Beginning in December 2002, Insider was proudly the first website to provide readers the Cozumel News in English.
Articles are slected from local newspapers which we feel will be of interest to our diverse audience. These articles are then translated into English. We cannot always investigate the veracity of a particular article but offer these translations as a reflection of the Cozumel community news just as reporters write it for Por Esto, Diario de Quintana Roo, Novedades and El Seminario and many other sources.
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03/16/2026 - Numbers go down a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 35 ships registered to dock as we welcome Spring. This is 2 fewer ships than last week and 15 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 36 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 122,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 13.7 million dollars behind in the local economy.
High season for cruise ship arrivals typically runs from November 15 - April 15 each year with the remaining 7 months of the year considered "low season." This week Puerta Maya pier will be host to 14 ships docking there, 9 ships will dock at SSA International pier while Punta Langosta pier will see 12 arrivals and the downtown San Miguel pier will have -0- arrivals with passengers tendering in.
On Monday 5 ships will dock, 7 ships will dock on Tuesday, 7 ships on Wednesday, 6 ships on Thursday, 6 ships on Friday, 3 ships on Saturday and Sunday will see 1 ship in port. To see a complete list of this week's ship arrivals, please visit Insider's Weekly Cruise Ship Schedule
New Direct Flight Connects Montreal To Cozumel, Boosting Mexican Caribbean Tourism
Sunwing Vacations and its sister brand Vacances WestJet Québec have launched a new direct flight connecting Canada to Mexico’s Caribbean coast, offering nonstop service from Montréal/Trudeau International Airport to the island of Cozumel, announced Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa.
The inaugural flight took off on March 6, marking a new air connectivity option for travelers from the Canadian province of Quebec. More than 646,000 passengers flew to Cozumel in 2025, and over 31.6 million chose the Mexican Caribbean as a destination. The new route provides tourists and corporate travelers with a direct connection to the island, considered one of the most important destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, particularly for resort stays and scuba diving tourism. This direct flight represents a strategic opportunity to bring the Canadian market closer to Quintana Roo’s destinations, especially Cozumel, a jewel of the Mexican Caribbean recognized worldwide for its natural wealth, tourist offerings, and prestige as one of the planet’s top diving destinations.In addition to boosting tourist flow to Cozumel, the connection will also facilitate mobility for work teams linked to the tourism industry, particularly those on rotational assignments at hotels and diving centers. Quintana Roo Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra highlighted that strengthening air connectivity results from ongoing promotion and coordination efforts with airlines, tour operators, and international commercial partners.
The new air link helps reinforce Cozumel’s positioning in the Canadian market, providing direct access to the island and strengthening the Mexican Caribbean’s presence in one of the international markets with the greatest affinity for sun-and-beach destinations.
Cozumel’s Pygmy Raccoon Faces Critical Extinction Threat As Population Dwindles
The pygmy raccoon, an endemic species of this Mexican Caribbean Island, remains critically endangered due to habitat degradation, vehicle collisions, and invasive species, with researchers estimating only 200-300 individuals survive in the wild. Biologist Héctor González Cortés explained that the animal’s community is extremely small and faces multiple pressures from urban growth, tourism development, and alterations to natural ecosystems. “The pygmy raccoon is a vulnerable species. Its population is small and any change in its environment can have significant consequences for its survival,” the specialist said.
The specimen (Procyon pygmaeus) is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and also appears in Mexico’s NOM-059-SEMARNAT list of species at highest risk of disappearance. Its home is primarily in mangroves, low jungle, and coastal areas of southern Cozumel, ecosystems that have faced pressure from real estate expansion and meteorological phenomena like hurricanes in recent decades. The animal is considered an example of island dwarfism, having evolved smaller than its mainland relatives. Among its distinguishing characteristics are a ringed tail, prominent facial markings, and adaptation to coastal environments. One of the main threats to the group are vehicle accidents, along with diseases transmitted by domestic animals and loss of natural territory. Facing this situation, various scientific projects seek to better understand its behavior and diet to design safeguarding strategies. Among them stands out the study “Diet and food availability of the pygmy raccoon (Procyon pygmaeus),” conducted at the Punta Sur Ecotourism Park by specialists from the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation Research at the Autonomous University of the State of Morelos.
The research, led by biologist Sofía Ana Lara Godínez, analyzes the nutritional habits of this species with the goal of understanding the conditions necessary for survival. Preservation of the mammal depends mainly on protecting its space, reducing human risks, and strengthening environmental education programs. Recognized as a symbol of Cozumel’s biodiversity, this small animal represents one of the most emblematic cases of endemic species whose continuity depends directly on conservation actions implemented on the island.
Cozumel Fishermen Report Illegal Lobster Poaching During Closed Season
Fishermen from the Cozumel Cooperative have reported illegal lobster harvesting during the closed season that began March 1, threatening the species’ recovery in the region.
Pablo Catzín Pech, the cooperative’s administration secretary, said that while licensed fishermen respect the regulations, unlicensed individuals continue catching lobsters without control. A fishing boat was seen in Cozumel waters, with lobster traps visible on deck. According to the complaint, the illegal harvesting ignores the minimum legal size of 13.5 centimeters, preventing lobsters from completing their biological cycle and compromising the resource’s sustainability. Fishermen have also detected the sale of undersized lobsters on social media, where sellers offer up to 12 specimens per kilogram at low prices, raising concerns among local producers.
In response, the fishermen have requested intervention from Conapesca (National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries) and the Mexican Navy to strengthen surveillance at critical points including Cozumel and María Elena in the Bahía del Espíritu Santo.
Calls To Halt “Perfect Day” Park In Mahahual, Quintana Roo, Due To Ecological And Tourism Risks
The mega water park that the transnational Royal Caribbean intends to build in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, would involve clearing more than 16 hectares of vegetation, leading to habitat loss for local wildlife and reduced groundwater infiltration, Greenpeace warned, following its technical analysis of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that the company submitted last December to the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).
The organization emphasized that the project's EIS fails to accurately measure the number of animals inhabiting the area, as its study "only accounts for 39 species of fauna within the property, but the independent analysis identified that there could be at least 306, of which 45 are at risk of extinction or require special protection," such as the ocelot, the white turtle, the jaguar, and the spider monkey. In response, Greenpeace demanded that the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) reject the project and submitted its analysis of the Environmental Impact Statement to the agency's official records office, along with a letter addressed to Minister Alicia Bárcena. Subsequently, a delegation met with representatives from the ministry.
At a press conference outside Semarnat, Carlos Samayoa, from the organization, explained that Perfect Day would be a massive cruise ship resort, intended to receive up to 21,000 visitors per day, in a town with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. "It has the full support of the Quintana Roo state government, which has acted as its main advocate and promoter without considering these impacts," he stated, while also noting that Ari Adler Brotman, a Royal Caribbean executive, was the head of the Institute for Development and Financing of that state. The organization highlighted that the company denies the presence and influence of mangroves in the cleared area of the property, but the project analysis revealed that it would endanger three mangrove species: Red, White, and Buttonwood, all of which are listed as threatened species. It also denounced that Mahahual is a karst system, meaning the soil is porous and water does not flow on the surface but circulates underground, so the construction will directly affect the aquifer. The organization indicated that another of the project's "most serious" omissions is the generation of waste and its final disposal, since the town of Mahahual does not have a designated site for its disposal. "Nevertheless, the park project anticipates the generation of 130,124 tons of construction waste; 269 tons of solid waste annually during construction; and 6,336 tons of garbage per year once the park is operational." He also noted that for the operation of the megapark, the company does not conduct a study on the implications that a scenario of mass tourism could have on water use.
Need a LEGAL U.S. Notary Service? THIS is your solution!
It has happened to ALL of us U.S. Citizens who spend significant amounts of time living / working in Cozumel: reading the dreaded words on a document from back home: "Notarized Signature Required." It's such a simple thing and no one wants the added expense of travelling back to the U.S. just to have their signature notarized but there are many legal processes in the U.S.A. where nothing BUT a notarized signature will be accepted.
Some common documents that U.S. Citizens need notarized while living abroad are: Real Estate Deeds or Mortgages, executing Wills, Powers of Attorney, requests for Birth / Marriage / Death Certificates, Permission for a parent to get a minor’s US Passport, banking / insurance / bonding documents, permission for a minor to travel without parents or application for duplicate or replacement vehicle titles just to name a few.
In the past, the most common solution was for a U.S. Citizen to make their way to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy where notaries are always available but the fees involved can be quite expensive. In addition there is the cost of actually travelling to the Consulate and who knows if appointments will even be available especially if the notarized signature is needed urgently. Plus from Cozumel that Consulate visit includes the cost of a ferry round trip to get to Playa del Carmen. All of these complicating factors just create more of a headache for something that is supposed to be relatively easy and inexpensive.
Another option frequently used has been that of a U.S. Notary operating outside of their country and jurisdiction. While this option is usually easy and cheap (often free or for a donation), it is one of those situations where "you get what you pay for" because technically these U.S. Notaries are operating ILLEGALLY as they are outside the legal jurisdiction for which they are authorized to notarize documents. In theory an illegal notarization could be attacked and challenged in the future and nullified causing legal issues with the documents signed. A fraud challenge to a Notary operating outside of the USA, simply involves a court asking the Notary to present their passport to the judge. Immigration stamps inside the passport will prove the Notary's whereabouts when documents were signed and if this was done inside the Notary's legal jurisdiction or illegally outside their authorized jurisdiction.
So do yourself a favor and avoid any future Signature Notary problems by utilizing an ON-LINE NOTARY SERVICE. Thanks to remote online notarization (RON), you can notarize a document from anywhere in the world, using your computer or mobile device and the internet. It takes only 10 minutes and is quite an easy process right from the comfort of your own home or office any hour of the day or night.
All you need to do is click this link 24/7 Online Notary Service To use this service, the fee is $25 USD and you must have a device with audio- visual capabilities (like a smart phone, tablet or PC) and proof of identity (a valid US Government-issued photo ID such as a Driver’s License or Passport). You can then access and meet with a licensed Notary Public who will notarize your papers in a matter of minutes. The process is easy, quick, efficient and AVAILABLE 24/7 online!! So WHY take a chance doing it any other way?!
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September 6, 2024 (Most Recent) Comprehensive Mexico Travel Warning
U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico Issued SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 shows the Mexican State of Quintana Roo (includes Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum) to be a LEVEL 2 Advisory - Exercise Increased Caution (Level 4 Advisory is Highest Risk):
There are "NO RESTRICTIONS" on U.S. government employees for travel to "ANY PARTS" of Quintana Roo state, which includes tourist areas such as: Cozumel, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum. However, U.S. government employees are advised to exercise increased situational awareness and caution after dark in the areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.
U.S. citizens should as always exercise increased caution and be aware that according to Government of Mexico statistics, criminal activities and violence, including homicide, remain a concern throughout the State. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations and turf battles between criminal groups that have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders injuries, while rare, have occurred. While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have killed or injured innocent bystanders. Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.
The Mexico Travel Warning dated September 6, 2024 from the Department of State can also be viewed in its entirety on the Department of State website.
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03/16/2026 - Numbers go down a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 35 ships registered to dock as we welcome Spring. This is 2 fewer ships than last week and 15 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 36 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 122,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 13.7 million dollars behind in the local economy. 
