April 14th through April 25th we set out on our second adventure to Cozumel!
We flew Phoenix direct to Cancun on America West it was cheaper than flights to Cozumel .but the schlepping of our gear and luggage from the airport to the Rivera bus, from the bus to the ferry from the ferry to the taxi to the hotel was not all that great. This mixed with the extremely windy condition which made the ocean crossing rough with large swells and waves. As we took our seat on the ferry the staff was handing out lavender plastic bags just incase you got sick. We finally made it to wonderful Cozumel. Our home away from home.
This was our second stay at Casa Mexicana our first was a year ago. It was wonderful to be back and it was truly like coming home!
We had our same Ocean view room as last year. With our own private patio, with patio chairs and a small table and a wonderful view of the ocean and sunsets. The room was large, with AC, nice décor, and very clean with spacious bathroom which had a full-size bathtub with shower, marble vanity, plush towels and hairdryer. The closet was large, including a safety deposit box and an ironing board with an iron who wants to iron on vacation? Our King-sized bed was firm but very comfortable as they put on a foam pad. The cable TV had about 1/3 or more English channels-some with Spanish subtitles. Next to the desk there was a data port to connect your laptop. The mini frig was a great place to keep our beverage chilled and our other snacks, which we purchased at Chedruai. Chedruai is Cozumel's largest grocery/department store less than a mile away. We kept a variety of fruit and snacks in our room. We did not eat lunch after diving just had our snacks in the room.
We had the Romantic Escapade package at Casa Mexicana. A beautiful fruit basket was delivered with chilled champagne and champagne flutes to our room as part of our package. They also furnished wonderful terry robes too!
The whole Casa Mexicana staff as always was extremely helpful and very attentive. This started with registration, the bellboy, maintenance, and housekeeping and continued with the entire staff who contributed to the smooth and professional operation. Our check-out was also very efficient with no surprises or extra charges added to our bill.
It was great to see both Fernanda and Romy again. They both are very special people extremely helpful and friendly. In our correspondence and reservations prior to our stay and during our visit.
Each morning at breakfast Jimy would warmly greet and serve us as he had the year before. We met Jaime for the first time and he was a wonderful host who made sure everything during breakfast was running well. He was also very helpful answering our many questions about Cozumel.
Each day we had a very tasty breakfast buffet (included in the price of the room): eggs or omelets were made to order, prepared by Luis for us. The breakfast buffet had many items including bacon, sausage, potatoes, French toast, pancakes, beans, Mexican egg entrées, sweet rolls, croissants, bread, fresh fruits, fresh juices, milk, coffee, tea, cereals, and yogurt.
We were close to many great restaurants, shopping and downtown with little need for taxi as we walked throughout the downtown area and the square. We always enjoy walking around and especially on Sundays seeing the locals with their families enjoying a night out without the pod people.
We ate at many of Cozumels exceptional restaurants. The food in Cozumel is great. There is no need for an all inclusive option with the many dining opportunities available.
We returned to the French Quarter one of our favorites from last year and had many enjoyable meals there. The menu has Louisiana Traditional food along with steaks, chicken and seafood. We had many items on the menu and each meal was great. We always enjoy the Key Lime pie. It was good to see Mike again, the owner. He is a great host and his restaurant serves wonderful food. Located one block south of the downtown plaza on Ave 5 between Salas and Calle 3.
We went to El Moro for the first time it is an excellent authentic Mexican restaurant and we had great shrimp shrimp on wire" (shrimp-kebob) and Chicken Mole and a garlic lime soup. Many locals and tourist at this restaurant you must take a taxi as it is at Avenida 75 Bis Norte, between Calles 2 and 4.
Guido's Italian food was as enjoyable as usual make sure you get the garlic bread, located on the waterfront, between 6th and 8th North. We ate on the Patio with under the canopy of the huge blooming fuchsia colored Bougainvillea Tree---it is so large that it is a tree not a bush.
Mesa 17 is new restaurant open less than a year at a beautiful location at the top of the little hill that's on the southeast corner of the Corpus Christi Park. Glenn and Trish Terrell are the owners. Glenn is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He specializes in ethnic cuisine, especially the foods of Southeast Asia, Latin America/Caribbean, and the Middle East. The food was fantastic and so was the service. Both Glenn and Trish are lovely people. We sat outdoors on a patio overlooking the Corpus Christi Park and the beautiful church. Scott had the Shrimp and Lobster Spring Rolls with Mango Sweet and Sour Sauce and I had the Lime Chicken soup and we both had the Chile-Crusted Chicken Breast with Sour Orange Rum Sauce. I really enjoyed the fried plantain chips and the black bean humus, YUM! We enjoyed everything just no room for desert. We ate dinner with delightful couple we met on our dive boat from Toronto Canada, Jane and John who also happened to being staying at Casa Mexicana as well.
Pepe's Grill was still as great as it was last year and if you want steak or prime rib, (I had filet minot and Scott had prime rib) they had the best beef we have ever tasted and the Bananas Foster was to die for and what a presentation! The view from our window was beautiful as we watched the sunset. It was expensive but excellent food. Located between Calle 3 and Salas, one block south of the main ferry docks.
The El Museo (Museum Restaurant) is a nice place to eat breakfast and lunch; we ate lunch there our last day as we were not diving. The panoramic view of the ocean across the Yucatan Channel to Playa del Carmen from the second floor was wonderful The food good but it is not gourmet and the menu simple with sandwiches and the like. Located on the waterfront at Calle 6.
If you want to stay in your room and eat, Casa Mexicana does have room service with a limited menu. We ordered our food from room service and had sandwiches, French fries and soft drinks delivered the evening after our night dive. The food was good and the service exceptional.
continued..........
Please see part two for the rest of the Story!
AZDivers
Ruth & Scott
Phoenix Arizona
We flew Phoenix direct to Cancun on America West it was cheaper than flights to Cozumel .but the schlepping of our gear and luggage from the airport to the Rivera bus, from the bus to the ferry from the ferry to the taxi to the hotel was not all that great. This mixed with the extremely windy condition which made the ocean crossing rough with large swells and waves. As we took our seat on the ferry the staff was handing out lavender plastic bags just incase you got sick. We finally made it to wonderful Cozumel. Our home away from home.
This was our second stay at Casa Mexicana our first was a year ago. It was wonderful to be back and it was truly like coming home!
We had our same Ocean view room as last year. With our own private patio, with patio chairs and a small table and a wonderful view of the ocean and sunsets. The room was large, with AC, nice décor, and very clean with spacious bathroom which had a full-size bathtub with shower, marble vanity, plush towels and hairdryer. The closet was large, including a safety deposit box and an ironing board with an iron who wants to iron on vacation? Our King-sized bed was firm but very comfortable as they put on a foam pad. The cable TV had about 1/3 or more English channels-some with Spanish subtitles. Next to the desk there was a data port to connect your laptop. The mini frig was a great place to keep our beverage chilled and our other snacks, which we purchased at Chedruai. Chedruai is Cozumel's largest grocery/department store less than a mile away. We kept a variety of fruit and snacks in our room. We did not eat lunch after diving just had our snacks in the room.
We had the Romantic Escapade package at Casa Mexicana. A beautiful fruit basket was delivered with chilled champagne and champagne flutes to our room as part of our package. They also furnished wonderful terry robes too!
The whole Casa Mexicana staff as always was extremely helpful and very attentive. This started with registration, the bellboy, maintenance, and housekeeping and continued with the entire staff who contributed to the smooth and professional operation. Our check-out was also very efficient with no surprises or extra charges added to our bill.
It was great to see both Fernanda and Romy again. They both are very special people extremely helpful and friendly. In our correspondence and reservations prior to our stay and during our visit.
Each morning at breakfast Jimy would warmly greet and serve us as he had the year before. We met Jaime for the first time and he was a wonderful host who made sure everything during breakfast was running well. He was also very helpful answering our many questions about Cozumel.
Each day we had a very tasty breakfast buffet (included in the price of the room): eggs or omelets were made to order, prepared by Luis for us. The breakfast buffet had many items including bacon, sausage, potatoes, French toast, pancakes, beans, Mexican egg entrées, sweet rolls, croissants, bread, fresh fruits, fresh juices, milk, coffee, tea, cereals, and yogurt.
We were close to many great restaurants, shopping and downtown with little need for taxi as we walked throughout the downtown area and the square. We always enjoy walking around and especially on Sundays seeing the locals with their families enjoying a night out without the pod people.
We ate at many of Cozumels exceptional restaurants. The food in Cozumel is great. There is no need for an all inclusive option with the many dining opportunities available.
We returned to the French Quarter one of our favorites from last year and had many enjoyable meals there. The menu has Louisiana Traditional food along with steaks, chicken and seafood. We had many items on the menu and each meal was great. We always enjoy the Key Lime pie. It was good to see Mike again, the owner. He is a great host and his restaurant serves wonderful food. Located one block south of the downtown plaza on Ave 5 between Salas and Calle 3.
We went to El Moro for the first time it is an excellent authentic Mexican restaurant and we had great shrimp shrimp on wire" (shrimp-kebob) and Chicken Mole and a garlic lime soup. Many locals and tourist at this restaurant you must take a taxi as it is at Avenida 75 Bis Norte, between Calles 2 and 4.
Guido's Italian food was as enjoyable as usual make sure you get the garlic bread, located on the waterfront, between 6th and 8th North. We ate on the Patio with under the canopy of the huge blooming fuchsia colored Bougainvillea Tree---it is so large that it is a tree not a bush.
Mesa 17 is new restaurant open less than a year at a beautiful location at the top of the little hill that's on the southeast corner of the Corpus Christi Park. Glenn and Trish Terrell are the owners. Glenn is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. He specializes in ethnic cuisine, especially the foods of Southeast Asia, Latin America/Caribbean, and the Middle East. The food was fantastic and so was the service. Both Glenn and Trish are lovely people. We sat outdoors on a patio overlooking the Corpus Christi Park and the beautiful church. Scott had the Shrimp and Lobster Spring Rolls with Mango Sweet and Sour Sauce and I had the Lime Chicken soup and we both had the Chile-Crusted Chicken Breast with Sour Orange Rum Sauce. I really enjoyed the fried plantain chips and the black bean humus, YUM! We enjoyed everything just no room for desert. We ate dinner with delightful couple we met on our dive boat from Toronto Canada, Jane and John who also happened to being staying at Casa Mexicana as well.
Pepe's Grill was still as great as it was last year and if you want steak or prime rib, (I had filet minot and Scott had prime rib) they had the best beef we have ever tasted and the Bananas Foster was to die for and what a presentation! The view from our window was beautiful as we watched the sunset. It was expensive but excellent food. Located between Calle 3 and Salas, one block south of the main ferry docks.
The El Museo (Museum Restaurant) is a nice place to eat breakfast and lunch; we ate lunch there our last day as we were not diving. The panoramic view of the ocean across the Yucatan Channel to Playa del Carmen from the second floor was wonderful The food good but it is not gourmet and the menu simple with sandwiches and the like. Located on the waterfront at Calle 6.
If you want to stay in your room and eat, Casa Mexicana does have room service with a limited menu. We ordered our food from room service and had sandwiches, French fries and soft drinks delivered the evening after our night dive. The food was good and the service exceptional.
continued..........
Please see part two for the rest of the Story!
AZDivers
Ruth & Scott
Phoenix Arizona
