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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12/08/2025 - Numbers go down by 1 this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 35 ships registered to dock as we head towards the middle of December. This is 1 less ship than last week and 15 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 35 ships in port during the same week of 2024. An estimated 122,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US$ 13.1 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 13 ships docking there, 12 ships will dock at SSA International pier while Punta Langosta pier will see 10 arrivals and the downtown San Miguel pier will have -0- arrivals with passengers tendering in. 5 On Monday 4 ships will dock, 6 ships will dock on Tuesday, 8 ships on Wednesday, 6 ships on Thursday, 5 ships on Friday, 4 ships on Saturday and Sunday will see 2 ships in port. To see a complete list of this week's ship arrivals, please visit Insider's Weekly Cruise Ship Schedule
Cozumel Sees Tourist Surge As High Season Starts
The high season for Cozumel has begun with a significant increase in tourist arrivals, generating greater economic benefits for the tourism sector. The uptick started in mid-November and is expected to become more pronounced in early December, with expectations of closing 2025 with good results and beginning 2026 with even more favorable trends, according to Pablo Aguilar Torres, representative of the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council (CPTQ) on the island.
Among the clearest indicators of this recovery is the restoration of flights from the United States, as well as the reactivation of routes from Canada, particularly the addition of a new flight from Calgary. This opens the door to an emerging market in the Alberta region and strengthens the island’s air connectivity, Aguilar Torres highlighted. The increase is also reflected in domestic tourism, particularly with the use of the federal Playa del Carmen-Cozumel route, which has facilitated the arrival of more visitors. This is complemented by the dynamism of cruise tourism, with 36 ships that arrived in the first week of December alone, representing a constant flow of passengers and a direct impact on the local economy.
The CPTQ representative emphasized that this growing activity is largely due to travelers’ preference for the island, but also to the intense promotion carried out throughout the year. This strategy will be repeated in 2026, according to the already defined calendar of fairs and trips, with a focus on strengthening Quintana Roo’s international presence in key source markets.
Banded Flamingos Spotted In Cozumel Conservation Effort
The Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC) has documented the presence of two banded pink flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber) at Punta Sur Ecotourism Park, as part of ongoing monitoring and conservation efforts for the species. The specimens carry bands from the Comprehensive Caribbean Flamingo Conservation Program, an initiative of the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp), which provides valuable data on the longevity, migration patterns, survival, and reproduction of these birds in the Yucatán Peninsula.
Rafael Chacón Díaz, director of Conservation and Environmental Education (CEA), explained that these flamingos were originally marked in the Río Lagartos Biosphere Reserve; one with the band DHHT in the Las Coloradas area and the other with DXZZ in the El Cuyo area, Yucatán. The latter has been sighted previously in Cozumel, so it is likely they will remain in the Laguna Colombia area during the winter season, emphasizing that the sighting has already been reported to the Comprehensive Caribbean Flamingo Conservation Program for follow-up. The FPMC has documented on several occasions the arrival of flamingos with identification marks to Punta Sur, through photographic records and systematic observations that strengthen the database on the species. These reports confirm that the lagoon basins of Punta Sur offer optimal environmental conditions for their refuge and feeding.
In recent years, the presence of the flamingo community in Laguna Colombia has shown steady growth, reflecting a favorable environmental balance that allows the survival of key flora and fauna for biodiversity, such as ospreys, crocodiles, and various migratory birds. The presence of flamingos in Cozumel, besides being a positive biological indicator, provides a unique landscape value that enriches the natural beauty of Punta Sur and reaffirms FPMC’s commitment to the conservation of the island’s coastal ecosystems.
Cozumel Island Gaining Ground In Film Tourism Niche
The island of Cozumel is gaining ground in film tourism, or cinetourism, a niche market. Elias Farah Ceh, the municipality’s Director of Tourism, says this niche market could become a driving force for the island’s local economy. Farah Ceh says already this year they have been approached by four international production companies to shoot commercials on island beaches.
“Cozumel is a tourist destination that has all the characteristics and advantages to become one of the best film tourism locations, thanks to its landscapes and natural locations, but above all, its safety,” he said. After visiting the set of a commercial that will air worldwide next year, Farah Ceh emphasized that the destination’s natural beauty is the perfect setting for this type of production. He says the island of Cozumel has the necessary elements to attract film, television, documentary and commercial productions, thereby generating economic benefits, jobs and tourism promotion for the island.
He stated that recently, a 32-person crew of 12 foreigners and 20 Mexicans visited the island. They occupied 42 hotel rooms for several days, generating tourism promotion benefits for restaurants, travel agencies and vehicle rentals needed for transportation during filming. He noted that in the last three months, Cozumel has been visited by six different production teams, three of which have been location scouts. The presence of studios and events related to this market segment increases the visibility and prestige of the destination, which is considered a dream natural setting with the Caribbean Sea. He says the island is also a prime attraction for underwater filming and water activities. This increases international promotion to a global audience, serving as a massive and highly effective form of advertising. “Cozumel has all this and more to consolidate itself as a top-tier film destination, not only for its natural beauty and safety, but also for the capacity of this tourism segment to revitalize the local economy and project its charm to the entire world,” Farah Ceh stated.
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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12/08/2025 - Numbers go down by 1 this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 35 ships registered to dock as we head towards the middle of December. This is 1 less ship than last week and 15 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 35 ships in port during the same week of 2024. An estimated 122,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US$ 13.1 million dollars behind in the local economy. 
