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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01/05/2026 - Numbers go up again this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 39 ships registered to dock as we welcome 2026. This is 3 more ships than last week and 19 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 35 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 136,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US$ 14.6 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 15 ships docking there, 12 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, 7 ships on Thursday, 7 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
Nearly 400 People Volunteered In Cozumel’s Coral Maintenance Program During 2025
The Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation says 398 volunteers contributed to its coral program in 2025. Through its ongoing Coral Maintenance program, the Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC), in coordination with environmental and educational organizations and with the support of the community, continues promoting coral monitoring, cleaning and maintenance activities in Chankanaab Natural Park. This initiative aims to continue the recovery efforts for elkhorn coral and foster an environmental culture based on shared social responsibility.
“In 2025 alone, 398 volunteers joined these efforts, coming from environmental organizations, the student community, businesses and the general public. They actively participated in monitoring, cleaning and coral gardening under the coordination of the FPMC and in collaboration with specialized organizations such as Oceanus AC,” the agency reported. The Director General of the FPMC, Juanita Alonso Marrufo, emphasized that reef conservation is a shared responsibility requiring the commitment of society, as it is one of Cozumel’s main natural assets and tourist attractions. Rafael Chacón Díaz, the Director of Conservation and Environmental Education (CEA), reported that volunteers participated in the weekly coral maintenance program, highlighting the collaboration of educational institutions such as the Autonomous University of Quintana Roo, the Center for Technological Studies of the Sea and the College of High School Graduates. He said these volunteers have allowed the strengthening of environmental culture and scientific knowledge among the community. Program Manager Antonio Chale Chim, gave informative talks about the importance of coral reefs as natural barriers against storms and hurricanes, a refuge and breeding ground for various marine species, as well as their fundamental role in the ecological balance of the sea.
During activities, participants carried out monitoring and cleaning of underwater nurseries including removing algae and debris that can limit the growth of coral fragments installed in the grid and tree-type nurseries, actions that are part of a restoration project that has been underway in Chankanaab since 2017 with positive results for marine biodiversity.
Cozumel Bird Monitoring Reveals 200 Species At Punta Sur
The Cozumel Parks and Museums Foundation (FPMC) is permanently strengthening monitoring and recording actions for avifauna at Punta Sur Ecotourism Park, a protected natural area where approximately 200 bird species have been documented, representing more than 50 percent of the known avifauna on the island, including uncommon species, Cozumel endemics, and those under some category of environmental protection.
Through the Conservation and Environmental Education Directorate (CEA), FPMC has been developing a systematic ornithological monitoring program for over a decade that allows analysis of the richness, abundance, and behavior of species that inhabit or visit Punta Sur, a key site that offers refuge, rest, and food for resident and migratory birds. This work is carried out using the “Point Count” methodology, applied monthly throughout the year, which has allowed identification of patterns associated with winter migration and documentation of greater species richness during the fall and winter months, when numerous birds arrive in Cozumel from North America in search of food and safe resting areas. As a result of monitoring conducted during 2025, a wide diversity of species was recorded, including herons, ibises, and shorebirds, as well as uncommon birds like the brown noddy (Anous stolidus) and the swallow-tailed kite (Elanoides forficatus). Additionally, the presence of Cozumel endemic species was documented, including the Cozumel emerald (Cynanthus forficatus), Cozumel vireo (Vireo bairdi), Cozumel warbler (Setophaga petechia rufivertex), and Cozumel blue-gray gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea cozumelae). FPMC General Director Juanita Alonso Marrufo emphasized that these actions are part of the institutional commitment to conserving the island’s natural heritage and align with the objectives of the New Agreement for the Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo. “Bird monitoring is fundamental for evaluating the health of our ecosystems and strengthening conservation strategies that guarantee social well-being and sustainable development for present and future generations,” she stated.
With the active participation of CEA staff, as well as community volunteers, the institution reaffirms its commitment to monitoring, researching, and conserving avifauna, consolidating Punta Sur Ecotourism Park as a strategic site for bird protection, preservation of Cozumel’s natural heritage, and promotion of sustainable nature tourism.
Cozumel Building Lifeguard Towers, Revamping Tourist Viewpoints
To strengthen tourist attractions of Cozumel, the municipal government is improving tourist viewpoints and beach areas. The viewpoints being revamped are located on the east coast of the island. The government is also constructing four lifeguard towers, three of which will be built in the same areas.
Cozumel mayor José Luis Chacón Méndez highlighted the importance of maintaining these spaces in optimal condition since they are visited daily by thousands of tourists and represent a direct image of the natural beauty that distinguishes the island. The work consists of the rehabilitation of three viewpoints located on the eastern road of the island. The first is on Playa Chumul at kilometer 44+360, the second on Playa Chen Río at kilometer 42+000 and the third on Playa San Martín at kilometer 40+800. The project also includes the construction of four lifeguard towers one at each viewpoint and one more at Las Casitas. The rehabilitation of the viewpoints and the construction of the four lifeguard towers is a coordinated project between the municipal government through the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat), headed by Director Irwin Batún Alpuche.
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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01/05/2026 - Numbers go up again this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 39 ships registered to dock as we welcome 2026. This is 3 more ships than last week and 19 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 35 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 136,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US$ 14.6 million dollars behind in the local economy. 
