Our trip began in Charlotte,NC on a cool and rainy Saturday. We arrived at the airport a few hours early to find that our flight had been delayed 45 minutes so I would say it went pretty smooth. This was my first time flying so I was a bit nervous but was very excited.

About two and a half hours after take off in Charlotte we were landing in Cozumel. Finally we are officially on vacation. At the airport the line was fairly long but moved along quickly. We grabbed our bags off of the conveyor and were standing at the end of a long line of people x-raying their bags. A nice man waved us over into his line where we just pushed the button and all got the green light. We walked through and I was looking for the ticket booth when we were snatched by the timeshare lady. I was the only person out of our group who did any research on the trip and knew right away who this lady was. My girlfriend was the first in line so when the lady asked if we needed a taxi of course she said yes. I was trying to tell her not to follow the lady but it only took a minute of our time. After the timeshare lady found out that we were 25 and not married she took us over to the ticket booth. We bought our tickets for $8 per person which was cheap considering Expedia wanted $33 per person for transfers.

We arrived at El Coz and within about 10 minutes we were in our rooms. My girlfriend and I were in room 1716 and my friend and his wife were in 1717. The rooms were very nice and clean and most of all cool. After our bags were delivered to the room it was time for something to eat and a cold beer. I will be the first to admit that I am a very picky eater and I thought the food was ok although if you are as picky as I am you will eat the same thing alot at this hotel.

On Sunday we went to Chedraui to look around a bit and grab some snacks and just walk around town . This is our third trip to Cozumel with the other two being on a cruise. That being said this was the first time we have actually been into town.

Monday we took the ferry to PDC and took the collectivo to Tulum. When we got off the ferry i could not remember exactly where the collectivo was. We stopped to look at one of the maps and a man taking donations for the fire department asked if we needed any help. We told him where we wanted to go and he gave us directions. We got to the collectivo and it was only $3 per person one way. If you have not taken the collectivo before it is a very interesting trip. The collectivo will stop for anyone that is standing on the side of the road so your trip may take a while. Also do not be worried if the van takes an unexpected turn through a neighborhood. They are trying to make as much money as possible along the route.

When we entered Tulum we stopped to talk to a lady at a booth that flagged us down. She was a very nice American woman who told us all the secrets to Tulum. She told us that there was no reason to pay a guide because all of the plaques were in english. She works for Hidden Worlds cenote and we decided to go there when we left Tulum. We went to a cenote while in PDC last year on a cruise. The van from Hidden Worlds picked us up at the booth. I will warn you that if you want to go to a cenote (underground river) the water is pretty cold normally around 60-65 degrees. Hidden Worlds provides you with a wet suit, goggles and a new mouth piece that you keep. The Hidden World Cenotes have some spots that are very tight so be aware of that.

Tuesday we just stayed at the hotel and went on the adult sunset cruise. The boat picked us up at the dock at El Coz and it was fun. It was $35 per person I thing and included some of the coldest Coronas I have ever had and they also have mixed drinks. After dark they have a fire dancer that makes some pretty good pictures depending on your camera. After we got off of the boat we took a taxi to Las Palmeras which was very good.

Wednesday and Thursday we stayed at the hotel all day other than a trip to town. We were all wanting some American food so we decided to go to Hard Rock one night. I have to say this place has some of the best onion rings I have ever had.

Friday we finally were able to make it to Coconuts. We had been trying to go for several days but the schedule just did not work out for us on a couple days and my friend was sick one day. After talking to about three taxi drivers and a few folks at the hotel we were finally on our way. Two of the taxi drivers told us that they would take us to Coconuts but there would not be anyone to pick us up. A few people that work at the hotel said that there would be taxis to pick us up but it would be cheaper to rent a car. Finally the last taxi driver we spoke to Omar told us that if we would tell him what time we wanted to be picked up he would do so. Omar charged us $60 round trip for four people. He speaks very good english and gave us a tour along the way. My friends wife is a teacher and wanted to see the schools and he stopped by a few along the way. If you ever have the chance I think his taxi number is 112 and he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet.

While at Coconuts for a few hours we ate lunch and had a few beers. I was kind of worried about how much our bill would be because we had been there almost 4 hours. I was surprised to see that our bill was only $75 for the 4 of us and that included meals and all of the beer we had. So for the post about Coconuts that said you were overcharged I don't believe it. If anything I think our bill should have been more.

With about an hour left before Omar was going to pick us up we said good bye to Cuco and the rest of the staff to take a walk on the beach. While walking down the beach we found a small sea turtle that had been caught in a fish net and washed up on the beach. I went back to Coconuts and asked Cuco for a knife and and told him what we had found. At first he said there was nothing he could do but when I told him again that the turtle was alive he and the bartender grabbed a knife and ran down to the beach. Cuco cut off the net and the turtle took off like a rocket into the waves.

All in all we had a wonderful time. I am already trying to plan a trip for next year and hope I can talk more of my friends into visiting this small piece of paradise with us.

To all of the TA folks thanks for the advice and the reviews. Until next years cold beers and beautiful sunsets

We went to the El Cozumeleno for the 2nd time in a year. We had a nice time as we like the size and ease of the resort. Our complaint this time was the front desk. We checked in to 2 rooms. My family in 1 and a young man, a friend, in the second. We booked our trips separately but arrived together. We got an ocean view room on the older part of the resort and asked for our friend to be close by.
They put him in a VERY small room with lights that flickered on and off by themselves and a broken toilet. We went to the desk and asked for them to give him a different room. We were told that wasn't possible that day. After 2 more days of begging and fixing the toilet ourselves a graveyard manager finally ok'd the move. Not the level of service we had expected. I also noticed while lying in bed that there were no smoke alarms or sprinkler systems. I know that it's Mexico and they don't follow the same guidelines as the US, Just thought i'd mention that for all the mothers out there. Our trip was pleasant the food is ok. We would go again but it's definitely 3 star and not 4.

We Just got back yesterday from El Cozumeleno, and I had to write right away while the experence was still fresh in my mind.
first off the resort is very nice, the staff is also very friendly, we had no problems outher than the FOOD!!! I do not believe that there is no way that they we're keeping there food at the proper temperature in they serving trays!! and the bees are inside the containers of fruit and the birds that keep flying in and out of the dinning area, sure the staff try to shoo them away but there still there. We ended up leaving for dinner in town instead of forcing ourselves to eat that @#$# they call food. The bright side of this resort was that we got to go snorkling right off the beach right there. and we did get to see alot of fish. Now about the room, we we're put in the North tower on the 4th floor over looking the putt golf course and had a very nice view, BUT!! the SMELL in that room was very bad!!! We thought just because we're next to the water that it just smells that way, but we come to find out not everyone has this smell. We ended up leaving the sliding door to the balcony open all day even with the air conditioning going, just so It would'nt smell as strong by the time we went to bed. Speaking of the bed, this had to be the hardest bed ever made, I had a sore back every morning I got up and this was for 5 nights!
overall we will not be going back, It's snowing right now very hard on this 4-29-08 here in Wyoming and I believe this is just as wonderfull as there in Cozumel, plus I'm sleeping in my own soft bed!!

Well, after planning this vacation and relying heavily on the many reviews I read here over the last five months, I've had my vacation and am now ready to add my two cents. Overall, my family and I had a really great vacation at The El Cozumeleno on Cozumel...BUT...we were lucky...we landed a room in the south tower. I cannot stress enough how much of a difference that makes so consider yourself warned. I read alot of reviews before heading down there and it was clear to me well ahead of time that the north tower has problems. Namely...plumbing. So, I called weeks before heading down to request that they put us in the south tower and even called a second time to confirm that my request would be honored. I was told "yes sir...we have you in an ocean view room in the south tower". Upon arrival at the front desk...wouldn't you know it...we were told that there were only rooms available in the north tower. Knowing waht i knew I pushed pretty hard to no avail. As soon as we entered the room you could smell a heavy perfume masking a really bad odor...my daughter tried to use the toilet and it would not flush...I think they have problems with the cess pools in the old building. So now I go back down to the front desk and after pushing hard I'm told that they had a cancelation in the south tower and could move us...thank God! Room in the south tower was great and our vacation immediately went up a few notches. Again...you've been warned.

THE FOOD:

The food at the buffet was exactly as most reviews described it. It was ok. if you poked around or ordered from the menu you could enjoy a meal just fine. Unfortunately, I ate or drank something , though, that made me sick as a dog. I was doubled over in pain and spent the whole third day of my vacation in bed. luckily I was well enough to get back into the swing the next day though it took a few days before my digestive tract was back to normal. You may ask yourself why then would I say the food is ok?...Well...It's Mexico afterall. The La Veranda was good...but not great. After getting sick...everything became suspect to me and i could no longer eat with gusto. enough said. We ate in town at Guidos and let me tell you...that was fabulous...truly fabulous.

THE BEACH:

This also was fabulous. I like snorkeling and the El Coz has the market cornered on this activity. Get up early to claim your palapa and enjoy the day on the beach...fabulous! We had some really excellent weather while we were there.

WOULD I GO BACK TO THE EL COZ??

I'm torn about that. I think that if I was gauranteed the south tower I probably would. But I don't think I would believe them if they did gauranty the south tower. Been there done that already...oh well...there are other great islands and places to go on vacation.