Enjoy the sights of Cozumel from an old-fashioned trolley bus. See some city highlights, make some photo stops, and browse around downtown.
You'll meet your Cozumel shore excursion guide at a convenient location just a very short distance from your Cozumel cruise ship terminal. There you'll board your classic trolley-style bus for a sightseeing and highlight photo stop ride around the city, officially named San Miguel but just known as Cozumel. You will see a mix of highlights, sights, and neighborhoods, as well as free time in the downtown square! There is only a maximum of 25 passengers per departure and 2 departures per day so space is very limited on this fun way to see the city and sights! Seating is first-come, first-sit.
Your bi-lingual excursion guide will be onboard, giving you information on the island's history, culture, and people in the area while you pass through the city streets on a looped course. The trolley is air-conditioned for your comfort. Once all guests are on board, the real sightseeing will begin with hop-off photo stops along the way.
The first stop is located in a neighborhood a few blocks off the main road to see the Catholic Church San Jose del Mar (now the Ex-Templo de San Jose) with its lighthouse and weather vane on top of the spire. It was built by Jesuits in the 18th century as an institute of higher education and now is an exhibition space.
The trolley will then weave past the Corpus Christi Cathedral located in the neighborhood of the same name before heading back towards the water.
Heading out on the scenic main street along the water passing the Caribbean on your left and the town and shops to your right., you'll see the Santa Cruz de Cuzamil Chapel (Church of the Cross) built in 2018 to commemorate the first Catholic mass held in Mexico. The chapel was constructed near where the first mass was believed to have been held by Spanish explorers over 500 years ago.
The trolley will continue to the entrance of the Military Air Base and its Aviation Monument dedicated to the WW2 Mexican soldiers who served and fought in the war. They were a part of the 201st Fighter Squadron known as the Aztec Eagles. There are full-sized actual models of the planes they flew in combat. The original dirt airfield was updated with funds given by the US during WW2 and this was one of the building blocks of the island's modern-day tourism.
You'll see the Ixchel structure built to honor the Mayan goddess of the moon, fertility, medicine, and happiness. Cozumel served as a sanctuary for her with every female Mayan required to make the crossing to the island in wooden canoes at least once in their lifetime. Your guide will give you some interesting facts about the Mayans.
Your last stop is by the downtown square where you will hop off the trolley and wander around the 4-block pedestrian area. There are numerous shops along the square with sidewalk artists and vendors, restaurants and cafes, a fountain, benches, and shady areas to rest and people watch. There are several statues in the square as well as a historical clocktower dating back to 1910 which has an interesting story on how it was built by "forced" labor of the island's 322 citizens. Buy a snack or cold drink, sit, or stroll. You can find a variety of shops selling items such as Mexican handicrafts, Talavera pottery, hand-loomed wool blankets, leather goods, silver, gold, coral, onyx, and amber jewelry, quality tequila, cigars, and more. You can also find pharmacies for medications and other vacation sundries. There is also an optional tequila tasting if you wish to try it. Your guide will give suggestions on where to go if you are looking for something special. Maybe snap a selfie with the giant Mexican flag in the background. Your stop downtown will be approximately 45 minutes.
At the appointed time and spot, you will then board the trolley again and be dropped off at your original meeting point.
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