Ok, ahhhh! My friends and I are booking a cruise TODAY for my husbands 30th birthday next year. Its a surprise. The prices keep going up and up and we need to book like NOW! The ship ports at Key West and then Cozumel. We kept going back and forth between the Bahamas and Mexico, but the cruise we thought would be the coolest/cheapest is the Mexico one.
My MIL called me and said how horrible and dangerous Mexico is right now and I should reconsider. Help me!!! Is Cozumel dangerous??
Cozumel is awesome safe. My family has gone twice and would do so again in a heartbeat. And where the ships docks is in the town, lots of easy wlaking for fun.
I was in Cozumel on a cruise last year. They say that inland Mexico is dangerous but the islands are as good as ever - they realize tourism is their money maker and don't mess with it. We felt 100% safe.
If you have kids, go swim with dolphins at Dolphinaris. Kids can be 4 and up which is much younger than most places. It was about $75 per person and so worth it. Life vests to fit the smallest and largest members of your party. Amazing.
Have fun. I'm jealous. Cruises are the best.
We just booked a cruise yesterday with Carnival, going to the Grand Cayman, Honduras, Belize and Cozumel. It cost just a hair over $500 per person with cabin taxes and fees included. The cruise companies and the ports where the ships stop cannot afford to have any problems where the tourists are. The security is excellent. One problem would make the news and people would flee the cruise lines and the countries where the problems were. AND, if a problem occured, the cruise ships would simply dock someplace else. Example: One of the ports in Jamaica wouldn't let the passengers get off the ship. The cruise lines went to the other end of the island and they were welcomed with open arms. The port that gave the cruise lines a hard time was devistated economically because tourism means many, many, local jobs.
There was never a better time to book a cruise. I hope you have a wonderful time.
Good luck to you and yours.
I wouldn't stray to far from the 'tourist' areas. Mexico is dangerous. And don't forget, you need a passport now to go to mexico. We just looked at passports yesterday, about $140, takes 4-6 weeks. FYI
On a ship you are fine. Mexico has lost so much tourism money that they have really beefed up security in the touristy areas. If you stay with the group, in protected areas, you will be fine. All this is the reason it's the cheapest option!
Lots of Mexico is NOT safe right now - I have friends who grew up there, or on the border, and wont go home or even cross over the border. However, I wouldnt count Cozumel out just because of that. It might be like saying, "Oooh.. I hear there is alot of crime in New York City. I guess I should cancel my trip to Vermont."
Check the travel warnings. Also, I found this information which talks about lots of places to avoid but does not mention Cozumel:
It depends on what part of Mexico you are in. Cozumel is near Cancun and there are a lot of tourists. So they will make sure those areas are safe. The drug cartels are creating a lot trouble, but I think it is mostly inland and on the boarders of the US. Like visiting any country you must be careful.
Cozumel is not dangerous. All that area is very well protected, they live from turism and they are making sure to keep visitors safe.
Going to Cozumel via a cruise, you will spend half a day over there, you will only have a chance to visit the market area and maybe spend a couple of hours if you want at a very beautiful nice beach. You will be safe and fine and it is so beautiful!
