Feeling Revitalized in Cozumel
When I was 16, I purchased a large, laminated map of the world, hung it up in my room, and circled places I wanted to see. I had no reasoning behind any of these places, other than superficial interest. The list included the Appalachian mountains in Tennessee, the islands of Hawaii, Cordoba, Spain, Edinburgh, Loch Ness, Copenhagen, Buenos Aires, and much, much more. My taste in travel and my bucket list destinations from when I was 16 has changed in the past 10 years, but seeing some of the cities that I had circled had exceeded my expectations.
One destination I circled on my map and totally forgot about was Cozumel, Mexico. I never really thought of it, and I didn’t know what it had to offer. When I initially circled it, I probably saw a picture of it on Instagram and thought the water was clear and the beaches were pretty.
After spending the latter half of 2022 in a small town outside of Toronto and trying to overcome an unresolved knee injury, I didn’t feel entirely like myself. As I rang in 2023, I knew I needed a shift. I was getting antsy in Canada, and I needed to do something. I just didn’t know what, and I didn’t know what my knee could handle. January, like other months, I stayed put. I wallowed in the miserable weather, went to the gym, went to work, and watched enough Love Island for me to develop an accent.
Around the third week of January, I’d had enough. When my mum told me she was going to Mexico for a work meeting, it was almost like a lightbulb had appeared over my head. Within a few minutes, I’d planned everything out. “I’ll go to Mexico on my own. Fuck it. I’ll stay at a resort, I’ll read my books, I’ll keep my laptop shut, and I’ll drink champagne. I need this. I deserve it. I basically repeated this to myself until I booked the ticket.
However, things took a turn when my chaotic Aunt called; I let her know what I was planning, and within a two (!!!) minutes, she invited herself and her husband. While them coming wasn’t what I had envisioned, I couldn’t complain — they offered to pay for accommodation as long as they could pick it, which was fine. All I need is internet, a pool, a beach, and reasonably comfortable beds.
A week before we had planned to leave, my Aunt finally booked a place. In her typical fashion, she didn’t give me any heads up, or send a link my way asking for my opinion. She just forwarded me a confirmation email from the resort we were staying at. Rather than stay in Playa del Carmen or Puerto Morelos like we initially discussed, it was in Cozumel, right on the outskirts of the centre of San Miguel. Initially, I thought nothing of it, it looked fine, but the more and more I thought about it, I was getting excited. I remembered my map and how when I was 16 I wanted to see Cozumel. In a strange way, its like this trip was meant to happen.
My Aunt, Uncle and I finally arrived at the hotel in Cozumel late on a Sunday night. We got off the ferry from Playa del Carmen, and while we waited for cab, I admired the colourful buildings and the bustling locals and tourists wandering around town. Despite my tired, grumpy attitude and my stiff knee, I was still optimistic. I was so happy to be in warm weather, in a town with people socializing and enjoying their lives. It felt so good. I felt an immediate sense of belonging and comfort.
My Aunt and Uncle let me do whatever I wanted. Even if they didn’t give me the the go ahead, I still would’ve anyways — after all, I’m 26. The first day I spent lounging by the pool, reading my book, getting sunburnt, and drinking a few too many glasses of champagne. I hadn’t felt so at peace in months.
The next day I wandered into town. It was a 25 minute walk to Aqui y Ahora, the cafe I wanted to check out and work from for a few hours. I was apprehensive of walking that distance; I wasn’t sure how my knee would react. I hated always having to think about it, but here I was. I walked slowly into the centre of town, and as I reached the cafe, I was ecstatic to find that I had no stiffness or pain in my knee. Relieved, I sat down with my laptop at a prime spot by the window where I could people watch when I got bored, and ordered the best cold brew I’d had in months.
I was only in Cozumel for a week, but I easily could’ve stayed for longer. Aqui y Ahora became apart of my daily routine while on the island, whether it involved working or just stopping by for a coffee or paloma. The staff were lovely, and it was full of digital nomads working during the day. At night, it turned into more of a laid back party atmosphere with a DJ and rooftop patio.
On the third day, my Aunt, Uncle and I rented a topless Jeep and drove around to see the beaches on the wet coast. We stated going south from the hotel and took it all in; from Playa Palancar to Chen Rio, it was stunning. My 16 year old self was right — the beaches here were incredible and the water was clear.
Later that day, we got back to the hotel around 1 o’clock, just in time for a beach barbecue organized by the hotel. Despite the hotel guests having an average age of 70, the vibes were immaculate. Drinks were flowing, the live band was playing actual hits, and the food was amazing. My Uncle, the responsible one, limited his drinking. Me, on the other hand, and my aunt, had a few too many palms. We headed back to Chen Rio for a quick swim and a tan. Eventually, we got back to the hotel around 6, and while my Aunt and Uncle did their own thing, so did I.
I went out for drinks at a local beach bar with someone I met at the cafe, watched the most beautiful sunset I’d ever seen, and got to ride on the back of a motorcycle for the first time. It’s what my friends described as my version of a “Lizzie McGuire moment.”
This was the perfect day. My aunt and I didn’t get on each others’ nerves, we had great drinks, we laughed, I had good company, and saw beautiful sights. I forgot entirely about my knee and any reservations I’d had about coming here. I loved it. I loved every single minute. I especially loved it when we drove by a guy on the side of the road by a beach, saying “Hola chicas, do you want to take a picture with a Mexican dog?” and it was just an iguana wearing a sombrero sitting on his shoulder.
Cozumel is a tourist destination, for sure, but not like Playa del Carmen or Cancun. The majority of tourists that visit Cozumel come to snorkel or scuba, and are all respectful of the island and the nature. When I eventually did snorkel, I couldn’t get enough. I had never seen anything like it. I wanted to keep seeing more and what Cozumel had to offer.
The island made me feel revitalized; it breathed life into me. After five months of an annoying, injured knee, it finally wasn’t bothering me. I felt fine. No, I felt fantastic every single day of the trip, and each day, I was happy and so relieved to not be in pain. Being in Cozumel made me realize that I am made for warm weather; and I’m not saying this as a joke, or to be dramatic, like “Oh, I don’t like winter, it dries my skin out!” I am saying that I am my best self in a hot, tropical island. The weather, the energy, and the way of living suits me.
Cozumel — see you soon.
