices so if you know its too much don't be afraid to say no, and its good to know ahead of time how much you should be paying. We usually would ask the hotel how much the cab ( or something else) should cost us and that was good so we could tell the driver what it should be. Another example is a street vendor was selling jewelry and I talked him down to much lower than he wanted, then 20 minutes later I saw the same bracelet from another vendor and he offered it to me for even less than I just got it from, doh! So look around a lot before you buy anything to make sure you get the best price.

We also had a AAA book that had some good resturants and shops to try and we got it for free and our local AAA office, so I sugest you get one. I'm sure you will have fun, it is a beautiful country.

I've been on that cruise a few times...it's a blast!

You won't need to get pesos. 99% of places will take US dollars (in fact they prefer them) or Visa/MC.

Since it's a cruise, you'll only have a day (8 hrs or so) in port. I would recommend finding a beach and chilling, do some shopping before getting back on board...and that's it :)

This is a great website for getting info on cruises and ports.... www.cruisecritic.com

Have fun! 

I took the carnival cruise to Cozumel, it was gorgeous.   They took US dollars so you shouldn't have to worry about exchanging money. And i recommend the shore excursion to Tulum where all the Mayan temples are, it was amazing, plus in that same excursion you were able to shop and stop by the beach for a bit.  I'm going on a cruise with carnival to the Bahamas in may, I'm so excited. Enjoy yor trip!!

Exchange money locally (IN Mexico) at a "Casa de Cambio" or local bank.   You will get the best rate that way. They should have their daily rate posted outside. ATMs may have large fees either from the machine or from you own bank, in addition to exchange fees, make sure you check with your own bank if you plan on using them. In a touristy area, many vendors are also happy to take US dollars, but you will probably get a 1 to 10 exchange rate, ie you end up paying about 10% more. Don't be surprised if you receive change in a combination of dollars and pesos if you are obviously American.

Depending on what you are looking to buy as souvenirs, $50 or more is appropriate. Use extreme caution in purchasing jewelry, which abounds on the island. Make sure any jewelry you buy is hallmarked, (marked 14kt for gold or .925 for silver) as much of the jewelry there is fake, and it is very easy to be taken advantage of. There are alot of clothing and handicraft stores, many of which will be reasonably priced compared to US prices. Bargain with vendors if you buy gifts at a straw market or on the beach, but regular stores have fixed prices.

Edit: Just a side note, my bank recommends that you open a separate savings account with a separate debit / check card if you plan to use ATMs or charge overseas to limit your liability if anything gets stolen. I travel to Mexico several times a year as well as other countries, and have never had any problems, however I only use charge cards for emergencies when away from home.

I have been to Cozumel twice and Costa Maya, Mexico twice as well.  I have been on Carnival Cruise Lines 3 times and I love them.  The people are so nice and speak a lot of English.  The beaches are WONDERFUL!!! The water looks like a bath tub filled with fresh clean water.  So if you are scared to get into the ocean in the US because you can't see what is around you due to murky water.  It will not be that way there.  Also, the do take US dollars and you won't have to exchange your money.  The last time I was there they loved to get $$$.

I'm jealous!  Have fun and let us know how you liked, or disliked, your trip.

I appreciate the feedback I've gotten.  I think I will wait until we land in Cozumel and hit the local bank first and get me some pesos. 

ONe thing I have read is that if you're really looking for good prices, when you first come off the boat - to browse through the shops right there to get an idea of what you're looking for and to make note of the prices you see there, because that'll be the highest price you'll pay, then to head into town a block or so and that's where you can start bargaining on the prices with the locals. 

Our cruise leaves Texas (Houston for now, since Galveston is currently in disrepair) and lands in Progreso, Yucatan first.  We're going to do a mayan ruins tour there so we can spend the next day wondering through Cozumel and seeing the sights and enjoying the fun locals rather than rushing out to a 7 hour excursion! LOL

The mayan tour we're looking at in Progreso is only a 4 hour tour and costs about $50/person, rather than Cozumel's horse back tour which takes 7 hours and costs $80/person.

I'll be posting pics on my myspace and facebook.  I'll post links in my profile to both my myspace and facebook pages and I'll be entering daily journal entrys!

Thanks again for all your help!  It is much appreciated!  Muy Bueno!

I went on Carnival Fascination to Key West, Fl and Cozumel Mexico back in 2003 on my honeymoon with my now ex-husband.  Mexico was absolutely gorgeous.  When we docked, we went right to the tiki bar on the right side of the dock.  We went swimming in the crystal clear blue water right in front of the bar hut and a sting ray passed me and I could SEE IT!  Love the water there.  Within a hour after that, it started to downpour and did so until we left that evening.  We went to the shops (take the taxi, they scare the crap out of you but its a much quicker way of getting downtown) and also went to the Hard Rock Cafe there.  I only bought flip flops and a sun dress while downtown.  Held some exotic parrots.  We didn't do any excursions.  I am kind of glad we didn't because of the rain.  We basically relaxed the whole way.  We didnt need any mexican money at all.  We used all american money and that was fine. 

I remember the host on the ship.  We had a meeting prior to docking in Mexico and the first thing he said is, "So, what is the first thing everyone tells you when you say you are going to Mexico?  DONT DRINK THE WATER!  And they are correct!" Our host was awesome.

You will really enjoy yourself.  It was beautiful, the ships are beautiful, the ocean is beautiful.   The only part I could even tell I was on a ship was when we were getting into Mexico and the waves were pretty rough at 5am.  Other than that, didn't even notice.

Have fun!!!

I was in cozumel in april.  We were on the main land and went over on the ferry in playa del carmen.  Frankly didnt find cozumel(the town) to be all that great   most of the remaining island is a natural consveration area with a coastal road around it.  The northern end was still closed to tourists as a result of hurricane wilma a couple of years ago.  And the island even lost some of their northern mayan sites.   We went on a snorkel tour.  Wasnt worth the money as we were around too many cruise ships.  Since we were there on our own we rented a scooter and toured the lower part of the island.  Which was the best part of the island.  Shopping in the town inself  didnt have anything worth buying.  Way too commercial and the merchandise is cheaply made.   I only came back with a t-shirt