Today begins the period when you can book your airline tickets at the lowest prices. This period is known as "Prime Fares" and it runs from September 15, 2025, to January 11, 2025. Per the travel industry standards, this is the time when airlines release their best fares for flights for our period of travel. While the price may fluctuate up and down a bit between now and then, it is a certainty that the number of seats on the plane will go down.
You want to think about your cash needs in two parts: cash for tipping, and cash for spending money.
Here is a basic guideline for the way I calculate tipping cash needs:
| Service | Amount (USD) | Frequency | Total (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maid Service | $5 | 5 nights | $25 |
| Scuba Diving (2 tanks) | $5 - $10 per tank | 3 days (2 tanks/day) | $30 - $60 |
| On-Resort Restaurants | $5 per dinner | 4 meals | $20 |
| On-Resort Bars | $5 - $10 per day | 5 days | $25 - $50 |
| Transport | $5 | 2 rides | $10 |
| Total | **$110 - $135 |
The short answer, is: No.
The long answer is, it kind of depends. For the most part, US dollars are widely accepted in Cozumel, especially at the resort and in touristy areas. Tipping is often done in US dollars as well. However, there are a few situations where having some Mexican Pesos on hand can be useful.
The short answer is: Yes.
Gratuities for helpful, quality service is absolutely expected. Tips make up a good portion of service worker's overall salary, and they work to earn those tips.
It depends on your carrier, but they all offer an option.
If your cell phone does Wi-Fi calling, you will be able to call and text while connected to Wi-Fi in the resort. If it doesn't, or you want to be able to do so without Wi-Fi, you will need to check with your cell phone provider to see if they offer international calling and texting. Some providers, like T-Mobile, include this automatically, while others, like Verizon, may charge a daily fee for international service. Google Fi also offers international service without additional fees, but you should check with your provider to see what options are available to you.
So you're traveling to a foreign country and you're wondering if you need to get any shots. The answer is: it depends! According to the CDC, there are a few things to concern yourself with when it comes to vaccinations, diseases, and travel to Mexico.
A 2023 study analyzing 917 million airfares in over 8,000 markets found 6 booking windows. These booking windows reveal airline pricing patterns and the best time to buy flights, depending on your personal priorities.
| Strategy | Time Before Departure | Pros & Cons | Price Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Window | By Jul 29, 2025 | Larger flight selection, larger seat selection. | $50 more than if you choose to book in the prime booking window. |
| Peace of Mind | Jul 30 to Sep 14, 2025 | Good mix of price and selection. | $20 more than the prime booking window. |
| Prime Window | Sep 15 2025 - Jan 11, 2026 | Lowest pricepoint. It only goes up from here. | Lowest price point. |
| Push Your Luck | Jan 12 to Feb 12, 2026 | You're a procrastinator, or have money and don't care where you sit. | $100+ more than the prime booking window. |
| Playing With Fire | Feb 13 to Feb 22, 2026 | Fewer available seats, last possibly sane price. | $135 less than last minute bookings. |
| Hail Mary | Feb 23 to 26, 2026 | Last minute, high prices, very low selection. | $220 more than the prime booking window. |
I am so excited to be going to Cozumel with some of my favorite people!
Because people in my household have been doing this for a while now, I figured it would be good to put a bit of information together to answer some questions and centralize important points for anyone joining us. I will continue to add updates here as we go.
Please do poke around in the FAQ section. It is where I will collect the meat and potatoes of the trip information. If you have any questions not found in there, please reach out with it so I can add it!
Let's Go! -Miychell