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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02/09/2026 - Numbers go up a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 35 ships registered to dock as we celebrate Valentine's Day. This is 5 more ship than last week and 5 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 112,500 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.
On Monday 5 ships will dock, 6 ships will dock on Tuesday, 5 ships on Wednesday, 7 ships on Thursday, 6 ships on Friday, 6 ships on Saturday and Sunday will see 0 ship in port. To see a complete list of this week's ship arrivals, please visit Insider's Weekly Cruise Ship Schedule
Kuzá Beach & Adventure Park has publicly defended its environmental practices following recent criticism from activists and local communities about the project’s potential impact on Cozumel’s sensitive ecosystems. The development, promoted by Global Cruises, issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and minimizing its environmental footprint. The proposed tourist and entertainment park on Cozumel’s coast has generated divided opinions since its announcement. Some groups have raised concerns about potential damage to sensitive habitats like dunes, manglares, and coastal zones that serve as habitat for local wildlife. Park representatives responded by highlighting measures they have adopted to respect the island’s ecology.
According to the developers’ statement, Kuzá Beach & Adventure Park has incorporated environmental management strategies including conservation and reforestation of green areas, along with protection of endemic species during construction and operation. Executives emphasized these actions are part of a comprehensive plan to ensure the project is both profitable and respectful of the local environment. They also stated they have complied with necessary environmental assessments and permits before beginning work, based on legal requirements that seek to balance tourism development with safeguarding natural resources. This includes, according to promoters, waste management systems, rainwater collection, and technologies that reduce impact on coastal soils and vegetation. Despite these assurances, some civil society groups have maintained their reservations, noting that infrastructure projects in highly sensitive coastal areas like Cozumel require special care. Historically, similar initiatives face questions about the cumulative effect of new developments in an environment already confronting challenges like tourism pressure, sargassum seaweed, and coral reef degradation.
Press reports have noted that coastal works in Cozumel, including piers, ports, or recreational complexes, have been subject to environmental reviews by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) following protests from environmental groups warning about risks to marine ecosystems like the Villa Blanca reef. This has created a public debate about how to balance creating tourist attractions with conserving natural resources and local biodiversity. Experts and citizens have noted that beyond obtaining permits, these projects need to include continuous monitoring mechanisms and community participation to ensure environmental protection. Spokespeople for Kuzá Beach & Adventure Park have reiterated that their environmental commitment is not an isolated declaration but a fundamental part of their long-term operation plan. This approach includes educational programs for visitors about the importance of conserving local flora and fauna, along with partnerships with organizations specializing in environmental protection.
Over 33 Million Being Spent On Repaving Cozumel Streets Of Central San Miguel
Cozumel’s main roadways are being repaved with money collected from cruise ship passengers. Around 33 million pesos of collected cruise ship passenger tax money is being invested in the repaving project.
Last Sunday, Cozumel Mayor José Luis Chacón Méndez toured the area with Governor Mara Lezama where the main tourist streets in San Miguel are being worked on. Governor Lezama reported that 33 million pesos from the Fideicomiso para el Bienestar del Turismo Crucerista has been allocated to street rehabilitation in Cozumel. “We are touring these streets, verifying that they are well done because money from the people is being invested that must be returned to the people.” She said part of the money being used is from cruise ship fee trust and another part from the state government. The project includes the repaving of over 13,600 square meters of road with a thickness of 15 centimeters to guarantee greater durability, better performance in the rain and better traffic conditions for pedestrians and motorists, she said.
Roads that will be repaved include 2nd North Street between Rafael E. Melgar Avenue and Pedro Joaquín Coldwell Avenue, as well as 10th North Avenue, between 7th South Street and 10th North Street, areas of high traffic for both the local population and for tourism. Governor Lezama added that another part of the 33 million peso project also includes complementary work of domestic water connections of which 152 have been placed so far. Hugo Garza Sáenz, the General Director of CAPA (Comisión de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado) says their goal is to place at least another 500 when the project is completed.
Governor Lezama emphasized that the project only seeks to improve the image of the streets, but also to make them safer and more functional, allowing for faster, more efficient and safer mobility in the center of the city.
Royal Caribbean Defies Order To Halt Mega-Park In Mahahual
Royal Caribbean has denied the accusation by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) regarding the start of construction work on the Perfect Day Park in Mahahual, as it claims that the demolition and removal of structures in poor condition and industrial waste detected on the land were already in place. “They were already on the land when we took over the properties. We have not started any construction related to Perfect Day Mexico; the project is currently undergoing environmental review by federal authorities,” the shipping company stated. They also insisted that they are unaware of any environmental violations. “We take this process and its implications very seriously, and we are conducting a thorough investigation into the issues raised. We will continue to cooperate with the relevant authorities to address this matter swiftly and transparently,” Royal Caribbean stated.
Profepa reported that an approximate area of 79,426 square meters was inspected, where the execution of works and activities related to the Perfect Day project was verified. “Demolition activities, dismantling of infrastructure, and collection of rubble and metal material were being carried out at the site without the required environmental impact authorization,” Profepa confirmed. As reported by REPORTUR.mx , Profepa recently temporarily shut down construction of the “Perfect Day Mexico” project due to a lack of environmental impact permits. According to the statement, inspections carried out on January 28 and 29 revealed damage to an area of 17,115 square meters. At the site, located in the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, “illegal activities involving the filling and compaction of a dirt road in an area of low-lying coastal vegetation with mangroves” were documented, as well as demolition work, dismantling of infrastructure, and debris removal.
Quintana Roo Most Affected. Inspectors Close Properties Illegally Cleared By Mennonites
Federal inspectors say they have shut down 17 Mennonite properties for illegal land clearing. All 17 land closures, which total over 3,700 hectares, are in the Yucatan Peninsula.
Profepa (the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection), says from June 15 to August 31, 2025, the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (Profepa) carried out 17 inspections. Those inspections were carried out on forest lands in the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatan with the support of National Guard, the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) and state security forces. During the inspections, deforestation and land use changes were detected without authorization from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), which led to the closure of the 17 properties. Profepa reported that the forest had been illegally cleared to allow the planting of agro-industrial monocultures, primarily by Mennonite communities. In the municipality of Hopelchén, Campeche, two properties in the Xmaben and Francisco J. Mújica ejidos were closed, affecting 247.8 hectares. Heavy track-type machinery was also seized.
In the state of Yucatan, in the municipality of Tekax, properties were closed in the Nohalal, Emiliano Zapata and Poccheil ejidos, affecting 968.6 hectares. In addition, a Caterpillar D8, a backhoe, a well drill and three farm tractors were seized. In Quintana Roo, properties were inspected in José María Morelos, Bacalar and the Bala’an K’aax Flora and Fauna Protection Area, where a change in land use was detected on 2,531.1 hectares. A tractor with a sprayer was also seized. In total, 17 properties were closed, affecting 3,747.5 hectares of forest. Of those lands, 247.8 hectares were affected in the state of Campeche, 2,531.1 in Quintana Roo and 968.6 in Yucatan. Over 2,500 hectares of jungle forest was cleared in Quintana Roo since June.
As part of its efforts to halt the destruction of the rainforest, Profepa convened a Roundtable to combat illegal logging and deforestation in the state of Quintana Roo. This coordinated effort involves environmental and security authorities from all levels of government to halt the accelerated illegal land-use changes occurring in the state’s rainforests. Profepa says Mennonites cleared the land to make way for agro-industrial monocultures. Mariana Boy Tamborrell, Federal Environmental Protection Attorney, said “in addition to the closures, we have opened administrative proceedings in all of these cases and, to date, have filed 13 criminal complaints. “We are committed to working in coordination with institutions at all levels to stop these illegal clearings and move toward obtaining exemplary sanctions for those who destroy forests and to establish processes for restoring native vegetation.”
The Attorney General’s Office will continue its ongoing inspection and monitoring activities in the region to curb environmental impacts on forest ecosystems, ensure compliance with environmental legislation, and seek reparations for the damage caused. Last August, Profepa officials created a roundtable to discuss the illegal deforestation. The group specifically discussed curbing the destruction by Mennonites in Quintana Roo, destruction that has been dubbed the “Mennonite Footprint”.
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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02/09/2026 - Numbers go up a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 35 ships registered to dock as we celebrate Valentine's Day. This is 5 more ship than last week and 5 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 112,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 13.1 million dollars behind in the local economy. 
