The Cozumel News July 29: Cozumel Safety Tips for Residents and visitors, The Humane Society of Cozumel, Medicine Collection Center, Cozumel ladie’s Breakfast, and the Cozumel Book Exchange.
☀️ Welcome to The Cozumel Sun Community!
Are you living in Cozumel, planning your next Caribbean getaway, or just head-over-heels in love with island life? This website offers Support for Expats & Residents: Find practical advice on daily island living, legalities, volunteering, and community news. The Cozumel Sun Facebook Group offers
Local Tips & Insider Info: Get up-to-date recommendations on the best dining, hidden beaches, diving spots, and local events.
Traveler Advice: Planning a trip? Ask questions and get real-time answers from friendly locals and experienced travelers.
Warm & Welcoming Community: Connect with fellow island lovers, share photos, and stay plugged into the heart of Cozumel.
Cozumel Safety Tips for Residents and Visitors: Staying Safe in Paradise
Cozumel is widely recognized as one of the safest destinations in Mexico and the Caribbean. With its low rate of violent crime and warm island hospitality, it continues to welcome millions of tourists, expatriates, and long-term residents each year. However, whether you are stepping off a cruise ship for the day, settling in for a season, or living here full-time, practicing smart island safety keeps paradise hassle-free.
Here is an essential safety guide tailored for both short-term visitors and local residents.
1. Water & Food Safety: The Basics
Never Drink Tap Water: Tap water in Cozumel is non-potable. Stick to bottled water (agua purificada) or water from 20-liter jugs (garrafones) for drinking, making ice, and brushing teeth.
Dining Out: Restaurants across the island rely exclusively on purified ice and water for food preparation, making dining in town and along the hotel zone safe and enjoyable.
2. Transportation & Road Safety
Getting around Cozumel is straightforward, but road conditions and traffic dynamics require extra caution:
Scooter & Moped Caution: Scooter accidents remain the top cause of tourist injury on the island. If you rent a scooter, always wear a helmet, obey one-way street signs (sentidos), and watch out for topes (speed bumps). If you are unfamiliar with driving standard motorized two-wheelers, opt for a rental car or taxi instead.
Taking Taxis: Taxis in Cozumel do not use meters; they run on standard rate zones. Always confirm the total fare with the driver before getting in.
Document Rental Vehicles: When renting cars or buggies, take a short video and photos documenting any existing scratches, scuffs, or dents in front of the rental agent prior to driving off.
3. Ocean & Reef Safety
Cozumel’s crystal-clear waters draw divers and swimmers from across the globe, but ocean currents demand respect:
East Coast (The “Wild Side”): The eastern side of the island features stunning, undeveloped beaches, but it also harbors strong undertows and rip currents. Swimming on the East Coast is generally unsafe unless you are in designated calm bays (such as Chen Rio).
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen: Protect Cozumel’s fragile Mesoamerican Barrier Reef by wearing mineral-based, reef-safe sunscreen or protective swim shirts (rash guards).
Beach Belongings: Avoid leaving phones, wallets, or electronics unattended on beach towels while swimming. Consider using a dry pouch or taking turns guarding items with travel companions.
4. Personal Belongings & ATM Habits
Petty theft is opportunistic rather than violent. A few simple habits keep your property secure:
ATM Safety: Use ATMs located inside official bank branches (such as Santander, BBVA, or Banorte) or inside major grocery stores (Chedraui, Mega). Avoid freestanding street ATMs to guard against skimming devices.
Mind Your Valuables: Keep purses zippered and bags off the back of chairs at outdoor dining spots. Don’t leave valuables visible inside parked rental vehicles.
Home Security for Residents: If living or renting long-term, ensure entry doors have solid locks and outdoor lighting is functional.
5. Hurricane & Weather Preparedness
For Detailed instructions on Hurricane Preparation, see The Cozumel Sun Cozumel Guide Hurricane Preparation.
If you live on the island or visit during hurricane season (June through November):
Monitor Local Updates: Keep an eye on Civil Protection (Protección Civil Cozumel) and official meteorological reports during tropical storms.
Emergency Kit: Residents should keep an emergency kit stocked with flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, basic first-aid supplies, and important documents sealed in waterproof bags.
🚨 Emergencies in Cozumel
The Emergency Number here is 911. If your emergency occurs in public, you will find the people of Cozumel will jump right in to call 911, and assist you in every way posible. You should always have your embassy’s contact information when traveling anywhere in the world. Be certain family at home has your itinary and contact information. For more indepth information and tips see The Cozumel Sun Guide under Emergencies.
Cozumel remains a peaceful, welcoming paradise. Staying mindful of traffic, respecting the ocean, guarding against petty theft, and staying hydrated are all it takes to enjoy everything the island has to offer safely. My rule of thumb is USE COMON SENSE! Take the same precautions on your vacation as you do at home!
Remember, you can contact the Cozumel Sun at any time! Further questions? auraholguin@thecozumelsun.com. 987 118 4453 Mexico. USA 760 718 2588.
Cozumel News July 29 Continued
Medicine Collection Center
The Cozumel Sun Medicine Collection Center collects unused prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications to support local free clinics and community dispensaries.
Location: 35 Avenida entre Calles 17 & 15 Bis, #1081 (Blue House), Colonia Independencia, Cozumel, Quintana Roo.
Accepted Items: Unneeded or unused prescription drugs and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Pick-Up Service: If you lack transportation, appointments can be scheduled to pick up donations directly from your residence or hotel.
Contact:
Phone / WhatsApp (Mexico): +52 987 118 4453
Phone (USA): (760) 718-2588
The Humane Society of Cozumel
Humane Society of Cozumel
The Humane Society of Cozumel Island is a non-profit organization established in 1996 dedicated to helping the local animal population by reducing homeless pet overpopulation and providing care to animals in need.
Key Programs & Services
Free Spay & Neuter Program: Performs thousands of free sterilizations annually to address animal overpopulation at its root.
TNR & “We Come to Your Pets”: Operates ongoing Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) initiatives for community cats and offers pet pickup services for sterilization—both free of charge.
Shelter & Adoption: Cares for rescued animals in a stress-free environment, offering both local and international adoptions (including assistance with travel logistics and health certificates).
Preventive & Low-Cost Vet Care: Provides essential treatments, vaccinations, and low-cost care for pets in the community.
How You Can Help
Volunteering: Walk, bathe, or play with shelter animals, or assist with medical tasks if you have veterinary skills.
Pet Escort Program: Help escort an adopted pet on your commercial flight from Cozumel back to the U.S. or Canada (the shelter handles all paperwork and airport check-in).
Fostering: Provide short-term care for puppies, kittens, or animals recovering from medical procedures.
Donations & Wish List: Support their programs financially or donate needed supplies (e.g., Kuranda beds, sturdy collars, leashes, flea/tick treatment, antibiotics, towels, and food).
Contact & Location Information
Clinic Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Directions: Located south of downtown Cozumel near the international cruise ship pier; turn left at the Pemex gas station light and follow the signs down the access road.
Cozumel News July 29 Continued
The Cozumel Ladie’s Breakfast
I was welcomed back to Cozumel’s Ladies breakfast after a long absence due to my health. It was a wonderful reunion, and what a fantastic testimony to the warmth and community spirit of the Cozumel Ladies Breakfast.
The organizers are a breath of fresh air, welcoming, promoting, including, and diversifying. Husbands are welcome to attend on the side.
Groups like that are an absolute lifeline—whether someone is navigating a new life on the island, visiting for a few weeks, or returning after a tough health journey like mine.
Having an inclusive, vibrant mix of long-time expats and newcomers makes all the difference, and it is a testament to the organizers that they have created such an encouraging, diverse atmosphere.
The Cozumel Sun Book Exchange
Book Exchange & Community Store is Open!
Come browse over 2,500 books, including English fiction, children’s books for all ages, non-fiction, and an international section (Spanish, French, German, and more)!
🎬 NEW: We now have Puzzzels, movies and music CDs available!
Welcome to the Cozumel Sun! Since 2006, TCS website, Facebook Group, and Facebook page has provided the latest news and information from Cozumel, Mexico. There are no paid staff. TCS is non-profit and non-government funded. Donations help pay for website expenses, taxes, and fees. Donations support our community assistance program.
TCS Community Assistance
TCS provides assistance to local individuals and families with emergency food, medical expenses and medication. We help with school related expenses for children in the immediate neighborhood (Colonia Independencia). We have a ""drop in" meal policy, we feed the hungry no questions asked.
In addition we publish articles that feature community programs in need of donations and volunteers. We encourage both residents and visitors to give back to this island paradise by volunteering and donating to these existing community programs.
TCS has successful matched those that want to help and those in need for many years. During the Pandemic, our resources go to the Community Kitchens that are feeding hundreds in Cozumel.
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