ggunn:Slight correction here... You cannot take a taxi from the Cozumel airport; ground transportation from the CZM airport is by way of the shuttle service run by the taxi union. You go out of Customs into the lobby area and bear right; there is a window there where you buy your shuttle tix, different prices for different hotel zones.
You could also schlep all your equipaje[/] 100 yards or so out to the street, if it's worth it to you to save 6 or 8 bucks (if there are two of you. If you are alone it's a wash) and 10-15 minutes. Not to me (traveling light is not in our vocabulary), but YMMV.
Oops,
That is what I meant...believe me we have done that so many times I could do it in my sleep! And I would not recommend schleping all your gear to save a few bucks--a bad way to start your dive experience on Cozumel.
Okay, you opened that door, Councelor, so I probably should be clear on transport to and from the A/P.
Basically, there will be two ways to arrange transport from the A/P...one of which I am uncertain about since we have not used it in about a decade. The first way is as described by ggunn: there is a window over to the left--at least that where it was in 2005-- as you leave Immigration that says something like "Shuttle" on it. You purchase your ticket there and go out the door with your luggage. Someone--there is a system here, but to Americans it may seem absent--will be there who looks sort of official and you ask him which minibus to board. He will direct you. They fill these minibuses and do not leave, usually, until every seat is taken. You WILL become friendly with the person(s) sitting next to you. Then you wander around until you are at your hotel/condo/etc. If you are staying at the Fiesta Americana or El Presidente, you are in for a long ride.
The second method...which may not exist anymore...was to get a voucher from your travel agent...Island Dreams used to do that. It allowed you to pass right out to the shuttles.
Okay, that is the way from. The way to is much easier: just take a cab, any cab...
And, yes, this rigamarole is due to local politics involving the owner of the cabs and HIS union.
One more thing: it is illegal for anyone on Cozumel to provide a ride for you except the taxis. There is a hefty fine involved. Most folks do not rent cars there, but if you did and were caught giving others rides, you could get in trouble...could...this goes for the residents, as well...supposedly....
And I apologize for not being more correct in my earlier post...
joewr