I research… and then I research some more before I just let my intuition guide me on what I want to explore when I’m visiting an area for a limited amount of time. And on our last day exploring off the Ruby Princess, it was important to me to see as much as we could see! But this excursion from Princess Cruises stood out because it has the best of both worlds: land and sea. We got up at the crack of dawn again (the time changes really mess you up sometimes) and I saw the sunrise for once which was nice. After a buffet breakfast, we were the first ones off the ship and to our tour guide.
Why hello sunrise it’s been a long time since I’ve seen you last in Cozumel, Mexico.A hazy, calm dew across Cozumel, Mexico at sunrise.This should explain why we’re friends waiting and the port and goofing around in Cozumel, Mexico.The Ruby Princess with some sunrise hues in Cozumel, Mexico.Little fluffy clouds in Cozumel, Mexico.Soon we were signed up and ready to go as our tour guide explains where we are driving to on the island in Cozumel, Mexico.I volunteered my friend to drive as she was chipper and brought her state ID that morning in Cozumel, Mexico. All drivers must present a valid drivers liscence and must be at least 21 years old.Watch out Cozumel, Mexico, the blondes are driving.It actually wasn’t bad at all and the roads were clear in Cozumel, Mexico as we followed the tour guide leader.A sign of where we were going first in Cozumel, Mexico was Punta Sur, Eco Beach Park.
Eco Beach Park of Punta Sur offers so much to do! We really enjoyed the unspoiled eastern terrain, flanked by the turquoise blue Caribbean and deep green jungle.
Some wild animal signs just in case you forgot where you were in Cozumel, Mexico.Soon we were driving on the beach which was not too bumpy in Cozumel, Mexico. There was a woman we met when we were boarding the ship who told us back issue horror stories and freaked me out because of my scoliosis fusion however that was in the 70s and a ton of progress has been made since then.First stop, El Caraco ruin which plays with the sunlight in Cozumel, Mexico.It’s a pretty darn new Jeep, so no worries if you’re part metal robot parts like me and have a bad back.Soon we were going into the swampy marsh of the Mangrove Swamp Restoration in Cozumel, Mexico.A very dramatic entrance in Cozumel, Mexico.And beautiful views abound in Cozumel, Mexico.I loved the watchtower in Cozumel, Mexico.So we climbed to the top in Cozumel, Mexico.Super beautiful in every direction in Cozumel, Mexico.Next up, snorkeling at Anemona de Mar Beach Club in Cozumel, Mexico with this wicked cool entrance. They recommend wearing your swimsuit under your clothing and to bring a towel, hat, and reef-safe/biodegradable sunscreen (no other kind of sunscreen is allowed in the water). And also bring light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up.Instagram worthy creation at Anemona de Mar Beach Club and yes, I posed in there!Lots of lounging areas at Anemona de Mar Beach Club.The restaurant at Anemona de Mar Beach Club.Pristine beaches to the right at Anemona de Mar Beach Club.Pristine beaches to the left at Anemona de Mar Beach Club.And all the shades of blue at Anemona de Mar Beach Club.But first me and my new Gen Z friends from the ship were having a photoshoot session at Anemona de Mar Beach Club. We learned a lot from each other in our Jeep rides!After a pretty hardcore snorkel in choppy water, we saw a lot of these amazing fish at Anemona de Mar Beach Club.More fishes! I may have to get a case for my Nikon someday and practice underwater photography.After snorkel vibes, we were both tired and hungry and my stomach hurt. I assumed from drinking the whole ocean diving for a shiny gold coin at Anemona de Mar Beach Club.The local food thief named Rocket at Anemona de Mar Beach Club was cute.I said a final goodbye to this lovely place before we left at Anemona de Mar Beach Club.With a gurgling stomach, our last stop was the watchtower but I sucked it up and climbed to the top.It was well worth it as the views kept getting better in Cozumel, Mexico.So much green in Cozumel, Mexico.Like a painting in Cozumel, Mexico.So many colors in Cozumel, Mexico.Mother nature is an amazing artist in Cozumel, Mexico.There is a tequila tasting attached but by then my stomach was like don’t you dare in Cozumel, Mexico.Just so you kind of know where you are in Cozumel, Mexico. There were a lot of ceynotes nearby however none were listed as options for our tours unfortunately.Looking back at the lighthouse, it is not made for tall people as I had to squeeze out a small doorway space at the top and kneel. The steps are very slim too so beware!I stumbled upon more ruins toward the beach in Cozumel, Mexico.Soon we were back in the tourist trap section but wanted to break free to the real deal in Cozumel, Mexico which was just out the gate to the right.A street scene, a stark contrast from the tourist trap area in Cozumel, Mexico.Even with a rumbling stomach, I was determined to get some trinkets in Cozumel, Mexico and the best ones were in the narrow back alleys of course.Lots of shops with the same things in them, just find one tucked away and haggle in Cozumel, Mexico.We found this little space to hang out with music, food, drinks and more cheap trinkets but it was at this point I had to hightail it to the bathroom in Cozumel, Mexico.
From this point on, we went back to the Ruby Princess after I had chugged a coconut water and Mexican Coke. We attempted a light lunch at the International Cafe however right after that, I was tethered to the toilet. Read more about it on my Princess Cruises norovirus blog post. Getting sick is part of traveling sometimes unfortunately but next time I’ll have an emergency kit with all the fixins. See you again soon, Mexico!
