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Ziggy7 · 01-29-2006, 01:51 AM

Emergency Numbers: top
Throughout the country, the number to call for any police emergency
is 18-39-54; to reach the fire department call 14-20-50; for any medical emergency, call the Red Cross at 15-20-55.

Medical Care: top
Mexico has a nationalized healthcare system and almost every town and city has either a national hospital or medical clinic. Most hotel have a 24-hour doctor on call. No vaccinations are need to enter Mexico from the US or Canada. Below is a list of local hospitals and clinics. Before you leave home, check with your health insurance carrier - chances are good that your insurance plan can cover you in Mexico.

Entry Requirments: top
A valid passport or a birth certificate with an official state seal (official document only). A valid photo I.D. if you don't have a drivers license. All drivers will need a drivers license.

Departure Tax: top
Departure tax is approximately U.S.$17, except for passengers under two years of age, who are exempt from the tax.

What to wear: top
Strictly casual resort wear, especially during the day. Jackets and ties are almost never needed, but it is customary to dress up for the discos, and most nice restaurants and bars require men to wear shirts and slacks (some allow Bermudas). Bathing suits (particularly for women) are not to be worn away from swimming pools and beach areas. Shorts should never be worn when entering a church.

Swimming: top
Black flag :: Don't swim, too dangerous.

Red flag :: Use caution, dangerous. I saw people swimming with red flags, staying very close to shore. They still got dunked occasionally by big waves.

Any other colour :: It is reasonably safe to swim, depending on your swimming ability of course.

Holidays: top
Banks and most businesses close on New Year's Day (1 January)
Constitution Day (5 February)
Birthday of Benito Juaréz (21 March)
Good Friday through Easter Monday (four days in March or April; date varies)
Labor Day (1 May)
Anniversary of Battle of Puebla (5 May)
Independence Day (16 September)
Columbus Day (12 October)
All Saints' Day (1 November)
All Souls' Day (2 November)
Anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1910 (20 November)
Christmas Day (25 December)

Ferrys: top
The "Mexico Water Jets" whisk you from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel island in about 35 min. They are air conditioned passenger ferrys with comfortable seating & music videos. Cost @ $7 US. There is still some advertising in circulation for a ferry that once ran from Cancun to Cozumel but it is no longer operating. There are now buses that will take you directly to Playa Del Carmen from the Cancun airport. The bus can be arranged just as you leave the airport terninal. The trip to Playa takes about 1 hour. Many people think that they can rent a car in Cancun & come over on the car ferry . This is a serious mistake. The car ferry is your worst nightmare. Renting a car once you arrive in Cozumel is easy & affordable.

Watch that last ferry!!
If you get there late you will be spending the night in Playa del Carmen and there may or may not be rooms available, depending on the season.

You will never tire of diving in Cozumel. The large majority of divers who come will come again many times over the years. It is habit-forming ! Use the key below to help to determine minimum dive skills needed to safely enjoy our most popular dive sites.

Food: top
Generally no problems, but caution is suggested when buying from street vendors; drink only bottled water, and use bottled water for oral hygiene; peel all fruits and vegetables, and avoid lettuce; concentrate on eating only cooked foods.