For more information or to make reservations, please contact: Allan Cell: 1-809-965-9701 Cell: 1-809-348-1272 (signal is unreliable here) between the hours of 8:30 am to 8:30 pm U.S. EST or send an **email to: Allan@ cozumel-beach-rentals.com SKYPE: homepro1@earthlink.net **email above is best

SHOPPING

Shopping is plentiful in Cozumel. There are 3 main shopping areas. The first is the tiny town of San Miguel. Eight blocks north and south along the waterfront (Avenue Melgar) starting from the Plaza, and four blocks east is where you will find most of the stores. They range from large duty free shops such as Pama to the tiny stalls stacked one atop the other on the side streets displaying local handicrafts. Along the waterfront is where you will find most of the jewelry shops. Tanzanite International, Diamond International, among others offer a wide array of gemstones. There are also local Mexican jewelers who offer more unusual and locally made items. My favorite store is Terra Maya, which is located on the south side of town, along Avenue Melgar, near Pepe's Grill. It is a large gift store filled with all sorts of things, but my favorite is the work of a specific ceramic artist known as "Maya". She is a well-known Mexican ceramist and her work is done in the primitive style. I've bought quite a few of her pieces because besides being utterly charming, they are dishwasher and microwave safe. The staff is lovely and very helpful. If you're looking for diving gear, most of the dive shops are located between Calle 3 and 9 and back two to three avenues east. Aqua Safaris is right on the waterfront, and there are two very large and well-stocked dive stores on Calle 3 across from Roberto's Coral. Another favorite gift store is Los Cinco Soles which is on the north side of San Miguel near Calle 8. It is filled with wonderful gifts--everything from clothing to dishes, to decorations, to hand-worked pewter, jewelry, food, and especially, many varieties of tequila (which you can sample). And as is the case in Mexico there is silver, silver, silver--silver jewelry, silver candleholders, silver pitchers.... You'll have no trouble finding something you like. The second largest shopping area is Punta Lagosta, located between Calle 9 and 11. It is part of one of the cruise ship piers. Here you'll find Carlos & Charly,s TGIFridays, Burger King as well as some higher end shops. We aren't terribly fond of it because it reminds me more of U.S. malls than it does of Mexico. The next big shopping area is at the International Cruise Center, next door to La Ceiba/El Cid Hotel. This is where the largest of the cruise ships dock for the day. It is filled with all kinds of shops and we hear that the replica of a Mayan Village that is there is now open. Across the street from the Center, you will find more shopping in a more primitive shopping area. These are filled with more authentic goods and the prices are cheaper than in the Center.