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Play tennis, snorkel from the beach, kayak, sail a catamaran and windsurf. These are some of the complimentary activities, as are the beach volleyball games, water aerobics, stretching and yoga classes hosted by the resort's recreation staff. The staff maintains a friendly and encouraging manner without being overbearing. Since scuba enthusiasts and snorkelers come to Cozumel to explore the spectacular reef, you can book a dive excursion through the on-site diving.
Beaches and Pools
The beach is long and the white sand is soft, plus the property has three pools. Under the guidance of counselors, little ones splash in the children's pool at the Kids Club. You can read your novel in peace or simply snooze at the kidney-shaped, quiet pool. At the beachfront pool, join in water aerobics or pool volleyball. If you don't feel like participating, no one yells at you through a bull horn. The recreational staff encourages in a friendly manner without being overbearing.
The activity pool overlooks the beach; that makes it easy for those parents to keep an eye on grade schoolers playing shoreside while still keeping their toes in the pool. The pool also has a large shallow area that little ones like for splashing. To reach the activity pool and the beach, you walk on boardwalk that crosses a mangrove estuary. Each day as we went to and from the beach we counted the number of turtles we see swimming among the reeds.
Easy access to the spectacular reef system just off-shore is one of the main reasons people choose Cozumel for a vacation. The legendary Palancar site, with its large coral heads, big barrel sponges and sea fans, is just a 10-minute boat ride away from the resort. Paradise Reef, known for star coral and brain coral, is also nearby.
Kids Club
At the Kids Club, kids ages 4 to 12 play beach games, try snorkeling, learn Spanish, play horseshoes, take dance lessons and create paper flowers, design T-shirts and fashion beaded iguanas. The program runs from 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the evening kids regroup in the main plaza at 8:30 p.m. for mini-disco sessions where they enjoy musical chairs, do freeze dancing, make crazy sodas and play musical bingo. The Kids Club room is air-conditioned and colorfully decorated with children's art projects. Most of the time, however, kids are taken around the resort to enjoy the property.
Live Shows
Since the Occidental Grand Cozumel lacks an official theater, evening entertainment often takes place in the main plaza, a circular courtyard with concentric rings outlined in pebbles. For events, the resort sets up chairs. Along with the typical music and dance performances, the resort sometimes has a pre-Hispanic show, Mariachi music, a star-gazing session or a Mexican crafts fair. (Remember to bargain, bargain, bargain with local vendors).
Excursions
Faro Celarain Eco Park, a 2,700-acre park at Cozumel's tip, is also worth a visit. Formerly called "Punta Sur," the park features secluded beaches and mangrove lagoons. Families can visit the park's 19th century lighthouse where, after climbing many steps, you come to a beautiful, panoramic view of the area. Kayaking and sailing in the lagoons are more active options.
Shopping in San Miguel, Cozumel's main town, is another off-the-property lure. Stoll El Malecon, the waterfront strip, officially called Avenida Rafael E. Melgar. The stores sell silver jewelry, pottery, papier-mache, wood and other handicrafts.
If your family has never seen a Mayan ruin, San Gervasio is interesting. It's not the most impressive, especially compared with Tulum on the Riviera Maya's mainland, but Tulum is too far for a comfortable day trip. The Maya inhabited San Gervasi from about 200 A.D. to the late 16th century when the Spanish conquistadors arrived.
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