Too far to walk for most people. This link is useful and shows Playa Mia 14 kilometers south of town.

http://www.cozumelinsider.com/Beaches

I don't know the exact taxi cost each way but it is probably in the $10-15 range eh!

Playa Azul is a $5 cab ride to the North, and there are some decent snorkeling spots up that way, too, such as the Coral Princess Hotel. I wouldn't even consider Playa Mia for a day at the beach, never mind for snorkeling, as there is none whatsoever unless you like staring at sand. Playa Mia is a cruise sponsored tour, and is regularly overrun with day trippers. If you want decent snorkeling, you will have to curb your expectations for a long, sandy beach, as the good snorkeling is always near the rocky areas. I have stayed at Casa Mexicana, and would recommend it. It is very clean and modern, and right in town, close to everything, and right across the street from the water.

You will find that other than the Southern resorts, and the North Hotels, no one really has a 'nice beach' per se. You may want to consider Playa Azul, Coral Princess, El Cozumeleño, or the Melia, if you want to be reasonably close to town, and have a beach and snorkeling at your doorstep.

-Tom

But you forgot the great included buffet breakfast, Tom!

Agree, Playa Azul is a much better choice. I wouldnt want to go anywhere near Playa Mia at any price--always overrun with the cruise ship tours!

My point was not that Playa Mia was the preferred or only beach option. It was an example to illustrate why someone staying at CM won't be walking to a beach, at least not the southern ones.

As far a beaches at a hotel, Playa Azul is not the best in the northern hotel zone. If the water is clear, Melia would be the best in my opinion , otherwise El Cozumeleno would be #1 (when you include the water).

http://tinyurl.com/jgmtt

Really dont think either Tom or myself were saying Playa Azul was the best--only a good close option. And does happen to be one of my favorites and I have been there in recent weeks, as Tom has, I am sure. But everyone has their personal favorites.

CP-

I know you were just quoting a distance to the nearest 'big' beach... I was just going with the snorkel/beach request (better up North), while also trying to give a clearer picture of what Playa Mia offers.

Also, like Casa Mexicana, Playa Azul is not AI, so maybe it's closer to what Julie was looking for.

Julie... You might also want to consider a day at Playa Palancar, which is the Southernmost beach club. It is very laid back, and you can take a snorkel trip by boat out to the reef from there. Perhaps if you rent a car for a day, you could do this, and check out more of the island, too.

-Tom

Good suggestion about Palancar, Tom. It is a ways from the center but one of my favorites---and far from the cruise ships mobs at Playa Mia, etc, etc.

Thanks guys for all the info. It looks like we won't be walking to the beach if we stay there! One more question - is there swimming or snorkeling over the sea wall by Casa Mexicana?

Julie, I suppose you could but it may not be wise. You are near two dive boat piers with all that boat traffic. You might inquire if there is a way to use the Barracuda hotel facilities and swim/snorkel there. That is a short walk away. Just observe once you get there.

Better areas are just a short taxi ride away north and south. If you don't have it already, consider getting the Cozumel map from www.cancunmap.com

Alot of local kids play in the water along Melgar. They play a game where they wrestle and try to throw one another in from the Aqua Safari pier. It's hilarious. There is another guy who swims from the Punta Langosta pier to the Ferry pier and back for excersize. He looks like a professional swimmer to me.

Personally, I wouldn't swim or snorkel out there for two reasons. One, the boat traffic can be a little congested making for unsafe conditions, especially if you're snorkeling/skin diving without a buoy or flag. Two, when there are heavy rains, the storm drains can overflow, and this stormwater runs out in this area. Not to say it is polluted, but I'm sure the bacteria levels are higher here than in other places.

Like I said, I would definitely recommend Casa Mexicana to anyone, but you may want to look into some of these other hotels for easier water access. I just checked, and Playa Azul seems pretty booked up for the next couple months. The Coral Princess (comparable rates to CM) is right on the water, and has a nice 'fake' beach... A big, sandy area with a sea wall for water access. The snorkeling is great here as well!

-Tom