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.
12/22/2025 - Numbers go down a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 34 ships registered to dock as we wish everyone "HAPPY HOLIDAYS". This is 4 fewer ships than last week and 14 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 34 ships in port during the same week of 2024. An estimated 119,000 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US$ 12.7 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, 10 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 4 ships will dock, 5 ships will dock on Tuesday, 7 ships on Wednesday, 6 ships on Thursday, 7 ships on Friday, 2 ships on Saturday and Sunday will see 3 ships in port. To see a complete list of this week's ship arrivals, please visit Insider's Weekly Cruise Ship Schedule
Royal Caribbean Faces Protests From Cozumel Residents Against Beach Club
Cozumel activists are protesting the beach club that Royal Caribbean plans to build, as they believe that tourists would stop using the last public beach in the western zone and Cozumel's resources, which would affect the local economy. “Cozumel is a natural paradise famous for its spectacular beaches and rich biodiversity. However, the construction of Royal Caribbean’s new beach club will not only privatize the last public beach on the west side of Cozumel, but will also severely impact local businesses, which are the lifeblood of our community,” they stated.
It was stated that, according to studies conducted in other locations where similar phenomena have occurred, the profits of small local businesses have decreased by up to 40%, leading many to close their doors, which not only affects business owners, but also increases unemployment and reduces the quality of life in the region. “The barrier imposed by a private beach club would also negatively impact conservation efforts by limiting the participation of volunteers and environmental groups working to protect the area’s flora and fauna. The government should not allow this type of project,” they stated. They added, “We call on local authorities and the Quintana Roo government to listen to the voices of their people and take a clear stand against the construction of this beach club. Cozumel already has enough infrastructure to receive tourists while preserving its natural beauty and supporting its community,” according to Caribe Peninsular. They also launched a petition through change.org: https://www.change.org/p/no-al-royal-caribbean-beach-club-en-cozumel, to collect signatures against the project.
As reported by REPORTUR.mx, Ari Adler Brotman, director of the Quintana Roo Institute for Development and Financing (IDEFIN), confirmed in July that the cruise line Royal Caribbean will build two major tourism projects in the state of Quintana Roo: one in Mahahual and the other in Cozumel, with an estimated investment of one billion dollars.
Cozumel’s Mangrove Restoration Drives Community Environmental Action
Last Saturday, the Cozumel community gathered at the Punta Sur Ecotourism Park to strengthen mangrove conservation through an environmental awareness day that combines meditation practices and experiential learning. The activity seeks to promote a deep connection with nature, reflecting on the importance of marine ecosystems for coastal health.
The session began with a guided meditation, facilitated by teacher Luis Miguel Pérez Martín, which fostered personal reconnection with the natural environment and raised awareness about mangrove conservation. Subsequently, Jesús Benavides Andrade, director of Punta Sur Park, explained the ecological functions of mangroves and detailed restoration efforts driven after the damages from Hurricane Wilma, highlighting that community participation has been key to the program’s success. The practical learning model applied in the park has allowed students and different social sectors to acquire direct knowledge about ecosystems, fostering greater environmental responsibility. The initiative is part of the framework of the New Agreement for Well-being and Development of Quintana Roo, promoted by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, and seeks to drive a more conscious and committed citizenry with the protection of the region’s natural heritage.
For several decades, conservation actions in Cozumel have stood out for their active community participation, considered an example at national and international levels. The recovery of mangroves not only preserves biodiversity but also strengthens the resilience of coastal communities against adverse effects of climate change, consolidating a sustainable development approach.
U.S. Consulates Help Return 52 Illegally Gotten Archaeological Pieces To Mexico
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its Legal Consulting Office, delivered 52 archaeological pieces to the INAH. The pieces were handed over to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) after being surrendered to consulates in the U.S. Individuals who had the pieces voluntarily contacted the Embassy of Mexico at its consulates in the cities of New York, Sacramento and San Francisco. All 52 pieces were delivered to the INAH over the weekend.
Following the reports prepared by specialists from the INAH, it was concluded that in accordance with the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artisti and Historical Monuments and Zones, these artifacts belong to the nation’s cultural heritage. The objects exhibit stylistic features of the Mexica, Teotihuacan and Zapotec cultures, and were crafted between 500 BCE and 1521 CE. This batch of restitutions adds to the more than 2,000 cultural objects returned during the first year of government of President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, whose administration has the defense of cultural heritage and our roots as one of the guiding principles of its foreign policy.
The Government of Mexico reiterates its commitment to preserving the cultural identity of Mexicans, and to continue with inter-institutional work and international cooperation to combat the illicit trafficking of heritage assets and return them to their places of origin.
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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12/22/2025 - Numbers go down a bit this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 34 ships registered to dock as we wish everyone "HAPPY HOLIDAYS". This is 4 fewer ships than last week and 14 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 34 ships in port during the same week of 2024. An estimated 119,000 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US$ 12.7 million dollars behind in the local economy. 
