Cozumel (Mayan: Island of the Swallows) (Kùutsmil in Modern Maya) is an island in the Caribbean Sea off the eastern coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. It is opposite Playa del Carmen, and close to the Yucatan Channel. Cozumel is one of the nine municipalities of the state of Quintana Roo.
The island of Cozumel measures 30 miles from north to south and 10 miles from east to west. It stands on top of the largest reef system of the American continent (second largest of the world, extending for 600 miles, starting north of Cozumel island to the south part of Central America).
Cozumel was formed by coralline limestone rock and has no hills or mountains. It is Mexico´s largest inhabited island and a premier dive destination from the Caribbean. It's also a great jumping off point for mainland Mayan Ruin tours such as Chichen Itza, Tulum or Coba.
If you are arriving by airplane, you can do a couple things. The simplest thing to do is pay for the airport transport to take the you to Casa Cascada. You may purchase the tickets online here or buy tickets in the airport when you arrive. Casa Cascada is in Zone 1.
Another option (that I only recommend if you don't have much luggage and you have a group of atleast 3 to offset the hassle) is to walk off the airport property to the main road and hail a cab. You may have to wait 5 minutes, if that, and the cost to the house will be $9 USD plus $2.50 each additional person. By Cozumel law, a taxi may not come on to the airport's property and pick up a passenger. They may however, bring you to the airport when you leave.
You may also rent a car at the airport from Avis. You may book it online and if you're flying into Cozumel, it's pretty convenient to just walk out the door and hop into your car. And no worries, the house is super easy to find from the airport. Here are a few more reputable car rental agencies: Smart Car is a local company that rents small vehicles but they also have some of the best prices on the island. They are conveniently located in 2 locations, downtown and right by the airport. Alamo is downtown right across the street from Smart Car. The cars are in good shape and you can reserve online ahead of time. Aguilar Rental is another good company. They're a bit more expensive than other companies but they have a nice fleet of vans and large cars great for bigger groups. They're on the main street by the cruise ship pier. The address to Casa Cascada is 20 Avenida entre 17 y 19, en la esquina de 19. (On 20th Avenue between 17 and 19 on the corner of 19.) It's a beautiful residential street, complete with a lit median lined with palm trees and plants.
There really is not a bad time of year to visit Cozumel, both in terms of weather and in terms of activities going on throughout the year. The popular tourist season in Cozumel is generally considered to be from December through March. The main reason that this is the season most enjoyed by tourists is that they can escape cold temperatures in other parts of the world and enjoy the warmth of Cozumel, which averages seventy degrees at night and eighty five degrees during the day.
The hottest month is August which averages eighty degrees at night and ninety five degrees during the day. The heat is offset by the ocean breezes and is generally comfortable for most people. The rainy season in Cozumel starts in late summer or early fall. Mid-fall is the time that hurricanes are likely to occur. They aren’t particularly common and travelers do not have to worry excessively about them.
Corpus Christi Neighborhood
The waters surrounding the island are so clear that visibility can reach 250 feet offering an underwater experience that you won't forget.
Since Cozumel is an island, how can you get here?
There are some flights that land directly in Cozumel while others may go through Cancun on the mainland. From Cancun, if you would like the quickest way to Cozumel, you'll take a small plane to Cozumel (via MayaAir). The cost is $69 one way.
If you'd like to see a bit more of the mainland and spend some time in Playa del Carmen, you'll take a bus or taxi to Playa where Ferries leave several times a day to Cozumel. Click here to see the Ferry schedule or buy tickets from one of the Ferry companies that travel between Cozumel and Playa del Carmen.
Either way is a great trip, but if you are prone to seasickness, you may want to fly....especially if there are strong winds which make big waves.
Learn more about Cozumel Mexico on my Blog here: http://blogcozumel.com/
Casa Cascada is located in the exclusive Corpus Christi area of Cozumel and is generally considered to be one of nicest in-town neighborhoods on the island. It's a quiet residential area and within walking distance of one of Cozumel's largest supermarkets. It's named for the island's largest Catholic Church that is one block away from the house. There is a beautiful park right across the street from the church where there are local festivities every weekend.
Corpus includes the Chedraui supermarket and shopping plaza, a cineplex movie theater and what will soon be the island's first bowling alley.
If you are arriving via Ferry, you'll simply hail a cab right when you step off the Ferry dock and tell the driver the address to the house. The cost will be $2 USD (plus tip if you have a lot of luggage). Here is a link that lists other taxi fares around the island so you know what to expect.