Most cruise ships arriving in Cozumel dock at Puerta Maya - approximately four miles from San Miguel/Downtown. There are plenty of shops and a few restaurants around the Puerta Maya pier but if you wish to visit San Miguel, a taxi costs around $7 for four people. If you are in the downtown area at lunch time be sure to stop at La Choza. It's a couple of blocks from the main road and is a popular place to eat so ask one of the locals for directions. The Cozumel/shopping tour, which you can book through Carnival, will take you around the island and stop at a tequila factory, El Cendal (the oldest settlement on the island) and end at the shops in San Miguel by the Museum. Ferries can get you to the mainland in 30-45 minutes if you wish to take the trek to the Mayan ruins at Tulum. While walking back to the ship from San Miguel (it took us about an hour) we passed many places to snorkel or scuba dive, and spotted pelicans and stingrays. As we left the dock I took a long look at the aqua blue water, because the next day heading for Galveston
, the blues and purples of the Caribbean sea will turn to muddy browns and grays. . .
