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Area
Guide
The
only town on Cozumel is San Miguel, and the rest of the
island is relatively empty. San Miguel is a fairly good
sized oceanfront town, and you can find pretty much whatever
you need in it's downtown and waterfront streets.
For many first-timers San Miguel is merely a cruise ship
stop or a blur out the taxi window on the way to one of
the resorts that cluster on the north and south end of
Mexico's largest inhabited island. Few realize this buzzing
little metropolis is a great destination in its own right.
The center city is a lively place to live, work and visit.
Tailor shops, key makers, produce markets and tiny family-run
restaurants intermingle closely with schools, doctor's
offices and private residences. In fact, except during
siesta hours (roughly 1:30 PM to 4 PM) the streets are
full of people from morning until long after dark.
Most Sunday nights towns-people crowd the large, downtown
plaza with its whitewashed framboyan trees, gazebo, tall
clock tower and cooling views of the sea. They come to
giggle and flirt, to listen to music salsa, to dance.
Parents show off carefully groomed and dressed-up children
and older folks sit on one of the many cools, stone benches
chatting softly in Mayan and keeping a sharp eye on the
scene.
Although Avenida Raphael Melgar, the waterfront road and
promenade is often thronging with cruise ship passengers
and day-trippers from the mainland, you need only wander
a few blocks inland to discover a different, mellower
world. Here riots of pink or purple bougainvillea tumble
down over bright-pastel walls, church bells toll and children
laugh and play soccer in the streets until long after
dark.
The best thing about San Miguel is its people. You'll
meet all kinds: stout Mayan housekeepers in embroidered
finery, glossy-haired mothers proudly pushing baby strollers,
sailors strolling with their sweethearts.
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Cozumel
At A Glance
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Cozumel
At a Glance
Language: Spanish is the official language. English
is widely spoken
Government: Republic since 1917. Gained independence
from Spain in 1821
Mexico Capital: Mexico City
Size: Mexico - 1,953,162 sq km (754,120 sq miles)
Cozumel - 33 miles long and 8 miles wide
Climate: The climate of Cozumel is semi-tropical
and humid, with a rainy season from May to November, mainly
concentrated in the fall months. March and April are the
driest months. It doesn’t rain all the time during the
rainy season, but in short, intense afternoon downpours,
so any time is good for a visit to Cozumel.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz. US 2-pin (flat)
plugs are usual
Currency: Mexican Peso
Driving: Drivers license required, drive on right
Rentals: International and local auto rental agencies
can be found at the airport and around Cancun. must be
21 years old, hold a driver's license and major credit
card. Road signs are in Spanish
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