We just returned from a great week at the Iberostar-Cozumel. To truly enjoy this resort you should really take a close look at what your family is looking for in a Carribean vacation. We went with four families, 7 adults and ten kids. Here are a few observations:
-The beach is very rocky. Its the second largest reef in the world, so naturally, there is a lot of remnants of coral around. This was truly a plus for us. We love to snorkel and, just a few feet off the shore, we found sgt. majors, orange and green-banded starfish, a scorpion fish, a beautiful showy octopus, queen parrot fish, french angel fish, trunk fish, puffer, rock beauties, blue tang, many spiny lobsters, etc. etc. etc!! There are also tons of fish under the pier accentuated by thousands of flashy anchovies. In late evening large snook and bone fish move into the shallows by the first ladder. Hint: Where the swimming area is roped off, in the far left corner (as you look out from the beach) there is a block anchoring the bouys. Almost every day a 3+ foot barracuda takes up residence there. Although he did not seem to have a sense of humor (I would not tease him), he did not mind our close approach and picture taking.
-I took two snorkling tours. The first through the company located by the pier and the second with the catamaran...We just returned from a great week at the Iberostar-Cozumel. To truly enjoy this resort you should really take a close look at what your family is looking for in a Carribean vacation. We went with four families, 7 adults and ten kids. Here are a few observations:
-The beach is very rocky. Its the second largest reef in the world, so naturally, there is a lot of remnants of coral around. This was truly a plus for us. We love to snorkel and, just a few feet off the shore, we found sgt. majors, orange and green-banded starfish, a scorpion fish, a beautiful showy octopus, queen parrot fish, french angel fish, trunk fish, puffer, rock beauties, blue tang, many spiny lobsters, etc. etc. etc!! There are also tons of fish under the pier accentuated by thousands of flashy anchovies. In late evening large snook and bone fish move into the shallows by the first ladder. Hint: Where the swimming area is roped off, in the far left corner (as you look out from the beach) there is a block anchoring the bouys. Almost every day a 3+ foot barracuda takes up residence there. Although he did not seem to have a sense of humor (I would not tease him), he did not mind our close approach and picture taking.
-I took two snorkling tours. The first through the company located by the pier and the second with the catamaran folks (I cannot remember the name). The catamaran trip was best. The Palancar reef is beautiful.
-The kids had a great time at the pool and playing volleyball each day. However, the shows and the night life wasa little lame and they mostly had to entertain themselves.
-Twice we rode horses at the ranch across from the Allergo Hotel. The people there were very friendly. If your not a real horse person, I'd recomment the one hour tour. It was a great time for my horse crazy daughter. She always requested Angel, a paint pony.
-The kids also tried the parasailing. The company let us ride along to take photos. You take off and land on a platform on the back of the boat. This provided a very controlled take-off and landing. No "Funniest Home Video" opportunities here.
-The food is really good. There was plenty of variety at the buffets and you could always find something you liked. The mexican restaurant was the best. Local fare, not tex-mex. The steak restaurant was okay. The beef cuts were not consistent. Taste your selection immediately, if you get a tough cut, send it back for another.
-Beds are firm, which is something I really appreciate when traveling. None of our group woke up with back pain.
-The staff is the greatest!!! They were all hard workers and very pleasant. My son, 13 yrs, was stung by a ray the second day. The barb penetrated one and one-half inches into the top of his ankle - an incredibly painful experience. (Please slide your feet when going into the water!) He was layed up for three days and made great friends with some of the workers there. Jose, one of the hard working maintenance men, would come by and check on him whenever he could break away. Rolando and Antonio, the bellmen, also became good friends to him as they carted him to and from the main restaurant.
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