Couple of queries

[PeteO]

Hi All

My wife and I are coming to PDC for the first time from the UK in June and have already learned a lot from this site. However there are a couple of questions we have which hopefully one or more of you kind people will be able to answer.
The first is what you advise us to bring as far as currency is concerned? We obviously know the local currency is the Peso, but have also been told it is wise to bring US Dollars as well. Should we bring a mixture or stick to just one currency?
The second question is a real touristy one. We will probably get the ferry from PDC to Cozumel for a day trip but don't want to hire transport when we get there. What would you recommend are the best things to see and do? We particularly like wildlife and general sightseeing.
Thanks in eager anticipation.

Pete & Lynn

[Heather]

Originally Posted by PeteO

Hi All

My wife and I are coming to PDC for the first time from the UK in June and have already learned a lot from this site. However there are a couple of questions we have which hopefully one or more of you kind people will be able to answer.
The first is what you advise us to bring as far as currency is concerned? We obviously know the local currency is the Peso, but have also been told it is wise to bring US Dollars as well. Should we bring a mixture or stick to just one currency?
The second question is a real touristy one. We will probably get the ferry from PDC to Cozumel for a day trip but don't want to hire transport when we get there. What would you recommend are the best things to see and do? We particularly like wildlife and general sightseeing.
Thanks in eager anticipation.

Pete & Lynn

Hi Pete and Lynn,

You don't need USD. It's probably convenient for people who use USD as their national currency, only because then they don't have to resort to the monumentally tiring hassle of exchanging their bills, but for you I don't see why it would make any sense.

[CatskillsMom]

Originally Posted by PeteO

Hi All

My wife and I are coming to PDC for the first time from the UK in June and have already learned a lot from this site. However there are a couple of questions we have which hopefully one or more of you kind people will be able to answer.
The first is what you advise us to bring as far as currency is concerned? We obviously know the local currency is the Peso, but have also been told it is wise to bring US Dollars as well. Should we bring a mixture or stick to just one currency?
The second question is a real touristy one. We will probably get the ferry from PDC to Cozumel for a day trip but don't want to hire transport when we get there. What would you recommend are the best things to see and do? We particularly like wildlife and general sightseeing.
Thanks in eager anticipation.

Pete & Lynn

Hi there, we were just there for 10 days. We almost never used US money. A few dollars here and there but even when we did use USD, we always got Pesos back as change so it is not good, financially, to use the USD.
Also, we went to Coz for a day trip. Once you get off the ferry, there are lots of little shops there but if you want to 'sightsee', you may need to hire a taxi or rent a jeep. Both are widely available at the ferry docks.

Have fun!

[PeteO]

Thanks to both of you for such quick replies and good advice. That's cleared up the currency question nicely.

As far as Cozumel is concerned, are there any nature parks or similar within relatively easy access of where the ferry docks?

[Mindbender]

Ahar me hearty!

Bring pesos. This US dollar advice is nonsense.

You can use your UK atm card here too in loads of places (Escotia Inverlat Bank is best). The cost? About £3 to draw out £150 worth - lovely.

Cozumel. You can hire cars over there or get taxis but it'll be harder to get one if you stop somewhere remote.

Don't forget to bring me a jar of sweets that look like beach pebbles

[cmsitaly]

We use only the ATM with our check card-best exchange rate

[PeteO]

Thanks guys. Looking forward to coming.

[Juanito]

This is just my opinion, but the only reason to spend any time near Cozumel's ferry pier is to use the ATM (there's one in the shopping center across the street from the pier) and to watch the drunk cruise ship passengers crash their rented motor scooters.

Xqqzme has the best advice on Cozumel.

She & Mr Xqqzme hired a taxi and a driver for a day and went to several different places. They had fun, or so it appears.

We had fun on Cozumel, too. So much fun that none of my pictures of Cozumel on my below-linked report are in focus.

The beach club that we went to had some crabs, some peacocks, a crocodile (which we did not see) and of course lots of fish that we saw when we went snorkeling.

Aktun Chen south of Playa has wildlife in a zoo-type setting. Or maybe Crococun north of Playa will reopen soon?

As I understand, the best place to see wildlife would probably be down in the Si'an Kaan area? Is that right?

[PeteO]

Looks like transport on Cozumel is a must. Again thanks for the info.

[Teddy]

There is a national park called Chankanaab that is nice. It has some replicas of ancient mayan life. It is also an easy place to snorkel. I haven't been there in 7 or 8 years, but I don't think it has changed much. Now when we take a day trip to Cozumel we just rent a car for the day and check out the east side of the island. The only electricity on that coast is by generator. Lots of places to stop for a drink or food though. You can rent an old volkswagon beetle for under $50. A taxi to the park is probably a bit pricey. Have fun

[CatskillsMom]

Originally Posted by Teddy

There is a national park called Chankanaab that is nice. It has some replicas of ancient mayan life. It is also an easy place to snorkel. I haven't been there in 7 or 8 years, but I don't think it has changed much. Now when we take a day trip to Cozumel we just rent a car for the day and check out the east side of the island. The only electricity on that coast is by generator. Lots of places to stop for a drink or food though. You can rent an old volkswagon beetle for under $50. A taxi to the park is probably a bit pricey. Have fun

That's where we headed (East side) and there are some great, low key beaches and places to explore. There is this coconut hut where the guy will machete off the top for you and stick a straw into the nut for you to drink. My first experience with fresh coconut milk! Not bad but wouldn't want to live on it if I was on a deserted island! Also, on the east side is where you'll find Coconuts Restaurant. It's perched on a cliff overlooking the beautiful ocean. Good food, great drinks and wonderful photo ops. We hired a taxi for an entire day (8 of us in a van) for $200.00 US. total including tip. It was well worth it having a private guide/chauffeur.