Cozumel First Impressions: HUGE MISTAKE (airport, crowd, Wyndham)

[@godden25]

digging the new approach having the raw footage with less editing makes for a more realistic feel and hopefully over time gives you a better work v enjoyment factor. Excited to see what u have in store for us this year.

[@billcookerly7529]

Taking one for the team James and we appreciate it. Smile and think of all the people who are really suffering in their surroundings and you’ll get through it!

[@nancyarmisto5377]

This has to be one of the funniest videos you've made. Keep taking one for the team!

[@matthewjohnson1211]

Cozumel is a snorkeling/diving destination -not really a long term place to hangout if you’re looking for fun. Hop on that ferry to the playacar!

[@manashapost1218]

Oh no😢This is so different from where you usually go James...thanks goodness you are a cool guy , and can make light of any unfortunate situations!

[@ChrisMarshallVegas]

This is an amazing video. The color, the annoyance, the variety of footage. I love it.

[@valsquyres]

I have tears in my eyes for you, literally! I just stayed at a Wyndham in a small town for my birthday (70!), and it was fantastic. Thank you for saving us from that place. This old person wants a wide variety of peoples, with a good amount of young people. 18+ lol. That’s what makes it fun!

[@jctrame]

2 things, diving and diving, LOL. Also a cruise ship stop with all the chain tourist traps in walking distance to the piers. Years ago I was into diving and made a couple of trips there. It is spectacular. Drift diving along coral incrusted walls with grouper fish the size of golf carts. Downtown was charming in those days, but a lot has changed.

[@duaneparker9374]

We stayed in Cozumel. Rented a house with a pool. Snorkelled a lot Rented a car a found great beaches. Jumped in a taxi every night and asked the driver to take us to their favourite restaurant. Worked out well, excellent seafood!!

[@vodekz1534]

My first place was when I started scuba diving 30 years ago. Night Dive was incredible

[@brendanolasco2214]

Panama would have had so much more for you to do. The fact that you can go on trips to different islands from Panama gives you the best of both worlds. I spent a week there and needed more time to explore. Videos like this help people decide where they want to go so I appreciate the advice. It is a hard decision deciding where to go sometimes especially when time off is limited.

[@franklins8349]

Your hotel...20yrs ago was the nice Hotel Cozumel. I stayed in Cozumel for the month of July 2022 in a crazy nice condo south of town. There are lots of fabulous restaurants in town. I think with it being a small town it helps to check with friends who have been there and know the island.

[@dingotravels6910]

I think your first impressions are spot on ..I know they are spot on I was there last March..there are some good beach bars on the one side Rasta bar Mezcalito's but check out San Gervais ruins, the entrance is priced fair and a good walk (like a jungle). Can't wait to see your next vids on Cozumel because it was my worst trip ever! Tip Grand Park Royal is brutal too just better pools beach and bars(watered down not premium alcohol at all had 5 drinks in a row and not even a buzz wth). Seriously we will never go back there or mainland mexico. Cheers James.

[@vandy0419]

That hotel room reminds me of the old hotels in Panama City Beach, FL before the city was overhauled.

[@HelenAvery]

This is bad to admit but I was howling with laughter every time the noise would start up again. Sorry you had to film through that, but thanks for the video! (BTW have you ever tried Adobe Podcast Enhance to reduce the background noise? You put your video's MP3 file through it and it uses AI to eliminate extra sounds, then you can add it back into your video. It's free! But would have deprived me of many laughs, so there's that)

[@DRCOBRA50]

Wow that construction was very loud loll

[@shahjehan]

This was hilarious because it happened to you and not me 😂

[@jeffzwinge]

Hi James, I'm glad you finished with, "Either way I'm going to laugh about it." Life is about memories, not all are going to be good. As long as they aren't "tragic" everything will work out. I really did have to laugh about the noise. Thanks for leaving it in. 😂😎👍

[@griffinxxx6439]

James, I love your channel! Cozumel is a big time duve destination. I love the diving but take the ferry to Playa Del Carmen for nightlife and restaurants.

[@Krunchy71]

The last time I was in Cozumel, I had a scuba diving accident and had to go to the dive chamber at a local hospital. While in the hospital they stole my passport and credit card, and tried to extort me for $20,000 (which coincidentally was the available credit on my credit card).

[@Letsdive64]

Sucks for you, but that happens in Playa Del Carmen and Cancun is well known for its Hospital Scams. Iit also happens in America, when my grandfather died the workers at the Hospital and the Ambulance service stole his pay, his wallet, and his credit card. So tell what was your point? You got ripped off in Cozumel, no you got Bent in Cozumel for doing something stupid, they saved your life and yes they want their money. Taking your passport keeps you in the country until you pay your bill. News flash, Mexico is not the US where every deadbeat who can't pay their bill gets a free stay, Canada and most countries are not the US.

[@marcguadagno6710]

Keep making videos. I know you are questioning your future in this! But I absolutely enjoy watching your videos. Negative people (trolls) will always be there.. we've been watching your content for about a year now and it's just delightful and most of all, insightful. Thank you

[@paulzoom489]

should have went to Panama I go a couple of times a year they have some great spots, one country with a lot of different things to do depending on what part of the country you are in. Great fishing some good casinos, canal and jungle tours...basically a much more affordable Costa Rica

[@lizzys6954]

I am sure we will still be watching and love your story of caution!

[@christinastewart6779]

Costa Rica is fabulous. Uvita in the south is a great place to unplug

[@lovelyme3826]

You cancelled Zanzibar and Panama to go back to country that you’ve been to how many times?? Wild. You should really think about visiting Costa Rica… Caribbean side. The Banana Azul is a great resort

[@jamesphelps1958]

Zanzibar and PTY are both a ton of fun, though ZNZ is certainly more exotic. Go to the Park Hyatt in stone town if you can. Amazing hotel

[@matthewkennedy5408]

I can't wait to see your costa rica trip. We went november 2022. Was amazing. We stayed at planet hollywood. Please go there.

[@PeterM-l9w]

Haha . It’s good to check out all types of resorts . I went through Cozumel a few years back on cruise and loved the museum and island vibe and chocolate and tequila tour . Hope you get over the trauma

[@gourmetchaplaintraveleat920]

Zanzibar is an extraordinary place and well worth the effort. Hope you change your mind/heart/gut and go to Tanzania. It's absolutely incredible.

[@patrickpk4421]

LOL, sooo funny watching this break your concentration. I laughed so hard seeing your face change over and over again Hilarious!! But always enjoy your vids man!!

[@riccochet704]

Wife and I did Cozumel at Ventanas adult only. We're in our 40's and that place was straight up boring. We're not partiers anymore, but we still like some night life, or at least the option to go party a little. And there was none. People were just straight up boring to be around, all older, no one really drinking. Come 8 PM it was like a ghost town on the resort. During the day it was boring. Went off resort, much of the same. Only spent 3 nights and was ready to leave after the first night. It was like a vacation to a luxury senior care facility. LOL

[@sandrathomas6161]

Great video! Appreciate your honesty

[@chelseashepherd8641]

Omg, I stayed at that HORRIBLE hotel on a group trip once - I actually ditched my friends after a few nights and went to a different hotel. The rooms, the food, the pool - it was all unbearable. Two people in my group ended up super sick and I'm sure it was from the toxic chemicals they spray on everything when they "clean". I actually do love the island and visit frequently, I always stay at Hotel B and Hotel B Unique which is a completely different experience. I promise there is fun and beauty on the island - just not at that awful Wyndham.

[@field701]

I really liked Cozumel but never had the hotel construction. Playa Paradiso is nice when I went. There is always the ferry if you prefer PDC.

[@beckygonzalez5710]

We’ve been doing Airbnb every year for so many years. You need something on a (cliff) . We take kids to snorkel. The noise though we had that in Huatulco Mexico last year. Never going back.

[@BrunesKitten]

Hi James! We’ve been to Cozumel on a cruise stop. The water at the dock was gorgeous. We got a taxi to a local beach that had many other Carnival passengers. We had a great day! Never really thought about vacationing there. Thanks for the video on it. I’m curious to see if you are going to check out the new Royalton Chic Antigua that is opening in April. My husband said he is going to book it for my 50th in December. A group of friends are also going and I would love to meet and hang out with you! I’ll buy you a shot lol 😉

[@jessicabohannon8531]

We love cozumel. U have to rent a jeep and drive down to the side of the island w no electricity. There are a couple little places Bob Marley’s is cool and coconuts and some other little place that’s super cheap for lobster. We rented chairs at that place and drank all day and u get 6 lobster tails for like 60.00 and the beaches down there are beautiful. Also u can go to the mega and it’s like a Walmart but way better. We are in our 40’s and there are a lot of people our age there. Get out and explore u can rent a jeep for $50/day. We usually stay at the occidental

[@KardosoMedia]

Sorry to hear Cozumel is off to a rough start. We just got back from Cayo Coco Cuba yesterday and it was a week from hell. Although it had the best beach I’ve ever seen everything else was what nightmares are made of. Never been so happy to be back home in my life

[@heathermckinnon1865]

I went to Varadero, Cuba in 2003 as my first All Inclusive. Never been back. One can only eat so many ham and cheese sandwiches and fries lol

[@christiancostello9562]

@@heathermckinnon1865you had fries, wow I'm jealous

[@oSirSniffleso]

Cozumel is a great day trip if you are staying in Riviera Maya, but I wouldn't stay over there. We were in PDC last spring and went over for the day, got lunch at a great little local spot (Fonda Don Jose) and then rented a scooter and drove the ring road around the island, stopping at some of the beaches along the way. If I ever went back, I'd just rent a scooter and drive to one of the beach clubs on the southern part of the island and spend the day before taking the ferry back to the mainland. I can't even recommend driving the whole loop around the island, just not enough to see or do.

[@unclebrokendownbeamer9645]

Man.. I feel your pain... I'm at a resort in Playa Del Carmen and BRUTAL is a major understatement...

[@fredsmodel3n192]

Go to Paradise Beach, all inclusive and very nice. Ice Cold beers, great tacos and shrimp. All you can drink and eat. Enjoy.

[@jenniferthompson5060]

"Trying to get something to sprout" LOL. Dead.

[@elizabethnelson19]

Hopefully you have some good experiences while there. Can you go to a better resort nearby? I feel for you. I have been in vacation and had things go wrong, definitely not fun.

[@DestinosEnDuo]

Most of luck! if you want some info on Costa Rica let me know will be my pleasure :) love your videos

[@n701204x]

This is so funny as I spend lots of time in the Caribbean and though not my number 1 I love cozumel. But yeah looks like you picked a dump. Glad you got out of there lol

[@ThePholder30]

Love the satirical commentary whilst all that noise is going on 😂 thanks James - looks like you've checked into "Fawlty Towers" (BBC comedy from the 70's) 😂

[@nathan859]

Cozumel is a cruise destination. I didn’t know people took land vacations there. 😀

[@spunkyb5249]

I was always curious about staying in Cozumel. The snorkeling is amazing and the notorious seaweed doesn't hit the hotel/beach side. According to this video, It looks like it might stay as a daytrip from PDC. Looking forward to your review of the main town, at night preferably.

[@kencanada4492]

Do you have any plans on staying @ DREAMS PLAYA BONITA PANAMA ????

[@fjs2871]

We stayed at the Secrets. Beach was rocky but had a great trip.

[@hidden_abroad9292]

Been to Cozumel a bunch of times , a get a scooter and drive around the island and b the most happen resort I have been too there was secrets and that was hit or miss at least it has a club on property

[@stevegriffiths3574]

Admire your positive outlook James . Hit the bar hard when it’s open . 😂 give us some drunken material . 😂👍🏻🍻

[@alejandrobarrientos2664]

Rebook to Casa de Campo Resort in the Dominican Republic! You can fly into Santo Domingo or into Punta Cana.

[@1bluensx]

Panama City sucks now. I was there about 3 months ago. It became ghetto during the pandemic, and I felt completely unsafe there. I was very happy when we got to Medellin, Colombia

[@jennieyarger2612]

Do the bar hop tour in cozumel...east side of the island is the best.

[@araithius4764]

Watching you suffer a little bit while trying to tell us about your experience created a nice chuckle in me every so often. 😂

[@Travel_liesure10]

There are some destinations that are ideal for cruising. Cozumel is one of those destinations. Get there on a cruise, spend a couple of hours there and be out. Wyndhams are usually good thus looks different

[@Murminator660]

I felt the exact same way in Puerto Vallarta... we referred if as Gods waiting room cause everyone went there right before they died. Breakfast consisted of porridge , dry toast and a half a banana. One night they were handing out awards people that won some daily activities we though we were going to win one for the youngest people there lol

[@robertfoerster566]

It's best visited on a cruise ship. That being said, whenever I visit, I stay at Nochi Cocum beach club; it's limited to X amount of people, casual and no loud music, guaranteed chairs under a palapa...and for $60 ish bucks, you get all-you-can-drink and an amazing menu to choose from. Don't go to the other beach clubs unless you want lots of kids or loud music and no chairs. ;)

[@hoosiered471]

Can you do a Bahamas review??? Something besides the Atlantis resort. Thanks!!!

[@shamekabenjamin8010]

I don’t think it was intentional but this video was hilariously informative.. I know you had to suffer to make it lol😅. But I enjoyed watching thank you 🙏🏾.. I’ll stick to Tulum and Playa del Carmen 💯

[@PatsVacation]

Have you visited Belize?

[@rileyalldredge]

I have a feeling you're going to The Westin lol

[@jenniferfernandez7840]

The only people I know who talk about Cozumel are cruisers in their early 40s, not my type of traveler. Looking forward to your take on Zanzibar or Panama. Loved the Maldives, hear there is a lot more American oriented AIs now...

[@michaelcarroll1436]

I stayed at that Wyndham... It's for scuba/snorkelers... ATVers people taking tours... If you're hardcore snorkeling/scubaing, a high end hotel may not provide much value... For the style of place you typically review I don't think of Cozumel as that type of resort destination in general. However, Ceilito Grill Bistro Cozumel is the best restaurant I've been to in my life. Chocolates Kaokao is also super fun. The social scene on the coastal road is hype. Good restaurants on the coastal road too. Great video still... Enjoy yourself 👍🏾

[@michaelcarroll1436]

That hotel works well for Beach day resorts too down the coast

[@_billhickman_]

Coolest my friend love your content but …man…Did you make this video in a college dorm or is that barren landscape really a room?

[@NM_21]

Lmaooo this was my EXACT reaction boarding and exiting my flight to Belize

[@jasonwight7726]

Yikes! Looks brutal! I’d give it a day and then get the heck outta there on the next flight out.

[@Busybeeee]

I was never been a fan of Cozumel, nor Playa Del Carmen and Tulum. Although I used to love Cancun, in the recent years it has become too expensive and way too crowded. Now I am a fan of Aruba and I absolutely love Columbia. I love Bogotá and for my beach fix I go to Cartgena and San Andres. Although Aruba is not cheap , it’s absolutely stunning, peaceful quiet, and the food is amazing. As for Columbia, it is dirt cheap and the people are also amazing.. I hope you will get to visit someday😊

[@kingbee90]

Give playa del Carmen and tulum a chance not bad don’t recommend in the heart of the summer but much better experience than Cancún

[@Busybeeee]

@@kingbee90 I have been in PDC 7 times and Tulum 5 times.. I stayed there for several months. These were not only one or two day trips.

[@andrewc8282]

Yes like everyone say's , it is a dive location, 1 of the best!

[@divinediva71]

I'm so sorry that this was a BUST!! It does look kinda BLAH...but you live and you learn! I was crackin' up at the 9:15 mark🤣🤣It was as if you were REALLY trying to understand WHY!! Thank you for sharing with us!!

[@robertiglesias9583]

Are you going to do some videos in Isla Mujeres ??

[@CLPRPSD]

4 resorts for Costa Rica... not all inclusive but... Borinquen Thermal Resort, Arenas Del Mar, El Silencio Lodge, and last (but not least) Nayara Tented Camp. All are amazing in their own way. If you want a good contact to book them all, let me know!

[@PlanetPDX]

James, hop on a quick flight over to Isla Mujeres. No cruise ships and the beaches are substantially better. While there, stop into Soggy Peso and thank me later! 😮

[@stevej5276]

I stayed in that hotel around 10 years ago before Wyndham bought it, it was so so. The reason to go to Cozumel is to dive. There is not much of a party scene there. You should have looked at a map if you wanted to be able to easily walk to bars and restaurants. If you want any kind of nightlife, go into town and talk to the bartenders. There are a couple clubs the locals go to after hours, when they get off their jobs catering to tourist.

[@christinastewart6779]

This is helpful for all of us.

[@KoubuPilot]

I don’t know which would be worse: hearing those noises from my hotel room, or hearing those noises in the dentist’s office?

[@anonymouse7074]

Your experience in Costa Rica would be interesting to see. It's apparently over saturated and inflated by Americans

[@dman2u70]

I go there every other month for past 4 years. You just need todo your homework. I'm a diver so I stay in town and eat local and absolutely live it. And it's better than PDC in my opinion.

[@adamkasowitz3966]

Ugh. Good luck. You should try Aruba.

[@lorib4261]

Try Belize - Matachica specifically!

[@carlyanderson8542]

Go to Cozumel Palace it is a great resort.

[@Andre14615]

Mexico city is a couple hours away and its awesome. Do it.

[@MACMAMI]

No wonder you finally felt driven to record and release that "falling in love" video several days ago: I can't blame you whatsoever for feeling on edge about Cozumel and that being the catalyst for some intense navel gazing. Yeah: I completely feel you on Vegas during the winter. During the day it is usually pleasant there with high temperatures averaging in the low to mid 60s, but 1) it does average high 30s during the night, 2) pool season is in its off-season and Vegas simply isn't the same when it isn't pool season, and 3) that Sonoma Desert wind can really catch you off guard at night and pierce you like a knife through hot butter and make what's already an overnight low that averages in the upper-30s feel MUCH colder. Finding an alternative to that that isn't Punta Cana or somewhere in Mexico definitely takes plenty of research, and sometimes we whiff. But yeah: here's cheering you on in getting momentum back on your side ASAP and "falling in love" again.

[@kingbee90]

Cozumel is for retired old folks best thing to do is to stay in playa or Cancun and spend a few hours over there or the day and get outta there

[@Naks2099]

So much for starting the year off with positivity! Dude, go and make lemonade out of these lemons. I know you can do it. Be brave, be bold, and make the amazing content I know you can. Do something different, maybe a cruise? Maybe go to Japan or maybe glamping, underwater hotel, or rent a mobile home and do route 66.

[@lisal3210]

Recommend you move to Iberostar if you can and request an updated room. Go diving or snorkeling with Dressel Divers. That Wyndham looks abysmal and boring.

[@cheryltaylor4583]

AARP!! 😂😂 Hey be nice to us old farts ! We LOVE COZUMEL !! #snorklelife #westin #HotelB #El Presidente #thatwatertho

[@phrewilly8556]

Sorry buddy yea Cozumel really is just ok for a day stop on a cruise ship but that's about it unless you deep sea dive. It's way more rustic and less "refined" than Cancun etc. I suggest Mr. Sanchos on the south side of the island. Great food and service and they do have 4 suites to stay at that are fantastic plus it's all inclusive!

[@Deana9528]

Curacao is my favorite island.

[@rhondalockrey9592]

Oh No!!! This is going to be interesting! I can't stand either how every hotel is a 4 star no matter what country you look at in the world is all a lie & they need to stop rating hotels so high. Thank god for honest reviews on trip advisor so at least I know what I am getting & know what I am willing to live with on my budget.

[@jaredmayer8837]

Why don't you go to Jamaica? So many hotels to try

[@decmor1990]

Really don't worry about these places you're mentioning, Zanzibar or Panama, both sound great - just treat people with respect and try and speak the local dialect, just making an effort goes a long way! Folks will be friendly, don't wonder around dangerous streets at night of course but the same goes for NYC and London. The only place I've had trouble in all my travels is Marrakesh, maybe don't put that at the top of your list haha

[@Bellyup6969]

Mr sanchos only reason for Cozumel existence

[@KayG79]

😂 I'm sorry... I have to laugh. "Ya win some, ya lose some" Give it a chance... You may enjoy yourself with the seniors.

[@anthonyperez9973]

The frustration in your face has convinced me to never go lol

[@jennbrandt4623]

Back in Mexico already? You really must love it there or perhaps something or someone. You chose a port Island over Panama? You’re well traveled…I don’t get it.

[@lasvegassmoke4866]

one of the weirdest and most random videos ive seen

[@robsnow2099]

Where was your video a month ago!!! I went in December for my birthday. I stayed at the Westin, and it was absolutely terrible….Nothing around, brown water because of construction. The elevator was broken, and had to take the stairs for 3 of the 5 days. It’s a cruise ship stop, and you are treated as such no matter how long you stay. I used Reddit for the go-to local spots, and those few places were just ok. But the beaches are mediocre, and the hotels are charging you to breathe near the ocean. You can’t freely walk and enjoy a nice beach without being charged to park, sit, eat. I rented a car and did some driving, but there is nothing really around except the cruise port. I have been to Cancun, Cabo, Zihuatanejo (personal favorite), PVR, Mexico City, etc. They can keep Cozumel…the cruise people can have it. This place is blahhhhh

[@dweez4703]

Lets Gooooo!