Found this place on Trip Advisor as an excellent place for authentic Mayan cuisine. I also saw some…read moreof the Carnival cruises offer an excursion for their cooking class but you can reserve it directly through Ix-Kool as well. The service was fast considering they had a full house downstairs with their cooking class about to begin. Very modern decor and architecture. It's located inside the Royal Village Shopping Center which is about a 10-min walk from the Costa Maya & International TMM cruise ports. I suggest reserving your table on Open Table beforehand. We tried a variety of dishes, the guacamole & Sikil p'aak (Sikil = pumpkin seeds, p'aak = tomatoes) are prepared table side in a molcajete. Next time in Cozumel I plan on reserving cooking class!

I found this place on line and we decided to come and try. Never had maya cuisine in my life, so…read morethis a new experience to all of us. The location is not fancy, from outside, even a little unsure. Inside is not luxury but more like modern simple. We arrived early about 6 pm, so the whole place is only us. Though it gradually filled all downstairs around 7 pm. We were lucky to get chef's whole attention, and i even got chance to make the guacamole on site by my table. Food is unique, black bean pork is my favorite. The corn bread is very nicely caramelized, adding a strong layer of flavor.

All staff members were excellent, the chocolate was delicious and the Mayan chocolate making was a…read moreunique one of a kind experience. The Melipona Bee is another one of a kind experienced. The honey tasting was also delicious and unique. Being able to compare two different kinds of honeys was awesome. I love honey and bees and there is no other experience like this one! The place was very nice and clean and the bathrooms spotless. The entire experience transports you to a different time in history, you feel completely relaxed and at peace with the place.

The Mayans used cacao as currency -- after one chocolate margarita, I'd happily do the same…read more Forget tequila -- this is the true spirit of Mexico. If tequila is Mexico's party drink, then cacao is its soul. The Maya Cacao Company in Cozumel takes you on a ride through 3,000 years of history, where chocolate wasn't just dessert -- it was currency, ritual, and even medicine. The Mayans were drinking cacao long before Europeans turned it into Hershey bars, and this place makes sure you taste that legacy in every sip. From the moment you step in, it feels like equal parts museum and tasting room. Guides walk you through the origins of cacao, from the Mayan belief that it was a gift from the gods to how beans were roasted, ground, and mixed into a bitter, frothy drink spiced with chili. You'll hear how cacao beans were once used as currency -- imagine paying your rent in hot chocolate! Then comes the tasting -- and this is where the Maya Cacao Company shines. Their drinks aren't just good; they're borderline spiritual: * Chocolate Margarita - smooth, rich, with just the right kick. A cocktail that shouldn't work, but does. * Luna Colada - think piña colada's mysterious cousin, infused with cacao for a tropical-meets-Mayan vibe. * Hot chocolate samples that feel like liquid history, spiced the way the ancients drank it. Yes, prices are a bit higher than you'd expect -- this isn't cheap grocery-store chocolate. But what you're buying is quality and heritage. The bars, powders, and drink mixes are perfect for bringing home a taste of Cozumel that isn't another fridge magnet. And making one of their cacao cocktails at home? Instant vacation flashback. The Mayans and Aztecs considered cacao sacred -- literally calling it "food of the gods." It was so important that Montezuma was said to drink dozens of cups of cacao daily for energy. Walking through this tour, you don't just hear about it -- you taste that history in every sip. The Maya Cacao Company is part history lesson, part tasting adventure, and totally worth the stop in Cozumel. It's pricier than a corner shop, but you're paying for craft, culture, and drinks so good you'll wish TSA allowed chocolate margaritas on board. Come for the history, stay for the cocktails, and leave with a suitcase that smells like cacao. Prices are higher, but so was Montezuma on cacao.

A Oxxo store that opens up in Royal Village Shopping Centre right across International Cruise…read moreTerminal. As a frequent cruiser that docks in the area frequently, this Oxxo is just the best thing that opens up in this area! Here you can pick up snacks, water and even beers at a reasonable price. "What the locals would have pay without being ripped off!" All merchandise is priced in pesos but they gladly accept your USD$. Opens 24/7!

Must try: Authentic Mayan Cooking Class in Cozumel!…read more Why: We had an incredible time learning more about ancient Mayan dishes, ingredients, and culture. Juan and the entire team made the experience interactive and fun. We got to laugh and learn while making various dishes like Sikil Pak, Corn Tortillas, and Panuchos. The cooks also made additional dishes for us to try and one of our favorites was Lima Sopa. We washed it all down with refreshments like Chaya Water. We absolutely loved our experience!

Cozumel recommendation: Last week we were in Cozumel for my…read morehusband's birthday and he chose Ix-Kool for his birthday dinner. Being in the Royal Shopping Center by the cruise ship pier made me skeptical but how wrong I was. We are regular eaters of Mayan food here and in Valladolid, and this is some of the best we've had! We started with sikil p'aak made table side and served with fresh made tortillas. This was SO GOOD! I then had the pibil mushroom panuchos, so flavorful and meaty! Hubby got the pipian pork, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Their cocktails were great too-especially the pineapple margarita Service was fantastic. The space itself has a modern vibe but the chef is definitely sticking to traditional flavors. They apparently also have cooking classes. We definitely recommend a meal here if you are in the area!

Very large 'everything-under-one-roof' type store in Cozumel. It is within walking distance from…read moreone of the cruise ports (Punta Langosta), but would require a short taxi ride for the one my brother and I got off of (International terminal). The prices might be a bit higher than on the open local market stalls, but with better odds that the items are authentic. They also have a full gamut of grocery items, along with an instore restaurant serving a Chinese buffet of all things. And there are other stalls lining the outer inside ring, selling various things, under one roof. Kinda reminded me of the asian market set-up where the main store brings people in, and vendors rent out the space to sell their wares.

We always visit Mega each time we're in Cozumel. Chris and I love browsing through isles whenever…read morewe're in a warehouse club or large supermarkets and Mega is not an exception. It is Cozumel's version of Walmart. Chris gets one of his favorite beers here, the Bohemia Vienna. And I get my coconut water. If you're on a cruise and needing something like sunscreen or swimsuit, Mega is a great place to go!

One stop shopping!…read more From medicine to alcohol and everything from A-Z that meets all your needs. The produce is so fresh and vibrant. The store is immaculately clean and spacious. Bring your own grocery bags. Taxis are also available upon exit.

One stop shop of everything you need. If you're staying near the beach or at one of the resorts and…read moreneed groceries, snacks, booze, souvenirs, or general life necessities, this place is worth the short trip. A row of ATMs had reputable banks like HSBC and Santander with super reasonable exchange fees around $2 USD, and plenty of machines so you're not stuck waiting behind someone trying to remember their PIN. The store itself is massive and really well stocked. Fresh produce, dairy, perishable foods, American brand snacks, Mexican candy, and Mexican Takis that are spicier than the U.S. version (yay!). They also have a large alcohol section with brands Americans will recognize, plus local beers and mixers, including tropical juice flavors. Beyond food, they carry household items, swimwear, resort-style dresses, T-shirts, and footwear for the family plus a wide selection of souvenirs. My kids were able to pick out some shorts and tops for themselves and cute Mexican sugar skulls, keychain, and magnets for their teachers. Everything was spotless, including the parking lot and there's a restroom inside. Paying was easy with credit, debit, or cash. This place is incredibly convenient and well worth the drive. NOTES/TIPS: **From La Zebra, about a 20-minute drive. It's even closer to the larger resorts, plus downtown Tulum and the car rental area. **Parking was easy with a huge, very clean lot. **Restrooms inside. **It's set up a bit like a Walmart with specialty shops inside the supermarket itself. This location had a GNC and other shops. **Surrounding plaza has eateries and other businesses.

Forget Señor Frogs -- this is where Cozumel actually eats…read more Every town has that place the locals whisper about -- not polished, not flashy, but real. On Cozumel, that's Oasis de Sabor. Tucked on the corner of Morelos 30, it's the kind of spot you stumble into while wandering away from the cruise port madness, and once you sit down, you realize you just struck gold. This is Cozumel cooking at its best -- simple, fresh, and unapologetically flavorful. Tacos that arrive hot off the grill, bursting with seasoned meats. Fish so fresh it practically swam onto your plate. Homemade salsas that don't just bring heat, they bring character. And don't skip the aguas frescas -- cold, sweet, refreshing in that Caribbean humidity. The vibe is pure island life: relaxed, welcoming, no rush. You're not being herded like at some tourist beach club; you're being hosted. The staff is warm, the service is personal, and the whole place feels like it's run on kindness and good food rather than a corporate manual. Cozumel has always been a crossroads -- Mayan pilgrims, Spanish explorers, cruise ships -- and spots like Oasis de Sabor keep the island's heart beating. No neon signs, no glossy branding. Just food that tells you exactly where you are: on a Mexican island with deep roots and proud flavors. Oasis de Sabor is a must if you want authentic, flavorful Cozumel food in a relaxed local spot. Skip the tourist traps, wander a few blocks, and find the oasis of taste the name promises. You don't need a reservation, you need an appetite.

This ice cream place is A1! It was recommended to us by our taxi driver for authentic homemade…read moreflavors and it surely did NOT disappoint. In my opinion, the service could've been a LITTLE friendlier. But to be fair, they were busy. Many many many flavors to choose from. Both ice cream, drinks, & popsicles to choose from. We had the mint with chocolate chip, the guava, the papaya, and sour sop. All were very good and you can tell they are homemade. Highly recommend if you are visiting downtown Cozumel.

The San Francisco will fill your basic grocery needs in Tulum. Of all the groceries we hit while in…read moretown, this one had probably the best selection of produce, meats and dry goods. The beer selection is decent, you can get fresh panes and tortillas from the bakery, and I'd say from an American standpoint, it's about as well-stocked as a fairly low-end Safeway. For larger shopping trips, you're better off heading up to Playa to one of the supermercados, but for day-to-day needs, San Francisco will get it done. Beware the dude who hangs out in the parking lot washing windows. If you come out and your wipers have been flipped up, expect to have him hit you up for some money. Hey, he's providing a service. Keep a few peso coins in your pocket for him. He'll appreciate it.

Very nice smaller grocery store without all the crazy clutter and "Walmart" feel of some of the…read morebigger stores. Very nice produce - and crazy gorgeous bulk Ceylon cinnamon (bring some home, you won't regret it!). Friendly staff, good prices - and a nice parking lot, too! Definitely my pick for grocery stores in Tulum!