Essentials

Banks and Currency Exchange

San Miguel is dotted with bank offices, and ATMs are abundant, including a few that dispense U.S. dollars. Some major hotels and resorts along the northern and southern hotel zones have ATMs on-site. Credit cards are readily accepted, as are U.S. dollars, although often at a disadvantageous exchange rate.

Health and Safety

Cozumel is very safe; the most trouble you're likely to get in has four wheels and a motor (drive carefully). If you plan to try water sports, make sure that your health or travel insurance has a sports rider.

Recompression Chambers

Medicina Iperbarica Integral Cozumel International Clinic (Calle 5 Sur 21B, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600. 987/872-1430 24-hr hotline.)

Cozumel Recompression Chamber (Medica San Miguel Clinic, Calle 6 Norte, between Avs. 5 and 10, Cozumel, Quintana Roo, 77600. 987/872-0103.)

Tours

Tours of the island's sights, including the San Gervasio ruins, El Cedral, Parque Chankanaab, and the Museo de la Isla de Cozumel, cost about $50 per person and can be arranged through travel agencies. Fiesta Holidays (Calle 11 Sur 598, between Avs. 25 and 30 987/872-0923), which has representatives in many hotels, sells several tours. Another option is to take a private tour of the island via taxi, which costs about $60 for a half day.