|
Cozumel Travel Basics
Calling Codes
The country code for Mexico is 52.
In the Cozumel area, the city code is 98.
Phoning Mexico is easy from the United States; dial 011-52 then the number with its 2-digit city code. When you're in Cozumel, calls within the city do not require the area code of 98.
Phoning home can sometimes be a hassle. If you have a major carrier's phone card, check if your hotel offers free access to the AT&T, MCI, or Sprint lines. Dial 011 then your carrier's international toll-free number.
Electricity
Mexico runs on the 120V, 60Hz system, so U.S. travelers won't need electrical converters. However you may need an adapter, since many electrical outlets haven't been updated to accommodate three-prong plugs. Additionally, in hotels with 110-volt outlets for low-wattage appliances like shavers, be careful not to use them with higher-wattage appliances like blow-dryers, or you'll be shopping for a new one.
Local Language
Spanish is the language in Cozumel and some Mayan is spoken in the surrounding area. Most of the locals speak some English.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day: January 1
Carnaval: February
Constitution Day: February 5
Anniversary of Benito Juarez's birth: March 21
Semana Santa, the Holy Week of Easter: Late March or early April
Labor Day: May 1
Cinco de Mayo (Anniversary of Mexico's 1862 victory over the French): May 5
Independence Day: September 16
Dia de la Raza: October 12
Day of the Dead: November 2
Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910: November 20
Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe: December 12
Christmas: December 25
Time Zone
Cozumel is on Central Time, which is six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT/UTC minus 6). Daylight-saving time is observed in Mexico.
Travel Documents
Australia: Citizens of Australia must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Canada: Citizens of Canada need proof of citizenship for entry into the United States. This can be either a birth certificate with a raised seal or a voter registration card with a photo ID. A driver's license is not enough. Canadian citizens under 16 need notarized permission from both parents.
France:Citizens of France must have a valid passport to enter the United States if th ey are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Germany: Citizens of Germany must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Ireland: Citizens of Ireland must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
Japan: Citizens of Japan must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
United Kingdom: U.K. citizens must have a valid passport to enter the United States if they are staying less than 90 days and have an onward or return ticket.
What to Take
Casual dress is the standard in relaxed Cozumel. Only the fanciest hotels and restaurants have patrons that dress more formally than slacks or a skirt and a casual shirt. It's a good idea to bring a sweater or jacket for occasional cool evenings and a raincoat or umbrella in case of rain. Sunscreen and a sun hat are also essential to block out the strong rays.
When to Go
The high season for Cozumel is the dry winter months from the end of November through April when the weather is perfect. The peak for crowds occurs around the school holidays in November, December, and Spring Break. Reservations should be made well in advance for those times. Occasional north winds bring "sweater weather" for the evenings.
In the summer, the temperature is hotter and the area is subject to warm afternoon and evening rains. September is the most likely month to have a hurricane.
|
