Maximize Your Cozumel Cruise Layover: The 8-Hour Less Touristy Travel Guide to Mexico's Island Paradise

Morning: Exploring the Ancient Ruins

Begin your day in Cozumel with a visit to the Mayan ruins at San Gervasio, one of the island's most significant historical sites. By arriving early, you can avoid the crowds and the intense midday heat, making your exploration more enjoyable. A guided tour is highly recommended to fully appreciate the rich history and cultural significance of this ancient city. Expert guides offer valuable insights into the daily lives and spiritual practices of the Mayan people, enhancing your understanding of this remarkable civilization. We chose to skip this as Micah really just wanted to see the ruins and even early in the day, the heat was intense.

The San Gervasio ruins feature several impressive temples and structures that have stood the test of time. As you navigate through the site, you will encounter fascinating remnants of Mayan architecture, providing a unique window into Cozumel's storied past. This exploration is not only educational but also an excellent opportunity for photography enthusiasts. The ruins, surrounded by lush greenery and wildlife, offer stunning backdrops for memorable photos.

To ensure a comfortable visit, it's essential to come prepared. If it has been raining lately, bring insect repellent. Lucky for us, Jorge knew the mosquitos were going to be swarming so he stopped at a shop on the way to the ruins and got us some insect repellent. This is just another detail that having a private tour guide like Jorge provided. I didn't even think of mosquitos prior to Jorge mentioning them and we would've either ended up with about 100 bites each, or we would have paid the inflated price for insect repellent at the ruins. Either way, bring your own or ask your tour guide to stop and get some for you on the way! Additionally, you will likely want sunscreen, water, comfortable walking shoes, and a handheld fan! These little details will make your experience more pleasant and allow you to fully immerse yourself in the historical ambiance of San Gervasio.

Exploring the San Gervasio ruins is a captivating way to start your day in Cozumel. The blend of history, culture, and natural beauty provides a comprehensive understanding of the island's heritage. By the end of your visit, you will have gained a deeper appreciation for the Mayan civilization and created lasting memories through your photographs and experiences.

Dining with the Locals

When we found out we were going to Mexico on our cruise, we knew without a doubt we wanted to get tacos at a local place. Throughout our day, Jorge gave us plenty of options for dining. Of course, most of his tour participants want the beach club experience, so he suggested Tortuga's a couple of times. The boys were torn between getting a more authentic taco experience or the beach club, but eventually we opted for the authentic taco experience, and we are so glad we did! Jorge contemplated where he could take us for a more authentic, off the beaten path, delicious taco experience and we are so grateful for his persistence! We ended up at a mid-sized local restaurant in the middle of the city. While there are no beach views here, the tacos are worth it! Unfortunately, I was so distracted by the delicious tacos, that I didn't even get a photo of the menu or sign and I can't even tell you the name of the restaurant. You'll have to book a tour with Jorge to experience them. Regardless, I'm sure there are delicious tacos all over the island.

Recommended Activities

Cozumel has a long list of activities you can partake in while on the island. Jorge gave us many suggestions, but as mentioned above, we were looking for a less touristy day on the island. Some of the suggestions that may be interesting to you include

• Tequila tour and tasting

• Chocolate tour and tasting

• Tortuga beach club

• Snorkeling

• ATV tour

• and more!

We wanted a tour of the island and so after the Mayan Ruins, Jorge took us to the other side of the island. He told us the views are better on that side and he didn't disappoint. Stunning. We stopped at a place along the beach with a natural pool where we could enjoy the water without having to worry about the waves. Due to an incoming hurricane, there was a lot of seaweed, but the water was still beautiful and the boys and I enjoyed the views, looking for shells and critters, and the sand in our toes.

Arrival in Port

The photo above is from our balcony aboard the ship. The water is stunning and I honestly could have just sat on my balcony and stared into the deep blue waters for the entire day, but alas, adventure called and when the all clear to go portside was called, we headed down to disembark. We opted not to schedule any cruise line excursions, preferring to avoid the high costs and the overly touristy atmosphere that doesn't suit our preferences. Instead, we set out hoping to score a private tour, an enthusiastic taxi driver, or other local adventure to explore the island.

The pier is LONG and there were bicycle rickshaws available for hire if you chose. We leisurely walked the pier, admiring the beautiful water as we walked. Once you get to the shore, you go up an escalator and then enter what I would call tourist trap city. There are shop owners beckoning for you to just take a quick look at what they have to offer and plenty of tour guides sticking pamphlets in your face, hoping to score your business. We walked rather quickly through most of the cruise port (you walk along the upstairs and then must find the escalator down to get to the street level). I was looking for someone who wasn't trying too hard. We were about to exit when Jorge approached us from Best Jeep Tour Cozumel. He wasn't pushy, but was curious what our plans were. I asked him what he could offer and he explained he offers a private jeep tour with a completely customizable itinerary for 5-6 hours. I asked him if he would be stopping at all of his friend's shops to try to get us to buy from them and he quickly assured me we would only stop where I wanted to stop. As it was just the boys and I, no hubby on this trip, and the boys were looking at me with puppy eyes hoping to ride around in the blue jeep all day, I decided this was what we were looking for. I paid the $190 for all three of us for the private tour (includes 5-6 hours, water and beer, and is completely customizable) and we followed Jorge to his jeep.

We got settled in the jeep and I asked Jorge for suggestions on what to do for the day. I hadn't done nearly as much research on this trip as I normally do due to the last-minute booking, so I didn't have a lot of ideas. Micah wanted to see the Mayan Ruins and Caleb was hoping to see an iguana. We also just wanted to explore the island and it's beauty and see where the locals go. Jorge suggested we start at the Mayan Ruins as it was VERY hot and he suggested getting that out of the way in the morning so we headed out. I also asked him to stop at a shop a little away from the main tourist hub so we could pick up a souvenir. We ended up stopping at a cute shop that wasn't too busy about a mile from the cruise port. We picked up our Mexican Vanilla Extract and a sticker for the boys and were back in the jeep on our way to the Mayan Ruins.

Would I Tour with Jorge Again? Absolutely!

Jorge was an incredible tour guide and he thought of everything. From bug spray, to pointing out clean restrooms, to the BEST local taco place, to ending our day with a local sweet treat, he made our day flawless and memorable. My boys felt so special with a private tour guide and really enjoyed riding in the jeep. He listened carefully to what we wanted to do and didn't try to push anything on us. When we requested a local place for tacos for lunch, he racked his brain and then delivered on point (not easy as he told us most local places are only open for dinner)! If you're heading to Cozumel for a day (or more), reach out to Jorge and book a tour! You won't regret it!

This is completely unsponsored and solely our opinions! Check it out here--Best Jeep Tour Cozumel

We also met a man who lets you hold his iguana for free, and charges $5 for a photos with it. Of course, this was all Caleb wanted out of the day, so we had to pay the $5 for each of the boys to hold it and get photos. While this was definitely a touristy activity, the smiles on my boys faces and the memories were 100% worth it! He also fed some alligators nearby some chicken feet while we were there and we got to watch that as well. Very interesting! I never realized how fast they can move!

We leisurely drove around the island with Jorge pointing out many different local sites, enjoying the sites and commentary. Then, it was time for our main request--tacos at a local restaurant!

We tried the chicken and pork tacos--SO GOOD. I almost didn't even get a photo because I was so busy enjoying them. The handmade corn tortillas were out of this world and the guacamole and chips so so SO tasty! 10/10 would recommend this place, if only I could remember the name! Jorge--if you read this, leave a comment below with the name of the restaurant! :)

A Sweet Surprise

Before dropping us off at the cruise port, Jorge said he had a stop to make for a sweet surprise for us. We stayed in the jeep while he went into a bakery and he emerged with these sweet little pockets of heaven. The inside is cream cheese and the outside is a soft bread that tastes ever so subtly like cinnamon sugar--the sweetness isn't overpowering, but instead is just enough. Definitely a delicious sweet treat to try while in Cozumel!

Our jeep tour ended exactly where it started, at the cruise port. We thanked Jorge, and headed back towards the ship, admiring the deep blue waters again as we meandered down the port towards the ship after a relaxing, yet memorable, day in Cozumel, Mexico.