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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Note: All translated articles are the property of Cozumel Insider and cannot be used, displayed or reproduced without express written permission from Cozumel Insider.
08/16/2026 - Numbers decrease a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 19 ships registered to dock as we work our way through August. This is 1 less ship than last week and a bit less than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 15 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 66,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 7.1 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 7 ships docking there, 5 ships will dock at SSA International pier while Punta Langosta pier will see 7 arrivals and the downtown San Miguel pier will have -0- arrivals with passengers tendering in.
On Monday 4 ships will dock, 1 ship will dock on Tuesday, 4 ships on Wednesday, 3 ships on Thursday, 5 ships on Friday, 2 ships on Saturday and Sunday will see 0 ships in port. To see a complete list of this week's ship arrivals, please visit Insider's Weekly Cruise Ship Schedule
Sea Turtle Nest Found On Cozumel Beach Slated For Tourism Development
The discovery of a sea turtle nest on a beach in southern Cozumel where a tourism development is planned has sparked renewed calls to protect coastal ecosystems and factor protected species into environmental impact assessments. The nest was found near Playa Mia, where Royal Caribbean plans to build a beach club on more than 17 hectares (42 acres). Environmental activist Lupita Martín Cab said the nesting confirms the site remains part of the current reproductive season for sea turtles, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring.
Sea turtles are protected under Mexican standard NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, and Cozumel’s coasts are primarily used by loggerhead and green turtles for nesting, Martín noted. “The presence of a nest shows this beach is still part of the sea turtles’ reproductive cycle. This information must be included in any environmental analysis before developing a project of this magnitude,” she said. The discovery mirrors a similar situation in Mahahual, where 17 nests were found within the footprint of the Perfect Day Mexico project, reigniting debate over wildlife conservation versus tourism expansion.
Ricardo Peralta, head of the Punta Sur Turtle Camp, said each season his team monitors nesting beaches to protect nests and gather scientific data to strengthen conservation strategies. “Vigilance and respect for spawning areas are essential for the reproductive success of these species,” he said. Julieta Andrade, a Cozumel resident, said tourism development and conservation must go hand in hand. “It’s important that any project guarantees the protection of the natural resources that make Cozumel special,” she said.
As of press time, environmental authorities had not issued a specific statement on the nest. Specialists agree that data collected during nesting season is critical for biodiversity monitoring and for evaluating proposed projects in ecologically sensitive coastal areas.
Cozumel Signs Historic Pact For Regenerative Tourism To Protect Coral Reefs
The island of Cozumel has taken an unprecedented step toward a new model of economic and ecological development with the launch of the Pact for Regenerative Cozumel. The historic agreement aims to place coral reef conservation, biocultural heritage preservation, and ecosystem restoration at the center of the region’s tourism industry. The pact creates a synergy between state government, academia, the private sector, and civil society organizations. During the presentation, national and international experts agreed that the challenge is no longer just reducing the environmental impact of traditional tourism. The goal now is to generate direct, tangible benefits for ecosystems and local communities, positioning Cozumel as a global laboratory and benchmark for regenerative tourism. A key pillar of the project is the creation of the Destination Management Body (OGD), a technical entity that will coordinate, evaluate, and monitor actions derived from the pact using rigorous scientific methodologies, citizen participation, and measurable performance indicators.
As part of institutional commitments, the state government announced the formation of a permanent multisectoral table to formally draft the Cozumel Regenerative 2050 Plan. This long-term strategic plan will be based on scientific evidence, collaborative governance, and a transparent financing scheme. To materialize these commitments, Mar Invest was presented a novel financing mechanism aimed at promoting high-impact conservation projects in the Mexican Caribbean, securing public and private resources for urgent natural capital restoration.
The agreement was signed by key stakeholders, including representatives from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), the Cozumel Hotel Association, the Water and Sewerage Commission (CAPA), the Cozumel City Council, and the Quintana Roo Tourism Secretariat (Sedetur). Scientific diagnoses were provided by partner entities such as Parley for the Oceans, Coral Reef Alliance, the University of Quintana Roo, and the Healthy Reefs initiative. Despite the celebration of the pact, local activists like José Urbina Bravo, a member of the Sélvame del Tren movement, emphasized that the success of any regenerative tourism model will depend on coherence in state decision-making. Urbina criticized that, parallel to these agreements, infrastructure projects continue to be promoted without proper ecological consensus. “There is a disconnect between scientific knowledge and decision-making. Today we see the Mexican Army building a road over the Sac Actun aquifer system, while forest exploitation continues,” the activist warned, stressing that true conservation must be reflected in all public policies and infrastructure in the region.
Shark Tourism Emerges As Economic Alternative For Mexican Caribbean Fishing Communities
Responsible shark tourism could become a key economic alternative for fishing communities in the Mexican Caribbean, shifting from extractive fishing to conservation-based ecotourism models. Experts point to successful cases like Playa del Carmen, where a small shark population has begun generating significant income through tourist activities, particularly bull shark sightings and interactions. “This practice has shown these animals can represent a competitive advantage for the destination, beyond their commercial value as fishing products,” said Luis Lombardo Cifuentes, project director at Saving our Sharks.
Internationally, destinations like the Bahamas generate over $80 million annually from shark-focused tourism, opening possibilities for replicating this model in Quintana Roo, which has tourist infrastructure, suitable ecosystems, and trained personnel for such activities. The current objective is to encourage the transition from fishing to ecotourism activities that allow cooperatives to obtain greater economic benefits without resorting to extraction.
At least 24 species of fishing importance have been identified in the region, including hammerhead, tiger, and bull sharks, all considered high-value for tourism. However, any activity must adhere to regulations established by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), especially in areas like the Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres National Park, Punta Cancún, and Punta Nizuc, where certain practices are restricted. As part of this strategy, fishing cooperatives have begun training in nature tourism and marine wildlife interaction activities, aiming to develop sustainable business models that strengthen the local economy without compromising biodiversity.
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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May 26, 2026 (Most Recent) Comprehensive Mexico Travel Warning
Because we are continually asked about travel safety in Mexico and Cozumel, INSIDER always maintains a condensed version of the U.S. State Department Mexico Travel Warning HERE on our website for traveler convenience.
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 May 26, 2026 from the Department of State can also be viewed in its entirety on the Department of State website.
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08/16/2026 - Numbers decrease a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 19 ships registered to dock as we work our way through August. This is 1 less ship than last week and a bit less than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 15 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 66,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 7.1 million dollars behind in the local economy. 
