Cozumel Island lies just 12 miles (19km) off the Caribbean coast of Yucatan Peninsula, and is a paradise of blissful turquoise waters and sugary white-sand beaches. Home to wildlife-rich surroundings, ancient ruins and tourist-friendly playgrounds, the destination can be a highlight of any visit to Mexico.

Most of the development has taken place on the west coast of Cozumel, which is where the town of San Miguel is situated. The island's popularity with wealthy day-visitors from the passing cruise ships has led to San Miguel being packed with pricey shops, restaurants and bars, as well as dozens of dive stores.

Exceptional coral gardens and spectacular reef drop-offs have also made Cozumel a favourite holiday spot among divers, who can explore undersea tunnels, caverns, and reefs, and will encounter a mind-blowing array of sea life. The island's ease of access to the mainland makes day excursions possible to some of the famous Mayan sites, such as Chichén Itzá.

San Miguel is a duty-free zone and there are hundreds of stores selling most things imaginable and certainly anything tourists might desire. The cruise ship passenger terminal at Punta Langosta Pier has a variety of shops, but these are among the island's most expensive, catering to day-visitors with little time and lots of money. Prices decrease the further away from the docks travellers venture.

The waterfront shopping zone stretches to La Plaza, behind which is a craft market. For groceries, there are a few food stores, as well as the Cozumel Market on Adolfo Rosado Salas, where holidaymakers can buy fresh seafood, spices, and fruits and vegetables. Travellers will find some wonderful arts and crafts in the the markets, but they should be prepared to bargain.

Although there is a wide selection of night-time entertainment for holidaymakers to enjoy, things tend to begin and end earlier in Cozumel compared to the rest of the famous Mexican beach resorts. Those who desire a resort that doesn't host hordes of young party animals will prefer Cozumel's slightly more sedate and stylish nightlife, although this is not the case over Spring Break (March), when US teenagers descend on the island.

Spring and Summer: Cozumel is gorgeous all year long, however, travelers should try to visit between the months of March to June. The temperatures during these months hovers at 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celcius) making it a great time to get in some warm sun.

The electrical current is 110 to 120 volts, 60Hz. Two-pin flat blade attachment plugs are standard. 

Spanish is the official language in Mexico. Some English is spoken in tourist regions. 

The local currency is the Mexican peso (MXN), which is divided into 100 centavos. Most international hotels and tourist facilities accept credit and debit cards, though visitors should take care as credit card fraud occurs. ATMs are available in most cities and towns, and are the most convenient way to get money. However, for safety reasons they should only be used during business hours and vigilance is advised. Travellers should carry cash if they're visiting rural areas. US dollars are widely accepted in holiday resort areas; foreign currency can be exchanged at one of many casas de cambio (exchange houses), which have longer hours and offer a quicker service than the banks.

Waiters and bar staff should be tipped 10 to 15 percent if a service charge hasn't already been added to the bill. Tips of 15 to 20 percent are the norm at international resorts, including those in Los Cabos.

Malaria and dengue fever occur in some rural areas but not on the Pacific and Gulf coasts; Zika is still a risk in Mexico. Travellers should consider a rabies vaccination as dogs and some wildlife such as bats carry the disease. It's best to follow sensible precautions regarding food and water, such as only eating foods that are cooked and served hot, and sticking to bottled water.

Medical facilities in major cities may be good, but are usually very limited or unavailable in rural areas. Comprehensive travel insurance is recommended. As medicines may be in short supply, travellers should consider taking prescription medications in their original packaging, accompanied by a signed and dated letter from a doctor detailing what the medications are and why they are needed.

Travellers should be cautious in big cities such as Mexico City, where crime can pose a risk for foreigners. In particular, women on their own should be vigilant and take care of their belongings, especially on public transport. It's best to only use authorised taxi services and to avoid bus travel at night.

Visitors are advised to be wary of people presenting themselves as police officers who attempt to fine or arrest them for no apparent reason, as these situations can lead to theft or assault. If in doubt, travellers should ask for identification.

Most of the violence related to drug cartel wars in Mexico is concentrated along the border between Mexico and the United States, with tourist zones generally unaffected. Hurricanes may affect the coastal areas between June and November.

Mexicans are not impatient and do not appreciate impatience in others, so travellers should expect opening hours and public transport times to be flexible and laid back. Locals are also friendly and hospitable people who greatly appreciate courteous behaviour. Travellers should note that it's common for Mexicans to communicate closer than one arm's length from each other, and that it's not an attempt to be forward.

Though many Mexican businessmen speak perfect English, Spanish is the official language of business in the country, so learning a few choice words and phrases will go a long way toward developing a relationship with local associates. Business etiquette in Mexico is marked by a combination of formality and friendliness.

It's very rare to hear the word 'no' being used in a direct or confrontational way (bald refusals are seen as rude), and it's best to use titles ('señhor' and 'señhora') until specifically instructed not to. However, foreigners should not shrink away from engaging in personal discussions with their Mexican colleagues. Business meetings must be scheduled in advance, and then confirmed a few days before they are due to take place.

The dress code for the Mexican business world is smart and formal; business hours are generally from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, with a two or three-hour siesta in the early afternoon.

Travellers to Mexico who are over 18 years of age do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 200g tobacco; 3 litres spirits or 6 litres wine. Other goods to the value of US$500 for those arriving by air, or US$300 for those arriving by land are premitted without incurring duty fees. Prohibited goods include narcotics, firearms and used clothing that is not part of a traveller's personal luggage. The export of archaeological artefacts is strictly forbidden.

The international access code for Mexico is +52. Travellers can purchase local prepaid SIM cards for unlocked phones or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks. Hotels, cafes and restaurants offering free WiFi are widely available.

All foreign passengers to Mexico must hold a Mexico Visitor's Permit (FMM), which is issued free of charge, and obtainable from airlines, Mexican Consulates, Mexican international airports, and border crossing points. As part of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), all travellers transiting through the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel documents to enter or re-enter the United States. Foreign passengers to Mexico should ensure that their passports and other travel documents are in good condition, as even slightly torn passports will not be accepted. It is highly recommended that travellers' passports have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

US citizens must have a passport that is valid at the time of entry. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

British citizens must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

Australian US must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

South African citizens must have a passport that is valid upon their arrival in Mexico. A visa is required. Passengers with a valid visa issued by Canada, Japan, USA, United Kingdom or a Schengen Member State are visa exempt for a maximum stay of 180 days.

Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for the expected duration of their stay in Mexico. A visa is not required for stays of up to 180 days but travellers need to complete an immigration form and have this with them when they enter and leave Mexico.

Mexico Tourism Board: +52 55 5278 4200 or www.visitmexico.com

911 (General Emergency Hotline)

Mexican Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 728 1600.

Mexican Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 20 7499 8586.

Mexican Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 233 8988.

Mexican Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 2 6273 3963.

Mexican Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 12 460 1004.

Mexican Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 1 667 3105.

Mexican Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 4 472 0555.

United States Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 5080 2000.

British Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 1670 3200.

Canadian Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 5724 7900.

Australian Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 1101 2200.

South African Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 1100 4970.

Irish Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 5520 5803.

New Zealand Embassy, Mexico City: +52 55 5283 9460.

Information from https://www.tripreport.com