COZUMEL Mexico's Caribbean Paradise Island: But For How Much Longer? 🇲🇽

I travel to the island of Cozumel and meet local folk who take me around the island as we explore the history, landscapes and marine life of this unique place.
Cozumel is heavily reliant on tourism and is extremely popular with cruise ships and divers. As the small island becomes increasingly occupied, could Cozumel soon become a paradise lost?
#cozumel #mexico #sanfranciscototierradelfuego

[@IanTupmanOutdoors]

Hi Matt, Got a win on the premium bonds this month so I'm sharing my good fortune with you 😀 A bit of help with your travel costs. ATB, Ian

[@no_soy_rubio]

Superstar! Thanks Ian, much appreciated and congratulations on your win! I'm sure you'll spend it wisely (whisky and adventures)

[@IanTupmanOutdoors]

@@no_soy_rubio 🥃🥃

[@jesusrosas5646]

Rrrrrrrrrrrrrr arribaaaa la bamba!!! Love it!!! Awesome video Matt

[@no_soy_rubio]

Jajaj thanks Je 😄😁

[@abdulbarikhan336]

Beautiful

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks unc

[@TheHikingHermit]

I thought the ferry had turned into a club 18-30 trip with the singing and dancing. I was getting ready for the drinking games. Couldn't miss the boat with it's colour. Cozumel looks pretty picturesque despite some of the run down buildings in places. Wow manual stuff on the car ha ha. Blimey 1000 pesos for a sun lounger. You can keep ya sun lounger. I hate the damn things anyway. The car for the day was cheaper. Is that right ha ha. Pretty cool bit of scuba diving. Great visit 🙂

[@no_soy_rubio]

Yeah crazy that 24 hour car rental is 70% the cost of a sun lounger isn't it 😂

[@DMartin215]

Great video once again. Here's a little bit to help you enjoy yourself whilst helping local businesses

[@no_soy_rubio]

Amazing, thank you Derek, much appreciated 🙏

[@CluelessYoutuber]

What a fun vibe and everyone looks so friendly 😁 incredible island, those are some real clean blue waters. Made me miss exploring some islands. Beautiful place, thanks for sharing man. The snorkel was amazing.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks dude. Look forward to doing it in the Philippines someday 😎

[@DonnaTaibossigai]

Looks like a great time in Cozumel! Loved the enthusiatic boat ride over and seeing how life is over there. Definitely a little tropical paradise.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks Donna, good times for sure 😁

[@chrisbentleywalkingandrambling]

The locals seemed so friendly. The best place to go is to follow a local. They certainly know a good time. It has almost been a victim of its own success. But on the positive side, it will bring secure employment to those who need it. Thanks for sharing, Matt. I'm really enjoying your globetrotting and living vicariously through your channel. Thank you.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks Chris! Yep, there are two sides to the coin

[@AL-zg5qs]

I started with your hiking around Sheppey and end up watching you in a tropical paradise! 😅

[@no_soy_rubio]

We've come a long way 😅

[@OthmarsVlog]

well done . . . thumbs up 👍💫🍀

[@ninja-japan]

Nice upload! Thanks for sharing, my friend.🥷🇯🇵

[@user-ww8lz7ml7g]

Great video , i never knew they made chewing gum there . That would explain the "Hey Chiclets amigo " that i constantly used to hear there.

[@no_soy_rubio]

I had heard it before but didn't know it came from the trunk of that tree 😅

[@anthoniosaidmarti1098]

Cómo México no hay dos! 🇲🇽🙌🌎😎🤠🎉🎆🎇 ...

[@no_soy_rubio]

Esoooo

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Great presentation as always, boat ride looked like great fun 🙂. Thank you for sharing. Wishing you a fantastic day.

[@sergioelcoyote3586]

So great vídeo my friend. You really know how enjoy the Caribe 😀🏅👏👏👏👏

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks Coyote, it's hard not to enjoy it 😎

[@waterfallmadman]

Cozumel is where we learned to scuba dive. So beautiful. I don’t remember any singing on the boat though. Ha ha. Also, we rented motorbikes to go around the island instead of a little car like that. 😂

[@no_soy_rubio]

Definitely a good place for it. Bet it's changes a lot since you were here! Was that on your honeymoon? Bikes are probably way easier!

[@waterfallmadman]

@@no_soy_rubio yeah it was 25 years ago!

[@no_soy_rubio]

Definitely a good place for it. Bet it's changes a lot since you were here! Was that on your honeymoon? Bikes are probably way easier!

[@frkinfo]

Nice share 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@wajeehasgarden]

Excellent sharing dear friend, Really enjoyed watching Keep up the good work 🌺🌺

[@joekeane789]

Love everything about that video .❤

[@totalnonstopholidays]

The beaches look absolutely stunning! I love going to the beach up where we are but they're nothing quite like the ones down south. Also great find for that old school Chevy!!

[@wendingourway]

Now there's a place that has seen me only twice on day trips arriving by cruise ship. I would nave really enjoyed the snorkeling trip for sure.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks Bruce! The snorkelling was great. I hope you and Otis are doing well?

[@CraigKoppel]

I always said that if I went to Cancun I was gonna make a side trip to Cozumel and do some snorkeling. I didn’t know it was the second largest barrier reef. It sure seems like they definitely do like to party. Good times. 👍

[@no_soy_rubio]

Yep, a huge Reef all the way from the top of the Yucatán all the way down to Honduras. One thing you're never short of in Mexico is somewhere to party 😎

[@100TourKorea]

Wow! Amazing Mexico's Caribbean Paradise! Paradise makes everyone happy! Thanks for showing me around this amazing paradise island, my dear friend! Hello! Greetings again from 100tour KOREA! Stay in touch, my dear friend! See you again! Have a great day!

[@jonnytaansend1469]

I first went to Cozumel in the 90s & there wasn't much there then. It was mainly a scuba destination. We used to rent jeeps & drive around the island going to secluded beaches. Sometimes a km long with no one else there. Over the next decade I saw it grow & grow, especially where the cruise ships dock. In 1999 I sent a month there & slept at a friends bar as the local mob was wanting protection money & she was worried about it being petrol bombed.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Blimey mate that's a story to tell the grandkids 😂

[@billyb5057]

cool trip to the Island cool museum there some nice scenes to enjoy sadly ruined by abandoned buildings *🥸fully viewed🤖Au🦘☑thumbs up👍👍*

[@RockyEarthGuy]

Epic journey & that ferry 🛥ride looked like so much fun! Cozumel 🏝looks like a great place & hopefully is can stay a bit of a secret! Really stunning footage & another great story! 😀 Here's a small gift to help fund your travels & keep it up!

[@no_soy_rubio]

Absolute legend, thanks Jassy ❤

[@RockyEarthGuy]

Welcome!@@no_soy_rubio your vlogs are brilliant!

[@wanderbeard]

Another great video from your journeys across Mexico. The eastern side of the island looks like it would make for some good exploring! Nice to see that theres lots of exciting things to check out! ✌️

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks Ian! I'm sure you'll enjoy it when you get there

[@Pratman]

Wow place looks absolutely stunning m8 is that the Isle of Wight ferry your taking lol 🤣🤣🤣

[@no_soy_rubio]

More or less the same mate 😅

[@user-ww8lz7ml7g]

@@no_soy_rubio probably for the fraction of the price too .

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@user-ww8lz7ml7g I think it was actually about half the price 😅

[@TheJournalofanExplorer]

My sister was here recently, so I've very familiar with the beauty of the island - though it was good to hear more about the history of this place. Nice that you were able to explore the lesser known parts of the island - that Chevrolet was very good value! Hope you're doing well mate, can't wait to see what you have upcoming on your journey across the americas.

[@no_soy_rubio]

I remember seeing a couple of your sister's video including the cenote! I'll have a cenote video coming soon!

[@ms.kayak7seas]

Hi , Matt I am glad to learn you arrive to the next destination safely and had a blast. History, culture, art. food, traditions......Paradise, called Cozumel seems to have two faces: the economic growth for its beauty such as incredible turquoise Caribbean water offers the world class snorkeling/diving. I would love to dip in my toes. No offence but how about other face? Is this Paradise immune to the drug culture? I wonder if here are gangs and cartels operating even on this island? Or you just simply felt visitors are guarded. I see your satisfying smile, especially you have passion for South America. Well done. Bravo!!! Look forward to next episode...off to elsewhere?

[@petr-podrouzek]

Nice job 🙂

[@luzadrianagutierrezflores473]

Simplemente hermoso!!! 😍

[@no_soy_rubio]

Gracias Adri 😁😁😁

[@vedrana0127]

This place is really unique. The sea is crystal clear and invites you to swim. I learned something about the way of life and customs. It was a pleasure to come along with you 👏👏

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks Vedrana, pleasure having you along 😁

[@travel_and_explore_with_BIP]

Woww!! Beautiful! I’ll be in the Caribbeans next week! 🍺

[@no_soy_rubio]

Nice Bip, where to?

[@travel_and_explore_with_BIP]

@@no_soy_rubio Jamaica 🇯🇲

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@travel_and_explore_with_BIP nice, enjoy!

[@JBwhattodo]

I was about to question 2nd largest reef as I’ve seen it from Belize, turns out it’s longer than I thought 🤔🍄

[@no_soy_rubio]

It's basically from the top of the Yucatán peninsula to the top of Honduras 🐠🦈🍄

[@Hello-nq1gn]

Hola my friend

[@no_soy_rubio]

Holaaaaa

[@driving_all_over]

Nice mate

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks mate, hope you're good?

[@driving_all_over]

@@no_soy_rubio Yeah fine thanks 👍

[@GENerationXplorers]

EasyJet ferries! Whatever next? 😂 the mood on the ferry is great! Worth the price for the entertainment alone! Interesting about the cotton trees. Don’t know if I should wear it or chew it! Nice offerings for Day of the Dead.its a much simpler life! Massive Tree lizards! Nice car Matt, love the crank windows! That’s quite a price for the rental! Great tips about the beaches! The place looks absolutely incredible. I’m guessing you will still be there in November! Great star fish shots. Yikes stingrays too, be careful! Nice mood on the ferry back too!

[@no_soy_rubio]

Yeah you don't get live bands on easyjet though, unless it's a flight to Ibiza when it's lads lads lads on the booze with the speakers on 🤣 yep those iguanas are usually quite tame but somehow I got a bit too close to that one (the nodding head movement means back off or I'll bite/tailwhip you)! Haha I may go back one year in November! Yep, I remember what happened to Steve Irwin!

[@GENerationXplorers]

@@no_soy_rubiowe cant have you befall the same fate. Good tip about the large iguana, mind you ive never seen one that big outside of a pet shop in Europe..

[@favoredcook]

Wow! Looks iconic island blessed with powdery whitesand, crystal clear cyanic waters, and beautiful aquatic life forms. . . And the people look so friendly. Very nice video. Thanks for sharing.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thank you 😁

[@The_Brit_Girls]

Haha, "The EasyJet of the ferry world!" Oh wow, there was quite the party going on on that boat! 🥳 I enjoyed the tour of the historic Mayan home and finding out how the locals lived. The coastline was beautiful with its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters. Nice underwater footage too. Thanks for a really fun video. Safe travels - looking forward to seeing your next adventure 😊❤

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thank you 😁

[@simono.sniper3214]

Another beauty, Matt. So much of it reminds me of the beach resort I used to operate in the DR. The reason so many of the concrete structures are crumbling is because the builders used sand from the beach in the 'mix' instead of 'sharp sand', Brilliant. I wish I could enjoy it with you. Take care, mate...

[@no_soy_rubio]

Ahhh that makes sense! I saw a lot of crumbling buildings in Playa del Carmen too, seems that it's a common (mis)practice! I'm hoping to visit DR at some point so I may well hit you up for tips!

[@simono.sniper3214]

@@no_soy_rubio We should talk about that before you go. I have plenty of tips for you, and you will need to be very much on your toes! Trust me...

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@simono.sniper3214 sounds good! I've been to Punta Cana briefly but would like to see the less touristy areas

[@simono.sniper3214]

@@no_soy_rubio My place was in an undeveloped area on the North coast, 15 miles East of Cabarete.. I'll send you a photo if we can figure a way of doing it. Then we should talk as you make your plans...

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@simono.sniper3214 sounds good! Won't be for a while yet till I get out there but will definitely give you a shout!

[@IanTupmanOutdoors]

That pib chicken looked yummy, 😋Maybe worth going back in November! Love the snorkeling clips Matt...thankfully no chocolate starfish in the frame 🤣 A great vibe on those ferries, such lovely, friendly folk. Another cracking vlog Matt 👏👏

[@no_soy_rubio]

Chocolate starfish would have me deleted from youtube forever 😅 thanks mate!

[@IanTupmanOutdoors]

@@no_soy_rubio ⭐

[@gabrielletanner5339]

Ohh stingrays...loves them....saw some in an aquarium and i said to the reception.."there is something wrong, it keeps coming to the surface and poking its head out of the water" REPLY "ohh its feeding time" so even those under the see soon get to know the time 😅

[@no_soy_rubio]

Indeed! I've actually fed stingray and held them in my arms in Antigua! They feel kind of velvety!

[@gabrielletanner5339]

​@@no_soy_rubio how wonderful ❤

[@nox101]

👍…Looks like a very relaxed place…with white-sand beach

[@no_soy_rubio]

Definitely a very different atmosphere to Playa del Carmen and Cancun on the mainland 🙏

[@travel_nature_and_life]

Yes, the gringo takes part 👍😊 Of course. Matt , once again, an amazing and immersive trip , the island looks authentic and so beautiful. Hoping it is the same for a long time💛

[@no_soy_rubio]

Merci beaucoup et bon weekend 😁

[@grayfreeman]

Brilliant Matt.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Thanks Gray 😎

[@I-ms7ri]

What so amaizing!!! Id love to relocate there

[@no_soy_rubio]

Do it 😎👍

[@christianmorris8065]

The Mexicans come over as really nice, friendly people; not dissimilar to the Irish but not quite as laid back

[@no_soy_rubio]

Love a wee drop of ale too 🍻😆

[@christianmorris8065]

@@no_soy_rubio interestingly, the Irish don’t drink as much per-capita as the English. There’s a whole stereotype we endure but it’s not true in real life

[@no_soy_rubio]

@@christianmorris8065 that doesn't surprise me tbh!

[@christianmorris8065]

@@no_soy_rubio me neither.

[@escursionisuburbane6107]

you are living la vida loca, you're a lucky man 🎉

[@no_soy_rubio]

🥳🥳🥳

[@IvorsTravels]

Looks more interesting than Cancun but really only the visit to the reef looked likely to tempt me. The line of cruise ships was definitely a deterrent.

[@no_soy_rubio]

Totally agree re the cruise ships

[@wayneuk62]

Come back to kent 😅❤

[@no_soy_rubio]

One day, not yet 🤣

[@patrickstarnes2355]

I prefer basic cars without gadgets and sensors nothing to go wrong 😂

[@no_soy_rubio]

Me too, and if it does go wrong at least you can fix it 🤣 although I draw the line at no power steering 😮‍💨