San Miguel de Cozumel, Quintana Roo, MexicoToday was going to be my full day of biking in Playa Del Carmen and across to Cozumel Island. I had some trouble trying to find a bike rental place near to my guesthouse in the north west. I am not a fan of mobile rental apps which allow you to pick up bikes from designated spots as I do not want to install apps on my devices and I do not have mobile wifi outside of hotels.
Google maps showed the Wyndham Hotel close to my guesthouse will do bike rentals and I had gone there on a previous day to scout it out. The prices were reasonable 171P ($12 CAD) for a 24 hour period so even overnight if I wanted. The price is higher if you pay in USD. I just had to make a reservation on their website (Muvon) or use their booking app which I did not want to do.
I had slept in till 9 and left the guesthouse at 10.30am to get the bike. At the hotel they had my reservation and I left my passport as they needed ID.
First I went south and this brings me to the ferry terminal area. This was confusing as there are lots of agencies selling tickets for different boats. Winjet was selling tickets for 11am. They said it was 10.50am and I still had time to board. Ticket was 285P ($19 CAD). Prices vary by ferry company so best to buy one way
I had to take the bike up a busy escalator rushing to board the ferry. Winjet was the only one leaving at 11am so I had timed it good. They seem to alternate every 30 minutes.
Lots of people were bringing luggage heading for a long stay on the island. There were still lots of people streaming like a trail of ants towards the ferry
I wasnt sure where to take my bike. They said I had to leave it on the deck but I couldnt stand it up. They wanted me to lay at an angle then they came and secured with ropes
On board it was similar to the ferry I had taken to Fukuoka Japan from Busan Korea. The ferry was not that busy so the crowds must had dispersed to different parts
Vendors were coming thru trying to sell tours or motorbike rentals. They were charging $25 US to rent a bicycle more than double what I had paid.
The boat rocked left/right and up/down and was more turbulent than a flight. It helped if I looked out the window then didnt notice the bobbing as much. Sailing time was just under an hour.
They had tied my bike with a sailors knot and I was left to figure out how to untie. I had to wait for all passengers to depart first.
Originally my plan was to bike to the San Gervasio ruins in the middle of the island but having planned several ruins during this trip I decided to bike along the waterfront instead
I turned right from the ferry terminal heading westward and facing the mainland.
It was breezy and cloudy so not too hot. It was very developed with resorts and the beaches were all private belonging to the resorts or restauarants
After about 5kms of this I decided it was not worth it as the waterfront was all closed off. I would have to bike quite far out to get to the public beaches
On the return I was coming back thru tourist shopping areas and bazaars selling pretty much the same items they were selling in Playa del Carmen
There were some private beaches for diving. The public beaches are on the other side facing the ocean and I didnt want to bike across the island and back.
I wanted to get something to eat now so waited till I came back closer to town. All I could find were souvenirs or margarita shots bars. Very thin on actual food choices or overpriced $30 burgers
The side streets were nice with painted homes but I was getting tired and needed some food before the one hour ferry back
I found a street vendor selling ice cream cones for 85P ($6 CAD) for some energy and relief
It was now confusing buying tickets to come back as ferry companies were selling for different times. The next departure was 2.30pm and Xcaret was selling for 320P ($21 CAD) slightly more than what I paid to come
This time I had to leave my bike on the lower deck and they had outdoor seating above so I could watch over the bike in case it fell in all the rocking
Sitting on the outer deck I did not notice all the violent rocking I had coming sitting inside.
Back in Playa Del Carmen the waterfront is one long public beach a sharp contrast to all the closed off private beaches on Cozumel Island
With no more ferries to worry about I had the day spare to bike in Playa Del Carmen. I made my way to 10 Ave which runs east/west parallel to the waterfront and has a bike lane.
I then turned left on Constitution Ave to head north and look for some food. Again it was limited for choice and things I could eat. I needed something filling
When you hit 50 Ave which runs east/west there is a highway that would lead back to my guesthouse. I was considering going back to rest, then I saw a Burger King. Not my ideal choice but at least I understand the food.
Next there was no rope bike lock so I ended up just bringing it inside the doorway. Somebody already had an electric scooter parked there and nobody said anything. The meal was 230P ($15 CAD) and had unlimited drink refills useful in the heat.
I then made my way west along 50 Ave and down Benito Juarez back to the waterfront.
My drink was rocking and had already splashed once so I bought some chips for 25P ($1 USD) to stabilize the cup in place
There was really not much else to do in Playa del Carmen so I just went back to Wyndham Hotel to return the bike. Then I went back to the guesthouse to shower and rest
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2025-05-22